The Dream Market

Ring ring ring…

The school’s bell started ringing. It was closing time. All the students packed their bags in a hurry and paced towards the gates to go home. Arjun got a little behind. His bag was very old. He was not able to close the zippers quickly; they were all rusted now. Somehow, he managed to zip them close enough and then swooped past the Math teacher’s desk, waving him goodbye.

His Math teacher waved back at him proudly. “Don’t run! Be careful.”

Arjun was 8 years old. He was studying in the third grade and was among the brightest kids in his class. He was a curious one. Teachers weren’t particularly fond of him because he asked too many questions, but his Math teacher liked him well.

Arjun was running as fast as he could. A large muddy ground separated the classrooms and the school gate, beyond which all the buses waited. His bus was the last one to leave for the route. But, unfortunately, he missed it… again.

Though disheartened at first, Arjun lifted his mood back up and started walking home. His house was at the far end of the town, on the other side of the market. He lived with his mother. It was a small place, but they loved it. Arjun’s mother was a gardener working for nearby houses, adorning their gardens. They were not rich, but they lived happily.

Walking past the school’s street, Arjun entered the Dream Market. It was the famous street in the city, making the shortest route to his home. The street was always lined with local vendors, big brands, and shiny boards. Street vendors from the corners were hawking to street-goers: “Write books, free labor, free experience! Become a steward! Easy money!”

Arjun’s eyes began hovering over the Dream boards: “For sale: Engineer, Scientist, Banker, Businessman,… Doctor”. His gaze stopped on a video: a doctor was delivering a baby; a doctor was saving the life of an accident victim; the families were thanking them for helping give life and for saving lives.

Arjun’s eyes began gleaming with hope, love, and empathy. He instantly thought, “I will become a doctor.”

He sprinted towards his home. There was no stopping him now. As he reached the doorstep, he hurriedly removed his footwear and ran to his mother in the garden.

It was a small garden full of flowers in multiple colors. They were all blooming well. The ground was covered with grass. Stones were kept at the boundaries, separating areas for flowering.

Arjun came running in. “Mom! Mom! I will become a doctor one day! I will save lives and help people. It will be super fun. Yayy!”

His mother smiled for a brief moment, but soon her eyes turned grey. She went back to her gardening, desperately trying to shift her focus back. She tried hiding her despair, but in vain.

Looking at his mother’s unexpected dejection, the little boy’s excitement faded. He called out again, “Mom, listen. I want to become a doctor one day. I will help people, Mom.”

His mother slowly pulled herself back together. She took Arjun to the little steps and sat him on her lap.

“My sweet little Arjun, that is a wonderful dream! I am so, so proud of you. I have no doubt you can be an amazing doctor. BUT.”

“But what, Mom?” asked Arjun.

“But, Arjun, we are not rich. We barely make ends meet. Becoming a doctor is very costly. We don’t have that money. I am really sorry, son.”

“What? So, I won’t be able to become a doctor? No, Mom. I want to become a doctor. I will find a way. You will see.”

His mother sighed, “Arjun, your spirit always lights me up. However, this time, it won’t be possible. Don’t lift your hopes up.”

Arjun stared down for a bit with gloomy, despondent eyes, but soon switched them out for a pair that glimmered with hope as they looked up at the evening sky, and then back at his mother. “We will see, Mom.”

Arjun went back, jumping into the house. He took off his old clothes, threw them into the laundry basket, and hopped into the shower. His mother went back to finish watering her plants and later cooked them a meal for dinnertime.

The night settled in. The moon was glowing bright over the solemn garden. Arjun was about to finish his homework.

His mother started calling him out for dinner, “Arjun, come for dinner!”

“Mom, two minutes more,” he replied back.

“Arjun, don’t start this again. Come quick, or the food will get cold.”

“It’s okay, Mom. Just two minutes, coming!”

This exchange went on for some time until Arjun finally finished his homework and grabbed his plate for food. They quietly finished their supper.

After spending some time strolling through their little garden, Arjun got into bed. His mother gave him a goodnight kiss and turned off the light, letting the moonlight stream through the window into the room.

Arjun fell into a deep sleep.

“Doctor, doctor! Please come quickly, this patient needs your help.” Arjun rose to his feet and ran to the operating room.