The Credit Card was already swiped…

Rahul couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Standing in the parking of his school building, holding his std VIII report card in his hand, he wanted to shout out with joy but then he didn’t do it. It was not the first time he had not expressed what he wanted to express. Looking at his progress in the final exam of Std VIII, his father had finally agreed on fulfilling his long pending promise, that of buying his son a TV video game.

Rahul’s father had promised him the video game more than a year back, but there were many reasons which prevented him from getting the video game. However for Rahul, all these reasons were invariably related to acads, behavior and the likes.

But today the wait was over, he had secured the first rank in the class and that too by a margin of 25 marks. His teacher to the delight of his father had said that this is the first time she had seen such a huge difference in the marks of the 1st and the 2nd rank holder. The teacher’s words confirmed Rahul’s convincing victory in the exams.

The ride to the shop which was some 20 mins from the school took less time than what Rahul had imagined. However it was more than enough for Rahul to decide his future course of action with his new TV video game. First of all he will be showing it off to Ashish. It still hurt him how Ashish had not allowed him to play when he had got his Video game. He was going to invite Rohit, his best friend (who had secured the 2nd rank) to come over and play with him. He was looking forward to this and many more things in his summer vacation.

The electronics shop was run by an affable Sardarji, he was used to expecting kids at this time of the year. The moment he saw Rahul, he started taking out boxes of video games. Samurai, Nintendo, Mitashi etc. Rahul’s father should have been surprised about this, they had not uttered a word about what they were looking for, but Rahul’s father guessed that Rahul would have visited the place earlier doing some groundwork. He did not mind it either. ‘You have to be careful with were you spend your money’ was his motto.

Rahul wanted the Samurai one. But he knew there was a slim chance to get it. It was the costliest of the 3. Ashish had a Samurai but then he was ready to compromise (Rahul was aware, his choice didn’t matter. If he didn’t agree to what his father was saying he might not even get the video game ever.) The Sardarji as always had started his pitch for the Samurai. But Rahul wanted to get it over with early. He butted in and talked about liking the Nintendo. However at Rs1000, Nintendo was costly for his father. His father did not say it, but Rahul could guess this from his looks. He instantly showed interest in the Mitashi and at Rs 600 ( his father bargained for a Rs 200 discount) Rahul walked out with a smiling face (forgetting about how this was his third choice) and a TV video game.

The summer vacation were fun filled. He and Rohit had fun playing CONTRA, ALLADIN, MARIO BROS. He lent the game to Rohit for a couple of days. This gesture elevated him to that of and of messiah in the colony. Almost every kid in the colony had played on the Mitashi. Ashish was isolated. Rahul’s victory was now complete. But even then he avoided Ashish, lest he started bragging about his Samurai. The Mitashi was his most prized possession till date. He had to go through so much for it.

“What’s wrong dad. Don’t you like it”, Rahul came back to his senses. Sameer was tugging at his jacket sleeve. It was Sameer’s eighth bday today. Dad had promised him a play-station (the TV video games were no longer available). In the swanky mall, standing near the play station stall, Rahul couldn’t help but think what all he had to do to get his TV video game. That was some 20 years back.

Was Sameer being pampered? he thought. It didn’t matter anymore- the credit card was already swiped!!!!