Chapter 44: Cracks Beneath the Surface

A few weeks later,

At Vikram's house:

At the staircase:

(Vikram climbed the stairs slowly, his mind preoccupied with the day's events. It had been a long day at work, and he was looking forward to unwinding in his room.

As he approached the corridor, a faint sound reached his ears—a muffled sob, soft but unmistakable. He stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowing in concern.)

.

.

.

Kiaan's room:

(The sound was coming from Kiaan's room. The door was slightly ajar, and as Vikram peeked inside, his heart clenched.

Kiaan was sitting on the floor in a corner of the room, his knees pulled to his chest, his face buried in his hands.

His shoulders shook with quiet sobs, the sight more painful for Vikram than he could have anticipated.)

Vikram: (speaks softly) Kiaan??

(He stepped into the room. The concern in his voice was palpable. He moved quickly to his son's side, lowering himself to the floor.)

Vikram: Beta, kya hua? Tum kyun ro rahe ho?

(Kiaan didn't respond immediately, his breaths uneven. Vikram placed a firm yet gentle hand on his back, rubbing it in small comforting circles.)

Vikram: Kuch toh bolo, beta!!! Tumhaari, kissi se ladaai ho gayi hai kya??? Mihika se koi baat hui kya?

(Kiaan lifted his head slightly, his face streaked with tears. He shook his head vigorously, his voice breaking as he spoke.)

Kiaan: nahi papa... koi ladaai nahi hui... Mihika and I are also fine!!!!

Vikram: (relieved but still deeply concerned) Toh phir kya baat hai?? Mujhe batao, beta. main agar koi help kar sakta hoon... toh zaroor karunga!!!!

(The sincerity in Vikram's voice finally made Kiaan look up. He hesitated for a moment, his lips trembling, before the floodgates opened, and the words spilled out.)

Kiaan: (sobbing) Papa, sab kuch bahut zyada ho raha hai...

(And just like that, Vikram knew this was something far beyond a typical teenage squabble.

He steadied himself, preparing to her whatever was that his son was facing.)

Kiaan: Papa, sab kuch bahut overwhelming lag raha hai. Coaching ka workload itna zyada hai, aur school ka bhi homework rehta hai. Phir har weekend coaching center mein exams ka pressure hota hai.... (He pauses, his voice breaks) Iss baar sirf school ke final exams ka stress nahi hai, NEET entrance ka bhi pressure hai.... and on top of that, (he sobs) now that I am the head boy, school ki thodi bahut responsibilities mujh par aagayi hain.... abhi we have the inter- house debate competition. Woh sab bhi dekhna hai!!!! Main kaise sab manage karun?

(Vikram felt a pang of guilt and sadness. He cupped Kiaan's face and wiped his tears with his thumbs.)

Vikram: Kiaan, listen to me. Main samajhta hoon ki tumhaare upar kitna pressure hai, aur yeh sab easy bilkul nahi hai. But remember, tum akele nahi ho. Main hoon tumhaare saath, har step pe.

(Kiaan looked at his father, his eyes filled with frustration and helplessness.)

Kiaan: Papa, aisa lagta hai jaise, I am losing everything!!!! Sometimes I feel like a loser!!!!

Vikram: (shakes his head gently) Aisa mat socho, beta. Sab ka pace alag hota hai!!! suno, tum abhi itna stress mat lo. Coaching ke exams abhi sab kuch nahi hain. Tum abhi apna focus apni school ki final exams par rakho. Final exams ke baad tumhaare paas entrance exams ki taiyaari ke liye bahut time hoga.

Kiaan: (looks hesitant) Lekin Papa, coaching wale bolte hain ki mock tests ke scores bahut important hain. Woh hi decide karega ki hum kitne ready hain.

Vikram: (shakes his head slightly and smiles reassuringly) Beta, main yeh nahi keh raha ki coaching ke exams ya wahaan ki padhaai ko ignore karo. Woh bhi zaroori hai. Lekin agar kisi mock test mein achha score nahi aaya, toh uske liye itna stress lena zaroori nahi hai. Mock tests ka purpose hai tumhaare weak areas ko samajhna, unko strong karna. Yeh koi final judgement nahi hai, tumhaare capabilities ki.

(He paused to let Kiaan absorb his words, then continued.)

Vikram: Sabse pehle apne school ke concepts aur basics ko strong karo. Final exams ke baad entrance exams ki taiyaari karna comparatively easier lagega. Agar foundation strong hogi, toh advance concepts bhi jaldi samajh aayenge.

Kiaan: (wipes his eyes and nods slowly) maybe you are right, Papa. I was prioritizing the wrong things. School ke assignments aur tests peeche ho rahe thay, aur main coaching pe zyada focus kar raha tha.

(Vikram paused for a moment, ensuring his words carried the reassurance Kiaan needed. He looked his son in the eyes and spoke with calm conviction.)

Vikram: Bilkul, beta. Priorities ko balance karna hi key hai...... and what about the Head boy ki responsibilities? Kya tumhe lagta hai, ki tumse kuch galat ho raha hai?

