Chapter 27: A Question Of Purpose

A few days later,

In the evening, At Vikram house:

in the living room:

(The air conditioner whirred softly as the summer heat lingered outside. Kiaan and Kabir sat cross-legged on the floor, their eyes glued to the TV screen, fingers flying over the controller buttons.)

Kiaan: (voice filled with excitement) Come on, Kabir! Jump!!! Jump!! Abhi game khatam hone waala hai!!

(On the couch, Kiara lay sprawled, phone in hand, lazily scrolling through reels. Random laughter and audio snippets from her phone filled the gaps between the boys' shouts.)

.

.

On the kitchen,

(Anuradha and Tanvi were sitting by the kitchen island, chopping vegetables for dinner. Anuradha wiped her forehead with the edge of her pallu.)

Anuradha: Yeh garmi toh insaan ka dimaag ghooma degi!

Tanvi: (chuckles) Toh mummy, kal kulfi bana lete hain. bacchon ko bahut pasand aayega.

.

Just then,

(The doorbell rang. Tanvi rushed to open the door. Vikram walked in, tired but composed after a long day at the hospital.

He placed his bag down and surveyed the scene. After a moment's hesitation, he walked over to the living room.)

.

.

In the living room:

(Vikram approached Kiaan.)

Vikram: Kiaan beta, mujhe sach-sach batana... kya tum doctor banna chahate bhi ho ya nahi? are you even interested in science??

(The room went still. Kabir paused the game, exchanging a glance with Kiaan, who looked up at his father with a mix of surprise and nervousness.)

Kiaan: (frowning): Papa, aap aise kyun bol rahe ho? Mere marks toh acche aa rahe hain naa ab? Then why this question now?

(Vikram remained silent, his expression serious, prompting Kiaan to continue.)

Kiaan: I know ki 9th mein I had faltered a bit... aur 10th mein toh sabse worst tha! Lekin maine uske baad sab sudhaara, papa. Tenth mein 90% marks aaye the... aur ab dekhiye, I'm doing so well!! I topped my 11th final exams papa!!! Aapne, mujhe scooty bhi toh gift kari hai.

(Kiara, who had been quietly observing until now, propped herself up on her elbow and cut in.

She set her phone aside and got up from her seat. She stepped forward, instinctively moving to take her brother's side.)

Kiara: (firmly): Papa, kya bole jaa rahe ho aap?? He is doing so well in almost every exam now!!! And abhi toh summer vacations chal rahe hain.... thoda enjoy toh karega naa, Kiaan!!!

(Vikram turned to her sharply, giving her a mock glare.)

Vikram: Kiara, tum waapas baitho. Kya main apne bete se baat nahi kar sakta? Tum toh pehle iska stand lene ke liye aa jaati ho. Bodyguard ho iski?

(Kiara opened her mouth to protest but then thought better of it. With a small huff, she shook her head and flopped back onto the couch, muttering under her breath.)

.

.

Just then,

(The sound of the halted conversation in the kitchen indicated that Tanvi and Anuradha had also noticed the tension.

They walked over and their eyes began scanning the room.)

Anuradha: Vikram, kya ho raha hai yahaan? Itne serious kyun lag rahe ho?

Tanvi: (softly): Kuch toh baat hai... Kiaan, beta, sab theek hai?

(Kiaan looked between his grandmother, his aunt, and his father, feeling cornered.)

Kiaan: (hesitantly): Papa bas pooch rahe hain... ki main doctor banna bhi chahta hoon ya nahi.

(Tanvi frowned slightly and placed the bowl on the coffee table.)

Tanvi: Vikram bhaiya, abhi summer vacation hai. Baccha relax kar raha hai. Kya zaroorat hai abhi iss sawaal ki?

(Vikram sighed, rubbing his temples before turning back to Kiaan, he softened his tone but maintained the seriousness of his intent.)

Vikram: (gently): Kiaan.... Beta, jo main keh raha tha... woh yeh hai, ki tumhe medicine mein genuinely interest hai? Ya kuch aur karna chahate ho?

Kiaan: (looks confused, his brows furrowing) Main kuch samjha nahi, Papa. Main aur kya karunga?

Vikram: Painting. Tum usmein kitne ache ho. Mujhe yaad hai woh sunset wala painting jo tumne banaya tha... itna realistic lag raha tha.

(Before Kiaan could respond, Anuradha stepped in, her voice sharp with disapproval.)

Anuradha: Tum bekaar ki baatein kyun kar rahe ho, Vikram? Kiaan ko doctor hi banna hai. Main jaanti hoon na apne pothay ko?

