Mom and I were being at our conversational best today. We generally have conversations to savor and remember and feel nostalgic about, and today’s conversation was one of those. We started talking about our second car, the car we’d bought 2 months back. We don’t generally splurge on cars, or in anything for that matter. But this was a first. We bought a car that was way out of our budget and way fancier than what was required. We got the sports convertible, Volkswagen Eos.
Mom and I were discussing how uber cool it was that dad was finally driving a car that encompasses a family dream. It is a German make, which dad always wanted. It is a coupe, which is something we all had an inkling towards, since this wouldn’t particularly serve as the family car. It is a sports car, which I’m glad it is because that always been my requirement in a car. I’ve always wanted a powerful car. It is a convertible, which is quite the unimaginable and something that my sister loves. The convertible feature is a dream come true. I was always awed when other people drove cars without a top, and here I was driving my own. And more than anything, my mom and I were talking about how after so many years of intense hard work, dad has finally splurged on something that has been a dream, and how he completely deserves every bit of it. How happy it makes us seeing him drive this car to work everyday.
That conversation made me realize that I may not be an Ambani, but sure as hell, I am born with a golden spoon. My parents have seen countless episodes of hardships in life, and compared to them, I live the life of a prince. I have lived my early life where we weren’t so well to-do in the world, but dad was working hard and there was never a shortage of anything. I wasn’t the kid who had the best of gadgets, but life was satisfactory. I had to earn my rewards and that is how it should be for every child.
And here I am today. I spent two years studying in the US and only the family knows how hard that decision was financially. In spite of the hardships it would beckon, I was sent because it would eventually be worth it. My family was ready to sacrifice and live on a tight budget, because I was benefiting. At 20 years old, I don’t lack anything in life. I study in a foreign university. I study exactly what I want to. We live in a beautiful 3 BHK apartment, which has more than a lavish setting. At 20, I drive a SUV and a sports convertible, have a phone worth Rs 40,000 (USD $800), and live a life of luxury. Sometimes I don’t like it when my parents are reluctant to spend towards something that my sister or I would want, but there are moments like these that remind me of how they’ve put together each penny for the luxury that we as a family enjoy today. It is my own story of rags to riches, and hats off to my parents for working so hard that they got past their rags to ensure we see the riches.
Everyday, I’m thankful. We all know that desire has no boundaries, but I am thankful that we are where we are today, and hope that we keep growing from here, give back as much as we can, and enjoy the luxuries of life together always. Thanks a bunch mom and dad for plating the spoon all your lives so that I could have it golden, thanks for the golden spoon!
Zindagi Ka Safar 