Responsibility Over Passion

"Dreams don't work unless you do". What if despite working hard, dreams still don't come true? What if responsibility takes over passion? What if?

I've always been pretty sporty since childhood. My mind and heart were always inclined towards the race track. Running was my passion. My one true love. No other girl in my class but me. I was always ready to set the bar high when it came to races. I live in a small town in Punjab, namely Mohali. Not many girls are into sports here. Most of them are married off at an early age. I was different. I dared to dream and wanted to follow my passion.

Things were never easy for me. I always had to prove myself, especially whenever it came to sports. Not many people support the 'involvement' of women in sports here. I've never liked staying indoors and learning how to cook, stitch, and all that every 'Indian woman' is expected to do. I knew my dream was big, my passion for sports was strong. 

My father wasn't keeping well those days. He was the only breadwinner in my family. He had to leave his job for his illness. He always wanted to get me married off to his friend's son so I could support our family after my father. My plans for life were different though. I wanted to represent my country, internationally and get the shiny, gold medal. Luck was not on my side. I knew I had to do something to support my family.

Papa's health kept deteriorating. We were helpless. His last wish, was to see me getting married. My passion was something else. I never wanted to settle for less. I had to give in, eventually. Getting married at the age of twenty-three was something I had never dreamt of. I should've been representing India right now, instead. I wanted to give it a last shot. Run, for one last time. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I was now overburdened with the responsibilities of not one family, but two. 

My dreams ended that day. I had to give up on my passion. No more race tracks. No more races. I had to lead my life for my family now. I do feel suffocated at times. I could've done so much more had I been given the opportunity. Maybe this was all that destiny had in store for me. Maybe I was not going to make my passion, a part of my life anymore. In one single day, I had to give up on my dreams. On that day, I had to accept my responsibilities over my passion.