Chapter 23: Home Visit of Friends
That day stayed bright in Vasusen's heart even after the sun had already started moving down the sky, and his feet almost flew as he ran back home from the fields, his mind still replaying the laughter, the running, and the moment he finally managed to catch his friend after so many days of trying.
He entered the house in a hurry, nearly stumbling at the doorway, his breath uneven and his face glowing in a way that made it impossible to hide his happiness.
Radha was inside, busy preparing the evening meal, her movements slow and practiced, while Adhiratha sat nearby, resting after returning home earlier than usual, his body tired but his mind calm.
Both of them looked up at the same time when they heard Vasusen rush in.
Radha was the first to smile, because a mother could always sense when something special had happened.
"You look like you won a battle," she said gently, wiping her hands and turning toward him.
Adhiratha raised an eyebrow slightly and studied his son's face.
"What happened today?" he asked. "You look happier than usual."
Vasusen tried to speak, but the words came out tangled at first because his excitement refused to settle.
"I ran," he said, then laughed, then said again, "I ran a lot today."
Radha chuckled softly.
"You run every day," she said. "This feels different."
Vasusen nodded and finally sat down, still unable to stay completely still.
"I caught him today," he said with pride.
Adhiratha leaned forward slightly.
"The boy you always race with?" he asked.
"Yes," Vasusen replied quickly. "The one who always escapes."
Radha's eyes softened.
"And you finally caught him?" she asked.
"Yes," Vasusen said, smiling wide. "He ran fast, but today I did not stop, and I did not give up, and I caught him near the hill."
Adhiratha smiled quietly.
"That means you improved," he said. "Not just in speed, but in patience."
Vasusen nodded, then hesitated, and his voice lowered slightly.
"He trusted me today," he said.
Radha noticed the change in his tone.
"Trusted you?" she asked gently.
"Yes," Vasusen said. "He gave me something important."
Adhiratha did not interrupt. He waited.
"He gave me a name," Vasusen said.
Radha looked surprised.
"A name?" she repeated.
Vasusen nodded.
"He said it is for our friendship," he explained. "He said it is because I respected his wish and did not force him to say things he did not want to say."
Adhiratha's expression became thoughtful.
"What name did he give you?" he asked.
Vasusen's chest filled with warmth as he answered.
"He calls me Satyamitra," he said.
[ well Satyamitra sounds better & the meaning is aligning with the cause. So i changed Shauriya to Satyamitra. Sorry for the inconvenience.]
Radha repeated it softly, tasting the meaning.
"Satyamitra," she said. "A true friend."
She placed her hand on Vasusen's head with affection.
"That is a name earned through behavior, not words," she said.
Adhiratha nodded slowly.
"Such names stay longer than titles," he said.
Radha then looked at Vasusen carefully.
"And what about him?" she asked. "Did he tell you his name?"
Vasusen shook his head immediately.
"Yes, Ma," he said firmly. "He did ."
Vasusen then said with some hesitation " but forgive me for not telling you his name. He trusted me & i can not brake his trust by telling you his name."
Radha smiled with relief and pride mixed together.
"That is good," she said softly. "Some wishes should be protected, not questioned."
Adhiratha agreed.
"Trust once broken does not return easily," he said. "You did well."
Vasusen felt his chest warm at their words.
Radha then spoke again, her voice thoughtful.
"I would like to meet your friends," she said. "Anyone who brings this much joy to my son is welcome here."
Adhiratha nodded.
"Yes," he said. "Invite them to our house."
Vasusen's eyes widened with excitement.
"Really?" he asked.
"Yes," Radha replied. "Bring them tomorrow evening."
Vasusen nodded eagerly.
"I will," he said.
That night, Vasusen slept peacefully, his dreams filled with laughter and running footsteps.
The next afternoon, Vasusen went to meet the others with renewed excitement, and before any game could even begin, he shared the invitation with them, his words rushing out as if he feared the moment might escape him.
"My parents invited all of you to our house," he said. "Tomorrow evening."
The children stared at him, surprised and curious.
"Your house?" Mithun asked.
"Yes," Vasusen replied. "They want to meet you."
Vrishali looked both happy and nervous.
"Is it really okay?" she asked.
"Yes," Vasusen said confidently. "They said so."
The others slowly turned toward Dhrubo.
Dhrubo listened quietly, his face calm, then nodded.
"We should go," he said simply.
Vasusen smiled, relieved.
"But," Dhrubo continued, "we should not go empty-handed."
Vasusen frowned slightly.
"Why?" he asked. "Only elders bring gifts."
Dhrubo shook his head.
"Respect is not decided by age," he said. "When someone invites you into their home, you carry gratitude with you."
Tulsi hesitated.
"But we don't have money," she said.
Dhrubo smiled, not in a knowing way, but in a simple, childlike way.
"Gifts do not need money," he replied. "They need good will & pure heart."
That was enough for the others.
They spent the rest of the afternoon preparing small things, each doing what they could.
Some gathered fruits carefully and cleaned them.
Some made simple ornaments from flowers and grass.
Some tied threads together with care, proud of their work.
As evening came, they walked together toward Vasusen's house, holding their small gifts tightly, whispering among themselves, excited and nervous at the same time.
When Radha opened the door and saw the children standing there with gifts in their hands, she was surprised and moved.
"Why did you bring these?" she asked softly.
Dhrubo stepped forward.
"We were invited," he said politely. "So we brought thanks."
Radha felt warmth rise in her chest.
Adhiratha nodded with respect.
"Come inside," he said.
The house felt fuller that evening.
Chapter end