I and My father
-An excerpt from Raju’s diary
Part 1
Sipping a cup of hot tea on a chilly Sunday morning, my dad once asked,
Dad: “So Raju, have you planned about what to do in future?”
Me: “Dad, I am just 14 years old, how am I to know?”
Dad: “You will soon be entering 9th grade, have you decided upon your ‘optional subject’?”
(Me: Damn! I have not thought about this at all. What should I tell him?)
Me: ”Why? Of course dad.”
Dad: “That’s my son! So what is it going to be?”
(Me: After tapping my forehead a few times)
Me: “Err… It is going to be technical drawing.”
Dad: “Great! And what should one expect to do in the same?”
Me: “Well, you know, use technical tools to draw diagrams, figures and stuff…”
Dad: “I see… And what have your friends decided?”
(Me: Oh how I wish I knew!)
Me: “Oh! I will ask them soon dad.”
(Dad: Perhaps having realized that I am fibbing.)
Dad: “Hmm… So you have not decided yet… and why is that?”
(Me: having realized that lying is of no use now)
Me: “I just do not know what to opt for. I do not know which subjects suit me. I like to play badminton and read mystery novels. I also like Mathematics and Biology. Somehow none of that seems to fit together.”
(Me: Looking out of the window with a frown on my face.)
Dad: “I know just the right thing for you, Son!”
Me: (happily) “You do dad?”
Dad: “I think you should give a career choice online test.”
(Me: What! More tests! No way. How will a career choice online test help me anyhow?)
Me: “Humph. No more tests dad, please.”
Dad: “Hey buddy! You must cheer up. A career choice online test does not need any preparation.”
Me: “Really? But why should I waste my time on it? Humph.”
Dad: “It won’t be a waste of time. Such a test asks you about your interests, dislikes and about your daily life as a whole! There will be no scoring to judge you. And the best part is that at the end of it you will get your answer.”
Me: “Which answer?”
Dad: “Your ‘optional subject’. Yes. It can also help you make a career choice after 10th exam. And all you have to do is answer it honestly. The test is about ‘you’ Raju! How cool is that!”
Me: “Wow really! I would like to try it right away dad!”
(Me: I cannot wait to tell all my friends about my subject preference.)
To be continued…