Robert is on his way to the class reunion, the first time hell see his former classmates in thirty years. After leaving secondary school he packed his bags for university in Manchester, then moved straight into a job in the city. Later he launched his own firm, weathering the usual highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
In quiet moments he scrolls through old photos on social media, recalling the faces he hasnt seen for decades. Hes especially eager to spot Pippa, a girl he admired in school. Back then Pippa barely noticed the studious, quiet boy who tried to win her over with a bouquet, only to watch her hop onto Adams motorbike and rev away, dust clouding the air. He never approached her again, watching the bike disappear down the lane, his request to join her ride unspoken.
Robert never built a tight circle at school; most of his time was spent buried in textbooks. He only kept a few mates who joined him for extra maths sessions and the entrance exam prep. Now, armed with a cheerful mood, he arrives at the London café with a small gift for each classmate, making sure no one is overlooked.
Friends gather around the table, laughing and swapping stories about their school days. Roberts gaze drifts to Pippa, who sits at the far end, eyes glued to her phone. After school she married Adam, but they no longer live together; Robert learns she now raises a sick child on her own.
He decides to speak with her, but she meets him with sharp words.
Your big house means nothing to us who are wrestling with real problems! Ive seen your wife lounging in beauty salons, while you flaunt a perfect life on Instagram. Youve got kids studying abroad, and Im caring for a ill son. What can we possibly discuss? You wouldnt understand.
Pippa, am I the cause of your troubles? he asks.
In this country theres barely any funding for sick children, yet people like you sit on wealth and act greedy! she snaps.
Robert feels his temper rise; he hates the topic, but he has a reply.
How many sick children have you helped? he presses.
Im the one with a sick child! And I sometimes send a text asking for help.
I regularly donate large sums to charity, though I never brag about it. So who is really helping?
Its simple for you; giving another hundred grand doesnt make you poorer. My aid matters more because I literally give from my own pocket. Do you know how I earn my money? I catch two earlymorning buses to work and scrape by on pennies!
Other patrons watch the exchange. Some side with Pippa, the rest stay silent.
When the evening ends, Robert leaves the gifts on the table and asks the waiter to hand a envelope to Pippa. He walks away thinking about the equal chances they once had. Many in their class shared his talent, but he chose study over hanging out at the park, over drinking pints in the backyard, over smoking on street corners, over nightly discos. He followed a university he was passionate about instead of a local vocational college, took the risk of leaving his comfort zone, and built a business from scratch.
Hes faced setbacks, learned hard lessons, and endured losses, but he earned his fortune honestly. He isnt at fault for the paths his classmates have taken, nor for the resentment they feel toward his success. He didnt steal from anyone; he made his own money.
How many of you know people like Pippa and the other former classmates who tally other peoples cash? Some were lucky to be born into affluent families and receive a good education, but countless individuals from modest backgrounds have risen on their own. Everything rests in our own hands, and each of us decides our own destiny.
