I Am Whatever You Say I Am

Cause we all just wanna be big rock-stars, and live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars…

It was a Sunday. He didn’t have to go to work today. Not because it was a holiday for the whole working community, but because he was not called by his boss. And it was a welcoming change from the daily schedule. He had just gotten up and was still groggy.

His little daughter dashed into his room and jumped on the bed.

“Good Morning, Daddy!”

“Good Morning to you too, sweetheart. So what plans today?”

“Can I ask you something, Daddy?”

“Sure honey, what is it?”

“Can you take me shopping today?”

“You know I can’t do that, dear”

He really wanted to but given yesterday’s circumstances it was too risky.

“But, if you want, Ramu kaka will be more than pleased to do it for you.” He said.

“But I want you to.”

His insides hurt. What kind of life was he leading? He had the time and the will but still couldn’t fulfil his daughter’s wish. He had to take a decision. Looking at the papers, and going through the headlines helped him make the tough decision.

“Oh sweetheart, I promise you, we’ll go and have some fun after this project of mine. We’ll have a world tour together. We’ll go to Disneyland. What say?”

“Okay! That sounds like fun too! And can we go to Paris?”

“Yes dear, wherever you want.”

He loved his daughter very much and would give anything just to see that smile and the twinkle in her eyes.

“So what are your plans today, Mr. Big-shot?” his wife came in with his cup of coffee. She was the next thing he loved the most, only second to his daughter.

“Nothing much. I’ve got an interview at 4:00 and a party at 8:00 for which you are still invited.”

“You know I hate parties. Why should this one be any different?”

She was right, as always. This party was going to be just as boring as all the rest. But still he had to go. He hated this dual personality where he had to put up a face for others and then come back home to be himself again. Why couldn’t he just be himself all the time?

He knew the answer to that. Every single day, he asked this question to himself even though he knew the answer. He hated the way people pointed and stared at him, whenever he got out of his house. But the worst thing was he couldn’t do anything about it. His livelihood depended upon it.

“It’s time, dear.” She said.

“Yeah, I know.” he said as he got into his robes.

“Oh My God! Princess Diana’s dead!” she shrieked as she straightened the paper to read the rest of the news.

He combed his hair and moved towards the balcony. He opened the drapes. Sliding open the window, he stepped out into the balcony.

“Princess Diana murdered by the paparazzi” he heard her read the headlines as he waved his hands to the huge gathering of fans crowded in front of his gate just to get a glimpse of him.

(This post is inspired mainly by Eminem’s ‘The way I am’. It shows how the fans and the very people who got him to the top form a hindrance to his family life. The first line is the lyrics to ‘Rock-star’ by Nickelback. It begins with ‘I’d trade this life for fortune and fame, I’d even cut my hair and change my name…’ but is it worth it?

Please comment and help me improve. I’d also like to quote Terminator: ‘I’ll be back’)