I WISH I COULD

Everyone dreams of something in life but I dreamt of a big list. So here starts my story “I wish I could”
(Note : Everything mentioned is part of my imagination and does not concern anybody in real life )
At one of those school events, I met a beautiful girl. I thought that if only I could get a chance to talk to her …and there I go. Dreaming about us sitting together at a pleasant place, looking into each others’ eyes and my friends looking at us in complete awe. But the dream ended there and what I recollect now is that, someone else whisked her away; leaving me thinking “I wish I could take the first step”.
The exams were closing down on my head like the mosquito that keeps saying “Give me your blood”. But as always, my mind had room for every other thought, except studies. Topping the list was what most boys would have blamed for ruining some exam or the other of their student life, the Cricket World Cup!! India lost the match to Australia and I lost all the time I had. There I was staring at the paper and scratching my head. The answers just didn’t strike. But yes, that didn’t stop me from doing what I was best at!! I started day-dreaming about being praised by my teacher for ranking first in class, with my head high and my peers looking up to me. Suddenly the bell rings, the exam is over and so is my dream. Yet Again, I imagines if I had studied a little more rather than watching the match. My dream partially came true though, my teacher did congratulate me for managing to scamper through the paper once again.
But something changed time…This time I decided that I am going to fulfill my dreams and this wish list is going to become reality.
I planned to participate in the debate competition. The topic was, ‘Can India become the super power?’ I considered it a very simple topic, and was confident that I can go up there and speak on it at length. The day arrived and it was my turn. While climbing up the little steps to the stage, an unexpected realization struck me. I had been out of touch with newspaper for a whole year and had been on social networks instead. Suddenly my feet started shaking. There I was, standing in front of more than a thousand people. It was as if the whole country had their eyebrows raised at me and my uncaring ways. I could not speak well and failed miserably. Questions were hurled at me and I couldn’t answer any. It was because of the deep embarrassment that a lesson that finally hit me.
I went back quietly into my room and sat there motionless for an hour. I asked myself – what is the difference between me and that boy who was able to approach the girl. How did my classmate stand first in class? Why wasn’t I the best debater? And all of the questions had a single answer “I wish I could”. I had always wished but could never take the initiative to actually do it. I could chat for hours on gtalk but could not speak for a minute on India.
But now I knew that the only way I could succeed was by working my way ahead. These thoughts changed my approach and I dedicatedly started working towards my goals. My preparedness gave me my confidence.
I made the upcoming exams my top priority. It wasn’t easy initially but with time I started concentrating. The day dreaming was over and it was time for some action. I wrote the exams well and was waiting for the results. It was time when I again crossed swords with my teacher but this time she looked a little shocked and bemused. She handed me my report card and said, “How did you come first this time? Did you cheat?” I smiled and said “I came first because I stopped cheating my own self”. Well, I thought I could grant myself some filmi accolade after all the hard work!! Since then I have always studied hard.
Next on my ‘hit list’ was a debate again. I had been following multiple newspapers for the past few months and regularly going through various news sites. This time the topic was – “nuclear deal - right or wrong”. I geared up in two days and was there at the stage to face the same set of audience. I spoke firmly and took all the questions came my way well. I won my much awaited first prize and huge applauds.
I was a changed person now, more focused and believing in karma, thus reaping benefits. Now came the girl I liked. Although it did not require any preparations but it needed the confidence to approach her. I just went up to her, asked for a minute of hers and I told her about my feelings. Quiet for some time, she replied that she too had always liked me but didn’t know if I even know her. I was stunned! At that moment, I could see all my plans working out for me, and my dreams coming true…
Through one of the many times I had stumbled, I learned the lesson that will always keep me on track. When you wish something, don’t just keep it to the list of “I wish I could..”. Get up and do what you must to get it!!