The Cactus by Hasan Manzar
the story Brief overview Read the conclusion Cactus a metaphor of parents' undying love for their children, even when burdensome and outgrown Reading between the lines, we see how the younger couple is always on the same page - thinking the same thoughts or at least guessing the other's, arriving at the same judgments, both observing the same things, chattering among themselves and communicating through eye gestures - they are very in sync with the other, like a team. However with the older couple, the husband is upstairs if the old lady is on the ground floor and vice versa. They are either more comfortable with this distance and with the dignity and reservedness of people of olden times, are accustomed to such interaction, or are trying to fill the space in their empty home. Although the house is supposedly on sale, the old couple show no inclination of wanting to vacate - they tend to the house with love and care, maintain their children's and grandchildren'...