Amala's Heritage

Edelweiss

As Orion strolled along the bustling harbour, the gentle sea breeze tousled his hair, and the distant call of seagulls filled the air. His phone suddenly chimed with the familiar ringtone, and glancing down, he saw that it was his beloved mother calling. A warm smile tugged at his lips as he answered the call, knowing that an exchange with his mother always brought comfort and joy. His parents had parted ways, and Orion's father had been granted custody of him while his younger brother Nick resided with their mother. Despite the physical distance, the bond of love between them remained unwavering. 

As December arrived, Orion eagerly awaited his yearly visit to his mother's home to celebrate Matschri, their beloved family tradition. It was a time when they gathered to release colourful lanterns into the night sky, symbolizing their hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. When Orion talked to his mother, her voice reflected her warmth and excitement about the forthcoming festival. She told him she had sent the Matschri tickets and that he could pick them up from the post office. The mere thought of reuniting with his family and participating in the radiant spectacle of Matschuri filled Orion's heart with pure joy. After saying goodbye to his mother, he headed toward the post office.

Orion walked into the post office, the familiar jingle of the door announcing his arrival. As he approached the counter, he spotted Mr. Mina, the friendly post office clerk, sorting through a pile of parcels. Orion waited patiently for his turn, watching as Mr. Mina deftly handled the packages carefully. After a few minutes, it was finally Orion's turn. He greeted Mr. Mina warmly and said he was there to pick up a parcel. As Mr. Mina tapped away on the keyboard, Orion couldn't help but admire the festive decorations adorning the post office."Ah, here it is," Mr. Mina said with a friendly grin. "Looks like you've got a couple of packages waiting for you." He handed Orion the tickets for Matschri, along with a neatly wrapped package that looked like a present from his mother and brother. Orion's eyes lit up with joy as he accepted the tickets and the package. He thanked Mr. Mina profusely and wished him a wonderful day. With the tickets and the presents safely tucked under his arm, Orion made his way out of the post office.

Walking home, he noticed his father's truck parked outside Mr. Monk's general store. He watched him as he came out of the store. Suddenly, Edelweiss stood up, her ears perked up and tail alert. Orion watched as his father left the shop, got into his car, and drove away. Edelweiss continued to stare intently in the direction of the vehicle.

 He crossed the street and peered into the shop window. Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him. "Can I help you, young man?". Mr. Monk was walking behind Orion when Orion suddenly turned around, his heart beating. "I was just looking to see if you had any rose perfume for my Mother," Orion said nervously. Mr. Monk smiled and said, "Sure, come on in." 

As they entered the shop, Mr. Monk greeted Edelweiss, Mr. Arnold's guide dog, lying peacefully on the floor. Edelweiss stood up and walked towards Orion, wagging her tail happily. But as Mr. Monk reached out to pet her, Edelweiss suddenly barked loudly, startling him. Startled, Mr. Monk stumbled backwards and fell off the rails into the waterway. The water was shallow, but he was still drenched and shivering from the cold. Orion quickly pulled him out of the water and helped him back onto the rails. As Mr. Monk regained his composure, he started cursing at the dog, blaming her for his fall. Mr. Arnold, who was nearby, heard the commotion and rushed over to see what was happening. He apologized for Edelweiss's behaviour.

Orion made his way home quickly; as Orion entered the house, He promptly rushed to the kitchen, looking for something to cook. He found some pasta and vegetables in the fridge and made a quick pasta dish. Within minutes, he had cooked a delicious meal and laid it on the table for his father. His father arrived at the table, and they both ate. Orion's father asked him how his day was going, and Orion just nodded and said it was going well. His father quickly ate his food and got up from the table without saying much else. As his father got up, Orion stood up out of respect and watched as he retired back to his room. Orion sat quietly in complete silence, finishing his food.

Orion carefully tore open the neatly wrapped present from his mother and brother, his heart fluttering with anticipation. As he peeled back the colourful paper, a pair of brand-new dancing shoes emerged, gleaming under the soft glow of his bedroom lights. A surge of emotion rose within him as he held the elegant shoes in his hands, feeling the weight of his family's love and support intertwined with each delicate stitch. His eyes brimmed with tears as he unfolded the attached note. It read, "All the best for the audition," signed by his mother and little brother.  

He paused at the window and was greeted by an unusual sight - the moon, usually a pearly orb in the night sky, was now adorned with a mesmerizing pink hue. He couldn't recall when he had witnessed the moon in such an enchanting colour.  As he fixed his gaze upon the celestial spectacle, a glimmer of optimism bloomed within him. Amidst the prevailing darkness, the ethereal sight of the pink moon infused him with hope. Could it be that amidst life's uncertainties, beauty and positivity still prevailed? The pink moon seemed to whisper to him, igniting a flicker of hope within his heart. Perhaps this celestial anomaly was signalling a new beginning, encouraging him to pursue his aspirations and orchestrate his path to fulfillment and triumph.

Three days were completed in Kahani. As they journeyed back to Iris, Amala and Karina marvelled at the night sky adorned by a magnificent constellation. Peering out from inside their spacecraft, they couldn't help but express their awe. "The stars look so incredibly beautiful," remarked Amala, her voice tinged with wonder. Karina eagerly pointed out different celestial formations. "Do you see that cluster of stars up there? That's Perseus, and just below to the left is Orion," she explained. Amala, stirred by memories, added, "Orion, I remember him. He was the adorable baby boy I saw at the museum.