From the Sidelines to Center Stage

Settling In and a Call from Aunt Hannah

The weekend had come quicker than Nadia expected. She spent the morning unpacking in her new room, settling into the house she would now share with Isla and her twin brother, Aiden. Although she hadn't spoken much to Aiden, their brief encounter the day before left her intrigued. His quiet nature and those deep, expressive eyes made her feel both curious and slightly uneasy, wondering what lay behind them.

It was the kind of peaceful weekend she'd been craving—until her phone rang.

The name flashing across the screen made her stomach drop: Aunt Hannah.

Nadia hesitated for a moment before answering. Aunt Hannah's voice always carried a certain edge, a mix of criticism and concern, though Nadia often felt the former far more than the latter.

"Hello, Aunt Hannah," Nadia greeted, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Well, well, Nadia. I finally caught you!" Aunt Hannah's voice was sharp, as expected. "I've been trying to reach you for days. You just flew halfway across the world and didn't even bother to call me?"

Nadia bit her lip, feeling the familiar guilt that always came with these conversations. "I've been really busy settling in, and the flights were long. I'm sorry, Aunt Hannah."

"Busy? That's no excuse," her aunt chided. "Your father may not say anything, but he must be worried sick. I just don't understand why you had to leave home like this. What's the point of running off to New Zealand when there are perfectly good options back here?"

Nadia sighed, pacing her room as she tried to formulate a response. "I told you before, Aunt Hannah, this is a big opportunity for me. The internship is something I've always wanted, and—"

"Internship, schminternship," her aunt interrupted. "You could have found something similar back in the city. You didn't need to abandon your family to go off on some... adventure."

The word "adventure" was said with disdain, as if Nadia's journey was nothing more than a childish whim.

Nadia swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She knew her aunt didn't understand—she never had. "I didn't abandon anyone," Nadia said, trying to keep her voice calm. "This is important for my career. It's something I need to do for myself."

A heavy sigh came from the other end. "You young people and your dreams. You don't realize the sacrifices your parents have made for you, Nadia. One day, you'll understand."

Her aunt's words struck a chord, as they always did. But Nadia wasn't that same timid girl anymore, always afraid of what her aunt thought. "I do understand, Aunt Hannah. That's why I'm doing this. So I can make them proud."

There was a brief silence, and Nadia almost thought the conversation was over.

"Well," her aunt finally said, her tone softer but still sharp, "I hope this all works out for you. Don't come running back if it doesn't."

Nadia's grip on her phone tightened. "I won't, Aunt Hannah. I'm doing this because I know I can make it."

"Fine. I'll let you get back to your... settling in. Just remember who you are, Nadia."

As the call ended, Nadia stood still for a moment, the familiar weight of her aunt's disapproval lingering. But this time, it didn't feel as heavy. The guilt and self-doubt that often followed these conversations had lessened. She wasn't going to let her aunt's words hold her back anymore. She had made her choice, and she was determined to see it through.

She took a deep breath and walked over to the window, looking out at the garden. Aiden was in the backyard, talking on his phone, his expression calm yet focused. Watching him, she felt a sense of reassurance that this new chapter would be challenging but rewarding.