Chapter-9

Soon the exams started. Varun followed the same routine every day. 'Get up at 5:30 AM and start studying. Eat breakfast at 8:00 AM, then study for another 5 hours.' In span of 24 hours, he studied for 15 hours a day. His parents helped him in every way possible, bringing him rough notebooks and stationery.

A day before the first exam Varun's father called him to meet him at his office. As soon as his coaching was over he rushed there. His father was sitting in his cabin, working on a project.

Knock! Knock!

"Yeah, come in." his father replied to the knocking.

"I got your message.."

"Sit down for a bit and let me finish my work." His father said in a loud tone.

Varun retired to the sofa and took out his Hindi notebook, going through the chapters, revising the answers and leaning the names of all writers and poets. After ten minutes his father called him again.

"Varun tomorrow you will write your first board exam, I want you to perform your best and get ten CGPA."

"I will try my best father."

His father rose from his seat and came closer to him.

"Varun.... I know that I haven't been the best father, but what I do is for your own good. These things that you do, singing, anchoring or debates these...... these are useless in real life. You are living inside a protective bubble of your mother and mine thinking the world outside is as perfect for you as it is now but as soon as you step out, you WILL face the consequences. Just think about it."

Varun was in a total shock. For the first time, his father actually talked to him in a good way. All the hatred that he was nourishing against his dad just vanished in just that half an hour. His perception about his father was now just the opposite.

"Varun...." And then he was back.

"Yes dad."

"I have something for you..." his father pulled out an old looking Maxima watch from his drawer. "I want you to wear this when you are writing your exams."

"What's so special about this watch dad?"

"Well.... your grandpa gave this watch to me when I started my first job. It's a symbol of something special son and now I want you to have it."

"I....I can't dad, it's too much" Varun hesitated but his father still handed it to him.he couldn't hold back his tears which were continuously flowing down his eyes .He felt like a dam had burst .His father was right all along. Every BLOODY TIME!! But all he did was hate him.

After an hour of bonding time, they were back home ad having a great family evening. His mom and dad retired to bed while he was back at his room, studying but soon he fell asleep.

And finally it was the moment, first exams of the boards. Hearts were thumping fast. Parents were giving advice on exams. Advice like 'Stay hydrated' and 'don't take too much stress' and 'start from Section-D were given to which the students would reply 'But dad its Hindi Exam not Maths and finally the gates were opened. This was it.

After a month and a half exams were over and finally it was time for the announcement of the results. Varun's hands were shaking as he entered his roll number, and double checked it. His mom and dad stared at the screen with rapt attention because this will decide his future and his stream. He pressed enter and a loading screen appeared. Round and round it went. It felt like eternity to Varun but finally it opened. The report card appeared. Written on the screen where the total CGPA was shown was the number 7.6.

Varun couldn't believe it. After trying so hard he still was not able to stand up to his father's expectations. He was barely able to barely control his tears, his father patted him on the shoulder and his mom walked out of the room.

He rushed to his room and locked himself. It was late in the evening when he heard a knock on the door.

"Please leave me alone MA, I don't want to talk to anyone right now!"

"Varun open the door its me." It was his father's voice.

He got up, wiped his tears from his cheeks and opened the door. His father entered the room and sat on his bed while Varunsat on the chair facing his father.

"I know I'm an idiot dad but trust me I did my best."

"When did I say anything about that.... In fact I even patted you on the back."

"I thought you were angry."

"All that a father wants is that his child should be better than him in every ways isn't it?" asked his father as he pulled out an old piece of paper from his bag and handed it to him

"Varun, I want you to look at this."

"It's your Board results!"

"And how much have I scored?" asked his father pointing towards the report card

"Fifty-nine per cent, and today Varun you've made me proud cause you have proved that you are better than me, better at everything."

"I know that you are saying this just to cheer me up."

"No son, I mean it. Just don't think that you are worthless. Even after 59% I was able to buy this beautiful house, have the most beautiful women in the world as my wife and you.... my SON. Do you think a man needs anything more in my life?"

Varun realized what he was trying to say and gave a tight hug to him. His mother was listening to all of this from outside of the room. That evening his dad took everyone to a family dinner and even watched a movie together. At 11:00 PM they came back. Varun went straight to his bed and slept.

"So did you tell him about your condition?" asked his mother

"No I just can't do this to him..." said his father.

"Your condition is getting worse every day. Even the doctor said that you only have a few more days."

"But are you even thinking... in what way I can say to my child that he won't have a father to grow up with..."