I am participating in the #BarAThonEdition3 which involves alternate days of blogging from July 2nd, 2018 to July 15th, 2018, based on a theme and a prompt for the day.
“You know, you’re turning into a recluse…spending far too much time in this room of yours.”
“Come on, Ma! My characters are getting out of line…flying off into a tangent…this is serious. I need to work on this, Ma. Please…please leave me alone.”
“You were never social in all these years…now, look at you….sitting here, holed up all day, driving yourself crazy,” she declares. He types away, unfazed, bent over his Macbook, nodding in disbelief.
“Typical,” he mutters. She hears him, but pretends not to. She is determined not to let this turn into a battle again.
“Ma, please! Let me write a few more pages,” he mumbles, in a tone that feigns a plea.
She glares at him. Her look says it all, but he sticks to his guns. He knows there is no going back.
“This is my life, Ma. I really need to stay motivated, while I’m at it.”
Sheena knows there is nothing she can do, absolutely nothing at all. Resigned to her fate, she leaves the room, gently pulling the door behind her, trying not to admit that she is feeling utterly and thoroughly defeated.
******
Like every mother, she too had once dreamt of a bright future for her boy, when he had entered the corporate world, armed with a degree from a top Engineering College. That was just a few years ago.
Not anymore.
Today, away from the rat race, he weaves stories, and dreams of making it big as a writer—almost as if his entire life depends on it. Beset with worries, torn between the head and the heart, she worries, unsure of his future, caught between Scylla and Charybdis, wondering which is worse—the struggles of a writer’s life or the pressures of the corporate world?
********
(Linking up with Day 2 of BarAThonEdition3. Prompt : ‘Lesser of Two Evils.’ )
My other posts for BarAThon:
Day 5:
Day 6:
Day 7:
Aha… love the analogy there to use the prompt so cleverly Esha. It’s indeed a catch 22 situation – whether to let him struggle but be happy or be successful but unhappy. Tough call for a parent.
Loved the use of the greek mythology to drive home the point. Well done, Esha.
Ah, that ever elusive struggle between the head and the heart; practicality and following your dreams. There’s no one right answer or path, is there?
That is novel Esha.. both are full of pitfalls and highs but he should do something which makes him happy. I do get her perspective but she will have to let him choose. Thinking of it one can don both the hats – a job for stability and writing a a passion
Thanks, Akshata. Yes, a happy balance is what one may choose to opt for. I saw someone in the family go through so much heartbreak because of one such dilemma.
I loved your take on the prompt, Esha. Both are struggles and there is no way to predict which is better. I can relate to this and I enjoy both worlds. 🙂 Nice story, Esha.
Thank you so much, Vinitha. I thought you’d be able to relate to it and you did. 🙂
This is one of the best take on the prompt. I quit corporate world to become a writer and I am sure my father would have felt the same initially. Honestly, some days when I look at my account statement, I feel the same yet I’m carrying on with the hope that this is the best decision of my life.
I totally understand your choice, Sonia. Eventually whatever you choose must make you happy! Parents are always keen to see the kids happy.
Struggles of a writer’s life is always better than that of a corporate life! 😛 At least we are working for ourselves.
Absolutely, Shilpa. What all one has to go through to arrive at a place where one gets published and accepted as a writer. More so, when the said person is a kid with a bright future with career prospects that would make anybody envious.
What a fabulous take on the prompt, Esha. You absolutely nailed it. Isn’t this the struggle of so many mortals these days.
Your writing is poetry in motion, even complex stuff like day to day living. More power to you my friend. Hugs❤️
Thanks a lot, Natasha! I tried to portray something that I’ve seen up close, (with one of my cousins!) and how difficult it can be for a mom to go through that kind of a dilemma. So glad you liked it.
I am going through the same thing with my son. Somedays it’s Scylla and at others it’s Charybdis. Good one for the prompt.
I hear you, Suzy! We moms have so much to handle, don’t we? I can totally understand how that makes you feel at the end of the day but I guess, the kids have to figure it out for themselves too! Not an easy one, this!