New Family Member

A week has been passed since we found out about the signs of my early awakening. Now, I’m also doing meditation along with my training. It really helps to calm oneself. It has been confirmed now that I do have affinity to all the five elements. But my father was not as happy as I expected— or at least when he first found out about this.

“Mom, I’m going outside.” 

“Okay but be safe and don’t go too far.”

“Alright,” I answered and left the home.

We lived in a small village. There were small houses and farms, and everyone was very friendly. Just a few kilometres away from our village was the hustling-bustling main bazaar. Along the path to the main bazaar, there was a small lake at one side of the road.

The bazaar was a decently big place with shops and stalls at every corner. But since it was always crowded, this made it an ideal location for a surprise attack, to create panic and chaos. Because of this, many soldiers were patrolling that area.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I reached the main bazaar. As expected, it’s very crowded. I could hear the noise of merchants selling their stuffs and people haggling the prices with them. I was wandering around when I found Uncle Tarun’s stall. He was a friend of my father.

“Hello uncle,” I greeted him.

“Oh Anant! It’s been a long time. How are you?”

“I’m good, and you?”

“What do you expect from someone who can’t eat anything other than your aunt’s so-called ‘healthy foods,’” he complained. It made me chuckle.

As we were talking, we heard gossips of soldiers behind us.

“Oh man! Why do they have to assign me to patrol at night.”

“Like it or not, you should get used to it.”

“Have you thought of retiring?”

“Right now… I only want to survive this war and hopefully go back to my wife in one piece.”

“This war… when do you think the war will end?”

“Hmm… with the current state, I don’t think it will end anytime soon.”

“The last thing I want is to see my grandchildren taking part in this devastating war.”

“Yeah… you are right. I hope it’ll end soon.” And just like that, they left.

“What do you think about this war?” asked my uncle.

Before I could say anything, he cut me off saying, “What I’m doing, asking from a child. Never mind, forget what I just said.”

To lighten up the mood, we started talking about other things.

“Alright uncle, I think it’s time to go back home.”

“Okay but here, take these fruits with you.”

“You don’t have to—”

“It’s fine. Your father has helped me many times. I should at least do this much.”

“Thank you for this, goodbye.”

“Go home safely,” he said while waving his hand.

While walking, I started thinking to myself—

This war… what started it? When I asked my father, he told me no one knows other than the higher ups. Our soldiers don’t even know why and what they are fighting for. Will this war ever end? Will I also have to take part in this war? I really think that something big is going on behind the scenes which the higher ups are not telling the public. Without even noticing I reached home.

“Mom, I’m back” I yelled.

“Anant come here,” my dad called.

“Yes?”

“Your mom and I have something to tell you.”

“What?”

My dad looked at my mother, then said, “You mom… she is going to be a mother again.”

Not knowing how to react, I responded, “Wait what? She is pregnant?”

“Wait, you know the meaning of pregnant?” asked my confused father.

“Yes.”

“But who told you? We never mentioned the word ‘pregnant’ in front of you.”

This statement from my father made me wonder. There are things that I just know. I don’t know where and when did I learn them, but I always knew them for as-long-as I can remember.

“Leave it dear. You say he is a genius but are surprised by this?”

“Y-yeah, you are right. Let’s come back to the discussion we were having.”

“Where were we…? Oh yeah! From now on, you are going to be a big brother,” said my mother, patting my head.

“Now, you have a responsibility to teach your younger sibling the manners and teaching we taught you when they will be born. You will be a responsible big brother, right?” said my father.

It took me a moment to understand what he just said. After that, I replied, “Yes! I will be a responsible big brother.”

My father lifted me with his both hands in joy, “That’s my boy!” he said.

“Okay, now let’s eat dinner. Go wash your hands, Anant.”

“Yes mother!” I saluted her before going to wash my hands.

My own sibling! I wonder whether they will be a boy or a girl. I can’t wait to play with them!