In 1986, my mother asked me to go to my Uncle’s house to borrow some rice. I didn’t expect him to give us ten whole kilos. But when my mother emptied it out, she suddenly covered her face and began to cry inconsolably… The reason behind it left me frozen, and it is something I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Standing at his door, I felt my face burn with embarrassment. Asking for help never felt easy.

When he opened the door, he didn’t say much.

He just looked at me for a long moment.

There was something in his eyes… something heavy. A mix of sadness, kindness, and something unspoken.

Without a word, he turned and went inside.

I expected him to come back with a small cup of rice.