Dancing On Thin Ice // KTH

Chapter 76

They sat in the car, and Carmela realized it was nightfall. She clutched her phone in her hands as she looked out the window, feeling the vibrating notifications of Aunt Kass's messages. She briefly peeked at them.

*How far are you?*

*How long will it take?*

*Are you close?*

*Carmela?*

*CARMELA!*

Sighing, she put her hands back in her lap. JK was slumped beside her in his seat, staring out the window as well. A yawning Jackson was stretching his neck at the front and Zaraa was quietly humming a low tune as she drove.

The mood was dark and weary. 

They turned and sped down streets and roads of the big city, as people in the night stalked through alleyways and sidewalks. Carmela felt her heart twist as they entered the familiar path to her house. She straightened up, her fingers grasping the edge of her seat in anticipation.

Then her house came into view and Zaraa turned them into the driveway. She parked the car and Carmela immediately leapt out of her seat. She ran over the lawn wet from rain, and jumped up the steps of the porch. 

Then she clicked the doorbell, and waited with a heavy heart.

Come on... Come on, Aunt Kass.

After a couple of long moments, the door flew open. Aunt Kass's bright face stretched into a tearful smile, and Carmela collapsed into her arms.

"Ay... Carmellita... Oh, how I missed you! I love you, mi princesa... I love you so much." Aunt Kass stroked her hair as Carmela sniffled into her shoulder.

"I missed you too, Aunt Kass. So much, I thought I was gonna die!" Carmela cried.

The others came behind her, and she pulled away from her aunt's arms.

"Oh, my love! I'm so happy you're here! Come inside! Come inside, everyone!" Aunt Kass waved at the others behind her niece and they quickly shuffled inside, slumping with exhaustion.

"Thanks for letting us stay here, Isadora." Zaraa smiled, struggling to take her shoes off.

"Yeah, we really appreciate it. Everything was so... so sudden." Jackson sighed sadly. He bent down and pulled Zaraa's boots off her feet. She froze, flustered but regained herself, brushing back her silky brown hair.

"It's no problem, my dears, no problem at all! Thank you both for taking such good care of my Carmellita for all these years!" Aunt Kass, grasped the hands of both Jackson and Zaraa who smiled back at her. The house smelled delicious and spicy, and Carmela felt a little hungry thinking about the dinner Aunt Kass prepared.

Then they heard JK sniffle quietly in the background, and their chattering fell silent. Aunt Kass quickly went up to him.

"Jungkook, mijo! Oh, my darling boy..." She ushered the young boy into her arms, and he willingly embraced her. He let out a muffled sob into her shoulder, and Carmela had to turn away, as Aunt Kass's eyes turned glossy as well.

Carmela walked down the hallway to her room.

Her room she had left vacant for so many years. 

She grasped the knob and twisted the door open. 

The room was clean and tidy. But empty. The things that had once littered her shelves, her windows, her desk and her bed were half in the trash and the rest in Rooston. Now, everything was empty. Just a new comforter set Aunt Kass had prepared in the skeleton of her old bed. There was also a comfy done-up mattress on the floor next to the bed. So that was where Zaraa was sleeping.