Kiaan: (shakes his head quickly, his frustration evident) Galat toh nahi, Papa. Par... kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki, sab mujhse perfection expect karte hain. I feel ki agar main, kabhi kisi deadline ko miss kar doon, ya koi event plan karne mein problem ho jaye, toh I feel ki, sab mujhe judge karenge.... I also want things to be perfect!!!!

Vikram: Beta, mujhe pata hai ki tum apni responsibilities ko bahut seriously lete ho, aur yeh achhi baat hai. Lekin yeh mat bhoolo ki tum insaan ho, machine nahi. sab kuch perfect hone ki zaroorat nahi hai.

Kiaan: (sniffs, his voice low) Papa, mujhe lagta hai ki agar main, head boy ki duties ko nahi nibha paaya, toh log mujhe weak samjhenge. Ya phir sochenge ki mujhe yeh position milni hi nahi chahiye thi.

(Vikram sighed, leaning closer as his hand rested firmly on Kiaan's shoulder, his grip both comforting and grounding.)

Vikram: Kiaan, ek baat yaad rakho: kisi bhi position ka matlab yeh nahi hota ki, tum har waqt perfect raho. Head boy hone ka matlab yeh hai ki tum responsible ho, tum koshish karte ho, aur agar kabhi problem aaye, toh usse deal karna seekhte ho. Tumhaare teachers ne tumhe yeh role diya hai kyunki unhe tum par vishwaas hai. Agar kabhi tumhe lagta hai ki kuch manage nahi ho raha, toh unse baat karo. Kisi se help lena weakness nahi, strength hoti hai.

(Kiaan listened quietly, his shoulders relaxing slightly as Vikram continued.)

Vikram: Kiaan, ek baat batao, tumhe lagta hai ki sab kuch perfect karne ke chakkar mein tum khud ko har kaam mein involve kar lete ho?

Kiaan: (hesitantly) Haan, Papa. Mujhe lagta hai ki agar main har stage pe nahi dekhoon, toh kaam galat ho jaayega. Aur agar kuch galat ho gaya, toh sab mujhe blame karenge.

Vikram: (lets out a soft sigh) Beta, yeh tumhaari sabse badi galti hai. Tumhe yeh samajhna hoga ki ek leader ka kaam is not to do everything on their own!!! Ek leader ka kaam hota hai, apni team ko empower karna.

Kiaan: (frowns slightly) Matlab?

Vikram: (explains patiently) Matlab yeh, ki tumhara kaam hai, work ko divide karna. Jo doosre house captains hain, jo prefects hain, unko apni- apni responsibilities do. Unn pe trust karo, ki woh apna kaam sahi tareeke se karenge. Tumhe unse, sirf final updates aur reports lene chahiye, yeh dekhna chahiye ki sab kuch time pe ho raha hai. Tumhe micro-manage karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, Kiaan.

(Kiaan bit his lip, thinking over his father's words)

Kiaan: Lekin, Papa, agar unhone kaam galat kiya toh?

Vikram: (smiles reassuringly) Galtiyaan hoti hain, beta. Par unhe rectify karne ka chance do. Remember, tumhaare teachers aur classmates tumse perfection nahi, leadership expect karte hain. Leadership ka matlab hai trust karna, guide karna, aur manage karna—not doing everything yourself.

(Kiaan slowly nodded, the tension in his face easing slightly.)

Kiaan: (manages a small smile) Papa, main try karunga apni priorities ko balance karne ki.

Vikram: haan... you need to do that.... Tum jitni mehnat kar rahe ho, woh kaafi hai. Par ek baat yaad rakho— tumhaari health aur mental peace sabse zyada zaroori hai. Agar kabhi tumhe lage ki you are getting overwhelmed, talk to me. Okay?

(For the first time that evening, Kiaan smiled faintly, the weight on his chest feeling just a little lighter.)

Kiaan: Thank you, Papa. Aap se baat karke hamesha achha lagta hai.

Vikram: (pats Kiaan's back gently) Bas yahi toh Papa ka kaam hai, beta. Ab chalo neeche, thoda relax karo.... I'll make a nice tasty snack for you.

Kiaan: and iced tea?

Vikram: Haan... woh bhi banaa donga. (smiles) Aur kal se, apne cheezon ko thoda organize karne ki koshish karo.

(Kiaan nodded, feeling comforted, and let Vikram guide him downstairs.)

___________________________________________

Author’s Note:

Hey, amazing readers! 💖

This scene was an emotional rollercoaster, wasn’t it? 😭💙 Kiaan, like so many students, is feeling the crushing pressure of expectations, responsibilities, and exams.

And then there’s Vikram—our calm, wise, and ever-supportive dad, stepping in like a rock when Kiaan needs him the most. 🛡️✨

What do you think of Vikram’s way of handling the situation? Do you relate to Kiaan’s stress? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💬👇

Let’s talk about it—because no one should have to deal with pressure alone. 💕

P.S. Who else now wants Vikram to make them a snack and iced tea? 😆🍵