Title: A Mother's Heartbeat

Title: A Mother's Heartbeat

**1. Morning Routine**

Anita woke up early, as she always did, with a list of things to do and the clock ticking in her mind. Her son, Karthik, was still sleeping, his room quiet except for the soft rustling of his sheets as he turned. She quietly opened his door, smiling at the sight of his relaxed face. He was seventeen now, nearly a man, but she still saw traces of the boy who used to cling to her whenever he felt nervous or unsure.

As she closed his door, she thought about their journey. It had always been just the two of them, and they had shared so much. She had watched him grow, helped him learn, and worked tirelessly to give him the best life she could. But lately, things felt different. They were drifting, she thought, and the connection they once had seemed distant. He was busier with friends, school, and his own dreams. She understood that this was part of growing up, but it hurt nonetheless.

**2. Distance Growing**

Karthik was a typical teenager, busy with school, friends, and preparing for college. He had become more independent over the past few months, often spending evenings locked in his room, studying or talking with friends. Anita noticed the small shifts in his behavior. He no longer looked at her with the same eagerness or shared his thoughts as freely. She tried not to intrude, but she missed those days when they would talk about anything under the sun.

One evening, as Karthik came home, Anita tried to initiate a conversation. "How was school today?" she asked, her voice filled with warmth and hope.

"It was fine, Mom," he replied briefly, barely looking up from his phone. She felt a pang in her chest as she watched him retreat into his room.

Days passed with the same pattern. Anita tried to make his favorite meals, attempted to sit down with him for dinner, but he seemed distant, as if he had built an invisible wall between them. She wondered if she had done something wrong or if there was something troubling him, but every time she asked, he would shrug it off or give her a one-word answer.

**3. A Mother's Worry**

The worry began to gnaw at Anita. She knew that teenagers often distanced themselves from their parents, but something felt different. There was a sadness in Karthik's eyes that he seemed to carry like a shadow, though he was careful to hide it. Anita couldn’t shake the feeling that he was going through something he wasn’t ready to share.

Late one night, as she was passing by his room, she heard muffled sounds coming from inside. She paused, hesitating, and then gently knocked on the door. "Karthik, are you alright?"

There was silence before he finally replied, "Yes, Mom, I’m fine. Just a bit tired."

"Okay," she whispered, but her heart told her that there was more to his silence. She resolved to give him space, hoping that he would come to her when he was ready.

**4. A Cry for Help**

One afternoon, Anita received a call from Karthik’s school. The principal sounded concerned, explaining that Karthik had been having trouble focusing and that his grades were slipping. It was unlike him; Karthik had always been a diligent student.

Anita’s heart sank. She realized this was bigger than just teenage angst. That evening, she decided it was time to talk to him, really talk to him.

When he returned home, she was waiting in the living room, her face filled with a quiet determination. "Karthik, we need to talk."

He looked at her, sensing the urgency in her voice. He sat down, his shoulders slumped, as if he were carrying a heavy burden.

**5. The Confession**

After a few moments of silence, Karthik finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mom, I’ve been struggling. I feel like I’m not good enough… for anything."

Anita’s heart broke as she listened. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "What do you mean, Karthik?"

He hesitated, taking a deep breath. "Everyone else seems to have their life together. They’re all so confident, and I just… I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m scared about college, about failing. I don’t want to disappoint you."

Anita felt tears well up in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. "Karthik, you don’t have to be perfect. I love you, no matter what. You’ve never disappointed me, and you never could."

Her words seemed to unlock something in him, and he broke down, crying in her embrace. It was as if he had been holding everything in, waiting for the moment he could finally let go. She held him, whispering words of comfort, her heart filled with both sadness and relief that he was finally opening up.

**6. Rebuilding Trust**

From that day, Anita made it her priority to be there for Karthik. She encouraged him to talk, to express his fears and insecurities. Slowly, he began to share more with her, and their bond grew stronger. She reminded him that he didn’t have to have everything figured out, that it was okay to be unsure and that she would always be there to support him.

They began spending more time together, even taking short trips on weekends to escape the pressures of daily life. With her encouragement, Karthik started seeing a school counselor to help him work through his anxiety. Little by little, he found a renewed sense of confidence and clarity about his future.

Anita saw him transform, and her heart swelled with pride. She had always believed in him, but now, more than ever, she knew he would find his way.

**7. A New Chapter**

Months passed, and Karthik was soon ready to leave for college. As they packed his things, Anita felt a mix of emotions—pride, excitement, and a lingering sadness. Her son was growing up and moving on, but their bond had become stronger than ever. She knew that wherever he went, they would always share a special connection, forged through both love and vulnerability.

On the day he left, Karthik hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Mom. For everything. I wouldn’t be here without you."

She smiled, holding back tears. "Just remember, no matter where you go, you’ll always have a home here."

As he drove away, Anita watched him with a heart full of both sadness and joy. She knew he would face challenges, but she also knew he was strong enough to overcome them. After all, he had a mother’s love guiding him every step of the way.