" Abhimanyu, today is your pump day" says Mama. He is requesting Mama to give an off as he doesn't feel like getting a prick . If the request is not granted, he gets stomach ache, muscle cramp or some other vague pains. Mama is really in a dilemma, how often should she listen to him ? It is but natural for all of us to get bored with the same routine and specially the one that involves pain, I think all of us face the same problem. Is it just or unjust to grant his request ? At times he throws tantrums at the time of pump. His harsh words hit like a bullet. Why did you give birth to me ? Why is my younger sister not suffering from thalassaemia ? This shows that you are partial to her. You are extra nice when you have to give a prick and when the job is done you become harsh. (Although there is no change in my behaviour). You seem to enjoy giving me a prick. Oh! how do I explain it to him ? I really don't know . If I ask to pray to lessen the pain and have a positive attitude, he will simply question the very existence of God.

At such times, I really don't know how to pacify him as the time is slipping and he has to get up early for the school. I know there is no standard reply but I would like to know from parents specially mothers what do they do under such trying conditions when one is stretched beyond limits after a long, tiring and trying day. As a parent I may sometimes make a mistake of comparing his grades with others or may ask him to work hard for his exams. The replies (rather questions) I get are soul stirring. Do they have problems like me ? Are they getting pricks with needles ? You should not compare them with me. Once a casual remark about a boy passing by with a smiling face brought comments which baffled me. He said, "Give him my thalassaemia and see his smile vanishing with the daily quota of pricks". I know my son has become rough and tough at a tender age of 12 years. But how to make him laugh like the children of his age. He is my Abhimanyu of today battling to get out of the Chakravyuha ( I am sure he will ?) or ( will he ?).