What's your favorite sport?

Mine is Wrestling!

It could be anyone's favorite sport, yeah? Sometimes even girls like that sport. It lets you win over your opponent and earn respect for the same.

So why? Why do my parents don't like it?

Why don't they support me in wanting to earn a good name with that particular sport? Why?

Every time I wake up to a new sunrise, I get only one thought in my mind. That my parents help me win a medal for wrestling.

But that always remains an incomplete wish!

And I wonder if it would remain the same throughout my life.

"Manik?"

Closing my diary, I kept the pen down and left the room.

***

"Manik, you'll ace it. Don't worry about it." Mom fixed my tie while smiling at me and I managed to smile back. Her facial expression went somber. "You don't want this too? Yeah?"

I let out a sigh before moving towards the mirror and fixed my hair. "Kya farak padtha hai, Ma? You want me to get this job, and that's enough."

I kissed the top of her head and left the room. Walking down the stairs, I took a bite from the apple in my hand.

"Dad! I'll see you in the evening." I bent down to touch his feet and moved towards the entrance of our house. "Will you get this job, at least?"

I shut my eyes before opening them to face the closed door. Twisting the knob, I looked back at him. "Like I always say Dad, I'm not sure. I'll let you know if it's a good news. If you don't get my call, I didn't get it."

And I left the house, closing the door behind me. Why does everyone wants me to get this job and I don't?

Oh the answer is pretty simple, you know. I dont want it. See? As simple as it is.

***

Fidgeting with my thumb, I let out a strangled breath.

"Your qualifications match the job requirements. But I don't find relevant experience. Do you have any reason for that?" Looking up at the interviewer, I bit into my lips, looking for an answer. "I mean, this isn't an entry level opportunity."

"Yes! But as you can see in my resume, I've had a few internships at some startups. I can assure you that I've learnt enough from my experience to make a perfect fit for this position." I explained, almost expectantly to get this job.

"You're eager to be an employee of this company, Mr. Malhotra. But why? Why do you want to join us?" I stared at the interviewer in dilemma. Why do I need to get this job? Because my parents want me to.

"This is one of the best companies in Mumbai. Anyone would like to be a part of this company."

And she smiled at me.

For the first time after entering this cabin, I noticed that the brunette in front of me was a pretty lady. With big doe eyes and rosy cheeks, she could give the Barbie doll  a run for money.

"I know that, Mr. Malhotra!" Stopping myself from drooling at the woman, I focused on her words. "This is one of the best companies in Mumbai. And so are a few hundreds of companies. But why The Vintage? Why not the other hundred companies? Why do you want this job?"

I don't want this job.

"A person will always look for a good opportunity at work. And I'm looking for a better opportunity where I can get...happiness and peace. And I believe this job would give me that."

She stared at me for a while before nodding her head.

"Thank you, Mr. Malhotra. That's all for now. We will let you know about the results. You can expect a call from us." She passed my files to me and I took them in my hands while bobbing my head.

I stood up to leave, but I turned around to face her.

"Thank you for this opportunity, Mam. Although I would like to say that even if you don't like the way I answered my questions, you wouldn't be disappointed if you hire me. No matter how small or big the work is, I have always succeeded in what I do."

She had a smile on her face after listening to me.

"You really want this job, eh?"

I simply smiled at her.

"Everybody is desperate for some or the other thing in this world."

She had a kind of look on her face. As if she was reading my mind. Staring at me, almost caught up in a daze, she nodded at me.

"I'll think about it."

"Thank you, Mam!"

And I left the place hoping I'll get this job at least!

***

"Mila job?"

I fell on the chair almost thumping on it with a hard fall. Shrugging at Mukti, I waved at the boy who takes our orders at the tea shop. It was our tea shop. A shop we've been customers of, since childhood.

"Tujhe chahiye hi nahi job." I shot a glare towards Cabir, before placing my order and waited for others to give him theirs.

Looking down at my mobile, I saw a message from Mom.

"How did it go?"

I let out a sigh before my gaze fell on another message. From my brother.

"Okay! We're joining the nearby wrestling school if you don't get this one."

I smiled slightly reading his comment. I wish, Bhai! I so wish!

"What are you smiling at? You got the job?" Dhruv asked excitedly and I nodded in negative. "It was from..."

"Bhai!" Cabir intervened and I stared at him with my usual glare for him. "If you ever smile at something on phone, it's only because Bhai sent you some message. Ladki tho nahi because the last time you liked a girl was in school."

"Remind me why I'm friends with you." I hissed out and he shrugged. "You don't choose friends."

"Yeah, unfortunately" I added and Alya smacked in my head making me to wince. "Tell us how it went."

"Like every other one went." I replied while throwing my hands in the air. "So you're not getting this one as well."

I let out a sigh and looked towards my right where I could find a few young boys getting out of the school. The wrestling school.

"Why don't you tell your parents that you don't want it, Manik?" I looked towards Cabir to shoot a glare towards him. "If it was that easy, I would have joined the wrestling competition for Worlds Best Wrestler by now, Cabir!"

"Manik, not everyone can make a career out of sports. That's why your parents aren't on your side." I nodded at Dhruv. He was right. But somehow I wish that I could belong to the category of people who did make a career out of their favorite sport.

RING RING

Taking my mobile from the table, I answered the call.

"Yes, Manik Malhotra is speaking." Taking a sip from my cup of tea, I looked for a good snack to go with it. "Hi, Mr. Malhotra. This is Shanaya from The Vintage."

Gulping down the hot tea, I let out a cough before wiping at my lips.

"I'm sorry, I was having a drink. Please continue, and good evening!" I shushed my friends who began to listen to the conversation.

"Good evening, and that's alright. I'd like to congratulate you for succeeding in the interview. Please do check your email for the offer letter that I've sent to your registered mail address a few minutes ago. You can start coming to the office from next week. Good day! Is there anything else you'd like to inquire about?"

I sat still until my friends broke my reveries with their hugs and cheers for my success.

"N-No! Thank you!" And I hung up on the call before my gaze went up to my friends who looked genuinely happy for me.

I smiled staring at them and decided to be happy for once.

I finally have a job, Mom-Dad!

______________________________

Hey guys!

This is part one of the new story. It may take me two more chapters to finish this story.

The inspiration for this story is from the movie "Chandu Champion"

I hope you guys would like this story.

With love,
Affu.