Writer: Have you watched the American T.V. series named Breaking Bad?
Readers: No, we haven’t!
Writer: Okay, but can you please try to remember the scene from season 2 episode 9? Pinkman and Walter had been cooking for 4 days, somewhere near the Indian desert, and suddenly the truck’s engine exploded because of Pinkman’s antics. But the fun part was Pinkman’s hilarious arguments. He refused to take the blame himself!
Readers: But dude, we have not watched that serial!
Writer: Oh, now you remember, right? Wasn’t it funny?
I know this whole conversation is not funny but annoying. If a person hasn’t watched a particular series, how can I expect him to remember a particular scene? But isn’t life the same as an American T.V series, and aren’t your experiences like those scenes?
Can you feel the same emotions when I tell you that for the last four days, I have been sleeping inside a brothel, and working for the rights of prostitutes and their children? Will you understand when I tell you that for the last 7 months I have been working as a photo journalist for one of the best media houses? Will you understand how it felt when I covered Farhan Akhtar’s concert as my first assignment? Will you be able to feel the same way when I tell you how it felt, sitting in the park, with a cigarette in my hand, at 3:00 AM, discussing how to change the scenario? No, you won’t. You won’t understand a bit of it, because a year ago, I didn’t understand it myself. I had no idea how it would change the way I look at society, because I hadn’t experienced it before, because, maybe I was busy sleeping, like you are now. Your small town might brighten your life with simplicity, but it will keep you in a closed cocoon—your family will guard you at every point.
When I took my first puff of those crystals, I saw the power of freedom that this new city gave me, far from my native town. Then, I took my second puff and I saw my freedom juxtaposed with fear and anxiety for all the things I had left behind, and of the future that was all alone. And then, the dawn of realisation knocked on my door. Only then was I ready to take responsibility for my actions. I was robbed and badly beaten, because I took a decision to go on a solo trip without telling anyone. I slept for 3 consecutive days, only to realise that now, no one will wake me up. But didn’t these experiences make me the person I’m today? Didn’t these experiences ‘make’ every person who tried to come out of their shell, and out of the luxurious life that their parents provided them with? It has been a year and I have achieved a lot and learnt a lot from my mistakes. Like any other waterbug who didn’t want to be a ‘Junior Sharma’ or ‘Junior Bajaj,’ now I have my individuality.
Now, let’s discuss the problems. I know you have a hundred reasons to remain in your native town. We also had those reasons—maybe your family is too conservative, maybe your family’s financial condition isn’t that good. My grandma told me, “You have got your family business. I’ll die in the next two years. Why do you need to go out and explore the world of art? Don’t you see my face, it’s full of paintings?”
But isn’t that the true essence of life? To survive amidst all the difficulties? Tell your parents that it’s time for you to fly like a dragonfly and inspire other waterbugs to come out of their shell. It’s your time to face the reality and create your own scenes so that one day you can watch your own TV series.
That’s what Walter White did. No matter what, he survived. Oh I forgot! You haven’t watched Breaking Bad.
Image credits: www.nawa.org
Vegh Daswani
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