Dear Society

"Tere ko life mein kya karna hai, yaar?

What, do I want to do with my life?

..What, indeed?

Here we are, a group of fifteen- year olds, trying to figure out what will become of us. In the far, far future. We're fifteen. And so lost.

Among us are dancers, singers, artists, readers, writers, songwriters and composers. We're fifteen, and we've found what we love. Many of us are multiple things-- we have dreams and ambitions, hopes and goals, but one thing in common: a tinge of apprehension at our indecisiveness.

We're pondering over the looming uncertainty that's our future, and we're fifteen.

Yes, we have things we love, but of course they aren't going to be our future, right? We have dreams, but of course, our parents' dreams are far more important, right? We have ambitions, but of course, we must keep to the well-worn track, and keep doing what society establishes as correct, isn't it?

"Pata nahi, yaar... dekha jaayega." I don't know, dude...we'll see.

Our go-to reply if anyone* asks for our future plans.

*Read: friends.

Because, of course when a member of your extended family asks, you say: "I'm going to be a doctor, uncle.'

For that's what you've been taught to say ever since you could say your own name.

The bitter truth's this: becoming something that's not our dream is our future. Because that's what society teaches us.

It teaches us algebra and theoretical physics and organic chemistry when all we wanted to learn was ballet and playing the keyboard.

It teaches us not to be different. Not to stand out.

It teaches us to be afraid; of what'll happen if we decide we want to do something we love, we enjoy-- we will face insurmountable difficulties. We will suffer a million defeats.

We'll fail.

But you know what, society? I'd rather fail doing something I love doing, than be successful doing what you thrust upon me. At least my heart will urge me to get up and keep trying. At least I won't live my life being someone else.

I may not earn enough, or be famous enough, but at least I'll be happy. For if all I want to do, is all I need to do, I won't have to pretend like I'm enjoying what you made me be.

I've got one life, society. One. Life. What makes you think I should give it up trying to be what you want me to, instead of being what I love? You taught me that two and two make four, and that the tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius at its point of contact.

Gee, thanks.

But don't you go trying to teach my place in you. Don't you try to teach me my worth.

Because I, will forge my place in you, and I will build my worth, brick by brick, through sweat and hard work.

I will build my future, society; live my dreams, fulfil my ambitions, and

will watch.

And someday, approve.