*NOVA
d slightly as she spoke. "Nova, the
ting my brow. "What do yo
d turning to
om talkin
, taking my hand in his. "Nova, No
*
er tha
ded into a constant hum. I navigated through the crowd, excitement bubbling within me as I made my way to the baggage claim. It had been too lon
ial media for a long while. The last time we spoke she was angry that I couldn't make it to her wedding. I tried reaching out to her after that but she wouldn't respond and when I tried getting my parents, Alb
ing to let my absence ruin our relationship. "I ha
outside. The air was thick with humidity, typical for this time of year, but even that couldn't damp
s, passed by the window. My thoughts drifted to the times Nora and I spent on these very streets, back when
I made my way up the front steps. The house looked different. It had been remodeled, almost unrecognizable. It looked beau
d with the maid trying to prepare something to eat
called, he
om
when you arrived at the airpor
ave come pick you
hat mom, I'm here now, plus I wa
d you so so much," she said gi
too Mom," and I
to suffocate me,"
t," she
t Dad, whe
ething from the grocery store,
ka
prepared a feast ju
the food going cold," She s
direction. My mom who guessed why I stood s
f the house. Last I remembered, we were struggling fin
ey aren't telling me?"
ige as the rest of the house. As much as I was shocked I w
. I threw on my change of clothes and
ite body size, or if being married had changed her. But no matter how much sh
dining area when I
," he call
my pumpk
ways loud," she
ening up, she'll be down w
e sight of my par
ad
he called with
d mom are acting like you'll neve
u say that," my d
," I t
were so busy with school and we didn't want
ess is depending on you,"
ay that ther
," he said sm
, where the table was already set
to make your f
sed a good home-cooked
ttle things I had missed while I was away. It felt good, normal,
of our conversations so I waited until the c
to keep my tone light. "I can't wait
ere. My mother's smile faltered, and my father set his fork down wit
o Prese
ps. The words hung in the air, heavy and incomprehensib
hinking about surprising her, about all the th
is saying isn't true," I said
lying too." Her eyes
aid, her voice breaking as she spok
o... no, this can't be real. when did this
his voice thick with emotion. "It's been
Nova. None of us
and you both didn't
of the blue and unlike her. She stayed for a couple of weeks
he hospital af
rom your studies that's why we di
t than my own sister, your daug
st my ap
," my mother said
I asked hoping they woul
the room b
things when I came across her diary. Only to be shocked that her dea