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| Sunday, 6 October 2002 |
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Jeremy looked out through the door which lay open in his little cloth tent. As the war which had lasted for ten years was now over, Jeremy could see his fellow soldiers greeting each other. He walked out of the tent hoping to meet the Major of the armed forces, Major Stuart, before he packed his bags to leave the next morning. Suddenly Jeremy's past memories flashed in his mind. He remembered the way army soldiers had dragged him out of his house when he was just fifteen. He remembered the way his mother had cried out bitterly when he was pushed into the army truck. His thirteen year old sister Tasha had cried so much that her face looked swollen. Unfortunately none of them had succeeded in stopping the army. "Sir may I come in?" Jeremy asked, standing at the door of the Major's tent. Good soldier "Jeremy, you have been a good soldier during these ten years of war. You have been a great help. I will be sad to see you leave, my son. Jeremy looked at Major Stuart. He remembered the way the soldiers had brought him to this kind hearted Major. Major Stuart had taken good care of Jeremy, not making him feel homesick. Major Stuart had been a second father to Jeremy, but he couldn't forget that his own family still existed. "Thank you, Sir. Good bye," Jeremy said. "I will miss you." I will miss you too my son. Remember you have been a great help to the nation!", Major Stuart said. The next morning, Jeremy woke up before sunrise. He arranged his bags, bid farewell to all his friends and set off in search of his house. Many questions raised in Jeremy's mind. Did his mother and Tasha still live in the same house after ten years? Will they accept him now? Jeremy felt nervous and happy at the same time. Now he was a twenty five year old young man. He knew he'd lost the best time of his life because of the war but he also knew that his family would never let him down. "Come in," the man said. "I'm Steve Roberts. Tasha Wallace is my wife!" Jeremy could't believe what he had just heard. Tasha was married? And he missed her wedding? In a few minutes Jeremy saw Tasha walk out of a room with a child beside her. Hugged "Jeremy! Is that you," she said, as she ran towards him and hugged him. As Jeremy looked back, he saw his mother walk towards him with a big smile on her face. "My son," she said as she hugged him. "Where have you been?" Jeremy was lost with words. He didn't know what to say. "That doesn't matter now," Jeremy said. "I'm back at home, finally." Tears rolled down his cheeks. "Jeremy, I'd like you to meet Ben, my son," Tasha said. Ben, say hi to your uncle." Jeremy knelt down besides the boy, who had so much of Tasha's features. "Nice to meet you Ben," Jeremy said, as Ben smiled at him. Jeremy had never felt happier in his life. He had only left his mother and sister, but now he had a great brother-in-law and a wonderful little nephew. Jeremy was back in heaven again! Alive! Roshini de Silva, H.F.C, Bambalapitiya |
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