The Repentance!

      Vinay was busy watching the news, His wife Anupama served breakfast for him and Diya. Their son Anish, ignoring everyone, said bye to his mom and was about to leave. Vinay got annoyed and shouted at Anish "Anish, how many times have I told you not to take my car out. You’re still young and do not have a license as yet". Anish with sheer arrogance replied "So what Dad? I know driving and I can drive better than you? Please stop overreacting. My friend's parents never question them or inquire about them. Why the hell do you always interfere in my activities?" 

      Vinay got up fuming "Don't you dare compare me with your third class friends and their parents. I met your principal yesterday. He told me, you are not attending classes and are also irregular with your exams. You are in the wrong company, busy doing a wheelie and other dangerous stunts. Most of the time, you hang out with students who are good for nothing. What are you up to? Why are you spoiling your future?”

Anish got angry "So, you are inquiring about me? Who asked you to speak to my principal? It's my life and I know what I am doing. You need not interfere in my life. Who are you to decide what I am supposed to do? Dad, stay out of my life, got it". Vinay was shocked by the reply, "What did you say? You idiot, I am telling you to change your behavior else you will repent later. Anish coolly replied "Dad I don't want to hear your philosophy, whatever it is, tell Diya. She will listen to you. After all, she is your dearest darling. You adopted her because you never liked me since I was a child. So just buzz off".

      Anupama, Vinay’s wife who was listening to the argument interrupted "Uffff enough is enough, stop fighting like kids. Anish dear, you please go. Your dad always gets angry for silly reasons. Here, take Rs.2000/-, your pocket money."Anish kissed his mom and went out, slamming the door on Vinay's face. Vinay was still fuming but Anupama ignored him and went inside the kitchen. Diya, who was a mute spectator to this episode, held Vinay's hand and spoke in a shrill voice "Calm down Papa, please!! Everything will be alright. Please don't worry" and gave Vinay a glass of water.

     Anupama came back from the kitchen and on seeing Diya scolded "Diya, aren’t you late for college? Don't you have any time sense? Just get up and leave". Diya humbly said, "Sorry mom, I did not realize I am late". Anupama again yelled, "Don't call me Mom; I am not your mom. Call me Aunty.” Murmuring to herself, “God knows why Vinay adopted her even after my refusal as if we don't have kids of our own" she went to the kitchen.

      Vinay left for office with a heavy heart. Anish’s words were replaying again and again." It's my life and I know what I am doing. You need not interfere in my life. Who are you to decide what I am supposed to do? Dad, stay out of my life, got it". He also thought to himself “What goes around...comes around” He was not able to work or concentrate on anything the entire day. He left early to meet his dear friend Denis at the club. Denis listened to the entire story and suggested, “Vinay talk to Anish with an open mind. Do not shout or control kids once they cross a certain age”. Vinay felt good after meeting Denis. He thought for some time and left for home.

      The next day Vinay took leave and headed straight to the college looking for his son. He was nowhere to be found. Later the college peon informed him that Anish and his friends were busy doing wheelie near NICE junction road. He went there and saw few youngsters riding a two-wheeler on a single tire, performing deadly and dangerous stunts. Anish saw his father but pretended as if he did not notice him. After a few minutes, he walked towards him, fearing that his father might create a scene and embarrass him in front of his friends.

      Vinay spoke to Anish "Anish, I need to speak to you. Can you come with me for a few minutes?"

Anish rolled his eyes and said "Dad please, I am not interested in listening to your lectures. Just leave me alone". Vinay once again requested "Anish this would be the last time. I will not disturb you again. Please try and understand." Anish agreed and they both went to the nearest cafe. Vinay and Anish sat on a rooftop cafe. Vinay was staring at the table. He didn't know how to start the conversation. Anish was getting impatient, "Dad, what is it? You wanted to talk to me right?”

      Vinay looked at his son affectionately, “Yes my son I want to pour my heart out to you. I want to clear a few things with you. When I was your age, I was just like you. Friends, party, masti and josh. I did not listen to my parents and felt that they were my enemies. I wanted to be a free bird, did not want to attend classes, loved racing cars and bikes. The words that you told me yesterday were the words I spoke to my dad in the same tone almost 20 years ago. Especially “It's my life and I know what I am doing. You need not interfere in my life”.

      One incident changed my life completely. I never thought life would take a turn in that manner. I was in the final year doing my masters. My friends and I went to a party. We boozed and consumed drugs as well. Since the party was on the outskirts of the city, we had to drive back to the hostel. That night while driving back, my friends and I were racing. We both were speeding like a thunderbolt. I never had the habit of losing a game. So I hit the accelerator to the full. While taking a turn at a curve I crashed into a 2 wheeler. It went up in the air like a balloon and crashed down. I stopped the car to check what had happened to the riders. The man was dead on the spot. The lady was still alive, breathing heavily. She was pregnant, hurt and bleeding. She fell on my legs and requested me to save her and her baby. All my friends ran away fearing a police case.

I somehow gathered courage, picked her up and drove to the nearest hospital. I lied to the doctors saying, I found her bleeding on the road and brought her. She was in pain and uttered only one sentence throughout. Please save my baby. She held my hand and repeated those words until she was taken to the operation theatre. She died soon after delivering a beautiful girl baby. The nurse handed over tiny Diya to me. I cannot tell you how guilty I was to hold her in my arms. She slept comfortably in my arms not knowing that I was responsible for her parent's death.

After performing the last rites of Diya's mother, I took Diya home and explained to my parents about the accident and how guilty I feel about it. Thankfully my father understood my situation. We left the city without informing anyone. We went to a new place, a new life and with a new angel in our life. My mom took care of Diya very well. Diya brought lots of happiness and sunshine in our lives. Then I left my parents for the sake of career and moved to Bangalore. My life moved on, I married your mother on one condition that I would be adopting a girl child and she must accept her as her own. I brought Diya to stay with me. Initially, your mom was fine with it, but as the days went by, she started distancing herself from Diya. Every day, I see Diya, I am guilty. My conscience says, “I’m a murderer, I need to be punished”. No one is aware of the truth, I am trying my best to keep Diya happy and treat her like my own daughter.

       Saying this, he wiped his tears. “Now, tell me, son, do you want to repeat the same mistakes I did? If you are really interested in performing stunts, please get help from professionals. In fact, I found that in Singapore, they have an academy that trains people to do different kinds of stunts, with utmost care. You can join there if you wish to. Please don't play with lives. It's very difficult to lead a life repenting all through. Now, the ball is in your court. You decide what is best for you.” Vinay got up and left the cafe without waiting for an answer. Anish sat there, thinking what his father said, and about Diya.

      Anish came home and rushed to his dad's room. Vinay was busy with some files and looked at his son. Anish went and hugged his father tight. Vinay was happy, his son understood him.