(Vikram turned towards her with an even but firm expression.)

Vikram: Maa, main apne bete se baat kar raha hoon. Kar sakta hoon naa?

(Anuradha pressed her lips together, clearly reluctant but backing off. She crossed her arms and leaned against the dining table, watching silently as Vikram turned his attention back to Kiaan.)

Vikram: (earnestly): Beta, agar tum medicine sirf family ke pressure ke liye kar rahe ho, toh mat karo. Life bahut badi hai, aur usmein wahi karo jo tumhe khushi de. If painting makes you happy, then go pursue that! Abhi late nahi hua hai. Tumhaare paas abhi bhi time hai.

(Kiaan stared at his father, the weight of his words sinking in.)

Vikram: iss filed ke baare mein, mujhe zyaada kuch pata nahi hai, beta. But hum kisi career counselor se mil sakte hain jo tumhe guide kare. Aaj kal toh art mein bhi kaafi opportunities hain—animation, graphic designing, fine arts, and so much more.

(Kiaan, overwhelmed by his father's words, suddenly got up and walked straight to Vikram.

Without saying a word, he hugged him tightly. Vikram, surprised but touched, enveloped him in his arms and gently ruffled his hair.)

Vikram: (softly): Bas beta, abhi tension lene ki zaroorat nahi. Hum kal hi career counselor ke paas chalte hain. Saath milkar sab clear karenge.

(Kiaan pulled back slightly, looking up at his father with a curious expression.)

Kiaan: Papa, abhi yeh khayaal aapke mann mein aaya kyun? Itni raat ko?

(Vikram let out a small chuckle and guided Kiaan to sit back down on the couch. He sat beside him, one arm resting on Kiaan's shoulder.)

Vikram: (voice tinged with nostalgia) Beta, tumhe pata hai, aaj hospital mein ek interesting cheez hui. Doctor ki ek journal ke liye koi mera interview lene aaya tha. ek bahut hi random sawaal poocha unhone.... Thay asked me ki, 'Aap doctor kyun bane?'

Kiaan: (tilts his head, intrigued) Aur aapne kya jawaab diya?

Vikram: (chuckles lightly, shaking his head) I didn't have an answer, Kiaan!!!! Uss time pe mujhe yeh realization hua ki... doctor banna... mera sapna tha hi nahi.

(The room fell silent, everyone's attention now completely on Vikram. Even Kiara set her phone aside again, her brows furrowing in surprise.)

Kiara: Wait, what? Papa, seriously?

Vikram: (nodding): Haan. Mera asli sapna toh singer banne ka tha. Mujhe hamesha music ka shauk tha. Agar mujhe thoda sa support milta, toh shayad aaj main ek bada playback singer hota.

(He smiled wistfully, looking at Kiara.)

Vikram: Shayad tumhaare, Aryan chachu ki movies ke gaane, gaa raha hota.

Kiara: (excitedly): Wah, papa, Aryan chachu ke gaane! Matlab, aap toh ek rockstar hote!!!

(Everyone chuckled, but Vikram's expression grew somber.)

Vikram: Par tumhaari dadi, mujhe hamesha studies aur medicine ki taraf push karti gayi. Har baar yeh kehti thi ki doctor banna sabse acchi cheez hai. Mujhe samajh bhi nahi aaya, aur maine wahi karna shuru kar diya jo woh chahti thi.

Kiaan: Toh aapne apne sapne chhod diye?

Vikram: Haan, beta. Mujhe shayad realize hi nahi hua ki maine apne sapne sacrifice kar diye. Bas ek time ke baad unconsciously woh karna shuru kiya jo mummy chahti thi.

(Anuradha, who had been listening quietly, sighed and looked away, she was angry at Vikram for bringing this topic out.)

Anuradha: (muttering under her breath as she turns to leave): Hamesha mujhe hi villain banaate hain sab!!! Pehle Kiaan aur Kiara karte thay... ab Vikram bhi!!!! Woh toh aise baat kar raha hai, jaise maine koi gunah kiya ho. usay itna bada doctor banaya.... Mera yeh decision galat tha kya?? Kitna bhi karlo apne bacchon ke liye... but koi kadar nahi karta!!!!

(Her voice trailed off, laced with frustration and hurt, as she walked briskly towards the kitchen, not waiting for a response.

Tanvi, noticing the tension in her mother's stance and the vulnerability in her brother's voice, slowly approached Vikram. Her eyes reflected both empathy and sadness.)

Tanvi: Bhai, I am happy ki aap apne bacchon ke sapno ko follow karne ka chance de rahe ho. I can see that you are trying to be their role model.

