My rich son

2024-08-25 17:27:00, Kulturë Agim Xhafka

My rich son

Artan opened the bottom drawer of the library again. Of that furniture that was over 50 years old, he did not let it get old. Every two or three years she got a coat of paint and she shone.

- You with varnish, that is, with sweet words, keep me alive no longer this furniture, - laughed Drita, his wife.

Both of them completed 5 years since they retired. They worked as teachers all their lives, and the state gave them a monthly stipend, and if you call it alms, you're doing them an honor. Thank God he had given them health and they didn't need medicine. So they managed to end the month without debt. Not many choices for food, but greens and soups galore. They differed from their peers in that they did not have children to support them in these years.

- We made up, he gave us unlimited love, - Tani caressed his wife.

How many times a topic with children could be opened, she suffered. The doctor at that time said that the tests showed that Light could not be born. As soon as he uttered this phrase, Artan embraced his wife and held her to his chest for so long that she breathlessly promised him that she would never get bored.

This is what he was thinking when he opened the library drawer and took out two letters from there. One was a little yellowed, she looked old. The other as younger, fresher. But they had the same text.

- I don't know how to address you, Mr. Artan or father?

That's how the letters started.

- My mother, Vasilika, who was a fellow student with you, in the last moments of her life, in her agony, told me that she had a beautiful romance with you that she would remember even from there, she told me. A love that grew like a fire kept fire for him, while for you he didn't understand how it went out. And in those months, maybe you don't know, she got pregnant. Linda I became my mother's other great love. He refused to marry, not even to meet. He raised me with difficulty and full of absences. But it worked. Her loss left me an orphan because now I am a middle-aged man, I turned 35 years old. That's why I ask you to see that I have an emotion that comes from our common blood, but I also want to fulfill a mother's bequest. Hug and love, he told me. He is the father. You can't tell ex-father. It doesn't make sense. A father is a father, he is unique and that's the point. I hug you! Ledio.

Artan remembered that he immediately showed Drita the first letter. After reading it, she encouraged him without jealousy and quarrels in such cases:

-Go and meet him! It's your son. Go!

He was so excited that Drita was about to say the phrase, he is our son. From that day, Artani clarified who Ledio was. From what he knew the city where he lived, Vasilika worked. He even dared to go to his work. He saw it from afar and after asking some friends he came home bored.

- He is very rich, woman, he said to Drita.

-And?

-And he will think that we are running not after our blood, but after his money.

That was the end of the conversation. Even when the second letter arrived, Artan was surprised that it had the same text. How can it?

- You think that the first letter did not fall into your hand there, - explained Drita.

They really didn't ask to meet him even after the second letter, but they went to his town in a van several times. They walked under Ledio's offices and when they saw him walking towards them, they either turned their backs, or hid in a bar, or Artan sat down and pretended to tie Drita's shoe. Years passed like this. Without chunin, but also with chunin. That they talked and had lots of conversations about him. They learned who he married, then that he had two twin daughters. That day of great joy, they bought a cake.

- We made it, we are grandma and grandpa now, - the couple rejoiced.

Thus the days were filled with the new juice of life. With the child you have even when you don't have one. But they still did not dare to meet him. The light was ready, but Artani was not. That he was dignified and proud. But also guilty towards Vasilika. As soon as Tani finished college and went to Korça, he forgot that his love Vasilika lived only three hours away, in Elbasan. Bad luck for their romance that Artan met Drita. A flash of glances that imprisoned both of them in each other's heart.

But today he did not take out the cards in vain. Today they had received value, life, way to board the van straight to Elbasan. That a few days ago, Artani managed to sell his father's house in Dardha. It was a villa that they thought they would use for their deep old age, but with that money, Artan would now present himself as a real father to his son. Because it was worth so much that for the years they would live, they would have enough money for a modest life, but also with some luxury expenses. Their hand would not tremble when they spent, that is.

It was yesterday when they knocked on Ledion's door. A tall, beautiful girl with yellow hair and blue eyes opened it. At that moment, a joyful, full voice was heard from afar:

-Hug grandpa, honey!

It was Ledion who approached and poured himself onto Artan's shoulders.

- How? How did you know me? How?

- Why are you the only one sitting under my office? I also live below your house.

Artani and Drita forgot that they came a few seconds ago. It seemed to them that they had been living in that apartment for years. Joy grabbed everyone and dignity was felt there and stood proud among them. There was no need for DNA analysis. Those men were like that seed of wheat to the ear of wheat. They are men as strong as concrete and iron when hardened into building pillars. A smiling Vasilika sat on the side of a photo. He achieved what he dreamed of in life. He united the son with the father. Surely she would have a party over there too. Everyone would raise the toast of life. Of colorful life, of life and full of surprises.../ CNA