It was a normal Wednesday in May 2023. The sun could be seen up in the sky, and birds were making chirping sounds. It was early in the morning, but this month was one of the hottest in Gurgaon, India.

"Ram, you will get late. Be quick, have your breakfast, and then go."

"Yes father."

Ram left his bedroom, and it could be seen he was ready in formal working clothes. He came to the breakfast table and had an aloo parantha with chai.

Though his family could sometimes be very strict and disciplined, they had the rule of having one meal together at the dining table. It was usualy dinner, but since Ram was supposed to go to the office today, he knew he would be late. So he wanted to have breakfast together before he left.

He was supposed to come to the office on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and as for the remaining 2 days, he used to work from home.

This has happened since the 2020 COVID virus situation. If asked why Ram would have preferred working from the office rather than at home, it was because that company had taken work from home for granteed and started giving them extra work and expected them to complete it the same day.

He could do nothing about this situation, as he was not the only person; it was happening with everyone in most of the companies around him.

"So do you think the company would be making all 5 days working from home a compulsion?"

Ram's father asked him.

Ram, while chewing his parantha, replied, "I have heard it many times from the office, but I think it might be a few more months before the company takes that decision."

"hmm"

Ram's father looked at him and

"Are you worried?"

"A little"

"Can you guys stop this serious topic and talk about some positive things early this morning?" Rams mother, who was having breakfast with them, said

"We are just being practical and honest; what's wrong with discussing future plans?" Ram's father looked at his wife and replied, but the silent expression of his wife forced his husband not to continue this topic any further.

It was not about making working from the office compulsory that they were discussing, but the fact that most of the companies were laying off their workers because of economic factors affecting them throughout the world.

Ram silently had his breakfast and said his goodbyes to his parents. He drove off to the office.

"Has Ram left?"

"We have been telling you to wake up early; why can't you be like your elder brothers?"

"It was a late-night study session; I slept late."

"No matter what time you sleep, wake up by 7 a.m."

"How is that possible? I slept around 4 a.m."

"You can't correct your sleeping time before you correct your waking time. "At least, due to getting up early, you will eventually start sleeping on time."

Ram's younger brother looked at his mother as if some kind of Chanakya's wisdom just came out of her mouth.

The husband could be seen finishing off his meal as quickly as possible in silent mode.

...…

Ding Dong

"What happened?" "Why are you early?"

"I was laid off."

Mother and Ram exchanged a silent look, and the father could be seen on the couch looking at them.

As if they had had a discussion earlier, the husband and wife acted very naturally and started to have a normal discussion with their son.

"It's fine; don't be too stressed." This situation is just happening everywhere."

"I know."

"Just take a week to relax and start applying to other companies."

hmm..

"You know that there is not any financial crunch in the family; you can afford to be jobless for some time."

hmm..

"Your elder brother is also working along with me, and your younger brother will also be starting his new job in a few months." "So don't take on too much stress and move ahead."

hmm..

"Other than "hmm," is there something else you want to say?"

"I am just a little sad; I think I'll just have dinner in some time and go to sleep early on."

"Yes, let's all have an early dinner tonight."

The father then agreed with Ram and looked towards his wife. She was just silently standing with them, but after getting the look from his husband, she nodded and went to the kitchen to cook Ram's favourite food for dinner tonight.

...…

"Wow, Palak Paneer."

Ram, after looking at the food, forgot about the job incident and enjoyed the meal with his father and mother.

Ram's elder brother was a chef, and he was working and would be coming late tonight while his younger brother was out with his friends.

Ram enjoyed the food with his parents, and he adjusted his mood as he knew that maybe not today or tomorrow, but he would get a better opportunity. He bade his family good night and went to his room.

The husband and wife could be seen smiling silently at each other; they both knew the personality of Ram; even when he was beat down by life on numerous accounts, he always stood up with a smile, hit harder, and has always won. They knew after some time, Ram would come out stronger. The tribulations in every person's life were also important, as they shaped their character and personalities.

Ram, while lying on his bed, kept staring at the rotating ceiling fan. It could be seen that he was not depressed, just a little sad.

He thought out loud. "So what it's just a job. I'll start applying tomorrow."

Ram, being confident in himself, smiled, and the ceiling fan looked as if hypnotising him. Soon sleep took over, but before sleeping, Ram whispered slowly.

"It's not the end; it's the beginning." "Om Namah Shivay."

Alas, reality is sometimes cruel; it was the night that was meant to be his last, and it was the end for him on earth.

The RUDRA world, the world that cries

______________________________________________________________________