Episode 1

Aditya Karikalan, My name. Ya I know, you may wonder that Aditya sounds OK, but what was the second phrase? It is spelt as Kari – Kaaalan. It is the name of an early Chola King.

My father used to be so devoted to our Tamil Language and always told that your name is your first identity and it should be expressing who you are. Hence I got this name. Mom told that he even postponed my naming ceremony for 2 weeks to find such name. Its ok, except often people killing my name by misspelling, otherwise I liked my name.

This was about my name. And about me, I am a 16 yr old boy who just completed my tenth standard and waiting for a result. It is about 7 am. I am sitting in our living room sofa with legs folded, watching the door waiting for the news paper. I hear mom shouting “Lazy fellow! Your coffee’s getting cold, go get your teeth brushed soon.” the problem of being in an orthodox family. My mom would’ve never heard of a term “Bed-Coffee”. And finally the Hindu arrived but with a bad news. Headlines told:

“SSLC results on Tomorrow: State board, Matric, CBSE and Anglo Indian all board results to be released tomorrow. No more postpone – Directorate of Govt Examinations. And mark sheets will be issued on 18^th June.”

Shit man! I got pissed off. Oh god! You heard my prayers for two times by postponing the results. But why not now..? I know whenever at any time the results will be coming but still it could’ve been postponed again. I’m not yet ready to face. Don’t worry buddy. The result will be really great, don’t worry.  I convinced myself. I am a bright student in the class. But I am not comfortable with exams, especially writing. I’ve never scored as much I’ve expected. Still I’ve scored quite well in revisions. So everyone is keeping enough expectations on me. I know I could not meet dad’s expectation like district first or any such kind. But I expect above 90%. This has been the very uncomfortable day in my life. You can never do a single thing without thinking about what would be the result coming tomo. By any means, the day has been completed and was sitting in the same sofa after the dinner. The radio is running, but still my mind was somewhere else.

Dad in rough voice asked “what is the plan tomorrow..?” Anand will be coming here by 9:30 and we’ll be going to ‘Net-Palace’ near bus stop – I replied. “What about Rajesh uncle’s home? They are having internet na.?” dad was asking. I replied “It is a home connection pa and there’ll not be much speed. All colony boys are coming here only tomorrow” Actually the fact is I never wanted to watch my result in Rajesh uncle’s house that too in front of Deepika, Rajesh uncle’s daughter. She’s also tenth std but from SBOA school. I don’t know her much, but seen her often in our tuition classes. I started imagining what marks she would score. What if I score more than her? Like that I was thinking and suddenly mom shouted “Need to go to Vinayaka temple in morning. So sleep early and get up early.”

Went to bed, but I couldn’t get sleep. I don’t know whether it is fear or excitement or what. But this thing was disturbing me the whole night. Still I got up on mom’s first call. Because I think our subconscious mind also will be alerted on such occasions. Then quickly brushed continued by a cold water shower and joined the pooja in home with mom. She feels that even her last minute worship can also influence my results. But the truth is god cannot go back on time and change what I have written in my exam. Still I too have some faith in god, so I don’t question more. As soon as that dad started his TVS XL super and was waiting for us. Then we all went on a 5 min ride to the Vinayaka Temple behind the professor’s colony. I tried doing all the offerings to the god starting from the sit ups we put in front of him to chanting all mantras and putting money in Hundiyal, Tried everything to impress Mr. Vinayaka. And then we reached home to see Anand was waiting for me. It was 8:20 oly, but I understood that he is also excited, hence came early. I asked him for 5 min as mom served me 4 hot Idlis with coconut chutney. I liked them, but my mind didn’t let me to eat. Dad asked him too to have 2 idlis.The problem with dad is he never asks just for formality. He never leaves until he will have some. And I completed my 4 with Anand completing his forceful two. And we were ready to leave and it was 8:45 AM.,

To Be Continued....,