Vikram: Haan, Tanvi. Main chahta hoon, ki mere bacche woh karein jo unhe khushi de. Main nahi chahta ki mere bachche kisi aur ke expectations ke pressure mein, apne sapne bhool jaayein.

Kiara: so you don't like being a doctor?

Vikram: (soft voice) nahi beta. Mujhe doctor banne ka koi afsos nahi hai. Main apne kaam mein khush hoon, aur mujhe, patients ki help karna mein accha lagta hai.

(He paused, his gaze steady as he continued.)

Vikram: Lekin yeh mera dream nahi tha. Yeh sapna meri maa ka tha, aur main unki wajah se is raah par chalta chala gaya. Toh, Kiaan... tell me. Agar tumhe science mein interest nahi hai, toh we can look for different options.

(Kiaan looked at his father, his expression resolute yet gentle.)

Kiaan: Nahi, Papa. Main painting ko apna career nahi banana chahta. Woh mera shauk hai, bas. Doctor banna, mera sapna hai. Main hamesha se aapke  aur dadaji ki tarah, doctor banna chahta tha.

(Vikram's brows rose slightly in surprise, but he let Kiaan continue.)

Kiaan: Aap dono ko jo respect milti hai—staff se, patients se, woh maine dekha hai. Woh ek alag level ki izzat hai, jo mujhe hamesha inspire karti hai. Aur aap jiss tarah se logon ki help karte ho, unka pain relieve karte ho, main bhi wahi karna chahta hoon. Main bhi aapki tarah ek hero banna chahta hoon. (He pauses for a moment, then added with a smile) Aur waise bhi, main painting stress relieve karne ke liye karta hoon. Agar isay career banaya, toh client expectations aur deadlines ke stress se, aur zyada pareshaan ho jaunga. So no, Papa. Painting is a hobby, and I want it to stay that way.

(For a moment, Vikram was silent, studying his son with pride. Then, he stood and placed a hand on Kiaan's shoulder.)

Vikram: (smiling warmly) okay then.... Phir toh tum already sahi raah per jaa rahe ho... Lekin ek baat yaad rakhna—doctor banna ek marathon hai, sprint nahi. Har step pe patience aur perseverance chahiye. Kiara is a racer and she has already started making money.... For you, it will take time. Pehle MBBS, phir MD, phir kuch aur!!!

Kiaan: (nodding, his voice steady) Haan papa. I know. mujhe bas aapka guidance aur support chahiye.

Vikram: (with a proud smile)  woh toh hamesha hi rahega, beta.

(Before the moment could get too emotional, Kiara jumped in with her usual teasing tone.)

Kiara: papa... Kiaan asli baat nahi bata raha hai, aapko!!!! Yeh Respect-vespect kuch nahi, isay toh sirf hospital ke doctors' lounge mein entry chahiye!!! Wahaan ka chicken fried rice accha hai, I suppose!

(Everyone burst out laughing, the seriousness of the moment dissolving into lightheartedness.)

Vikram: (shaking his head and laughing): Tum log ek serious moment bhi survive nahi kar sakte, hai na?

Kabir: (grinning): Kiara di ka logic solid hai, Mama.

Vikram: (laughs) chalo.... Waise I am sorry... main ek dum se, tumhaare aur Kabir ke game ke beech mein aa gaya. Main chalta hoon abhi. You guys continue.

(He gave Kiaan a quick hug again, ruffled Kabir's hair, and nodded towards the others before heading towards his room.

As Vikram walked away, Kiaan turned to Kabir with a grin.)

Kiaan: Chal, ab tumhe haraataa hoon.

Kabir: Dream on, bhaiya. Aaj toh main jeetne wala hoon.

Kiara: (picking up her phone, smirks) Aur agar haar gaye, toh woh chicken fried rice ka idea consider kar lena.

(The room echoed with laughter as the family settled back into their usual rhythm, the warmth of their bond lingering in the air.)

___________________________________________

Author's Note:

What a family moment, right? 🤔 Vikram’s words were unexpected, weren’t they? Do you think he made the right choice encouraging Kiaan to follow his passion, or should he have pushed him harder to stick with medicine?

And Kiaan—was he right to say painting should stay as a hobby, or should he have given it a shot as a career?

Also, can we talk about Kiara’s hilarious logic on the doctors' lounge? 😂 Drop your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to know what you think!

And, if you enjoyed the twists, the drama, or even just the family banter, don’t forget to hit that ⭐ vote button! Your support means the world and helps bring even more moments like this one! 💥🔥