Mother's Kitchen

When I visited my in-laws’ house, I immediately noticed something was off. My mother-in-law’s face was filled with surprise and sorrow, and there was no smile in sight. She looked so quiet. What had happened?

She called my wife over, whispering something in a tone that made it clear my wife was a little upset. Was something wrong at home?

When my wife returned, her face was serious. I asked, “What’s going on?”

With a forced smile, she said, “Nothing. Why do you ask? What do you want for dinner?”

I shrugged. “You know I’m not picky. Why are you asking?”

She seemed a little uncomfortable, responding, “Just curious. Stay here, I’m going to the kitchen with Mom.”

Curiosity got the best of me. Quietly, I followed them to the kitchen, holding my phone near my ear. What I overheard shocked me.

“He came after such a long time, and there’s nothing to cook at home! What will he think?” my wife whispered.

My mother-in-law sighed, “Your brother’s college fees drained all our money, dear. What else can I do?”

“It’s fine, just cook some lentils and fried eggs. He won’t mind,” my wife reassured her.

But my mother-in-law’s voice was filled with worry. “Your new husband is here, and we don’t even have enough to offer him a decent meal!”

I was deeply moved. Never had I imagined that anyone would be so concerned about feeding me.

That night, I couldn’t just sit idly by. I decided to go to the market. I bought fish, vegetables, and everything we’d need to make a hearty meal. When I came back, my wife saw the bags and asked, “What did you buy?”

“Just saw some fresh fish at the market, and I couldn’t resist. Figured we could have something nice for dinner,” I said, smiling.

I placed the fish on the yard and called out, “Mom, where are you?”

She came over, startled by the sight of the shopping bags. “Oh my, who bought all this?”

“Who else? Your son-in-law, of course!” I replied with a grin.

My mother-in-law was quiet, a little embarrassed. I laughed and said, “Mom, I’ll clean the fish. You hurry and cook it. I haven’t had a meal made by you in so long.”

She muttered, “What a silly boy, coming to his in-laws’ house and buying groceries.”

That night, we all ate together, chatting and laughing, and I felt a warmth I hadn’t felt in a while.

Later, as we were getting ready for bed, my wife looked at me with teary eyes. “You overheard me and Mom, didn’t you? And that’s why you bought all this?”

I smiled softly. “What else could I do? Your mom thinks I’m an outsider, so I had to listen in secretly.”

She looked shocked. “What are you saying? Mom loves you so much! She’ll be heartbroken if she hears that.”

I shook my head. “If she loves me so much, why is she worried about what I eat? Why does she care so much about me being upset? I didn’t come here for food. I came for the laughter, the joy, and to be happy. I’ll eat whatever you and Mom can afford to cook.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but a soft, sweet smile slowly spread across her face. That smile was the most precious thing to me.