Novel serial – My Mother and Homeland

Novel serial – (Part-2)
My Mother and Homeland (Episode> 3-5)
Pain, Realization, Return to Life –

The mother’s cries at the crematorium still ring in his ears today.
“What will happen to your beloved son? Why did you leave him behind like this?”
That painful memory returned vividly.
His vision blurred.
Tears rolled down his cheeks, one after another.

He didn’t know how long he stood there like that.
Suddenly, a kingfisher dove into the pond and rose again, perching on a thin branch.
A tiny fish struggled briefly in its beak before becoming its meal.
Ethan watched quietly.
Such is life…
In this world, survival often comes at a cost.
A strange thought dawned on Ethan’s mind – how diverse life is!
Some struggle to survive. Some satisfy their own needs by taking the lives of others.
This scene brought him back to reality.
Wiping his tears, Pathik stepped down to the water and splashed his face.
His tears blended with the rippling surface of the pond.
Just then—
a soft voice called out—
“Uncle!”
He turned back.
Little Annie stood by the pond, calling him again—
“Grandma said you should come quickly.”
The innocent voice of his niece filled his heart with warmth.
“I’m coming,” he replied gently.
“How did you know I was here?”
“Grandma told me.”
“How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
Ethan lifted her into his arms with affection. Then he hugged her and slowly started walking home.

Entering the house, Ethan gently helped his mother, Lila, from the bed and seated her on the sofa. He sat beside her.
Annie came in quietly and placed the breakfast on the table.
Lila leaned closer to Ethan and whispered—
“Did you see? She didn’t even come herself to serve food. Sent the child instead…”
Afraid that Mary might hear, Ethan pressed his finger to his lips, signaling her to stay quiet.
Lila let out a soft sigh.
“Well… what else can I expect…”
As Annie was about to leave, Lila asked,
“Has Aria woken up?”
“No,” Annie replied.
“Go wake her up. Tell her her uncle has come.”
“Okay.”
Annie left the room.

Ethan sat silently, staring into the distance.
Inside him, a storm of pain continued to grow.
A thought echoed deep inside him—
“I could have been content decorating my life with the faint glow of a crescent moon…
But why did I crave the brilliance of a full moon?
Now, chasing that light, I find myself exhausted… completely drained.”
Noticing Ethan’s thoughts, Mother Leela said –
“Son, you shouldn’t sit like this with food in front of you. It’s not good. Eat.”
Ethan nodded.
“Yes, Mom… . You eat too.”
“ Give me my medicine first. I need to take it before eating.”
Ethan picked up the medicine box.
“Tell me which one.”
“I don’t know the name… but I’ll recognize it.”
Just then, Mary entered the room.
“Give me the box,” she said.
Ethan handed it over.
She took out a medicine and gave it to Lila.
Lila hesitated—
“I think I need another one…”
Mary replied indifferently,
“That one is finished. need to buy it.”
Ethan lowered his head. He said nothing.
Mary placed the box back and left.

In the bedroom, Annie tried to wake Aria—
“Aria, wake up! Look, Uncle is here! He brought cookies, chips, and grapes!”
From the kitchen, Ashrapurna’s sharp voice echoed—
“Don’t wake her now! Let her sleep. I have work to do.”
Lila looked at Ethan and whispered—
“You heard that?”
Ethan sighed, slightly irritated—
“Mom… please…”
Lila fell silent.

• To be continued…My Mother and Homeland> Part – 3 (Episode> 6-8)