A Short Story 'The Swallow'

wow, its been about 3 months since Ive updated this blog.
Well, here it is, a story composed by me, to complete our project for English for Self Expression.
Ive always enjoy writing, especially in English, and am trying to improve myself day by day.
So here it goes, enjoy.

The Swallow
“Mommy mommy look what I have found!”

Ah, the sound of the angelic voice snapped me back to reality. Around the corner of my eye I see the silhouette of the angel who called me mommy. An active boy he was, always running around our wooden and attap house, discovering things old and new. As the angel approaches, he skipped and jumped on my lap. Feeling the weight of the 10 year old boy, I cuddle and peck him on the cheek. The soft brown eyes, slightly pout nose and his curly hair really resembles his loving father, who I have been missing dearly. Oh how I love my little angel, like the never ending flows of the river, it never fades.

“Mommy, see what I have found!”

He screams again, with his hands clasped tightly, never wanting to let go of whatever he has.

“Show mommy what it is.”

I ask, staring into the round brown eyes of the angel who sat on me. He then carefully releases his hand, to reveal the moving figure, which I could not recognize only till he completely moves his hand to show the small fragile creature to me.

“What kind of bird is this mommy?” He asked, always being the curious one.

I am no expert on birds, but years of toiling in the paddy field did teach me something other than backpain and suntanned skin which comes with it. I examine the beast carefully. It is still a chick, with no fur, and it’s eyes are still completely shut. From my experience the chick maybe about one to two days old.

“Its a baby swallow.” I announce.

The boy eyes gleamed up and I can see the sweet smile on his face. With full of hope, he asked me.

“Can we keep it? Please....” he begged.

I kept silence for a couple of minute, the boy, being persistent, just sit there waiting for my answer. We never have pets in the house. It is a struggle to feed just the two of us, let alone to feed a pet. We got our food from the jungle, or we just plant it in the little plot of land behind our house, next to the paddy field. Meat is a rare occasion, only when I managed to sell my vegetables in the local market, or with some luck, my little boy would go fishing in the small stream which I use to irrigate my paddy field and caught catfish which then will be cooked for dinner.

“Yes you can son, only if you promise me you would take care of it” I answered.

Without even answering me, he leaps for joy and kiss me.

“Thank you mommy, I love you.”

Words that touched my heart, because it comes from a 10 year old boy, who’s heart is pure and true.

Every morning before he went to school, he feed the baby swallow milk and seeds from the vegetation he collected. At school, he was always in the top 5 student, and always managed to bring home report cards which he then explained to me how good he was, considering that I am illiterate. My heart swells with pride, because my only son, the apple of my eye, is doing excellent in his studies.
And as soon as he came back to school, the first thing he do is visit his little Momo, as he named it. After a week or so, little Momo learned to walk, although a bit clumsy. It always tripped from the basket which was used to put him. My angel grew to be very fond of Momo, sometimes plays with it for hours.
But the happiness did not last long. In about 1 month or so, Momo begin to learn how to fly. When Momo flew through the window and disappeared, I saw my little angel tears welled up. He soon cried, knowing the little birdie would not come back.

“I’m sorry son. What that is good must come to an end.”

My son, despite his age, understood me, and started to wipe his tears and look me in the eyes.

“I’m sorry mommy, I promise you I won’t cry anymore.”

The touch of warm hand woke me up from my dream. I was sitting on the same balcony, reminiscing the time when my angel was still a mere 10 years old. Now stood before me is a full grown young man, tall, dark and handsome, a perfect clone of his father. My angel is now going to study under the government scholarship in Australia. Leaving me behind to take care of the house.

“Mommy, I’ll be leaving soon. Ill hope you be ok. If there is anything wrong, aunt Salmah is next-door if you need her”

“Ill be fine son.” I said, choking up my tears of sadness and sorrow.

My son, who has been very close to me, knew how my feelings for him. A love without any boundary, as vast as the water in the ocean, uncountable, and would never dries. We hugged, like we used to when he was small, but this time, it is the other way round. Years of toiling in the field has taken a toll on me. Back pain, rough skin, small cuts here and there has taken me back over the years. I was thinning, and weak. But for the sake of my son, I would never show my weakness. I must be strong, for my little angel.

BEEP BEEP

The taxi arrived. Reluctantly I release my grip, letting my son to ready to pack his things in the car. About 20 minutes later he was ready to go. I could not hold on to my tears much longer. Streams of tears trickled down my check, although I tried so hard not to give in. My son, who knows the dilemma of letting him go is raging inside of me, hugged me one last time, and kiss my cheek before entered the cab.

“I won’t be long mommy, promise me you will make my favourite sambal when I get back”. He smiled, still keeping his promises over the years.

As I watch the taxi go, I have mixed feelings broiling up inside me, waiting to be released. Scared, angry, happy, lonely, sad, proud and the list could go on. Now I know what he must have felt when Momo flew away 12 years ago.
Now that my ‘swallow’ has left the nest, I must carry on, living the rest of my life without any remorse and regret, knowing that I have raised my ‘swallow’ well.

The End

Dedicated to my mum and all the mothers in the world. We Love You.