Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring,
Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring
Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring
Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring
“Stop making that sound again and again you stupid little clock.” Yelled mother(Jane). “I know we’ve to get ready for the wedding day. So stop ringing now.” It was 4–45 AM and all of us had to reach the wedding venue before 9–30 AM.
The alarm bell rang hard, forcing everyone to wake up when it was more than an hour for the dawn. Usually, it’s a time when we are deepest asleep.
“John(elder son), Harry(younger son), and Steven(Husband). It’s 5. C’mon Wilsons hurry up and get ready. We have to leave at 6 and reach by 9. You know how dense the traffic can get once the office hours begin.” Jane voiced at the sleeping guys as they chose to ignore the alarm clock.
All three of them got ready by 6–15 and left at 6–30 for the 3 and a half hour journey if medium traffic is to be assumed. Jane, who was the first to wake up, had the toast omelets and sandwiches packed for breakfast, so that they can have it during the drive.
Luckily the traffic didn’t get much dense as they feared, so the Wilsons reached the venue on time. Not all the guests had arrived, some were yet to. Jane felt relieved.
Usually, at a wedding, we meet our relatives after a long time. Located cities apart, we never really get to see each other often. So it’s these kinds of events which bring us together and we have a splendid time.
Meeting and greeting each relative one by one, chatting with them for a while and excuse each other for the next, this is how we spend the day. And there was a relative Mrs. Jenny, John’s aunt who met John after a couple of years.
A little surprised, facially expressing a happy smile, Jenny said “Hello John. How are you son?” “Hello aunt Jenny, I’m good. How are you?” replied John with a smile. “I’m good my dear. You have put on a lot of weight son, what happened to you? Last time I saw you, you looked much leaner.”
Oh! Really? Boom! Wait, What? How could you..? Did you just call me fat? Are you fat-shaming me? These kinds of thoughts mostly explode in anyone’s head, like a nuclear bomb. Like seriously? How can a person comment on someone’s body?
For a youngster, John, a seemingly snide remark from a known person will never go down well, however concern and care the other may have in mind. It hit John hard. A wedding day which was supposed to be a fun meet with relatives, cousins, and friends was a spoiled one by a few words, big time.
John wished he didn’t turn for the day for whatever excuse he could make instead of having such an embarrassing one. Jane, Steve, and Harry, however, enjoyed the day with get together and food. John kept away from everyone and spent his time scrolling his phone pretending to be busy.
People called it a day and guests started leaving for home. The Wilsons too left and reached home late evening. John’s bad day was pretty much evident on his face. He broke his silence on that matter, to which Jane was quick to respond.
“I have been warning you for months to watch out. You have been incessantly eating out. Burgers, pizzas, soft drinks. Anything which is fatty and spicy. But you chose to ignore, didn’t you? Do you realize at least now? Or still, you want to party?” Jane said with a bit of anger, more concern, and being a little confrontational.
“Please calm your anger down Jane. John’s already had a day bad enough to make him realize his wrongs. I’m sure he will get his act together.” Steve intervened to make peace. “Dad’s right mama, John will not be the same anymore.” Harry too tried his bit to calm Jane.
“Ok that’s great then, will see. Now let’s freshen up and retire for the day. See you tomorrow, Good night everyone.” a calmed Jane said with a sigh. Jane, Harry dozed off instantly. John was still sitting on the couch thinking about the day and aunt. Steve joined him and broke the ice.
“Not sleepy right? I understand. And the reason too. See, you are not the only one to go through this and you know it. Perhaps, somebody needs to remind you, that’s it.” Steve said, putting his arm over John’s shoulder.
John nodded with a smile of self-realization. “Everything you want to enjoy in life needs to be earned. Then be it a property or even a burger or pizza. If you try to enjoy anything when you’re not fit for that, you will pay a heavy price for it.” Steve explained.
“I realize what I already knew. Lessons teach better than words. Thanks, Dad.” said John with a brightened face. “Happy realization John. Good night.” Steve said and left. While on his way to the bedroom, Steve turned back and recalled something which he probably needed to tell John.
“Hey, we’ll be meeting Mrs. Jenny in May at Natasha’s wedding which is 3 months from now. You know what I mean. (Grins) So good luck with that.” Steve said and left.
John wasted no more time and went to bed.
THREE MONTHS LATER…
It’s Natasha’s(John’s and Harry’s cousin’s) wedding in our neighboring city. Thankfully, the venue isn’t too far like the previous one. It’s just a half an hour journey from Wilsons’ place. So they don’t need to rush in the morning.
The Wilsons left for the venue at 8–15 AM and reached by 8–50 AM or so. Again a day of togetherness, pictures, food, and fun. Jane and Steve start catching up with the relatives. With a wedding bouquet in hand, John and Harry made a later entry as they went to search for a shop to buy that.
Guests were looking pleasantly surprised looking at the two attractive dudes entering in. John was now a lot leaner, well-groomed, and confident guy. Harry was well dressed too. “John, it may not be your wedding but it won’t be wrong for anybody to mistake you for the groom,” Harry whispered jokingly.
“Thanks for the compliment mate. Now let’s catch up with uncles and aunties.” John said with a smile. “John, is it you?” A voice came behind John. John turned back to see it was Mrs. Jenny. “O my God, you are looking so, so good. You have changed so much the way you look! So happy to see you again son.” Mrs. Jenny said with a genuinely happy face.
“I have been doing exercises regularly and following a healthy diet past couple of months,” John explained. “That’s a great thing, my dear. I’m so glad to know that.” Mrs. Jenny said. “Thank you so much aunt Jenny,” John said and excused himself gracefully.
Another wedding day passed. The Wilsons returned home. John didn’t need to share this with his family as they already witnessed the compliments he got on his transformation.
One another fine day, while John was walking down a street near his place, “Hey John” a voice he heard meters away. A girl came walking towards him. To his surprise, it was a beautiful girl Mary. (John’s schoolmate. All the boys including John used to crush on her.)
“Hey Mary, long time buddy!” John replied with a pleasant surprise. “John, it took me a while to recognize you, dude. You have changed so much. You look fitter and more confident. During school, you used to be the fatty, shy, and the loner guy. Now you are completely different and how.” said a surprised Mary.
The two spoke for a while, exchanged numbers, and left. John came home with a happy face. The next morning after the exercises and shower, John checked his phone to see an unread text message. It was Mary saying “Hey John, can we catch up for a coffee in the eve?”
That’s it with the story depicting the journey of John, the protagonist of our story who was an under-confident shy guy to a confident and positive one. The takeaway for us from this one is about the turning point.
The snide remark from Mrs. Jenny became the pain point for John. He used this criticism for transforming himself into his better version. His pain point eventually became his strong point. The results were seen in another wedding which followed.
Everyone has turning points in their lives from where there is a change for good. The wedding remark proved to be one for John. Our story ends with the beginning of another story, we never know what lies ahead.
