After 16 hours of long flight, the plane landed. Check-outs and other procedures took another half hour. Uncle Lu was waiting outside. He gave Mark a hug and took him home.
Aunt June was waiting at the door. She greeted Mark with a smile and invited him in. Greetings were exchanged and Mark handed over all the gifts mother Emma has prepared to aunt June.
"You must be hungry. I'll set the table" aunt June smiled. "Come I'll show you your room. Freshen up and come for dinner" Uncle Lu showed him to his room. It was a simple room on the second floor with sea green wall behind bed. Black and white paintngs were hung on it, the bed was a low bed neatly set with a clean sheet beside it was a side table with a small lamp. The room was lined with cupboards at the side. As an architecture, he was impressed by the utilization of space; clean and convenient.
Mark placed his luggage on the side and freshend up and left to join them for dinner. After such a long day he was tired and hungry. Dinner was a happy business. They chatted lightly. Mark told them about his schedule. The classes were to start on monday. Everything was ok but something was missing. Amber was not there. He has anticipated the moment he would see her for so long that her absence left Mark agitated. Hesitantly, he decided to inquire about her. "Umm aunt June where is Amber? I haven't seen her since I arrived." "Oh she went to Chicago with her friends for a workshop. She'll be back by Sunday" she replied while collecting the dishes. "I'll help you with this." Mark smiled and cleaned all the dishes with her.
Mark was disappointed. His mood shifted quickly "Are you all right?" Aunt June inquired "just tired" he gave a weak smile. "Go rest, I'll do the rest. " aunt June patted his shoulder and sent him upstairs. Parallel to his room was another room with the door closed.