My Mother and Homeland

Novel Series Title –
My Mother and Homeland (Episode – One)

– Ashish kumer banik

Ethan’s mother was on her deathbed. The news reached him, and he rushed from New York to see his beloved mother. Seeing his little son near her, the mother suddenly came back to life. She hugged him tightly and cried, saying :
— You have come, father! I am probably still alive because of waiting for you.
Ethan’s chest heaved with anguish. The tears in his eyes could no longer hold it. He wanted to wash away the stain of all his incompetence with those tears.With a voice choked by emotion, he said :
— “Mom… if you can, please forgive my helplessness.”
— “No, Ethan. You are not helpless. You are my precious one. Even if no one else understands you, I do. The fire in your chest will surely take you to your goal one day.
But—
— “But what, Mom?”
— “Perhaps… I won’t be around to see that day.”
Ethan held her tighter.

— “No, Mom! Nothing will happen to you. I won’t let you go, no matter what.”
Through the pain, his mother, Lila, managed a gentle smile.
— “Time is harsh, my son. Everything is the will of the Creator. Who can stop it? Not even you.”
Listen—
— Tell me, Mom.
— “Promise me one thing, Ethan. It might bring you luck.”
— “It’s not a request, Mom. It’s an order. Tell me.”
— I understand that my time is running out. The last time… don’t leave me and go anywhere else. Stay by my side. At least let me breathe my last in peace and say goodbye—only then will my soul find peace.
Haring this last wish of his mother, the Ethan was stunned. He stared at his mother’s face like a stone statue. He wiped away the tears that had rolled down the corners of his mother’s eyes with utmost compassion. He swallowed hard. He said in a choked voice—
— “Mom… you know everything… why did I stay so far in New York and leave you in the village?”
— “Yes, Ethan, I know. I understand everything.”
— Then why did you put me through such a difficult test even though you knew?
— It’s not a test, father, this is my last wish. Tell me, will you keep it?
Ethan thought quietly for a long moment. He realized: I’ve accomplished much in life… perhaps I’ll do more. But I may not get another chance to fulfill my mother’s last wish.
Then he said softly:
— “Alright, Mom. I will stay by your side. Give me your blessing.”
Lila wiped them away and said:
— “Don’t worry. My blessing is with you. You’ll grow to be great. I know fulfilling my final wish will cost you much, yet selfishly, I want to hold you close… Why? Because after I’m gone, you will be very alone. No one will truly belong to you. Then even your existence may be questioned.”
Ethan was stunned. He had always known his mother, Lila, was extraordinary—almost like a sage. She seemed to foresee everything. Whenever he asked, she would smile sweetly and say: “You’ll understand when you grow up.”
Even now, he was still in awe. A deep fear settled inside him.
— “Why, Mom? My elder brother, sister-in-law, and little Annie… they are all so close to me.”
Lila, with a faint smile despite her pain, said :
— “Did I ever say that they are not the closest to you? But the world is very strange… Human minds are even more strange. Everyone is busy with their own interests. How many think like you?”
It is not known whether he fully understood the depth of his mother’s words, but a sigh remained buried in his chest. He realizede — the road ahead is not smooth.
— “You’ve come a long way. Wash up, eat something,” his mother said gently.
Just then, his elder brother, Daniel, entered the room. He slipped his mother’s prescription for medicine into the Ethan’s hand and said :
— Buy ​​these and bring them. I am leaving, it is getting late.
Before Ethan could respond, Daniel left. Ethan stood quietly, then noticed his sister-in-law, Mary, walking toward the well with washing to do. A glimmer of hope sparked in his heart.
— “Mary… I need to speak with you.”
Even though Mary looked up, she did not respond. Yet Ethan stood beside Mary and looked at her humbly.
There was no sign of satisfaction in Mary’s eyes. Ethan stood humbly beside her. There was no sign of relief in Mary’s expression and she was avoiding his gaze. However, Yet Ethan’s sincere faith was not broken. Relying on great human trust, she slowly said :

• Mary, I had left New York only after collecting the money for the car rental. When I heard about Mom’s illness, I had to come. I couldn’t tell Daniel… and truthfully, I don’t have enough to buy medicine. If you could help—”
  Before he finished, Mary’s stern voice cut through :

— “I have no money. I don’t earn anything either; you know that.”
he Ethan was shocked. The tearful Ethan could not have imagined that such a misfortune would make the final moment even more terrifying. He remained speechless for a few moments.
After his mother, the one he considered closest to him in this world, the one he considered to understand, to respect, to feel happy in his happiness, to be sad in his sadness, is this theMary! The words that he Ethan could not dare to say even to his elder brother. Lest he would scold him. He rushed to Mary to say them without hesitation. How sincerely can a person surrender to another person if they give space to him in their heart? It may be impossible to explain in words or in writing.
So, is mother’s idea correct? In the absence of his mother, is there no one left to call Ethan his own? Who will understand Ethan, know Ethan!

Mary remained busy with her work. Nevertheless, she did not make the mistake of glancing at Ethan a few times with a furtive glance. Ethan stood there for a while like a condemned prisoner, then silently left the place and headed towards the pond.
To be continued –