When you leave someone behind... you feel pain. But when you meet again for the last time... It shatters your heart.
Even when you are a Jedi.
"Snips, I think you should go."
Anakin's voice echoed through the room as he worked on repairing his lightsaber hilt. The tingling sounds of metal screws hitting the ground mixed with the sound of water splashing in the sink.
"Why? I am a Jedi. I have no connection with my mother."
Anakin stopped the screwdriver. He looked up at his Padawan.
"Ahsoka, that's not true. Whatever you are, you can never cut the connection between you and your mother."
Ahsoka stopped the tap forcefully. But it didn't stop entirely.
tap... tap... tap...
when the tap was closed.
"How so? Isn't that against the Jedi rules? We should forget our pasts and never look back."
Anakin sighed. He stood up. put the screwdriver in his box, and said, "I don't think the Jedi said anything about forgetting our pasts. Your past makes your present. You can never deny that."
He checked his metal hand, clenching and unclenching his fists. Then, looked back at his Padawan.
"Ahsoka, the choice is yours. To be honest, old sands cast long shadows. It's better if you just end it. Not by suppressing the emotions, by, feeling it. Face it, and it will vanish."
A week ago, in the market, a togruta male recognized Ahsoka. He chatted a lot with her, and informed that, Ahsoka's mother was in her deathbed.
Today, Ahsoka came back from Planet Shili.
After her mother's cremation.
The last rays of sun was touching her feet. Coruscanti sky was orange... like her... like her mother.
A drop of water landed on Ahsoka's feet.
"Snips?"
She felt a hand on her shoulders and quickly wiped her eyes.
The said hand was very gentle, and warm.
"Snips? May I sit here?"
Ahsoka forced a smile and said, "Of course Master, I will scoot over."
They sat there in silence.
Only two heartbeats could be heard. Heart beats of two... Children, who lost their mothers.
"Master?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for pushing me to go there."
"Shh, no apologies or gratitudes. Just, just focus on the surroundings. The present. I am always here."
Ahsoka wrapped her arms around her Master tightly.
Anakin did the same.
"When I went there, my mother was... very ill. She was crying, and she looked at me, and took my hands in hers. But... But, she didn't say anything. Nothing. Was she, mad at me?"
Anakin took a deep breath and...
I'm so proud of you, Ani… so proud… I missed you so much… now I am complete...
released it.
I... I love...
"Why do you think that?"
Ahsoka sighed.
"Maybe, because in the times of need... I wasn't there for her."
Anakin said, "It doesn't matter, Ahsoka. Your mother... had you in her last moments. And, it was enough for her. She had you, your touch, your comfort, your presence. She was..."
Now, I am complete...
"Relieved. And happy."
Ahsoka looked at Anakin, "Really?"
Anakin smiled warmly.
"Really."
Silence filled the hall again.
Ahsoka was hugging Anakin and he was caressing her forehead.
"Hey Snips? Would you like to have ice-cream?"
"With chocolate syrup, please."