The Most Dreaded Question

You are sitting in a room full of people but it feels like you are alone somewhere. You are nervous and it is very tempting to bite your nails. You don’t have anything to do other waiting patiently until your name is called. But being patient has always been a challenge for you and today is worse than any other day. The only thing you can do now is to think how you came to be here.

The results have been released and you have to do your thinking now. The moment has come where you have to face the reality. You have stalled this question for a long time, so long that it makes your stomach curl when someone so as ask about it. But you can’t stall it anymore for you have your results in your hand. You are happy and confused at the same time. You are happy because you got 92% and confused because of what you are going to do now? You had never known that such a feeling has ever been possible for you but now you know that it is very much possible.

Friends, relatives started calling you. They want to know your mark. You tell them but the conversation doesn’t end there. They are asking the inevitable question, “What are you going to do now that you have finished your schooling?” If you know the answer for this question, you won’t be feeling sick. You say the answer that you have not decided yet and then comes the suggestions. And with each call, you get new suggestion. It’s like your head can’t take it anymore. It feels like it’s about to burst. But you can’t postpone the question any longer.

Thankfully you didn’t study biology for then it would add the pressure of choosing between arts or engineering or doctor. Now you have to choose between the other two only. You are weighing our options. You like English but you don’t want to be a teacher. You like Math but you don’t want to solve problem all your life when life itself has so many problems. You like computer science and you like to work in IT Company but at first you need to finish both bachelors and masters if you want to be in a good position. But that takes 5 years whereas an engineering degree takes 4 years and gives you the same results. So out of the windows goes the option of joining in Arts College.

And so you chose Engineering to be your future and opted for counselling over management seat. This brings you to the present just in time for your name is being called. Your future is about to be revealed in a few seconds and suddenly you are confident. You walk in with your head held high and select the course you want to learn. A few moments later, when fresh air enters your lungs and wind sweeps your hair, you feel so free and calm. Suddenly the most dreaded question isn’t a question at all.