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"Mom, will you grant me one request?"

— "You know I can’t say no to you, son. Tell me, what is it? I’ll do whatever you say."

"Your daughter-in-law was saying that you’re getting old, Mom. You need some rest now. And this house… it’s really small and cramped. Your cough is getting worse too. You have diabetes, heart issues, joint pain — so many problems!"

— "Yes, my son… I suppose I don’t have much time left—"

"Ah, stop it, Mom! What I mean is, someone should be there to take care of you all the time."

— "So… you’re thinking of sending me back to the village?"

"No, no! We were actually thinking of admitting you to a special branch of a retirement home. That’s what your daughter-in-law suggested. There you’ll find people your age to talk to, share stories with. Here at home, you’re always alone — I’m busy with work, your daughter-in-law’s in the office, and Mithu’s at school all day. You’ll be more comfortable there, Mom. That’s what we— I mean, we both — want."

— "Alright, son. If that’s what you want, so be it."

"Thanks, Mom! Oh, and tomorrow evening you’ll be going there, okay? Pack your bag tonight."

---

The next day, the car got stuck in traffic.

Breaking the silence, the mother said softly,

"Son, will you come visit me there? Maybe… buy me a phone?"

"Mom, what will you do with a phone? They have a landline there!"

She smiled faintly.

"After your father died, when our relatives took over our house and land, I had you in one hand and your little sister in the other, and I left everything behind. Do you remember that day?"

"Yes, Mom, I do."

"You kept asking me, ‘Mom, how much farther do we have to go?’"

"Mom, why are you talking about that now?"

"I don’t know, son. Today it all feels the same somehow. That day you went with me… and today, I’m going with you."

---

A few moments later, the car stopped in front of a big house.

After looking around, the son said,

"Come on, Mom, get down. This is your retirement home! Didn’t I tell you you’d like it? I’ve already booked you the south-facing room on the second floor."

Ting-tong! Ting-tong! (The doorbell rings.)

🎵 “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Mom!” 🎵

The door opened — and the mother froze in disbelief.

There stood her grandson and daughter-in-law, holding a birthday cake!

Colorful balloons filled the room.

She had never seen such an arrangement before — no one had ever celebrated her birthday like this.

And look — there were her daughter and son-in-law too! Her “crazy” son had brought everyone together.

"Happy birthday, Mom!"

"I don’t understand… what is this place?" she asked, her voice trembling, eyes brimming with tears.

"Didn’t you see the nameplate, Mom? I named this house after Dad. It’s our own house. You don’t have to live in a rented place anymore. You’ll live here, in comfort, with us."

The mother couldn’t stop shaking her head, wiping away her tears.

"My son… who does something like this?" she whispered, unable to speak through her joy.

---

Later that night, as everyone was about to go to bed, her voice called out from behind.

She fumbled through her old bag and pulled out a small tin container, handing it to her son.

"Here, take this. I won’t be needing it anymore. I thought if you really left me at that old age home… I’d swallow this rat poison that very day."

Her son smiled faintly,

"Oh, Mom… what are you saying? I replaced it last night with your calcium tablets. Go to sleep now."

The mother — who had borne a lifetime of hardship — had nothing left to ask for.

At least she had succeeded in raising her son into a good human being.

That night, she finally slept in peace.

For the first time in years, she didn’t need sleeping pills.