God's way

Part 10

I pushed open the front door to my house, and a wave of warmth hit me instantly. The cold fog from outside seemed to evaporate, replaced by the cozy crackle of the fireplace. I could hear laughter from the living room—my little brother's high-pitched giggles mixed with Jedda's soft, soothing voice. It was the kind of sound that made me realize how much I needed to be home.

I slipped off my coat, hanging it on the hook by the door. The warmth seeped into my bones as I walked down the hallway, following the sounds of my family. When I reached the living room, I stopped for a moment to take it all in.

The room was bathed in a soft orange glow from the fireplace, the flames dancing and casting flickering shadows on the walls. My mother, grandmother, and little brother were all cuddled up on the big, overstuffed couch. They looked so content, wrapped in a blanket together, and for a second, I almost didn't want to interrupt.

I could hear a man's voice coming from a phone propped up on the coffee table. My mother looked up and saw me standing there, her face lighting up with a smile. 

"Ciao!" she greeted me, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Hey," I said, managing a small smile. I stepped closer, peering at the phone screen to see who they were talking to. And then I saw him—Armin, my older brother, his face filling the screen. He looked a bit tired, but there was a spark in his eyes that I hadn't seen in a while. Next to him was a tiny, chubby-cheeked baby girl, her dark hair sticking up in all directions.

"Zeynep!" I gasped, feeling a rush of joy at the sight of my little niece. Armin grinned when he saw me.

"Hallo, Adma!" he said, his english broken and his voice warm and familiar. "We were just talking about you. Zeynep was wondering where her favorite auntie has been hiding."

I rolled my eyes but felt a genuine smile tug at my lips as I sat down next to my family. The sofa was warm, and I instinctively leaned into my mother, feeling her arm wrap around me. My little brother, curled up on Jedda's lap, leaned over to show me a crayon drawing he'd been working on, but my attention was still on the phone.

I hadn't realized just how much I missed seeing his face until now. 

"When are you coming to visit?"

Armin's expression softened. 

"We're planning to come over soon, maybe next month. It's just been a little hectic here, you know?"

Zeynep let out a tiny, excited squeal, her big brown eyes staring at the screen. I leaned in closer, lowering my voice to a playful, exaggerated tone. "Hi Zeynep!" I waved at her through the screen, making a funny face. She stared back for a moment, then broke into a giggle, her little hands clapping together.

"She's getting so big," I murmured, feeling a tug at my heart. It had only been a few months since I last saw her, but she already seemed different—more expressive, more alert.

"She's a lot, that's for sure," Armin laughed, brushing a hand over her wild hair. "But she keeps me busy. How are you, though? Everything okay?"

I hesitated for a second, the events of the past day flashing through my mind. But looking around at my family, at my mother's comforting smile and Nonna's gentle touch as she stroked my little brother's hair, I felt a strange sense of peace. Maybe this was what I needed—a reminder of where I belonged, of the people who loved me unconditionally.

"I'm okay," I said finally, forcing a smile.

Armin gave me a knowing look, his eyes searching mine through the screen. I knew he could tell something was off, but he didn't push it. Instead, he just nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips.