The Genius' Dream

 I had always know my future. Always known what I would become. I had always known that I would have to follow his footsteps one day. But I had never expected is to be that soon.

It happened so fast. A call came to me from mother saying that my father was admitted in the hospital. The company's economy went down very low and at the same time, the mail from the bank, stating of the supposed bankruptcy led my father to an attack in the heart.

I took his place in the company while he was admitted in the hospital. The workers were hesitant to follow me at first. It was expected, as I was just college student at that time. But, it changed after I started working. They were impressed to see a mere college student handling job better than them. I wasn't surprised. It always happens with me since I am gifted with a brain which is sharper then others'. And my father had been teaching me little by little ever since I was in high school. I attended many of the company's meeting, helped him with the paper works and arranging them. He taught me to be a perfect chairman ever since I was a small kid.

You can say that my life had been already drawn out by my parents the day I was born. They always said what I should do I shouldn't do. They always expected a lot from me. I didn't mind them though as I didn't have to try much to satisfy them. I had never thought of making a decision of my own regarding my life. Not until that particular day.

   It had already been a week after the launching of the new online game. It was very successful. The company's economy increased so much that it was on the second rank in just a week. We were also able to pay off loans from the bank.

And all the credits came to me which I think is not true. Yes, it was I who brought up the idea game. But, without the teamwork of the production team the greatest success in the history of gaming would have been a mere failure. The press were giving me extra attention which was not necessary.

I picked up the latest magazine edition of the 'Business Kingdom'. I saw a picture of me on the front page and above it were the words, ' Will He Become The Youngest Chairman?'. I read the contents of the magazine. It was the usual things, all talks about the businessmen and their lifestyles. But, there was something different in this magazine. It had a column reserved for articles and poems written by the public. An article on the topic "Dream to Die for" was there. It was written with an intro of Dream. 

It said, "A dream is an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.A dream worth pursuing is a picture and blueprint of a person’s purpose and potential.A dream is the seed of possibility planted in the soul of a human being, which calls him to pursue a unique path to the realization of his purpose."

Then I realised one thing. 

'If the definition of dream is true, than do I really not have a dream.' That was the first thing I had in my mind after I read the article. I didn't picture my future, I didn't have anything in my mind that I would want to pursue. Another question rang in my mind.

'What is my dream?'

How the day ended, I didn't notice at all that day. Only the question was in my mind.

 After returning home, I went to my sister's room. While everyone was only expecting something from me, she never asked anything from me. She accepted me for whoever I was. Though she looked up to me, she never expected me to do something that other would want me to.

While not being the brightest star in the night sky, she has light of her own. Her determination and hard working nature are somethings I envy of her. Her cheerfulness never fails to bring a smile in my 'stone face', as she calls it. She smiles all the time. Even after that incident that took away the brightness from her life.

That day was a nightmare to our family. Mother was with Father in the hospital while I was in the office. We never had the knowledge that Lucia had been running away from home making excuses to join piano classes. She once told mother that she wanted to be musician. But our parents' reactionso were not good. Maybe that was why she hid it from us. We only came to know of this after a call came from the hospital saying that our youngest was in the emergency room. She had met an accident on her way to the class. After that day, she never was able to see the outside world. Glass particles went inside her eyes.

Though they didn't show it, my parents blamed themselves for it. Had they been more considerate, that wouldn't have happened.

I knocked on the door of her bedroom. A soft voice welcomed me. 

"Hey Lucy..." , I called her

"Benny? You're back? ", came her surprised voice.

"Yes....I'm back..." I replied.

"How was work ?" She asked.

"It was.....Okay. I guess."

Hearingyou reply, quite frown appeared on her face.

"Why do you sound unsure?" 

"Do I?" I asked.

"Yeah." 

I sighed. And I told her everything. She listened to my problem very attentively. She still does.

"Well. That is expected from you." She said, which really confused me.

'She expected me to jot have a dream to achieve?' I thought.

She must've seen my confused face as she continued.

"It's no new thing to you when people say you are smart, Benny. You have the ability to do anything that you want. That left you with many options and you don't know which one to choose."

"You're right. But, I don't want to do anything. Why is this so?" I asked her.

"Well that's because you're a Stone faced Robot." I rolled my eyes at her reply. 

"Seriously Lucy. Why?"

"Hey. Don't think of it to hard. Just let it come to you. And besides, once you know it, you'll surely get what you want." 

I still can't believe that she was so cheerful. I mean, she had the accident that made her blind. And there she was giving me support, while I couldn't do anything for her.

