Raju, now 47 years old, recently paid a visit to his parents. Over the years, he has made sure to fill their home with every conceivable luxury which would help make them comfortable—at least on the surface. Despite his demanding schedule, he regularly takes some time out to meet them. He hopes that the material comforts would keep his parents comfortable and happy. Yet, deep down, lingers an unsettling feeling—one that he tries to consistently brush under the rug.    During his visit, Raju’s mother, who doted on him, lovingly prepared kheer—his favorite dessert. A sweet aroma filled the house, evoking memories of the time when life was simpler and free of hustle. However, Raju is a changed man now. He’s no longer the boy who would devour his mother’s cooking in a heartbeat. He is now bound by a strict diet regimen mandatory to sustain the demands of his high-profile career and lifestyle.

So, when Raju’s mother offered him the Kheer—he hesitated and a feeling of guilt washed over. His mind raced with thoughts of the calorie count, fat content and how his diet would go off track. “No! Ma, I can’t have it” Raju said with a forced smile. Raju’s mother turned to his children and offered the Kheer to them but they followed suit and turned it down. Visibly disappointed and hurt, Raju’s mother returned to the kitchen to store the kheer away. 

Raju’s father, who could not bear to see the kheer go uneaten, insisted that Raju must taste it, and he did, but only a spoon full. So, the father lashed out at Raju’s mother in frustration “Now, I would have to eat the kheer all alone. Why do you bother cooking if no one appreciates it?” The mother had been enduring such remarks for years. Usually, she would let them pass without retorting. However, this time, she broke down. “You always keep busy with RWA meetings and other associations to barely notice anything I do for you. When have you really cared about what I do since the day you’ve retired?”  

Raju was unable to bear what conspired and how upset his parents were—his biggest pillars of support were crumbling right in front of his eyes. His mother was not just a skilled homemaker, but also a talented singer and an artist. To encourage her, he suggested that she revisits her passion. However, his mother was reluctant. He could see how depressed she was to take a step in that direction. 

Upon his return home, Raju shares his concern with his wife, Priya. “It worries me to the core. Ma and Baba seem to be battling depression. I have tried to be the best son to them, but clearly failed. They needed me all this while and I just couldn’t make sufficient time.”  

Meanwhile, his own family offered little comfort. His children remained glued to their iPads, barely engaging with their parents. Raju and Priya also felt disconnected from their children and no longer understood the things they did or said. Clearly, they were living in two different worlds under the same roof. 

Moreover, Raju has also started feeling his age. The aching knees and stiff back were reminders that time is catching up. He realized that soon it would become challenging to keep up with his current work pace and life schedule. Fitness, once a passion, has now become a compulsion—without it his body simply wouldn’t function. 

Instead of comforting Raju, Priya repeated the same arguments that he would often make. She reminded him that to sustain their current lifestyle, they had no choice but to continue working hard. International vacations, a posh address and world-class education for their children—all come at a price that requires tireless work. As they were discussing the weight of their responsibilities, the conversation shifted to their children. Both were aware of the challenges of modern parenting. However, Raju was clueless how wide the disconnect with his children had grown.  

Raju was in for a shock as Priya dropped a bombshell: she had found a vape and pornographic content in their son’s and daughter’s bedrooms. Upon confrontation, their daughter, Reeva angrily retorted “I’m doing nothing that hasn’t been done by both of you. I’ll do what gives me pleasure. You need me to excel academically and show off my scores to your social circle, I’ve got you covered.”  So, be content and let me live my life.” 

Their son, Lakshay’s reaction was relatively subtle and easier to process, “Maa! At least I’m not consuming drugs. Most of my friends are wasting away in alcohol, drugs or worse things. You’re lucky because I’m only vaping.” “Look at Di,” he said referring to his sister. “She’s a mess already. So, don’t worry, I’m taking care of myself.” He consoled Priya reassuringly. She had no idea how to feel about the situation!! She knew what’s happening wasn’t correct. But she also knew about the things Raju did across his travels. Priya was also reminded of some of her own misadventures all these years. 

She mused about the thin lines between rights and wrongs. Soon, she gave up and bawled. Raju was feeling as if the ground under his feet was being pulled apart. It was as if everything he had been working hard for—the perfect life, perfect career, position, stature, his feelings of having cracked the happiness code and the perfect family—was dismantling right in front of his eyes. “How could you let this happen?” Raju lashed out at his wife. “I am working so hard, sacrificing my health and everything else that I care for, but you are failing to care for our children, let alone caring for my parents.” 

A feeling of regret had set in as soon as those words left his mouth. However, the pressure of holding things together, being the leader, the goals and number achiever, the husband, the father, the son, the Alpha male and being the best version of himself was just too much to bear. The perfect life he had worked so hard for was falling apart and he had no idea how to put the pieces together. “Is it my lust for name, fame, money and women that is finally catching up with my life?” He wondered as countless faces and manipulative memories began to flash in front of his eyes. He quickly gathered himself and brushed off the thoughts as rapidly as they had cropped up.  

“This is the order of the world; everybody indulges in these things,” Raju thought to himself. If I hadn’t done so, survival would be difficult. Leave Karma for the weaklings. I am the master of my own fate,” he reasoned and reassured himself. 

While Raju reflected, Priya was overwhelmed with Raju’s reaction and broke down into tears. Despite having the best of luxuries and comforts, the cracks in their seemingly “perfect” life were visible. Once driven and confident, Priya was stuck in a cycle of wanting bigger and better things. She had succumbed to social comparisons and the pressures of keeping up with others and now didn’t know of any other way to live. 

Witnessing all that had conspired so far at his parents’ and his own home, Raju found himself questioning everything. He had always equated success and material wealth with happiness and a balanced life, but now, he wasn’t so sure. He couldn’t suppress the question, “am I truly successful?” His thoughts returned to SK—his old friend. SK ticked all the parameters of success in Raju’s book and seemed to have it all. But was SK truly happy? Maybe not and that’s the reason he turned to spirituality? Maybe SK’s happiness was a facade. How could someone like him be happy when Raju himself wasn’t; even after doing so much? 

And yet, he couldn’t dismiss the glow on SK’s face!!  

What was the Truth? Maybe Raju needed to find out? Maybe he should reach out to SK and get this shit sorted? He will either unmask SK or find out what was he doing wrong himself. He might even get the clarity that he is doing nothing wrong but just messing up a perfectly curated life.  

Raju decided to call SK and meet him over a drink. “Does he even drink? I don’t know. Well, he must. But maybe he doesn’t.” He shook his head, surprised at his own thoughts and smiled. Was he feeling nervous just thinking about meeting SK? 

While Raju invites SK for a talk, Priya undergoes her reflection as Raju and Priya have their disagreements over how to live a happy life.