What if - 3

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 7; the seventh edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

The results were out and Sameer had passed his engineering exams with flying colors. He ranked 3rd in the college and he wanted to join an MNC, despite his dad’s insistence to join the family business. He had already been placed in a renowned company and he had to join them in about 15 days. He lost count of the days as he started perpetrations for leaving his home town for Pune, where he had been placed by the company. Sameer was very expectant and excited about the future and was very confident that he would do well.

He joined his office and really liked the environment, the people and the seniors. He felt like he’d joined his college again. The office had the same hustle-bustle, the same vibes as the college.

In a month he had a group of 5 guys who were around his age and all were from good colleges with wonderful grades.

Life seemed to throw new challenges everyday and Sameer was dealing every challenge like a pro. But while his professional graph was on the rise, his love graph was sticking to the ‘x’ axis only. Sameer really liked a colleague, Shalini, but was not able to express his feelings to her. They really never talked to each other except for professional reasons but he always waited for that occasional smile that made his day. The gang knew about it and left no card unturned when it came to pulling his leg.

Days went by, and the fast, monotonous life of the corporate world started to get the better of him. What frustrated him more was the fact that he couldn’t convey his feelings to that girl. He started to unwind himself by going to late night parties with other colleagues, and while the others were busy working or sleeping, Sameer was enjoying his new found freedom in pubs.

Sameer was a regular to a pub and had made a lot of friends there. One day, he saw a beautiful girl and asked her if he could buy her a drink. She accepted and as the drink came she pulled out a strip of some medicine and put a couple of pills into the drink. Sameer was puzzled. Upon asking, the girl was surprised that he did not know the latest trend of drug abuse, Prescription drugs. She insisted that he should try it once. Sameer couldn’t deny and he had an amazing high that day. She explained him all about the different medications that could be mixed with drinks and the different effects they had.

Soon, Sameer was trying it all, and as the momentary pleasure was rising, Sameer was getting more and more isolated from work, friends, and family. His health started to deteriorate and he felt helpless but couldn’t get out of that habit of drug abuse. He also had to quit his job because he was not able to cope up with it.

Today, he sat outside the rehabilitation centre thinking, ‘Why was this happening to me?’

‘What if I had listened to my folks and join the family business?’

‘What if I had expressed my love to Shalini and settled down with her?’

‘What if I had not resorted to drug abuse or pub culture to break out of the routine?’

‘What if I didn’t ask that girl for a drink that night?’

‘What if I could just say NO, that day?’

*******************************************

Epilogue: Prescription drug abuse by teens and young adults is a serious problem in the United States and is fast spreading in other parts of the world. As per a study:
1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription (Rx) pain medication
1 in 5 report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers
1 in 10 has abused cough medication
Many teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking them without a prescription to get high or “self-medicate” can be as dangerous – and addictive – as using street narcotics and other illicit drugs.

It just takes one moment to let our guard down and succumb to the desire to try it once, but it would only give us a lifetime of pain and suffering.

So, please take a stand and “Say No to Drugs.”

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

What if - 2

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 7; the seventh edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

'Hi Sameer, you are looking really happy today, is it love or is it dove?’ mocked my colleague as I entered my workplace.

‘Neither’, I said with a smile ‘I’m going back home for a week.’

‘Even better, enjoy the holidays.’

It was my first leave after 2 years and I was delighted. The day went as usual and I completed my work by 5 in the evening. I carried my luggage to office that day not knowing if I’d be able to finish my work early. I had forgotten my mobile charger and the battery was already a bit low. I left office and started for the bus station. In about 30 minutes I was at the bus stop. I had booked my tickets for the 7 p.m. bus and was sitting idly reading my book. Almost 1 hour passed and the bus arrived at 6:45. As I was getting up, I saw a well dressed man hurry to the ticket office. The bus cleaner took about 10 minutes to tidy the bus and by that time I called up at home and told them the bus number MH31 5055 and the time of arrival 7 am. As I was about to pick up my luggage to board the bus, I saw that man again, this time right in front of me.

‘I know I am troubling you, but I really need to get on this bus. I have an emergency and the next bus is at 10 pm. Please help me out. I would pay double the amount for the ticket, please let me travel on your seat.’

‘But even I need to be home early tomorrow’, I tried to argue.

‘I have purchased the ticket for the 10 pm bus, you can take this too.’

‘Not a bad deal’, I thought and agreed, took my fare and the 10 p.m. ticket and started reading the book again.

