Regret

Oh no should this happen now that too on this day when the weather is so horrible How will I reach home on time, I will miss watching the test cricket live, these were the thoughts reeling in Prathik mind. He was a young fellow in his teens. Busy preparing for boards and had a number of assignments to complete. But, cricket was a passion for him Watching it in the comfort of home was even more pleasure for him. That day when he came out of his class he noticed his cycle tyre was punctured and it started to drizzle. Weather was horrible indicating that it may rain very heavily soon. . So he had no option but to engage an auto-rickshaw that was In the stand nearby. He very quickly engaged an auto and started bargaining with the driver about the fare. The driver tried telling Prathik that he would have to drive back empty as no one might take an auto from that place so need to get them to and fro fares.

Prathik got so irritated and felt the auto driver was a cheat. But since he was in a hurry to get back home he sat in the rickshaw. The driver kept talking during the drive. Getting more irritated some crooked idea came into his mind. He thought let me teach a lesson to this cheat Amidst the driver's talk and irritation Prathik reached his destination. After alighting the auto he started searching his pocket and ranted a shriek that shook the driver. On asking by him as to what the matter was Prathik tells him that he might have forgotten his wallet at home and asks the driver to wait for few minutes so that he will go and fetch his wallet. The driver confirms whether Prathik will come and pay him sincerely and asks him to come back quickly as he had many errands to complete. Prathik quickly slips away not to return. He gets busy watching television and was smiling within himself feeling happy that he had taught a good lesson to a cunning fellow. This trend became a practice with Prathik as he started enjoying free rides in autos by cheating the drivers with the same cooked up story. Sometimes he used to worry what if parents came to know about this habit of his. His parents were against any kind of cheating or lying. And imagine their own kid doing it. But Prathik was ok with this as far as his parents did not know this dark secret of their dear son. Prathik started feeling more confident that he was able to cheat someone easily and get away with it. Was this some kind of a negative trait? Questionable indeed. Would it continue for some more time? Possible but for a small conversation between his mother and the housemaid.              

 On a Sunday afternoon, Prathik was busy with his assignments. He overheard his maid talking to his mother about how one of her husband's acquaintances who was an autorickshaw driver was cheated by a youngster from this very apartment promising him to get money from his home as he had forgotten it at home. The maid started talking bad about how youngsters are getting meaner and do not hesitate to cheat someone who is struggling to meet ends. His mother too agreed with what the maid said and sort of spoke in a manner that hurt Prathiks conscience. He could not object her nor tolerate what she was saying for the obvious reason!. The next statement the maid made really struck Prathiks soul a bit harsh. He realised how one mistake of his affected an entire family and regretted for what he was doing. But had to keep a secret that was quite dark in his mind lest he would not be able to face his parents' wrath and his inner voice that keeps reminding his mistake.