Rohit reached home late at night, the moon high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the quiet village. He parked his scooter silently, hoping to slip into the house without waking anyone. However, as he pushed open the gate and entered the front yard, the faint light spilling out from the living room told him that someone was still awake.
His heart sank. He knew who it was and he braced himself. Quietly, he opened the front door and stepped inside. His mother was sitting on the couch, her arms crossed, a worried look etched on her face.
"Rohit!" she exclaimed as soon as she saw him. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"I'm sorry, Ma," Rohit said, looking down, unable to meet her eyes. "I didn't mean to worry you."
"Didn't mean to worry me?" she repeated, her voice rising. "You always say that, but you keep coming home late! You know how dangerous it can be out there at night."
Rohit sighed, knowing there was no easy way to explain why he had been out so late. "I know, Ma. I'm sorry. I just... I needed some time to think."
His mother stood up, her eyes filled with concern. "Time to think? What is going on, Rohit? You've been so distant lately, always lost in your thoughts. You work so hard all week, and now you're out late at night. This isn't like you."
Rohit ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of her worry. "I know, Ma. There's just a lot on my mind. Things I need to sort out."
She softened slightly, her maternal instincts kicking in. "Rohit, you can talk to me. Whatever it is, we can figure it out together. You don't have to carry it all by yourself."
He finally met her gaze, seeing the love and concern in her eyes. It broke his heart to see her so worried. "I appreciate that, Ma. Really, I do. But this is something I need to figure out on my own. I promise I'm being careful."
His mother sighed, shaking her head. "You always were a stubborn one, just like your father. But promise me you'll at least try to come home earlier. I don't want to spend every night worrying about you."
"I promise, Ma," Rohit said, stepping forward to hug her. "I won't make you worry like this again."
She hugged him back tightly, her worry still palpable. "I just want you to be safe, beta. That's all that matters to me."
"I know, Ma. And I will be. I promise," he reassured her.
She stepped back, her eyes still filled with concern but also with acceptance. "Alright. Now go freshen up and get some sleep. You need it."
Rohit nodded, grateful for her understanding. He headed to his room, feeling the exhaustion from the day's events. He freshened up quickly and changed into comfortable clothes, but as he lay on his bed, sleep eluded him. His mind was still racing with thoughts and plans.
He reached over to his bedside table and picked up the book given to him by his Gurudev. The ancient text was filled with knowledge and wisdom, and reading it brought a sense of calm to his restless mind. He flipped through the pages, absorbing the teachings and letting them guide his thoughts.
Hours passed as he read, the world outside his window growing quieter as the night deepened. Eventually, his eyes grew heavy, and he placed the book back on the table. Lying back, he stared at the ceiling, letting the teachings he had read settle in his mind.
His thoughts drifted to his conversation with his mother. He knew she was right to be worried. He had been so focused on his spiritual journey and the responsibilities that came with it that he hadn't realized how much it was affecting those around him. He needed to find a balance, to ensure he was not neglecting his family while pursuing his path.
Rohit closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He would make it right. He would find a way to balance his duties and his family's needs. With that resolve, he finally drifted into a restless sleep, his mind still buzzing with plans and possibilities.
The next morning, Rohit woke early, the first rays of sunlight streaming through his window. He felt a sense of clarity he hadn't felt in days. Determined to keep his promise to his mother, he got up and went about his morning chores quietly.
He tidied his room, broomed the floor, and made sure everything was in order. As he walked into the living room, he found his mother already awake, sipping her morning tea.
"Good morning, Ma," he greeted her with a smile.
She looked up, surprised but pleased. "Good morning, Rohit. You're up early."
"I thought I'd help out a bit," he said, taking a seat across from her. "And I wanted to apologize again for last night. I didn't mean to worry you."
His mother reached out and patted his hand. "I know, beta. And I'm sorry for getting so upset. I just worry about you. But I can see that you're trying, and that means a lot to me."
Rohit nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "I promise I'll be more careful, Ma. I'll try to find a better balance."
She smiled warmly. "That's all I ask. Now, how about some breakfast?"
They spent the morning together, talking and enjoying each other's company. For the first time in weeks, Rohit felt a sense of peace. He realized how much he had missed these simple moments with his family.
After breakfast, Rohit decided to spend the day at home. He helped his mother with the household chores, ran errands, and even managed to squeeze in some time for himself to read and reflect.
In the afternoon, he sat with his mother in the living room, the sunlight casting a warm glow through the windows. She was knitting a sweater, her hands moving skillfully with the needles.
"Ma, can I ask you something?" Rohit said, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Of course, beta. What is it?" she replied, looking up from her knitting.
"How did you and Baba manage everything when I was younger? I mean, with all the responsibilities and still finding time for each other?" Rohit asked, genuinely curious.
She smiled, her eyes distant with memories. "It wasn't always easy, Rohit. There were times when we struggled, when things were tough. But we always made it work because we had each other. We communicated, we supported one another, and we made sure to find time for the things that mattered most."
Rohit nodded, absorbing her words. "I guess I've been so focused on my own journey that I forgot about the importance of balance."
"It's good that you're realizing it now," she said, her tone gentle. "It's never too late to find that balance. And you don't have to do it alone. We're here to support you, just as you're here for us."
Rohit smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "Thank you, Ma. That means a lot to me."
They continued to talk, sharing stories and memories. Rohit felt a renewed sense of connection with his mother, a bond that had been strained by his recent preoccupations but was now being mended.
As the day turned into evening, Rohit's father returned home from work. They had a simple dinner together, the atmosphere warm and filled with laughter. It was a stark contrast to the tension of the previous night, and Rohit felt a sense of contentment he hadn't felt in a long time.
Later that night, after everyone had gone to bed, Rohit returned to his room. He picked up the book once more, but this time, he didn't feel the same urgency to dive into its pages. Instead, he placed it back on the table and sat quietly, reflecting on the day.
He realized that his journey wasn't just about his spiritual growth but also about maintaining the relationships that mattered most to him. His family was his anchor, and he needed to ensure that he didn't drift away from them in his pursuit of knowledge.
With that thought, he lay down and closed his eyes, feeling a sense of peace and purpose. He knew there would be challenges ahead, but he also knew he wasn't alone. His family was with him, and that gave him the strength to continue.
The following days were a testament to Rohit's commitment to finding balance. He made a conscious effort to be more present with his family, helping out with chores, spending time with his parents, and even joining them for evening walks.
One evening, as they walked through the village, his father turned to him and said, "You've changed, Rohit. There's a new sense of calm about you."
Rohit smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I've been trying to find a better balance, Baba. I realized I was neglecting the people who matter most to me."
His father nodded, a proud smile on his face. "It's good to see you finding that balance. It's not easy, but it's important."
As they continued their walk, Rohit felt a deep sense of contentment. He knew his journey was far from over, but he was on the right path. With his family's support and his own determination, he was confident he could achieve his goals without losing sight of what truly mattered.
That night, as he lay in bed, Rohit reflected on the past few days. He felt a sense of gratitude for his family's understanding and support. He knew there would be more challenges ahead.