𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓸𝔀𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓪𝓼𝓽, 𝓛𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓷𝓽

The sound of heavy footsteps approaches, followed by the abrupt opening of the door. A male voice fills the silence of the room:

— Dylan, why aren’t you in your room?

I wake up to my father's voice. Dazed, I try to process what I'm doing here and quickly jump out of bed as I remember why I'm in my parents' room.

— It's because my aunt is sleeping in my room — I reply quickly.

My father furrows his brow, confused.

— Huh? What is she doing here without your mother?

I leave the room without answering and head straight to my room to check on my aunt. Without thinking that she might be awake, I open the door. She is standing in the middle of the room, trying to close the back of her dress, which is almost fastened. Surprised, she turns around.

Embarrassed, I apologize for not knocking on the door.

— It's okay — she replies, still trying to adjust the dress. I approach her without her noticing and, with a gentle gesture, close the back for her.

— Thank you, Dylan... for this and for the hospitality.

She takes a step toward the door.

— See you later.

Those words leave me unsettled. What do you mean "see you later"? Is she really leaving?

Before I can step out, I grab her wrist.

— What do you mean? Are you leaving? — I ask, a bit desperately.

She lowers her gaze.

— My time is up... I need to go.

I stay silent, suppressing the urge to plead for her to stay. What can I do? I’ve spent years without seeing her, and now that we’re finally together, she’s leaving so quickly? I want to make up for lost time...

Suddenly, the ring of my phone breaks the heavy silence between us. I pick up the device and see my mother’s name on the screen. I ask my aunt to wait and answer.

— Dylan! You weren’t answering my calls! Do you know how many times I tried to call you? What the hell! I'm worried, where are you and your aunt?

She sounds furious.

— I'm sorry, Mom. My aunt spent the night here, and she’s fine.

There’s a moment of silence before her voice sounds calmer but firm.

— Seriously?! Put her on!

I offer the phone to my aunt. She hesitates but eventually takes it.

— ...Marcele?

My mother’s voice sounds relieved.

— Thank God you’re okay! Did you sleep well? Did Dylan treat you well?

— ...yes.

— It’s almost lunchtime. Why don’t you come over to our mom’s house for lunch?

She doesn’t respond immediately. Her hesitant and apprehensive look says it all.

— Please — my mother practically pleads.

My aunt looks at me, and her eyes carry indecision and fear.

I lean closer to her and whisper:

— If you go, I’ll go too.

She lets out a shaky sigh before murmuring:

— ...Okay.

I can hear my mother’s joyful laughter on the other end of the line.

In the car

it’s impossible not to notice her nervousness. She keeps fidgeting with her dress, and her face shows a bit of fear, as if she’s wondering if she made the right choice. Taking the liberty, I place my hand over hers and squeeze gently.

— It’s going to be okay, aunt. I’m here.

She looks at me, surprised, and a beautiful smile spreads across her face, a smile I can call relief.

After a few minutes, we arrive.

— Is this it? — she asks, confused, looking at the house.

— Yes, aunt.

Her eyes widen.

— Oh my God... If you hadn’t told me it was here, I would never have recognized it. It’s so different from the last time I saw...

Before I can say anything else, a voice filled with emotion erupts in front of us.

— Clarice!!!

My grandmother comes running, tears already rolling down her face.

— Mom! — my aunt collapses, emotional, into her mother’s arms.

The scene is so beautiful that it tightens my chest. The whole family gathers to witness that moment, and everyone is genuinely happy that Clarice is here.

After a while of hugs and tears, we head to lunch.

— Guys, I know yesterday was a very sad day... But I can't deny that today is the happiest day of my life. After so long without seeing my dear daughter... Come on! Sit down! Let’s eat.

My aunt finally seems to relax. The somber expression that had accompanied her since the funeral disappears, giving way to a bright face.

But then her voice suddenly sounds:

— Wait... where’s Dad?

Silence falls over the table. Everyone exchanges glances.

My grandmother sighs, her face contorting with pain. She approaches my aunt and strokes her hair.

— Oh, my flower... It’s been so long since we spoke that you might not even know yet...

My aunt furrows her brow.

— Know what, Mom?

Slowly, her expression changes. She starts to understand.

— Mom... Dad...?

My grandmother closes her eyes.

— He passed away, my love.

The sparkle in my aunt’s eyes fades.

— What...?

She remains motionless, the sadness returning to her. Not a tear falls, but her pain is visible.

— It’s been seven years... — my grandmother replies, with sorrow.

My aunt closes her eyes, as if absorbing the information. She didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to her own father.

My grandmother hugs her and kisses her head, trying to console her.

With time, the heavy atmosphere begins to dissipate, and the warm feeling of the family gathered warms everyone’s hearts.

The sun was already setting when I realized my aunt was no longer in the living room.

I went to look for her and found her in the garden.

She was standing, looking at the sunset. The golden light touched her face gently, and in that moment, my heart raced in my chest.

Without meaning to, I stepped on a dry twig. The snap made her look back. Upon seeing me, she smiled.

— Wow, Dylan... Thank you for giving me the strength to come here. I haven’t felt this happy in a long time. I missed my mom, my aunt, my cousins... You.

My chest warmed with those words.

— Speaking of which... where’s your sister?

— She’s still studying abroad — I replied.

She sighed and smiled at the roses.

— I’ve never seen roses as fragrant as these...

Excited, she picked one to smell, but quickly let it go with a small yelp.

— Ouch! It pricked me! — she complained, laughing.

I laughed along.

— Come on, aunt. Let’s wash your hand.

I took her hand gently and washed it under the garden faucet, trying not to hurt her.

Our eyes met. My heart raced.

Not knowing what to do, I murmured:

— I’ll get a band-aid...

And I ran off, not understanding why I acted that way.