The Night of a Thousand Questions

It was 10 p.m. and Anaya should have been asleep. Instead, she lay in bed, her big brown eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling as if it held the answers to the universe. The soft glow of her nightlight cast long shadows across the room, making everything seem both familiar and mysterious.

"Mom," she whispered.

Anja moaned from the doorway, half asleep. She had just cleaned the kitchen, folded the last load of laundry, and was waiting to go to bed. "Hmm?"

"Why does the moon follow us when we drive?"

Anja sighed, rubbing her temples as she leaned against the doorframe. "It's really far away, so it feels like it's walking with us. Now, go to sleep."

"Okay," Anaya said, then paused. "Mom?"

Anjana took a deep breath, already understanding where this was going. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"Why do dogs wag their tails?"

"Because they're happy," Anjana replied, suppressing a smile. "Now, go to sleep."

Silence. A victory. Anjana sneaked toward the door, careful not to make a sound, hoping this would be the last round of late-night curiosity.

"Mom?"

She turned, the annoyance in her voice unconcealed. "Yes, Anaya?"

"Where do dreams come from?"

Anjana sighed, but instead of answering in a rush, she walked back to Anaya's bed and sat down on the edge. "Dreams are like little movies our minds make while we sleep. Sometimes they tell stories, sometimes they just combine things we've seen."

Anaya nodded, momentarily satisfied. She reached out and took Anaya’s hand, her tiny fingers wrapping around it. “Mom, will you stay until I fall asleep?”

Anaya exhaled, feeling her frustration melt away. “Of course, my love.”

She stroked Anaya’s hair, gently running her fingers through her soft curls. Anaya’s breathing slowed, her tiny body relaxing into sleep. The peace of the night settled in around them, wrapping them in a cocoon of warmth and safety.

As Anjana sat there, listening to the sweet rhythm of Anaya’s breathing, she thought about how fleeting these moments were. One day, the questions would stop. One day, Anaya wouldn’t need to sit beside her at night and hold her hand.

She looked around the bedroom—stuffed animals arranged in a neat row along the bed, books stacked on the bedside table, stars shining on the ceiling. Every little thing in this room was a reminder of Anaya’s childhood, a period that would end before she was ready.

Anjana thought about her own childhood. She remembered the nights when she would call out to her mother, asking endless questions about the world. She was full of curiosity and wonder, just like Anaya. And just like her daughter, she too wanted her mother’s presence to keep the darkness at bay.

A wave of nostalgia came over her. When had she stopped asking questions? When had she not needed her mother to hold her until she fell asleep?

She gently kissed Anaya’s forehead. “Good night, my love. Sweet dreams.”

Anaya stirred a little, but didn’t wake up. Her grip on Anjana’s hand loosened, and soon, she was lost in dreamland.

Anjana sat there for a little while longer, looking at her daughter, remembering how her eyelashes fluttered on her cheeks, how her little fingers rested on the pillow. Then, cautiously, she stood up and tiptoed towards the door.

As she reached the hallway, a sleepy voice mumbled, "Mom?"

Anjana looked back, suppressing her laughter. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"Do butterflies sleep?"

Anjana smiled. "Yes, they do. They rest just like we do."

Anaya sighed contentedly. "Okay. I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, my sweet child."

Anjana stood in the doorway for a few seconds, then went to her room. She lay down on the bed, tired but smiling. One day, the questions will stop. One day, Anaya will be old enough to not need late-night reassurance.

But tonight was not that night.

And for now, she will cherish the night of a thousand questions.

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Credits:

"Night of a Thousand Questions" is an original short story written by Anjana (using AI tool - https://chatgpt.com/). Inspired by the beautiful chaos of parenting, this story captures the fleeting but precious moments between a mother and her child.

Author: Anjana

Website: https://momsblogtips.com/