Sweet Home

I spend the whole afternoon sleeping in my room. I was indeed tired. Seven hours in a flight is no joke. I have not slept this peacefully in a long time. The scent, the warmth of my beddings, the feeling of safety. This was true wealth. Pure happiness. This wasn't just any sleep; it was the kind of profound rest that heals the soul, wipes clean the slate of weary thoughts, and fills the heart with unblemished joy. Here, in this perfect moment, I recognize the true essence of wealth—not in material possessions, but in the luxury of time, peace, and the comforting familiarity of home.

***

I was woken up by the scent of coconut milk. The rich scent of gently nudged me from my slumber. Mama was cooking, a dessert. Sweet-coconut banana. My favorite. My mouth watered at the thought. I lazily stretched and slid out of bed lazily and dragged my feet to the washroom. I took a nice warm bath, put on fresh silky pajamas, and put my hair up. I then excitedly walked down stairs for supper, to the living room, where the table was full of delicacies.

Everyone was engaged in something, except Ayyih who was glued to the screen playing video games. That self- proclaimed spoilt brat. He could be the end of me. Kilam, that sweet soul was helping mama in the kitchen. Even dad was busy finishing setting up the table.

"The food is a lot, mama. You don't plan to make me gain weight, do you?" I quipped, hoping to inject some humor into the bustling kitchen.

Mama barely glanced up from her cooking, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. But before she could respond, Ayyih, ever the interrupter, chimed in, "The food is for everyone in this family, not just you, Sirah. Get a grip."

I shot him a withering look, my face scrunching in annoyance. That brat. As if I was talking to him. I sighed and turned my attention to the table, deciding to help Dad with the place settings. I started placing glasses on the table, but something felt off.

Dad, usually so meticulous and cheerful during these family dinners, seemed distracted. His eyes avoided mine, and his movements were stiff and mechanical. The warm, familial atmosphere was tinged with an undercurrent of tension. I placed a glass down a bit harder than intended, the sound jolting him slightly.

"Dad, is everything okay?" I asked softly, my concern evident in my voice.

He glanced up briefly, offering a strained smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just tired, Sirah. Long day."

I nodded, though his response didn't fully convince me. I wanted to press further, to understand what was bothering him, but decided to give him space for now. Instead, I focused on setting the table perfectly, hoping that the shared meal and lively conversation would eventually ease whatever was weighing on his mind.

In a few minutes, we all gathered around the table, the room filled with the aroma of the delicious meal Mama had prepared. The clatter of plates and the hum of conversation created a lively backdrop as we settled in. We ate, laughed, and chatted, the atmosphere light and warm. This time, Dad seemed in a better mood, his earlier tension melting away.

As we enjoyed the meal, Dad looked at me and asked, "So, what are your plans now that you're back home?"

I took a moment, considering my response. "I haven't thought about it much, but maybe I should make use of my law degree. I've already applied to several jobs around here. Hopefully, I'll get an interview response soon."

Kilam, who had been quiet until then, beamed with excitement. "Show me all the pictures you took on your journey! How was it? Was it fulfilling?"

I smiled, happy to see his enthusiasm. I began recounting the highlights of my trip, sharing stories and showing him the pictures on my phone. His eyes widened with curiosity and admiration, and I felt a warm sense of fulfillment. This moment was perfect, and I wanted to bask in it fully.

We sat around the table for hours, just chatting and catching up on old times. The laughter and stories flowed effortlessly, creating a beautiful tapestry of shared memories. Everything was going smoothly until Mama, in her usual candid manner, brought up a quite controversial topic

"Sirah darling, we are quite worried about your future. Most of your peers are already married with kids. Even your best friend from high school, Banyez, is also married. I have set you up on a blind date, one week from now. No excuses. You must go and see him, at least," Mama announced, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

My mood slightly sank as I absorbed her words. Just as I was about to protest, Dad interjected, "Your mother is such… Sirah just arrived. I mean, you could mention this after a week, at least."

Mama, ever determined, shot back, "What do you even know, you old man? I was the one who chased you when we were young. You know nothing about these things. You want our daughter to die old and lonely?" Her words left no room for further argument.

Dad, visibly embarrassed, surrendered with a resigned sigh. "Okay. Do what you want, lady."

Mama turned back to me, her gaze stern but loving. "Make sure you make a good first impression, Sirah. He's the son of my high school friend, a successful doctor, a specialized psychologist. Don't embarrass me."

Kilam noticed my unease and gave me a reassuring smile, while Ayyih continued to be engrossed in his phone, oblivious to the tension.

I nodded my head to agree, not wanting to expand on the topic and risk ruining the night. We continued with other small talks, exchanged hugs, and eventually retired to our respective rooms.

As I settled back in my room, I suddenly remembered that I needed to talk to Dad before the day ended. I got up and quietly went to look for him. I found both Mom and Dad on the balcony, sipping hot tea and staring at the stars. I approached them slowly, accidentally eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Sirah has really grown up. I can't believe she's our little baby who was just crawling a few years back. It feels like yesterday, my heart just can't accept it," I heard Dad say, his voice tinged with nostalgia. It's true what they say—parents often talk about their kids at night.

With a soft smile, I decided to make my presence known. "Still not sleeping," I intervened in their conversation. Both of them turned to look at me, their faces lighting up with warmth.

"Well, I'm about to. Why don't you guys take it from here and have a good daughter-to-father talk," Mama winked at me as she walked away.

I took a seat in the chair Mama had just vacated. Silence filled the space for a few seconds, then I broke the ice. "How are you, Dad? How is your health?"

"Can't complain. I'm alive and healthy. A loving family, what more can I ask for?"

"Dad, I'm sorry if I've made you upset."

"How can I even be mad at you, dear? You are my world. I was just a bit emotional after seeing you after such a long time," he reassured me as he reached out for an embrace.

"I love you so much, Dad." I curled myself into his warm embrace, feeling the strength and comfort in his arms.

"I know, dear, I know, and I love you even more. Now let me go have a rest if your mom lets me." He chuckled softly, the sound resonating with love and warmth. As Dad headed to his room, a sense of peace washed over me.

As I returned to my room, I noticed a missed call from Banyez. I had already informed her about my arrival, but a late-night call from her was unusual. Hesitating for a moment, I debated whether to call her back. After all, she was a married woman now, and I couldn't just act like we were still seventeen.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I unlocked my phone to check her text message.

"Check your email. My husband's friend is looking for a temporary legal consultant for three months. You can fill in this position as you look for a stable job. The interview is tomorrow at 8:00 am. Don't be late."

A surge of excitement washed over me. What an angel Banyez was. I had mentioned my job search to her, but I never expected to find an opportunity so quickly. Even if it was short-term, I felt a wave of gratitude and relief. Luck must truly be on my side.

Quickly, I opened my email to find the details she had mentioned. My heart raced with anticipation as I read through the job description. I hope tomorrow turns out well.