Prelude of a New Year

What are your biggest challenges?

The two plastic dice rolled against the glass top of the table for the 4th time.

“You know what is turning out to be a big challenge right now? Getting a 7,” spoke my cousin as he put the two dice back into the dice cup and then rolled them again for a 5th time to fail once more in getting a seven.

No, we were not playing any game. The kids who were the previous occupant of this place a while ago, were playing a game and while packing the game back into the box, they left out the dice cup with the two dice.

My cousin, still focussed on the dice, spoke once more, “I feel the year 2023 was challenging for me in many ways. I thought studying and working abroad would be great and it is for most parts, but I cannot help missing home. I can’t help feeling helpless when anyone in the family becomes ill or hospitalised. I think I would have stepped beyond the limits of my sanity if I didn’t get the chance to come back and meet you all.”

“There are always ups and downs to every decision made. I know you are smart enough to have known that,” I said.

He was silent for a few seconds, then he looked at me.

“So, what was your biggest challenge in 2023?”

“I have honestly not given it a thought. But, if I had to put it into words, the biggest challenge was about knowing myself and my abilities better and then comparing them with where I was in life and what I was doing.”

“And.. ?” he asked, maybe a little keen to hear what conclusion I had arrived at.

“Things can be better for sure. Most importantly I can be better.. I guess everything else will follow..”

“Makes sense… for us both..,” he said as he pondered upon it further in his head.

“I guess 2024 will be an interesting year then…” I smiled and so did he.

Once again he rolled the dice and this time one of the dice fell off the table. I guess it could be said the change had begun.

Written by Anuran Chatterji

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