Mediocrity

He had always been a mediocre child. Allan Burns, the youngest of the lot. His parents were doctors and taught medicine in A class university. His three elder brothers were achievers. Andrew the oldest was an athlete and played competitive hockey. Arthur had taken after his parents and was studying to get into the top medical school there was. Adam was an A grader and wanted to be a space scientist. But Allan was a mediocre. He had no ambitions, was an average student, played poor baseball, and lived a mediocre life. He was happy. 

As time went by and his siblings left one after the other to pursue their dreams, Allan stayed. Someone needed to look after his aging parents he would reason. It made sense because renting elsewhere was expensive. When the time came Allan took up a job because that was what everyone did. It was a mediocre job and paid decent. It was enough to pay his bills and save some. Allan loved his life. He neither felt the urge to achieve something extra ordinary nor felt the pressure because his siblings were going places. He called it contentment.

Soon his hormones raged, and Allan felt the need to have a partner to share his life with. A charming boy like him deserved a nice girl. A girl who could live a mediocre life with ease. It was odd to find someone though. Girls looked for go-getters and Allan was not chasing anything. He was happy.  But love is a funny thing. It certainly is.

Allan met Rhonda at a bar. She fell for his charm and he fell for her confidence. It was instant. They were spotted together often, and Allan loved her company. She made him laugh and he was always happy around her. Rhonda was pretty, intelligent, had a great career, and she loved with passion. But she was different too. Rhonda was a go-getter and she wanted Allan to make something of his life too.

Allan was motivated to dream big, to have an ambition. Taking Rhonda’s advice, Allan signed up for a certificate course in computers. He decided to take a break from his job and focus on his schoolwork. Software industry was growing, and a certificate would have given him that perfect start to a thriving career. He worked hard each day. Mornings became nights and fall turned into winter. Three months had passed. Rhonda was by Allan’s side supporting him. His family cheered for him. But something was strange.

Allan was not happy. Project work, coding, grades did not make him happy. He was suffocated. Trapped in a maze. He missed his old life. He missed his routine. He dropped out of the course and went back to his old job for an even lesser pay. He broke up with Rhonda because she did not make him happy anymore. His old ways made him happy and Rhonda did not fit in the puzzle anyway.

Breaking up did not hurt him and he moved on with ease. He met Madge his new co-worker. She seemed to love the mediocre job that he loved so much. She enjoyed the routine as much as he did. She had never been an achiever much herself. She was content as was he. She liked Allan and fell for his charm. They married. She fit the puzzle, perfectly.

Allan knew he did not love her, but he loved mediocrity.

PC - Rakesh Rana