CHOOSING.

13. Home

I got up early the next day to park for home. I felt that I needed to leave as soon as possible to get some peace and quiet after the previous night's showdown. Two hours later I was good to go and I had everything ready for my departure. I stood in the middle of the room, savouring in those last few minutes before I left. I was going to miss this little haven of mine for the coming one month. I took my  suitcase in my hand and walked out of my house. Leaning against his door was Matt in his usual happy mood. "If it isn't the most beautiful lady in this whole housing complex," he said lightly.

"You're beautiful too Matt," I told him laughing. He faked a wounded expression that looked hilarious on his face and I burst into laughter. "Oh Matt, I will miss you," I said and pulled him into hug.

"Whoa whoa, I know am lovable but no need to get all cuddly," Matt protested but I did not let go. "Fine, you win," and with that he hugged me back with a vice grip I thought my ribs would break. Talk of extremes. When I pulled away Matt was grinning ear to ear like some creepy clown.

"What's with that look," I asked cautiously.

"I always knew that you liked me and I just got my proof. When do I get to ask for your hand.." I cut him off by clapping my hand over his mouth. I should have known he would say something stupid like that.

"Matt!" I reprimanded. "Am going to let go now, and when I do you're going to be good and not say a word, okay?" I was greeted with a vigorous nod and I removed my hand. He made a move to speak but the glare I sent his way was enough to get him to shut up. I bid him goodbye and left. 'Time to get out of here,' I thought to myself. Within no time I was at the bus stop and in my seat. I spent the better part of my journey watching a couple of comedies from my phone to keep my mind busy.

Three hours later I was alighting at my small hometown. Actually, it was too little to be a town, maybe a village shopping centre but its where I grew up and I loved it to no end. I walked home, barely keeping the bounce in my step away. I arrived at home to find my younger brother and only sibling lifting weights at the front of our house. I stood there watching him for a couple of minutes. I had never understood his passion for weight lifting although he was only seventeen. "Its rude to stare," he suddenly said making me jump a couple of feet off the ground and screech loud enough to destroy my own eardrums. "Its good to see you too sis," he said laughing.

"Kiama, you shouldn't scare me like that. It is not good for my poor heart," I said dramatically placing a hand over my heart for effect.

"And you should know not to creep up on me like that. I know am good to look at but you should try and not be too amazed," Kiama said cockily. How did we end up siblings again? Yeah right, it was an accident of nature. "Now come here and give your brother a hug," he said advancing towards me.

"No way, you're shirtless and covered in sweat. Am not touching you with ten foot pole if I can help it," I replied while slowly retreating.

"Is that how you talk to your brother? And here I thought being away would make you miss me," he said downcast. For a moment I felt bad for my behaviour, well until he suddenly charged towards me arms spread ready to lock me in an embrace. Instinct kicked in and I dropped my suitcase and ran for dear life, and am not so proud to say, screaming. I was so focused on getting away that I almost crashed into my mother who was hanging out table spreads to dry. I came to an abrupt halt causing Kiama to knock into me and only his hands reaching out to hold me stopped me from falling over and breaking my nose.

"And you're home," my mother said not one bit amused by our childishness. "You're not even here for ten minutes and you're already causing trouble," she turned to look at me questioningly. "How old are you again? I know I may have told you I wanted you to remain my little girl but really its time you grew up," she said. Although she sounded stern her face betrayed her real emotions as she fought back a smile. I flung myself into her arms a d hugged her tightly. How I had missed her, and her calmness. She held my tightly back and for some reason I felt my eyes water.

I helped my mother complete her cleaning and Kiama went back to finish up his fitness exercises. Together, the three of us made lunch while exchanging stories of what had happened in those four months we has been apart. It was a happy family reunion filled with laughter and teary eyes. We ate our lunch outside in the shade made for this purpose. When we were full we couldn't be bothered to move and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and basking in each other's presence. Somewhere along the way I drifted off into sleep. I was woken up by honking of a car horn. It took me some time to gain my bearings and when I did I shot to my feet and ran towards the gate. I pulled it open, ran to the car door and flung it open. "Daddy!" I exclaimed and hugged the air out of his lungs.

When I pulled away he was laughing without a single care. "Still the dramatic, sweetheart," he teased. "Won't you at least open the gate for your old man?" He chuckled.

"Oh sure," I said a little embarrassed. I opened the gate for him to drive in. After he had packed we walked together into the house and found mother and Kiama preparing supper. We both joined in helping although my dad was more likely to ruin something. After my dad had successfully managed to ruin a fifth potato he was supposed to be peeling, we banished him to sit aside and let the experts do the job. He was all too happy to oblige and as I looked from his relaxed form on the dining stool to my humming mother who was steaming veggies and my brother who was happily frying chicken only one word came to mind: home.