Mother-in-law’s Visit and the Story of River Fish

Hello dear friends,
I hope you all are doing well and spending a beautiful life with your loved ones. I wish you all happiness and peace.

This morning was not as quiet as usual. I had just woken up at dawn and was still half asleep when suddenly, at 7 o’clock, my wife’s phone rang. The call was from her parents’ home—my mother-in-law. As soon as she picked up, she learned that her mother and her elder niece were coming over to our house today. At first, I was a little surprised by the news, but soon a sense of happiness filled me.

The reason for their visit was quite interesting. The elder niece wanted to buy a mobile phone from Dhaka. She lives in Sylhet and had traveled last night to her grandfather’s house in Brahmanbaria. From there, she and her grandmother set out for Dhaka this morning. My wife told me that the main reason behind the visit was not just the phone but her niece’s strong wish to see our little daughter, Nusayba. Hearing that made me truly happy—because these small desires to see each other are what make family ties so precious.

I was still shaking off my drowsiness when, around 7:30, I asked my wife if we needed to get anything for the guests. She said that we had enough meat, fish, and vegetables at home—only pilaf rice was missing. I replied, “Alright then, I’ll get freshened up and head to the market.”

By 8 o’clock, I was at the marketplace. There, I saw some fresh river fish neatly arranged—caught with hooks and nets. My eyes quickly spotted a large, fresh Boal fish. My mother-in-law doesn’t really like farmed fish; river fish always brings joy to her face. Seeing the Boal, I felt delighted, knowing it would make her happy.

After a bit of bargaining, I finally bought the fish. The seller initially asked for 1,500 taka, but I managed to bring it down to 1,200. Honestly, I hadn’t planned to spend that much, but I thought—since my mother-in-law was coming, river fish would certainly please her. And for the happiness of the family, sometimes extra spending is worth it.

I returned home with the pilaf rice and fish. My wife greeted me at the door, and when she saw the fish in my hands, a bright smile lit up her face. She was especially happy to see the Boal fish because she knew her mother would love it.

Moments like these highlight the beauty of family life. Guests bring a different kind of joy to a home. With my mother-in-law and niece arriving, the house already felt like it was preparing for a celebration. The news that had surprised me in the early morning turned into a day filled with warmth, affection, and memories to cherish.

Conclusion

Life’s true joy often hides in its smallest moments. Buying fish from the market, welcoming guests, or fulfilling someone’s simple wish—these are what strengthen the bonds of family. Today’s experience once again reminded me that a little extra expense or effort for loved ones never goes to waste. Instead, such gestures add vibrant colors to our lives and create lasting happiness.