I had dinner and boarded the bus at 10 p.m., tuned in my IPod and went off to sleep. At about 2 a.m. the bus stopped in the jungle due to a flat tire. With nothing more to do I dozed off. In the morning I got to know that they took almost 2 hours to repair the puncture and we were about 3 hours off the scheduled time. When I reached the destination it was almost 1 in the noon.

The bus stop was walking distance from my place, so I decided to walk. When I reached home I saw a big crowd gathered around my house. A chill ran down my spine. What must have happened? Was papa alright? He didn’t keep well these days and that was one reason for me to come home. Even my younger brother rides the bike rashly? Did anything happen to him? I almost ran to my house, trying to push everyone aside as I tried to go in.

I could hear murmurs all around me.

‘He was such a good man.’ ‘How can god be so ignorant to good people?’ ‘God bless his soul.’ ‘This is such a great loss to the family.’

And suddenly I heard a shout from behind me, ‘Sameer’s here.’ There was pin drop silence for a moment and everyone turned to look at me.

The murmurs started getting louder. ‘What happened?’ I asked ‘tell me, is everyone all right?’

I glanced around the room to see my brother and my mother sitting at the far corner of the room. They stood up and ran towards me. I could see multiple emotions on their face at once. ‘What happened?’ I thought trying to clear my mind. And then I saw a small framed photograph on the table besides them. I squinted to see it clearly. It was my father’s photograph. He passed away this morning when he heard that the bus number MH31 5055 had met with an accident.

What if I had not been ignorant and charged my mobile.

What if I had been prompt enough and informed my family that I had changed my schedule.

If only I was responsible enough to understand why my father would always tell me ‘Keep calling, wherever you go.’

'What if ....' is all that passed my lips as tears ran down my cheeks.


Epilogue: This story is dedicated to the several youngsters who get irritated when their parents ask them where they are. They feel the parents are not giving them the ‘FREEDOM’ they deserve. Please think twice before you switch off you mobile or ignore calls from your parents.


PS: This is a repost for blog-a-ton 7, with the permission of marshal, Vipul.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

What If - 1

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 7; the seventh edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

I had a small argument with my dad today and I was angry over something that he had done. I tried to explain him my point of view but he just wouldn’t listen to me at all. There are lots and lots of times that things like these happen, not only with me but with all of us. And thoughts like these keep coming to our minds. “Does my dad really have to interfere so much in my life?” or “Why doesn’t he understand that I’ve grown up now” or maybe “He has no rights to decide on what I should be doing”. Some more mature and grown up people may face other dilemmas like “why doesn’t my dad listen to me?” or “Doesn’t he understand this type of behavior does not really stand up to my reputation” or maybe worse “ Should I think of settling up in a new home now that I am not getting along with my dad?”

I was still cribbing over the situation, when I saw my two year old son run outside the house trying to get to the road. I ran after him and caught him before he could get there. He started to cry wildly wiggling his hands and legs in an attempt to get out of my grip. He was shouting at the top of his voice, ‘Tata , tata” ( This is what he says when he wants to go out) but I didn’t listen to him and carried him back inside. My dad was sitting there observing everything, but he didn’t say a word. And after I was back in the house I sat down pondering over the whole scene.

What if I had not stopped my child from running onto the road? What if I had let go of him when he started to shout? It is my duty to take care of him, and I have to do it till I can. But that’s what my dad was doing too, then why do I crib? He must also be feeling the same sense of responsibility towards me, he would also be caring for me the same way I care for my son. After all, everything that I am today is because of him.

What if he didn’t take my mom to the best doctors when I was being born?

What if he thought that jaundice is normal in newborns and he didn’t care much about it?

What if he had not taken me to the hospital on time, when my skin was peeling like the skin of boiled potatoes? (I had a reaction from a medicine)

What if he had not been awake all night when I was having fever?

What if he was not there when I needed him around?

What if he did not stay awake to ensure that I came back home safely, when I got late at night?

All that I am, the very existence of me is because of him. If he would have been complacent over my mere existence, I would not have been what I am today. He’s the one who’s made everything possible for me, sheltered me from all the sun and the storm. He’s the one who’s taken all the right decisions in my life, I owe this life to him and now, just because I have grown up and I understand the world, do I have the right to argue with him over petty matters?

I started feeling guilty for the argument I had with my dad in the morning. I went over to him, he was having tea, and my son was sitting on the table near him. I went over and said, “I’m sorry Dad.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment, and then he turned towards me and while he was holding my son, he said, “Today this young man, my grandson has given me my son back.”
*****************************************************************************

P.S.: I was writing this piece with a father, son, grandson perspective only , and if some of you may find it a bit odd that I have not mentioned my mom, I want to say that I love and respect her a lot, and its just that this piece was written with a flow of thought that related to dad only.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.