Conversations from a parallel universe

Ahmed was in the kitchen setting up the dinner as Jenna reached home. Jenna is the captain of a commercial airline and has come home after a week. Ahmed was elated to see his wife and as she had put her luggage down, he ran and gave her a tight hug.

Jenna- “You left the front door open. Need to be more careful.”

Ahmed - “I thought Ritu was there in the living room.”

Jenna - “No she wasn’t there. Both of you need to be more careful”

After the birth of their second child, Ahmed decided to take a break from the job and take care of the kids. Jenna had already taken a break after the birth of Ritu and this time her husband decided to take the responsibility. Ritwik, their second child is 3 years old now and will start school the next year, while Ahmed rejoins the restaurant as head chef.

Jenna- “Is Ritwik already asleep? ”

Ahmed- “He slept early today. Dinner is almost ready. Why don’t you freshen up? I will get Ritu down here.”

Jenna nodded in agreement.

Ahmed went to the kids’ bedroom and saw Ritu filling some forms in the computer. He moved cautiously without waking up Ritwik and patted on Ritu’s shoulder and whispered, “Dinner is ready.”

Her gaze still fixated on the screen she replied, “Coming..”

During the middle of dinner, Ahmed asked Ritu a little confused, “Weren’t you going to take a break and pursue stage performances?”

Ritu - “Well Dad, as you already know I tried to get associated with some bands. There are no responses yet.”

Jenna - “What about starting on your own?”

Ritu - “Come on Ma, who will give a chance to an unknown violinist?”,

Ahmed visibly disturbed-“I have seen you playing your violin more than doing your academic stuff. There is no doubt that you are drawn to it. ”

Jenna -“If the university allows to take a break in between your studies and pursue your interests, what’s the harm in giving it a try?”

Jenna continued-“You have pursued music with utmost dedication and discipline till now. How come you forgot your accomplishments? If things don’t work out you can go back to college.”

Ritu was pleasantly surprised at their reaction, but still doubtful about the whole idea -“You have been supportive all along and I don’t want to disappoint you guys anymore. ”

Ahmed- “You will disappoint us if you do not summon the courage and stop trying to pursue your passion. Please don’t shy away from taking this risk and regret your entire life.”

Ritu was almost crying out of happiness. How she misjudged her parents.

Ritu felt overwhelmed after the conversation and headed to her room. She looked at the incomplete registration form for the third semester. Without giving a second thought closed the tab. She saw an email notification on the adjacent tab.

The message was from an unknown contact. It read “Hi Ritu, This is Neil of Sanga musical band. I am a part of the talent scout team. Thank you for sharing the clip of your rendition. Unfortunately, we had already selected a violinist for our September tour. However, we are on the search for new talents for our February tour at Goa. Would you be interested?”

“Dad, Ma!!!”, Ritu screamed waking up Ritwik.