"Lucia...How are you feeling?" I asked in a soft voice.

"I'm doing fine. Kia and I get along very well. It's fun to talk about all the celebrities with her." 

If you don't know who Kia is, she was her caretaker.

"Lucy....." 

"I know what you meant by the question, Benny. It's not.....nice....not to see anything. But I believe that I'll sure see again. And I would become a musician one day."

"Is it your dream?" I asked.

"Huh??" 

" To be a musician. Is it your dream."

"Yes. I dream to be a great Pianist. And, Luther might not tell you but, he want to create games ya know."

"Well. It isn't a surprise. With the amount of time he spend in playing games, I'm not surprised if he has hundreds of idea to create. Maybe he can handle the company after I find my dream." 

"Oh yes. It'll be like a dream for him. Well. Same goes for me, if I was announced 'The Best Pianist'."

"How can you be so sure you'll become a pianist?" I asked.

"Well. That's because I have you all. Specially you, Benny. Even if to tend to hide your emotion, I know that you care for us a lot Benny. And besides, I belive that you can do anything if you want to."

Her words rand in my mind for days. And for days I remember of the day the accident happened. She was wrong. Lucia was wrong. I couldn't do anything that day. All could do was wait and watch. What could I have done even if I was allowed know the operation theatre. Nothing. I felt so helpless and I didn't like the feeling. I will never like feeling helpless. Nobody will. Then I noticed something. There is something I couldn't do. Then I knew what I wanted to do. 

Two months had passed very fast. Father had recovered perfectly and was handling the company himself. Mother have a jewellery company of her own. Luther, my brother who was two years younger than me, came for vacation. He was the rebellious one among us. So, father put him in a private boarding school. And Lucy. Luckily, a donor was found. She is able to see again. And the time came for me to announce to everyone my dream. 

We were having our breakfast together. So I took the chance to say what I wanted to.

"Guys. I have something to say." I said.

"....." Everyone was quite, giving me an odd look.

"Well you just spoke by yourselocal without being told to join us." Lucy cleared the confusion in my mind. 

That girl. I wonder if she could read mind. How does she know me so well? Leaving that aside, let's continue.

Everyone was waiting what I wanted to say, eagerly. Well, accept for father. He was giving me the glare, as if he was daring me to do something.

"Father. Mother. I've always done what you have wanted me to do. I think I've always satisfied you. I've never asked a question when you asked me to do something. But Father, I....I can't be the chairman of the Company."

Father'so glare became deadly. I felt myself sweating.

"Why?"

His tone was very cold. But I didn't back down. I looked straight into his eyes and said what I have been keeping in my heart.

"Because I want to be a Doctor. I don't want to experience the same feeling when the accident happened with Lucy. I have to be a doctor."

"So. You've made your decision." He was still glaring at me.

"Yes." I replied with confidence.

Silence consumed us for a few seconds. And for some reasons I didn't know, my family, with me being an exception, started to laugh out loud. I was very confused before Luther spoke.

"Finally bro. You've spoke your heart out. Everyone was waiting for it for so long."

"Really? You knew." I asked looking at my parents.

"Benedit. You're our son. Of course we'll know when you have something troubling you. So I asked Lucia. She told me what was happening with you and we were just waiting for the day you confess." Mother said.

"So. You'll agree to it?" I asked.

Father replied, "Son, a lot had happened to our family because of the way your mother and I acted. I think it's time for some change."

He gave me his rare smile and opened his arms for me. I didn't hesitate to hug him. I felt proud of myself when he gave me the pat at my back. But still had a question.

"But what about the company?"

Father laughed and said, " You don't need to worry about the company. Your foolish brother here_" , he pointed at Luther, " have at least a talent in game. He had shown me some of his ideas. They were excellent. So, I'll start training him. And before you ask, he is okay with it."

"Really?" I asked Luther.

"Yeah." He replied.

"Wow!! This ask for a celebration. Can we do a barbecue today, Papa? Can we?" Lucy was energetic as ever.

"Sure."

I had to change my course in the college again, from business to Medical. It was a little hard for me at first. But soon I was able to pick up. Then, I was able to get the highest marks in every exam, which was not surprising for me. I had completed my studies after three years and done my specialisation study for another two years. 

After 5 years after my studies, here I am, being the best surgeon of NY and specialised in cancer.

"Papa" ( High pitch voices at the background )

And also a happy husband and a proud father of four years old twins, a boy and a girl