The Man Who Was “Too Busy”

Adam was always busy.
Not important busy. Just… busy.

Busy replying “I’ll call you later.”
Busy skipping birthdays.
Busy promising himself he’d rest next week.

One evening, his mother called.

“Just checking on you,” she said.
He looked at his phone, sighed, and texted: I’ll call tomorrow.

Tomorrow came.
The call didn’t.

At her funeral, Adam stood quietly while people shared stories about her, how she listened, how she showed up, how she always had time.

Adam realized something that hit harder than grief:

She was never too busy for him.
But he was always too busy for her.

Weeks later, Adam changed.
He started calling people instead of scrolling.
He showed up early.
He listened without checking the time.

One night, his phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

“Hey,” the message said. “You don’t know me, but someone told me you’re really good at listening.”

Adam stared at the screen and smiled.

Turns out, the time he finally made for others
came back to him in ways he never expected.

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