last day at home

Sunny got home with his mom, his mind still preoccupied with the encounter with Catherine at the church. He had forgotten to exchange contact information with her, and now he was kicking himself for being so careless.

His mom had been watching him curiously, an amused smile playing on her lips. But Sunny pretended not to notice, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of knowing that he was interested in someone.

They got home late in the evening, the sun having already set below the horizon.Alex had made a little dinner, but it was clear that he had struggled with the cooking. The food was almost burnt, and the kitchen was filled with the acrid smell of charred vegetables.

Sunny's mom chuckled as she surveyed the kitchen. "Well, Alex, it looks like you tried your best," she said, ruffling his hair.

Alex looked up at her, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, mom," he said. "I didn't mean to burn the food."

Sunny's mom smiled and hugged him. "It's okay, sweetie," she said. "We'll just have to make do with what we have."

Despite the food being almost burnt, they sat down to eat, Sunny's mom being too tired from going to the church to cook again. Sunny was too tired to care about the food, as long as it was edible.

As they ate, Sunny's mom couldn't help but tease him about Catherine. "So, Sunny, tell me more about this girl you met at the church," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Sunny rolled his eyes, trying to play it cool. "There's nothing to tell, Mom," he said. "We just met, that's all."

But his mom wasn't buying it. She knew her son too well, and she could tell that he was interested in Catherine. She just smiled and nodded, waiting for Sunny to open up to her.

Then Sunny explained how they bumped into each other at the church, and how Catherine came to sit with him while he was waiting for his mom. He told them about their conversation, and how they had talked about nothing in particular.

As Sunny finished his story, Alex chirped in, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Did you collect her number?" he asked, his voice full of excitement.

Sunny shook his head, feeling a pang of regret. "I didn't," he admitted, his voice a bit sheepish.

Alex shook his head with disappointment, a comical expression on his face. "Aww, man," he said, "you blew it, cuz."

Sunny's mom chuckled, a warm smile on her face. "Don't worry, Sunny," she said. "If it's meant to be, you'll meet again."

Despite the burnt dinner, they all ate together in a joyful atmosphere, laughing and joking around the table. The almost-burnt food was forgotten in the warmth and camaraderie of the moment.

As they ate, Alex teased Sunny mercilessly about his missed opportunity with Catherine. Sunny took it in stride, laughing and joking with his cousin.

Their dinner together was a lively and affectionate affair, filled with laughter and warmth. It was a moment that Sunny would treasure, a reminder of the love and support of his family.

Then, after Sunny finished his dinner, carefully leaving out the brownish burnt part, he turned to his mom and said, "I'll be going back to the Frontline tomorrow. Today is my last day."

Sunny's mom dropped her spoon, and her eyes widened in surprise. She looked at Sunny with watery eyes, and he knew she was trying to control her tears. She had always been strong, but Sunny knew that the thought of him going back to the war zone was difficult for her.

"You should have told me earlier," she said, her voice trembling. "I would have bought things for you, packed some clothes and food..."

Sunny chuckled, trying to reassure her. "I don't need a lot of things, Mom," he said. "Since they will not be of use to me anyway." He paused, thinking for a moment. "But I'll appreciate some canned food and compressed biscuits. Those would be helpful."

His mom nodded, trying to compose herself. She got up from the table and went to the kitchen, where she started rummaging through the cupboards. Sunny knew she was looking for something to pack for him, something that would make his time at the Frontline a little easier.

Alex, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up. "I'll help, Auntie," he said. "Let's pack some of his favorite snacks too."

Sunny smiled, feeling grateful for his family's love and support. He knew that going back to the Frontline would be tough, but with their help, he felt a little more prepared.

Sunny's mom finished her meal, pushing her plate away from her. She turned to Sunny, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "I'm going to the kitchen to see if I can prepare some things for you to take with you," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

She stood up from the table, her steps uneven as she made her way to the kitchen. Sunny watched her go, feeling a pang of sadness. He knew that his mom was trying to be strong for him, but he could see the worry and fear etched on her face.

Alex turned to Sunny, his eyes serious. "I wish you the best of luck, cuz," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

Sunny nodded his head, feeling a sense of gratitude towards his cousin. "Thanks," he replied, his voice soft.

Alex stood up from the table, his chair scraping against the floor. "Don't worry, cuz," he said. "I've washed your uniform the previous day, and I'll polish your boots. I'll make sure they shine like new."

Sunny smiled, feeling a sense of relief. He knew that Alex was trying to help, and he appreciated his cousin's efforts.

As Alex walked away, Sunny couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. He remembered the good times he had with Alex, the laughter they shared. He knew that he would miss his cousin, and his mom, dearly.

But he also knew that he had a duty to fulfill. He had to go back to the Frontline, to fight for his country and his people. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead.

He stood up from the dining room, pushing his chair back from the table. He looked around the familiar house, taking in the sights and sounds that had been his home for so long. The creaky floorboards, the worn-out furniture, the family photos on the walls - everything seemed to hold a sense of nostalgia and finality.

Without making a sound, he walked silently to his room, his footsteps muffled by the carpet. He closed the door behind him, shutting out the rest of the world. His room was small and simple, with a single bed, a dresser, and a closet.

He began packing a few of the things he had brought with him, carefully folding his clothes and placing them in his bag. He left his uniform on the hanger, knowing that he would be wearing it tomorrow. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, a reminder of the dangers and uncertainties that lay ahead.

As he finished packing, he lay down on the rough bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His mind was empty, devoid of thoughts or emotions. He felt numb, disconnected from the world around him.

Slowly, his eyelids began to droop, and he felt himself drifting off to sleep. He didn't resist, letting the exhaustion wash over him. As he slipped into unconsciousness, he was aware of nothing but the sound of his own breathing, and the faint scent of his mom's cooking lingering in the air.