In Search for Happiness

"Finally, the first day of high school have come!", thought Cronus, the boy who lost his parents.

He was growing in his maternal aunt's house. He didn't know what happened to his parents. His aunt's family was made of his aunt, uncle and two elder cousin brother and cousin sister. His aunt was very caring and loving.

But only if it was like that. His uncle and his cousins saw him as a nuisance even though they were rich enough to manage living expenses of four more people. His uncle made Cronus do the house chores. His aunt though tried to support him was shut by his uncle because his aunt was a very weak and timid person. So, she couldn't protest very much. After all this he got very little time study. But, this wasn't the end. His cousins were nonetheless. They abused him every day. From making him do their homework to making him lick their shoes or toes. Physical abuse was also common. After every few days he would cry out in the arms of his aunt when everybody was asleep.

In case of education, he was given hand me down books and hand me down incomplete copies. His entertainment was only the few mangas his aunt would secretly buy from her money. Though his aunt supported him in every way she could but still it was too much for a kid. His school was also the cheapest available in the locality.

Unable to stand one day he shouted," I will go to the school with the hostel!", hoping to live a happy and peaceful life there without his uncles and cousins.

Amused, his uncle asked," Oh! And how are you gonna do that? By doing the house chores? That school is only for elite students! You fool!"

His elder cousin brother laughingly said," No dad! You don't get it! It's obviously by licking my foot. Isn't it? C-Cro..., what was that, Cockroach? Was it? Wasn't it?" He guffawed.

His elder cousin sister, while chuckling, said," Dad! Bro! Don't hurt him so much! Look he is about to cry! Don't cry, poor Cockr... err, Cronos. Your sister loves you, doesn't she? Look, he started crying. He is only shy. He just wants to say that he will follow any order from me." She giggled.

Just when his aunt was trying to say that it was enough and to stop and listen to him, He cried out," I WILL GO THERE! I WILL GO THERE FOR SURE! I WILL STUDY HARD!"

His aunt asked softly, "But only in one year, can you manage to take your grades to that level?"

He replied," I will do it! No, I have do it!"

His uncle now replied seriously," Well, if you manage to qualify entrance examination, I will allow you to go there in spite of high cost the school has."

His cousins almost cried out laughing.

He said with determination," Laugh as much as you can now. As, Later you would have to cry!"

His aunt smiled at his determination while his uncle joined into laughing with his cousins.

After that started studying very seriously. While the daytime went doing the house chores and taking orders from his cousins, he studied whole heartedly at night. He started asking his doubts to his school teachers. Everyone in his school was surprised to see this change in him. His grades started going up. One day he showed his better grades to his aunt.

His aunt happily said," Wow! If you continue to study this hard for sure you will get grades high enough to go to that school!"

He said," I will show these grades to uncle and my cousins tonight."

His aunt exclaimed," No! Don't show them!"

Being surprised, he asked," But why?"

His aunt said," Would it be better if they don't let you study?"

He understood and said ok sadly.

His aunt continued," Don't give them even a hint of your increase in grade. Just show them when the time comes by qualifying the entrance exam."

Finally the day of the result of entrance exam came. He and his aunt together went to see whether he passed or not. Only around half an hour was left. Tensed, he started walking to and fro. His aunt told him a few times to sit but he couldn't. After some time finally the list of entrance qualifiers was hanged. He suddenly noticed students and guardians alike were running towards the notice board. Seeing this he and his aunt also hurried there. There were three lists. From top grade to lowest grade. He started from the lowest one. He couldn't find his name there. He saw the second list. His name was not there too. He became tensed. There was none but a slight chance that he would be in the 1st list. He went to see it. He saw his aunt crying looking towards the list. Afraid, he advanced to see the list. He could not believe his eyes. He was in the list. Not in thirties, not in twenties, not in top 10 but in top 3. He was 3rd! His aunt noticed him standing beside her. She started to cry out of happiness and hugged him.

His aunt said in a hoarse voice, " You did it Cronus! Now you're free! You can live in peace! You will be happy from now onward!"