A few days after learning of her son’s death, the mother received a call from an unknown number.
A few days ago, a wave of anxiety rushed over the community. One of the young soldiers who went on a reconnaissance mission into the forest and never returned was Alex, Anna’s son. According to one officer, the boys went into the woods, but the jungle seemed to swallow them up. Search teams combed the area day after day without success.
On the third day, the guys were officially reported missing by the military, and two days later, they were declared dead. The parents were given documents. Anna was presented with a folded triangle flag and told that no one could have survived the situation, even if her son had not been found.
The next day there was a funeral in the community. A small procession, the solemn ringing of bells, and an empty coffin draped with the flag. Anna stood in front of the grave, clutching the handkerchief as if it were the last of her boy’s belongings. She could hardly believe that hope was all but gone.
She tried to come to terms with it.
Then, two days later, as the house was quiet and night was falling, her phone suddenly rang. The number was unknown. Her heart skipped a beat because these calls always carry unpleasant news.
“Hello?” She whispered, breathing heavily.
The other person’s voice was raspy:
“Anna?”
“Yes, I am that person.”
I take it that your son wants to speak with you? Hello? Ma’am? Are you all right?
It was hard for Anna to believe. She jumped up and held the phone on her ear.
“I am here, yes.”
“Mom?”
“Alex? Is that you? Are you still alive?
“Yes, Mom, I am still here. After we were injured, we took refuge in a ravine. No signal. Today, we could only find a radio. I… I was so tempted to call you.
Tears of relief streamed down her face. She sobbed while holding her palm to her chest.
“Thankful to God… Thank you, son. I had already buried you.
“I get it. They told me. But I’ll be home soon, Mom. I remain here. Excuse me.
In that moment, even the night outside seemed brighter.
