“Why?” asked a startled Mrs Mehra
“I need a break,” replied Laksh
“Then take one. Go with your friends somewhere or girlfriend if you have one. But quitting job for it? It does not make any sense,” said Mrs Mehra
Laksh looked at his hand, focused upon the creases and spoke, “I know it doesn’t make sense and it never will, that is how people in the society have continued to function. Working all their lives. When has anyone asked a person to let go of all the exhaustion and take a break.”
Laksh looked at his mother, “Its not forever, maybe for a few months.”
Mrs Mehra downed her gaze looking at nothing in particular, “Wha.. I mean how did this thought even come to you?”
“It has been on my mind for a while after working each day except the weekends for such long hours for the past five years running behind the allure of perhaps more success, ending up too tired to do anything else in life. World is not what it used to be, the pressure of work is immense, it slowly eats away into all the energy and motivation. I realised I was too exhausted for the weekends to fill into my motivation and energy,” said Laksh
“Why don’t you give it more thought? I don’t want to sound ignorant about what you are going through. I mean just think about it for a while, I don’t want you to have regrets later,” said Mrs Mehra
“I won’t have regrets and who knows, I might start my own work. I mean if I do have to put in so many hours why not do something for myself. There is so much more to do now”
A prolonged silence followed but Mrs Mehra understood because she knew that all that stress and exhaustion was a real thing that existed with rarely anyone talking about it.
Written by Anuran Chatterji
Early Morning Memories 
One response to “Detour”
Well written.To follow the passion is important,to make our soul happy and peaceful. We are best at what we love most.We are happiest when this becomes the source of income too.Success is imminent.
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