Being Saptitude

When life is out of control, is it really that easy to roll your lips, blow a whistle and say all is well? Many would believe so. And I'm sure there are some who have found it to be true. But what of those who can't whistle? Of those who don't have a song on their lips or a tune in their hearts? Of those who can't paint, who can't dance, who cannot find rhythm? Of those who eat, but cannot cook? Of those who clap but are never clapped for? What of them? Why must only a few be celebrated by the uncelebrated masses? Is it because the "uncelebrated masses" do not have a bias for action? Those who succeed apparently started somewhere. And kept on trying till they succeeded. Like the proverbial ant. Or was it a spider? But the spider and the ant know what they want. A cobweb. Or the piece of sugar. What if you have a cobweb to stay in and a guaranteed source of sugar? And you do want to do something, but do not know what, much less how? Is it always easy...

Roni was in a rush. His chemistry tutor had taken an extra half an hour of class today to explain about metals and non-metals. As if he needed the explanation. He had been raiding his elder sister Tanni's table for over 3 years now, studying the notes and solving the problems she would give to her engineering students while they struggled. Roni was in class 10, but he felt like he was ready for college. But that's not why he was in a rush today. He was late for his daily fix. Every day of the week he used to visit a different tutor straight after school. Staying in a small town filled with educators meant that nothing, especially teachers, was too far away. But every place, and everyone, has secrets, and he had discovered many nooks and crannies where, on his way home, he could indulge in the cigarette procured from the school peon in exchange for a part of his tiffin - usually a snack like an apple or some mithai, or the joint received from the school bully as reward fo...