“…..Ultimately I

“Hey boy, wake up!” cried Mrs. Murthy. “Ramesh, wake up!” Ramesh, startled, rubbed his eyes and woke up from the mat spread in the veranda. Loitering and limping on his foot, he went towards the cow shed, accumulated the dry grass, and walked inside, still weak from the last day’s struggle. In the meanwhile, Mr. Murthy shouted from inside, “When will I get my tea?” with a leap, Ramesh bounded towards the kitchen and came back with his father’s tea. After massaging his father’s hard, fatigued shoulders, he sat down with his books in the veranda. “Ramesh! Ramesh!” shrieked his mother. “Wash these clothes” his mother ordered. Exhausted, Ramesh stood up to carry out his mother’s order. While his friend Anjum is attending classes, Ramesh is burning his hands while making roti for his family. “Phew!”Ramesh felt his breath. His ambition was to top the matriculation. To have his name printed in the morning paper, was his dream. To watch his father jumping with joy is his dream. To watch his mother crying out to their neighbor with pride was his ambition. Months went by, Ramesh sat for the exam and one fine morning, Mr. Murthy leaped up with surprise, “Ramesh, you topped the exam.” Pale faced and with sheer surprise, Ramesh murmured with moist eyes, “I knew. Ultimately I won it as I was determined to achieve my goal.”