OLD PARENTS

Author: Engineer M. M. E. Hossain

Today, after completing my university studies, I am returning with a new look. My eyes are filled with tears thinking about how hard my parents worked to educate me. Today, the pent-up tension is not calming my mind in any way. My mind is flowing like the waves of a turbulent river. What is this called life! Why is the reality of life so difficult? Today, when I go to the village, the first thing I will say to my parents is, "Look, Mom, look, Dad, how big Robin, the son you raised with so much pain, is today." And why wouldn't the tension in my mind increase? I am the only son of my parents. I couldn't go to the village for six consecutive years due to lack of money. I couldn't see my parents up close and appreciate the greatest treasures of my life. Today I have 30 thousand takas from my tuition fee. I have three shirts, three lungis, three punjabis, a cap and a pair of leather shoes for my father. And, I am bringing three sarees, a towel and a prayer mat for my mother. Maybe today I am going to realize what it feels like to see my parents after six long years.

Finally, I got on the train. I was waiting for the train to leave. After a long wait, the train left Dhaka for Khulna. I had a unique feeling of earthly and heavenly joy in my mind. Which can never be expressed in words, it can only be understood with the mind. Since, I was traveling by train during the day, the natural scenery around me was fascinating. My journey ended at 3:00 PM. My house is far from Khulna train station. I took the train from Khulna and boarded the bus to Chuknagar. I went to Chuknagar six years ago. I am going again today. After reaching Chuknagar, I met Abdul Karim uncle. He hugged me when he saw me. And, he said, “Uncle, when did you come home? You are here today.” I said, “Yes, uncle.” After feeding sweets Abdul Karim uncle, I set off for the village in his auto-rickshaw. I met many people on the way, talked a lot with my uncle. It was 5:07 pm, when I reached my village. As soon as I got close to the house, I hugged my mother. My mother was crying loudly, saying, "Oh my dear son, after how many days I have been met with you." When I was drenched in my mother's love, my father saw me from a distance and started walking towards me quickly. After hugging with my father, my father said, "You go inside, dear son, I have gone to bring your food." After washing my hands and face and finishing my afternoon prayers, I have taken out what I have brought for my parents. My parents were very happy and patted my back and chest and prayed to the Lord for me. My parents and I became one. My father was saying, "Dear, when you were not here, my heart was bursting. Today you have come." My mother was also crying profusely. Seeing the emotional state of my parents, I also cried profusely. And I said, "Your son will not leave you and go anywhere else." I decided that I would become an entrepreneur in my village. The son of the house would stay at home with his elderly parents. My parents' emotional faces and prayers will raise me up. And this emotional moment between me and my parents seems to be spreading an unwavering peace. Which will make my dream come true and will bring me immense peace and victory.