The Hurdle

Sahil's eyes filled up as he saw audience clapping ecstatically to applaud him. Tonight's musical concert was even bigger hit than his last show. Music was always a passion for him since his childhood. He had struggled a lot and done a lot of sacrifices to fulfill his dream of becoming a musician. He clasped his hands and bowed his head in prayer as he acknowledged that he had almost succeeded in making it big.

"The show was a grand success," Samuel, who was a business tycoon and the sponsor of the show said as he shook hands with Sahil. "Let's have a few shots at my suite and celebrate."

"Sorry, sir," Sahil smiled apologetically, "I don't drink."

"Then you should," there was an atrocious twinkle in Samuel's eyes, "it's not as bad as it seems. It will only add fire to your passion."

"I'm sorry, sir but I really don't want to," Sahil shrugged.

"Just take one sip," Samuel threw his hands up in the air, "and if you don't like, I promise I won't compel you."

Sahil couldn't say "no" this time and that was the begining of of his downfall. Gradually, he lost control of the amount of alcohol that went down his throat. He started having alcohol daily and became addicted to it. He used to perform on stage in an intoxicated state. His shows ended up as utter failures and he started losing fans. That made him even more depressed and to escape from the agony of failure, he began drowning himself in alcohol.

One day, while he was lying on his bed in an inebriated state after having his usual quota of drinks, he heard his music being played. He got up and walked out of his room to see who it was. He saw his 5 year old son Aryan dancing to the tune of his song.

"Stop it, Aryan!" Sahil ordered, "nobody likes my songs anymore. They all have turned their backs to me. I'm no more a star."

"But you are still my hero, dad." Aryan said hugging his father. "The one and only star in my world without whom my world will turn dark."

Sahil's eyes gleamed with tears of repentance as he heard those words.

"It's not as late as you think, Sahil." His wife Ruby said, "you can still make it to the top only if you try to get rid of this awfull addiction of yours."

Sahil's vacant eyes met that of his wife and son. Their eyes with brimming with confidence and faith. Then his eyes turned to the bottle of poison he was holding, that had ruined his life. He realized that it was the addiction that posed as a hurdle in his way. He threw it down on the ground and it broke it into a million pieces. As the pale-hued liquid escaped out of the bottle, Sahil felt like he has achieved salvation. His old vigor and enthusiasm were back again. He made a promise to himself that he will never drink again. He called all the members of his music band and asked them to get ready for his next show. Meanwhile, he got himself admitted at a de-addiction centre and with proper care and treatment, he got rid of the addiction. Once he was discharged from the centre, he started composing music again. And this time, he was even more determined to succeed.