“One Way Ticket”

It was the third time, Samarth, found himself unable to book his ticket for home. He never faced this kind of dilemma in his life, not at least while planning his journey to his home state. Twice he made his mind to book the ticket but he felt choked by something when he was on payment’s page. Even after choosing the payment options, he couldn’t complete them. At that time, several thought rush to agitate his mind like anything. Having caught in this labyrinth, he would quit the page, followed by lowering his head on the table in order to unite his thoughts and come to a unanimous decision. He would often fail in this too, hence, he used to switch to the other tasks to keep his mind engaged. In this process, he would invite headaches to further aggravate the situation.

Samarth’s friends who were home due to work from home allotted to them by the companies in which they were working, used to ask that when he was going to come. He would often give trivial excuses including the weather is harsh and he wants to avoid travel, some important works are pending, waiting for results and similar.

One of his friends caught his nerve and said,

“Samarth, since when did you start denying the travelling? As far as I know, you’ve always loved it so much so that many travelogues are in your name”

I was answerless for a moment but as I was accustomed to making excuses, I again made some with increased insignificance. I didn’t know whether she believed it or not but yeah, she gave the reason for that journey worth undertaking.

Five years back, Samarth came to the metro city from a small and conservative town. He didn’t know his purpose at that time as his sources as well as resources were limited. Also, a few people studied in the prestigious ‘Delhi University’ from his town where the craze was mainly for UPSC, IITs and NITs. In the beginning, he felt awkward but his tendency of ‘not giving up’ made him pick the pace. In the due course, he decided his goal. However, the things didn’t work in the way he expected. It didn’t work actually. Despite your effort, it works in the way it desires.

The result came that day. Samarth got into MPhil and not PhD after giving three entrances, qualifying for interview in two and finally making into one.

Once again, he had to settle for less. He accepted. That’s life! It doesn’t give you what you always wish for, because, then you would stop living. To live to the fullest and to come with the best version in you, you’ll always have to struggle.

– Shashank!