Decisions

“D-e-c-i-s-i-o-n”, the 8-year-old Vishal spelt out. He looked at his mom confusedly, who was teaching him the spelling of various words. He asked, “Mom, what’s a decision”. She said, ‘Decision is something a group of people take together and agree to follow it.”. Sahana could see that her son was all the more confused. She went on to explain to her kid, “We decided last week that you will not ride bicycle until you are 15. Correct? That’s called a decision!”. Vishal was not relenting. He said, “But mom, brother is only 14. Why do you allow him to ride it?”. Sahana was stumped. But she managed, “Because he is tall.”. She left the place soon fearing another round of rapid fire.

Arjun, Vishal’s 14-year-old brother, entered the room just then. After hearing his complaint, he just gave Vishal a cold stare. Vishal knew what to do next, after that cold stare. He knew he would be beaten to death, if he asked any further questions. Quite satisfied by his stare, Arjun entered into his room, slamming the door behind him with a bang. He could hear his mom shouting back for that bang. But Arjun was too engrossed in his own thoughts. He was sympathizing for Vishal not able to ride a bicycle. Vishal fell off the cycle while learning to ride and he was told not to ride it until he is 15. But Arjun was wondering are all the decisions that are taken followed.

Arjun knew smoking was not good for health. It is decided every now and then that none in the family should smoke and drink. But why does his father smoke? Does being the head of the family mean he can overrule a decision? He was as confused as Vishal now.

Meanwhile, Gurumoorthy, the father of the kids, was watching a news channel in the living room. The breaking news was that the Congress, Left and DMK were opposing the UPA government’s decision on price hike. They were demanding that the government should immediately take measures. Gurumoorthy was wondering if the Congress, Left and DMK are opposing the price hike, then who would have made the decision. Don’t they form UPA? If they are appealing to the UPA, are they appealing to themselves publicly? Now Gurumoorthy too was as confused as his kids. Suddenly Vishal asked, “Daddy, while making a decision, do they also decide on who should follow it and who is excused from it?”. This made dad think. But he could not conclude. Neither could Arjun, nor Sahana.

Vishal carried on with his word hunt. “C-o-n-f-u-s-i-o-n Now mommy, what is this?”, Vishal cried out!!!