Hello, my name is Venu. Allow me to share a short story from my school days, a tale that I believe many middle-class boys and girls can relate to.
It was one of those routine days at school, with the first period dedicated to Math. While the rest of the class seemed irritated, I found myself excited at the prospect of solving problems using different methods. Thankfully, our teacher didn't waste any time and delved straight into the syllabus.
The second period was English, taught by a rather unfriendly teacher. Despite my reluctance to attend his classes, one day I found myself in his lecture. He assigned us the task of writing a letter to a friend, detailing 'how I enjoyed my summer vacation.' I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the situation.
You see, I had never experienced the luxury of a summer vacation in my childhood. So when the teacher emphasized its importance and insisted that I write about it, I began to imagine what such an experience might entail. I conjured images of visiting scenic spots(drinking white water), playing cricket or kabaddi, climbing trees,and swimming in wells - activities I had only ever dreamt of.
But reality soon came crashing down as I recalled the true nature of my summer breaks. Instead of leisurely pursuits, they were spent assisting my father in alleviating his financial stress. Every year, as the school holidays approached, my father's worries mounted, focusing solely on arranging funds for fees, books, and uniforms.
My childhood was devoid of the typical summer vacation experiences portrayed in advertisements. Despite my imaginative letter, it was merely a fabrication, a longing for a life I never had. Such is the reality of belonging to 'the middle class.'