~HOME AGAIN~

The chirping of nearby birds and the mild morning sun pierced through the window and iluminated Nina's room, disturbing her peaceful sleep. She turned to the other side of her bed and covered her face with her blanket still feeling somnolent, then the thought of the day's event brought back her consciousness as she sat upright on her bed, stretching her arms and yawning noisily. This would be her last morning in Paris. She would miss the disturbing chirping of birds and the mild morning sunlight. She would also miss the morning scent and the comfort of her bed. At the thought of this, she frowned.

Nina sluggishly stood up from her bed and went to shower. She packed her luggage sadly with the reminisce of her first day in Paris replaying in her head.

It was a sad journey to Paris; she wondered why her dad hastily sent her to Paris. She was happy that she was going to meet her cousins, but never guessed she would be spending years there. Her aunt gave her a warm welcome and her cousins ushered her to her new room. She now remembers gently unpacking her luggage in the same manner she now repacks it.

She stood up gently with her eyes scanning through the room to see if she forgot anything. Yes, she did, it was her guitar. It was a gift sent by her dad on her fifteenth birthday. Albeit her dad was not there to celebrate it with her, his gift reminded her of him. She walked towards the guitar resting against the wall and gently stroked it, picked it up and looked admiringly at it, then she smiled. She picked up all her things, looking one more time at the room; a spurious image of her belongings at their former positions appeared and vanished. She smiled once more and walked out of the room.

Nina walked slowly down the stairs lost in her thoughts, she almost tripped when someone caught her.

"Watch it, nothing can spoil a big day you know" Elen said and winced.

"Uh thanks sis" Nina replied with a grin.

"Ready already"? Aunt Catrolina was surprised.

"Yes I am" Nina replied.

"Come on join us" Susan motioned to Nina to join them at the dinning table.

Elen and Nina walked to the dinning and sat at their usual positions. Aunt Catrolina dished out the food and took off her apron. She joined them at the dinning and they chatted merrily as they enjoyed the luscious breakfast. When they were done eating, they quickly cleared the plates and washed them.

"I wish you could spend a few more days with us, it's so sad you're leaving us now" Elen took off her apron.

Nina picked up her luggage ."I guess this is the goodbye moment, you're leaving" Susan said and burst out in tears.

"I love you all, thank you, thanks for caring for me these whole time. I love you." Nina hugged them. She was sad because Elen and Susan were like siblings to her. If only there were, she thought.

"Come on, give your aunt a hug " aunt Catrolina faked a smile.

"I'll miss you " Nina said in tears.

"I'll miss you too dear" aunt Catrolina patted her back " just take care of yourself and always be happy, okay?"

" Okay, I will" Nina replied.

Susan opened the door, ushering Nina. Nina smiled at her and then walked out of the house. There was a car outside waiting for her. The driver opened the door of the back seat, waiting for her. She walked slowly to the car, turned back to look at her aunt and cousins, they were waving at her and she waved back at them with a weak smile.

"Au re voir "! Elen hollered, still waving.

"Au re voir'! Nina bade and entered the car. The driver shut the door of the back seat and got into the front seat.