Feb 17, 2026
Parked in the UC Berkeley garage, last Monday evening after the President’s Day weekend, I sat staring blankly ahead, engine idling. It was time to drive home, but my mind wouldn’t shift gears. Cars streamed in and out around me, but I lingered, sifting through the whirlwind of the past few days—heavy thoughts rising and fading like fog.
The Judging Duty:
The weekend kicked off with an unexpected task: judging the Open Public Forum debate at the Cal Invitational at UCB. For three days, high schoolers from across the U.S. and beyond battled in prelims and elims. Teams of two clashed over whether the FTC should regulate sports betting. My daughter and her partner competed too. Watching these bright, research-fueled kids argue passionately yet respectfully—bridging divides of culture and background—melted away the world’s intolerance. It was a reminder of pure pursuit, making every moment of the long weekend worthwhile.
A Dream Realized:
The week started well with a hope. My younger daughter, Pahi, had her breakthrough. A Lacrosse devotee since third grade—fueled by my own soccer passion—she’s grinded year-round with club teams up and down the West Coast. Her dream? A D1 college spot. The first hurdle: making her high school’s Varsity as a freshman. We drilled endlessly last few weeks. Tryouts started Monday and ended Thursday, and she earned one of two freshman spots. Ecstatic, she beamed with promise for the season ahead. And dream continues.
A Sudden Loss:
Then, Monday morning, as I was ready to drive for my judging duty, a message popped up in my email notification. It was titled “Gone too Soon” and as I read the message, my joy was shattered. It was a Facebook alert from a friend. My old engineering college senior and Calcutta roommate—son of our professor—had passed unexpectedly. Memories flooded back: his infectious cheer, unyielding positivity. We’d drifted apart, but true bonds endure. Shocked, I mourned a great soul. Rest in peace, brother.
What a week—a vivid circle of life. Duty filled my days, a daughter’s dream sparked hope, and death delivered reality’s sting. Finally, I backed out, mind adrift. My driver’s-side mirror clipped the pillar and snapped off—as if to tell me, a blunt metaphor: No looking back. Drive forward to your destination.
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