A dejected Aryan roamed the
streets, clueless about where he was going or what he was doing.
As he turned around a corner he
banged into an old man and knocked him off balance.
Quickly releasing himself from
his own wretched thoughts, Aryan helped the old man to his feet.
“I am sorry, sir,” Aryan said
apologetically.
“Where are your thoughts taking
you young man?” asked the old man rubbing his hurting knees.
Aryan helped the old man gain his
composure and took him to a nearby coffee shop.
His guilt got the better of his
financial worries as he ordered for the best coffee in the shop.
By now, having regained both his
physical and mental balance, the old man started the conversation.
“You don’t have to feel guilty. I
am fine now and we can go our way,” he said in a pragmatic tone.
Aryan simply looked through the
old man, unable to decide.
The old man chuckled and said,
“Though I had a fall, it seems like you are the one who is still struggling to
get back your balance!”
Aryan smiled and went ahead with
his orders.
“One Espresso and one Cafe Mocha,
please,” after placing the order, Aryan waited for the orderly to leave before
he continued.
“I am Aryan and I am so sorry
that I knocked you down,” he said, a smile stealthily embracing his lips.
“I am Vikram, a retired army
man,” said the old man much to the surprise of Aryan.
“Oh…,” Aryan left his sentence
unfinished.
“Young man, I can guess what is
going on in your mind. An army man knocked down by an ordinary civilian!”
Vikram chuckled mildly.
“The difference between the two
of us is not in our physical strength, it is more to do with the mind. But let
us talk about your current issue and let me see if I can be of any use to you,”
Vikram said.
“Until a moment ago I seemed to
have had many issues. But your introduction has cleared at least one of them,”
said Aryan beaming!
“I never thought I was physically
strong. I have been feeling fatigued and thought my wife was pushing me each
day without realising that I was growing old and therefore weak,” Aryan said.
“So, is the problem your age or
your wife?” asked the old man, with a naughty laugh!
“Both, I would say,” said Aryan
looking into his ceramic mug.
“Sometimes she tells me that I am
irresponsible and do not behave my age, while at others she tells me that I
still young and cannot complain of fatigue as I am a father of two young kids.
I am sometimes lost and cannot understand her,” said Aryan pausing to catch a
breath.
Vikram smiled peacefully, not
letting the agitation of his new-found friend reach him.
“Did you undergo these things
too?” a child within Aryan wanted to know.
Vikram could no longer contain
his laughter and when he was composed enough to talk, he began slowly,
“My dear friend, all of us go through these
phases. When adolescence hits us we feel all grown up and detest being treated
like kids. This is just one part of our conscious mind. The other part yearns
to run back to the innocent childhood days. While natural growth pulls us
ahead, the mind wants to tread the known zone of childhood. Similarly when
middle age knocks at our door, we want to hold on to the health and exuberance
of youth, but age is trying to lead us towards heightened awareness!”
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| Growing up over coffee... |
“So, you mean that while I want
to keep eating like I did in youth, my body is beginning to protest?” asked
Aryan suddenly wanting to know more.
“When the mind is travelling
towards higher thoughts, the body remains strong with lesser food. But your
taste buds have been trained to take the best. There is a constant war between
the part of the mind seeking pleasure and the part seeking higher realization.
This is the reason for the fatigue,” Vikram concluded.
“I seem to understand what you
say, but I still do not know what I should do,” mused Aryan.
“Spend some time with yourself.
You will begin to know yourself better and in a more honest perspective. Have a
regimental lifestyle. Begin slowly and keep bettering yourself!” said the old
man before getting up to leave.
“Thank you, young man, for the
coffee,” he said before parting ways, contented that he had the opportunity to
touch the life of the youngster!
