Her mother repeated the name slowly.
“Nene,” she said, smiling faintly. “It is a good name.”
Latty smiled back, but inside her heart tears were forming. She wished she could say, Mama, it is me. But she did not. She stayed silent, just as she had been told.
For a moment, both of them were quiet. Then Latty spoke again.
“Mama,” she said softly, “do you have food?”
The woman looked surprised. Her eyes widened slightly. Then she smiled warmly. She looked happy, almost proud. It was rare for a young and beautiful lady to ask her for food.
“Of course,” she said quickly. “I will get you food from the wedding venue.”
She began to stand up, but Latty gently stopped her.
“No, Mama,” she said politely. “I want your own food.”
Her mother froze, surprised by the request. She studied Latty’s face again, confused but touched. Without saying anything, she stood up and walked slowly into her house.
Latty followed her with her eyes.
When the woman returned, she carried a small plate of food. She handed it to Latty and sat down beside her, watching her eat. Her eyes were full of admiration.
“You are very polite,” she said.
Latty ate slowly, fighting back tears. Every bite reminded her of home. After the food, she thanked her gently.
Her mother smiled again, but the sadness quickly returned to her face.
Latty noticed the change immediately.
“Mama,” she asked carefully, “why do you not look happy?”
The woman sighed deeply. Her shoulders dropped.
“I had a daughter,” she began slowly. “She was blind. People mocked her, but she was my joy.”
Her voice trembled.
“One day she disappeared. I searched everywhere. I searched the village. I searched the river. Till today, nobody knows where she is.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Latty felt like her heart would burst. She clenched her hands tightly.
Her mother continued, “Even today, on a day like this, my heart is not here.”
Latty took a deep breath.
“Mama,” she said gently, “did you know that Eba, the gold seller, was supposed to marry your daughter even while she was blind?”
Her mother looked up sharply.
“What?” she asked, shocked. “I never heard of that.”
Latty nodded slowly.
