THE LOSER - A SHORT STORY

"Oye, why are you still here? Has your office dress code changed to boxers and T-Shirt?" asked Nana.

"Nana!" exclaimed TJ.

"Wait. Don't tell me you have quit once again?" questioned mom.

TJ who is sleeping on the sofa, just turns on his back without answering.

"This is what, your 6th or 7th job's," stated Dad.

TJ opened one eye to see his granny, mom and dad standing  around him staring. He gets up.

"They didn't understand my creativity, my ideas, my words," said TJ.

"Always the same story, isn't it?" asked dad.

"My poor child! When will he find his kind of people?" said mom.

"His kind of people! I am telling you Jenny, your son is a woof, runs away at the slightest sound. In my times, you never quit. Today's generation is just too sad," said Nana.

"If you are trying to push my buttons Nana, then it is not going to work," said TJ.

"How will it work? You have heard these words too many times, haven't you ?" quipped dad.

"If you guys are done with me, could you please continue with your work. You know I am a lost cause, don't you?" joked TJ.

"Don't say that," said mom.

"Lost cause, my foot. You just know how to mentally blackmail us," remarked dad.

"And torture us, don't you forget that," added Nana.

Realising the ineffectualness of their comments on TJ, all three left him on the coach and got back to their works.

*

"Oye, why are you still sleeping like this? Don't you have to get ready. Or are T-Shirt and boxers their dress code as well?" asked Nana.

"There is still time, Nana," answered TJ and rolled over on his stomach and continued sleeping on the couch.

"I can't believe him," said dad and shouted at him, "Come on, you fool".

"Stop pulling his leg now," said mom.

TJ was the last one to get out of the house. He was formally dressed, a change from his obvious get up. He drove the car slowly. When his name was announced, he gave his family  a kiss each, then catching his mom's hand took her on the stage.

Looking at her grandson, Nana told her son, "If anyone had told me that in the near future, TJ would win an award for his novel, I would have laughed. And yet, I am sitting here, watching him accepting one".