“Sir, how are you feeling, who motivates you the most in your journey? Could you please ……”
I was so scared, so very sad. I didn’t know what was going on in my life. I always wanted to be a fashion designer, but I was unable to convince my parents for the same. Finally I got admission in B.Sc mass communications. I had to visit the university for the sake of some formalities for a course I never wanted to join. The admission cell was suffocating, all of a sudden. I stepped out for a breath of fresh air, and my eyes met a sight, at once upsetting and beautiful. A beautiful girl, on a wheelchair was flipping through a media related magazine. She made my eyes happy, my heart full of compassion and my mind hurt. That magazine offended my already raw sentiments.
“Karthik….!! Let’s go back home. Congratulations! You’ve been accepted at one of the top universities in the country.” Mom came yelling.
Early morning the next day I was yelled awake by my father, anxious for me to reach college on time. With all the weight of my murdered dreams weighing me down, I left home with an accusing glance at the Ganpati idol kept facing the doorway of my home.
Tears in my eyes, I made my way to college, and found myself seated in the first row of my classroom in the ‘Department of Journalism.’ I spread my unhappiness around, being rude to anybody who chanced speaking to me. The girl in the wheelchair I’d seen yesterday also in my class.
At the end of the day she wheeled herself over to me and cheerfully introduced herself – ‘Hi. I am Nia.”
“Karthik” – I grouched at her.
NIA: If you don’t mind, may I know the reason behind your rude behaviour. You seem upset. Talk to me. Maybe I can help.
KARTHIK: I am feeling very suffocated in this classroom . I want to be a fashion designer but my parents have forced me here.
NIA: See dear, I agree with you, but sometimes we have to compromise. Try to enjoy your life as it is. See, I can’t play football, I can’t run like you, I can’t even walk like you, I have soo many complaints with my life. There was a time I didn’t even talk to Waheguru ji, I was so angry with life. But then I slowly came to accept my situation, and that there must be a strong reason behind God’s will in this. I accepted the fact that am not like others but that I am special. I penned down my journey on the wheelchair and I got superb response. My misery became my muse. I am a gold medalist today. And the novel ‘THE GIRL ON THE WHEEL CHAiR’ – well I am the author :).
That life changing conversation with Nia replayed in Karthik’s head as he received the ‘Best Journalist of the Year’ award a prestigious Awards Ceremony.
