The Long Walk

Saisha, Saisha – Nikhil shouted at the top of his voice.

Saisha responded – You need to be a lot more patient, I said – I am coming

Nikhil – You know I hate getting late for morning walks.

Saisha – Fine Nikhil. Now, I am ready – can we move, and leave this argument here?

Nikhil – Yes of course, and Nikhil started getting downstairs.

Saisha and Nikhil were married recently in an arranged marriage setup. Nikhil’s parents were in Dehradun and he was working in Noida. After marriage, Saisha accompanied Nikhil to Noida and they shifted to a 2bhk flat in the suburbs.

Nikhil was working in an FMCG company as an Associate Sales Head whereas Saisha was still figuring out what she had to do – whether she should resume her career as an HR or follow her baking passion.

Saisha wanted to discuss this with Nikhil but off-lately, he was caught up with his work, so she didn’t bring up the topic. However, last night she decided to talk about it during the morning walk.

Saisha – Hey Nikhil! I am still confused.

Nikhil – Not still, you are always

Saisha – Come on, this is serious

Nikhil – And what is not?

Saisha – Will you please allow me to ask?

Nikhil – As you say, Queen Elizabeth

Saisha – What should I do, job or baking

Nikhil – Mix the two, and continue with Joking!

Saisha – This is annoying, man!

Nikhil – Okay! I guess you should go for a job

Saisha – And why do you think so?

Nikhil – Because baking is a lone thing; I know you enjoy it but not more than being among the people.

Saisha – But Job won’t have the freedom and solace that comes with baking

Nikhil – But, it will have week-offs which baking won’t have.

Saisha – Week-offs are for corporate employees not for someone whose passion is her work.

Nikhil – See, you figured it out by yourself, you want to do baking

Saisha – Played Smart! Though you are not

Nikhil – Cliché

Saisha – What did you wish to become?

Nikhil – A Singer

Saisha – So, you also have this sad story ‘Abba Nahi Mane’

Nikhil – Nope, ‘Logic Nahi Mana’

Saisha – Do you put the logic in morning Tea too?

Nikhil – Nope, but had to put logic as it was about earning bread & butter

Saisha – So, this odd guy thinks that the Singing profession does not get you money.

Nikhil – No, this weirdo thinks – his singing skills are not at par to pull a profession out of it.

Saisha – Practice! Haven’t learned in childhood – Practice Makes a Man Perfect

Nikhil – But it is about apple to apple, you cannot pull a banana out of an orange even if it hangs to the ceiling the whole day

Saisha – Enlighten me more, the Gautam Buddha of my life!

Nikhil – I love singing that’s why I wanted to become a singer. But at the right time – I realized I didn’t have the texture, voice, and X factor needed to be an outstanding singer. And the whole world knows – In a country of a billion, a million think they can become a singer and only tens of them make it big, the rest cannot!

Saisha – Oh, so you doubted yourself.

Nikhil – No, I believe that it is not my cup of tea!

Saisha – Had I been at your place, I wouldn’t have given up on my dream!

Nikhil – Not Dream but aspiration.

Saisha – What difference does it make?

Nikhil – Dream is a strong word, aspiration is apt for my situation.

Saisha – Okay! In that case – I would have chased the aspiration!

Nikhil – In your case, it seems doable but I am more rationale

Saisha – Still could not understand! Please Help

Nikhil – Okay! Do you think – you are the best baker?

Saisha – No, not at all

Nikhil – One among the best?

Saisha – Oh Come on, Big No

Nikhil – Define your baking skills

Saisha – I am kind of Okay Baker but I love it, so I will do it.

Nikhil – Can you make a living out of it?

Saisha – No, it makes me happy. Money does not matter.

Nikhil – Have I not been financially stable, would you be able to pursue our Dream?

Saisha kept silent, she understood the underlying sentiment. After a pause of 5 odd minutes.

Saisha – Today it has been a long walk

Nikhil – Yes Indeed, from dream to reality!