ALL YOURS

 

ALL YOURS

“Have you ever wondered how and why youngsters manage to spend unimaginable time glued to the screen on the internet?

That’s addiction, a growing problem. Source, I believe is our homes!

My daughter, twenty-two, prefers to browse than to chat with us – me and my wife.

She is the only kid, apple of our eyes! We love to consider her that way. We’ve given her the best of everything she could wish for. And all that is ours is hers- this sprawling house, a two-thousand square foot land and the fixed deposits- all hers!

I try to connect with her.

“Your coffee is ready. Join me in the balcony.”

She raises her hand and I see a thumbs up.

Our balcony has a nice view. The bunch of roses – they look dull and dry. I haven’t watered the plant. “I will do that in a bit, after my coffee time with my daughter!”

I begin to sip my coffee looking behind now and then. I could hear her talking.

I almost forgot how soft and soothing her voice was.

I waited. Sensing that she was not going to join me any sooner, I took her coffee mug and walked to where she was.

My wife was no where to be seen. Of course, she was at the temple in the neighbourhood.

“Your coffee is getting cold. I shall warm it up.” I walked towards the micro-oven, without waiting for her response.

“I like it cold”, she said and took the red coffee mug from me and soon we were in the balcony. She did not even sit on the cushion, she sprang up and disappeared.

“What’s wrong with this kid!”, I said aloud.

She walked in with the sprinkler in her hands. She watered the little space of nature on our balcony.

I did not know what to say, but was embarrassed. Quickly I took out my mobile and searched for notifications. There weren’t any.

She sat beside me sipping her cold coffee.

I picked up a magazine and began to search for something interesting. Sports, not my cup of tea. Tech, no way. I turned to the last section- questions and answers!

The questions were longer than the answers!

“Who are these people and what kind of questions do they have?” I wondered.

The opening question was from a youngster and it was about a break-up. What’s the expert’s suggestion?

 “Not interested in knowing that!”. “You FALL in love, you will be HURT!”, I told myself.

Another question was also from a youngster with sleep issues.

“Must stay away from gadgets at least an hour before going to bed.”

“It’s a simple and practical remedy.”

“Are these kids homeless destitutes? Don’t these kids have a family to care for them!”

My train of thoughts was disrupted by my daughter’s grunt.

She stood up, looked up at the beaming sun, took a deep breath and murmured “I have finished having my coffee!” and quietly walked back to her room.

Now do you see the problem with the youngsters like my daughter?

(19^th March, 2025 – 504words)