Chapter 1: The Sweat on His Shoulders
In a small village called Nishchintapur lived Abdul Karim and his wife, Amina Begum. They had a tiny tin-roofed house, a little piece of land, and one precious son—Rashed. That was their whole world.
Karim worked as a day laborer. He left home at dawn and returned after sunset. Amina worked in other people's houses. Their dream was simple: Rashed would grow up to be educated and successful, and he would never have to suffer like they did.
To pay his school fees, Karim never bought new clothes for himself. Amina even sold her gold nose ring. Rashed was too young to understand their sacrifices—but his parents understood that their son's smile was their greatest happiness.
Chapter 2: The Lights of the City
Rashed grew up and went to college in the city. His parents proudly told everyone, "Our son will become a big officer one day."
Eventually, Rashed got a job in a big company in Kolkata. He married a city girl named Tania. Life changed quickly—an apartment, a car, a busy schedule.
The small tin house in the village slowly faded into memory.
When his mother called, Rashed would say, "Ma, I'll call you later. I have a meeting."
His father would ask, "Son, when will you come home?"
Rashed would reply, "When I get time."
But time never came.
Chapter 3: The Decision
One day, Karim fell seriously ill. The doctor said he needed regular treatment. Rashed brought his parents to the city.
But the apartment was small. Tania had her job, their child had school, and life was already busy. Problems started to grow.
One evening, Tania said gently,
"What's wrong with a nursing home? They'll have doctors and proper care there."
Rashed stayed silent. He remembered his father's sweat and his mother's nose ring. But under the pressure of reality, he became weak.
A few days later, he took his parents to "Shukhneer Old Age Home."
Karim only said softly,
"Son, if you think this is best, we are okay."
Amina quietly wiped her tears.
Chapter 4: The Silent Emptiness
On their first night at the old age home, Karim sat by the window looking at the sky.
"Do you remember," he said to Amina, "how Rashed used to sleep between us when he was afraid?"
Amina smiled gently. "He has grown up now."
Meanwhile, Rashed's apartment felt strangely empty.
There was no sound of his father coughing. No call to prayer from his mother.
One day, Rashed's little son asked,
"Dad, where are Grandpa and Grandma?"
"They're staying somewhere else," Rashed replied.
The child innocently asked,
"When you become old, will we also keep you somewhere else?"
The question struck him like lightning.
Chapter 5: The Light of the Last Evening
The very next day, Rashed rushed to the old age home.
He saw his father sitting quietly and his mother praying.
Suddenly, Rashed fell at his father's feet, crying,
"Forgive me, Abba. Without you, this house is not a home."
Karim placed his hand on his son's head.
"Son, we were never hurt. We only want you to be happy."
Rashed brought them back home.
The apartment was still small—but their hearts became bigger.
On the last evening, Karim sat on the balcony watching the sunset.
He said softly, "Life is strange. In the end, we realize the greatest wealth is not money—it is family."
Rashed held his mother's hand.
There were tears in his eyes, but those tears carried peace.
The End.