"Scrolling Away My NEET Dreams" A Story of Addiction, Regret, and Redemption

Chapter 6: A Father's Expectations

8:30 PM – The Call He Dreads

Debasish’s phone vibrates.

"Papa Calling."

His stomach tightens. He already knows what’s coming.

For a second, he considers not answering. Maybe he could say he was in the bathroom, or asleep. But that would only delay the inevitable. His father would call again. And again.

Slowly, he picks up.

> Debasish’s Father: "Beta, how was your mock test?"

Debasish grips the edge of his desk. His eyes flicker to his test paper, crumpled in the corner.

> Debasish: (Pauses) "It was okay."

A long silence follows. His father never accepts vague answers.

> Debasish’s Father: "Marks?"

His throat dries up.

He considers lying—maybe saying 420, something slightly better. But what’s the point? His father would find out eventually. And even if he didn’t, it wouldn’t change reality.

> Debasish: (Muttering) "398."

The silence this time is worse.

> Debasish’s Father: (Deep sigh) "Again below 400? Debasish, NEET is in two months!"

His father’s voice isn’t angry. It’s disappointed. That makes it worse.

8:40 PM – The Weight of Expectations

> Debasish’s Father: "You know why I push you, right? Your mother and I… we couldn’t become doctors. But at least one of you should."

> Debasish: (Softly) "I know, Papa."

His father’s tone softens.

> Debasish’s Father: "I’m not saying this to pressure you. But beta, we’ve given everything for this dream. Your mother is working overtime, your sister is helping us financially. Everyone is trying. Just… try harder, okay?"

"Try harder."

Like it’s that simple.

Debasish clenches his fists. Doesn’t his father understand that he’s trying? That every failure is breaking him? That every time he falls short, the weight on his chest grows heavier?

But he says nothing. Because what can he say?

> Debasish’s Father: "Okay. Take care of your health, son."

The call disconnects.

Debasish stares at the screen. His hands are shaking.

9:00 PM – The Unsent Message

Ankita sits at her desk, scrolling through old messages with Debasish.

She wants to text him. She knows how these calls go.

Papa must have asked about his marks.

She types:

"Are you okay?"

But she doesn’t send it. What’s the point? He’ll say “I’m fine.”

She erases the message and puts her phone away.

She sighs, rubbing her temples. She knows Debasish is struggling. She knows he’s drowning under the weight of expectations, guilt, and self-loathing. But what can she do?

She looks at her textbooks, the ones she once studied with the same dream he’s chasing now. The dream she had to give up.

She closes her eyes.

Maybe it’s better to say nothing.

9:30 PM – The Noise Inside His Head

Debasish presses his palms against his temples. His thoughts are too loud.

"NEET is in two months."

"I am running out of time."

"Maa is working overtime for me."

"Papa is expecting me to succeed."

"Ankita had to give up her dream. And I am failing?"

He grips his phone, staring at the untouched books in front of him. He should study. He should do something.

But he feels paralyzed.

The more he thinks about how little time is left, the harder it becomes to start. His syllabus is incomplete, his revision is weak, and his test scores refuse to improve. The mountain in front of him seems impossible to climb.

He wants to believe he can still do it. But doubt has already taken root.

Instead of opening his books, he lies down, staring at the ceiling.

The fan above him spins slowly.

His heartbeat pounds in his ears.

11:00 PM – The Guilt That Won’t Let Him Sleep

Debasish lies on his bed, eyes open.

Everyone is counting on him.

His mother, despite her illness.

His father, despite his own health issues.

His sister, despite her broken dreams.

And he is failing them all.

The pressure is suffocating.