Wrist Watch

The morning sun light shined through the glass windows as my maid edged back the curtains. I stretched on my bed feeling lazy and moved my wrist to see the time by my wrist watch, it was six thirty. Then started searching for my mobile phone on the side table. There were few text messages so I sat down leaning back on pillows and got through them.

My maid smiled at me and looking at my wristwatch hesitatingly asked, "Madam why do you always wear a watch? I had escaped from this question several times still calmly replied, " Its my habit since college days". Though my maid got back to her work, I felt the emotions attached to my wearing wrist watch is ineffable.

When I was in tenth grade I coaxed my father to get me a wristwatch as most of my classmates possessed one, and he had promised to buy me a wrist watch if I stood first in my class. I knew deep inside it was something that was never going to happen. It wasn't that I didn't work hard, but all my classmates went for tuitions from the class teacher who never taught well at school. I studied day and night scored good percentage still was far from first rank. I thought father's heart will melt and he might buy me a watch in my twelth grade nevertheless it didn't happen. I scored fairly high in twelfth grade and sent off to faraway town for my degrees. I went with a tin trunk and a bed holder, to stay in hostel where two meals a day was provided. Father's heart did soften while leaving me, but not enough to buy me a watch. I put down roots with two other roommates whose college timings were dissimilar to mine. I was left to the mercy of the hostel wall clock to attain my classes on time.

Companions taunted me on my appearance, unfamiliarity to the world around me. That didn't deter me and with the passage of time those who ridiculed and teased started appreciating my intelligence, honesty and judgments. The terms began, I was prepared for the syllabus but not for the mockery while asking for the time. My heart cried, my throat dried, still my lips smiled. I participated in all the extracurricular activities and competitions, however the two meals of hostel didn't give enough strength and one day during an inter-college competition I collapsed on stage. Was taken to a hospital. When discharged my principal and few lecturers visited me.

My table was full with fruits, dryfruits, energy drinks and a little box wrapped in shining paper. When everyone left I opened it. To my overwhelming surprise it contained a wristwatch, with a circular dial and metal band. I wore it tears filling my eyes. I unsuccessfully looked for a nameplate. Galloped through the corridors, knocking doors showing my precious possession and asking if anybody knew about it. None answered in affirmative. I slept, ate and even went to bathroom with it. I completed my degree, left the hostel aside from finding who gave me the watch. My maid turned up again breaking my reverie.