Growing up

Ashwin Goyal

Nov 6, 2023

Doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Spoiled for choice, pint-sized me daydreamed all the super cool adventures he would go on as an adult.

In a crisp white coat, I’d be the doc handing out band-aids and curing cancer. Or maybe, I’d be a superhero-lawyer, standing against injustice everywhere. Ooh, or a race-car engineer making the zoomiest, flashiest cars that go vroom-vroom!

Snap, I'm all grown up. Back in my chair, stuck in an oversized Zoom call. Someone made a funny joke. I laughed, but oops… my mic was off. I tap ‘unmute’ and laugh again. A bit late, but hey, at least I made some noise.

Swiping

Funny cat video. Ah, that’s cute. Swipe. There’s that influencer again. Latest skincare ritual. Swipe. A dance mix. Feet tapping unconsciously. Swipe. My friend sent a meme, something about...who cares? Double tap. Heart it. Text from best friend: "Had a really rough day. Can we talk?

Receiving a spam call

"Hello," he says. "Very good morning." Grr. Another spam call. I slam ‘end call’ with the force of a thousand suns. I want it to hurt, but I feel no satisfaction. I’m sure he’s already calling the next victim. I’m left there wondering,