Brother is Coming

It was a calm morning when a soft knock echoed in the hallway.

“Knock knock!!”

“AnAn.”

“Yes, Mama?” AnAn replied, walking out of her room with curious eyes.

Her mother smiled. “AnAn, your brother is coming home today.”

A bright glow lit up on AnAn’s face. “Really?” she exclaimed with excitement.

“Yes, he said he’ll arrive by afternoon.”

“That’s wonderful!” AnAn beamed.

But then her mother paused for a moment. “AnAn… there's something else I want to ask you.”

“Yes, Mama?”

“Are you sure you want to go to Tsinghua University?”

AnAn nodded gently. “Yes, Mama. You know how great the university is. It’s my dream.”

Her mother’s face showed a flicker of concern.

“Mama,” AnAn said softly, noticing her mother’s worry, “Are you afraid of something? Are you worried about who will take care of me there?”

She held her mother's hand warmly. “Don’t worry, Mama. I can take care of myself. And if I ever face trouble, I’ll always come to you first. I know you and Baba will always be there for me.”

Her mother let out a tender sigh. “I know you can take care of yourself, AnAn. It’s just... I’m your mother. No matter how grown up you are, I can’t stop worrying. Everything will be new for you there.”

“I understand, Mama. I promise, if anything troubles me, I’ll tell you right away.”

Her mother smiled, eyes glistening. “Okay, AnAn. That’s all I ask.”

Suddenly, AnAn clapped her hands. “Now let’s go to the market!”

“Market? Why?” her mother asked, puzzled.

“Mama, you just told me that brother is coming home! Didn’t you say that when he returns, you’ll pamper him and cook all his favorite dishes?”

Her mother gasped and laughed. “Ah! I totally forgot. My memory is really getting worse with age.”

“Don’t worry, Mama. If you forget, I’ll help you remember,” AnAn teased.

“So you’re saying I’m old now?” her mother asked, mock-offended.

“Are you not?” AnAn grinned mischievously, walking up close. “Let me see... Hmm… Mama!”

“What?” her mother raised a brow.

“I looked closely at your face and you know what I saw?”

“What?”

“That you’re still so pretty! You still look like a high school student!”

They both burst into laughter.

Her mother chuckled, “Okay, okay. Go get ready. We’ll go to the market and then head to the airport to pick up your brother.”

“Okay, Mama!”

A little while later...

“AnAn, are you ready?” her mother called out.

AnAn descended the stairs, radiant in a simple yet elegant white frock. Her long hair flowed freely over her shoulders, adorned by tiny butterfly earrings. Her dainty glass pump heels clicked softly against the steps, each step revealing the grace of a young woman blossoming into adulthood.

Her mother stared at her, stunned. “AnAn... you look so beautiful today.”

“Really, Mama? But not more than you,” AnAn smiled.

“Stop teasing me!”

“Okay, okay.”

“But still, you look like an angel,” her mother said softly.

Just then, her father’s voice rang from behind.

“Of course she looks pretty! After all, she’s my daughter!”

Her mother turned to him, squinting playfully. “Oh really? Your daughter? I remember when AnAn was little, one of your aunts asked why she looked so plain. You said she took after me—so she wasn’t pretty!”

“I said that?” her father chuckled nervously. “I don’t remember.”

“Then let me help you remember!” she said, picking up a cushion and chasing him playfully.

“AnAn, save me!” her father pleaded, dodging around the furniture.

AnAn crossed her arms. “Why should I? You brought this on yourself!”

“AnAn! Have you forgotten how many times I saved you when Mama got angry at you?”

“And haven’t I saved you too?”

“Okay, okay! Save me this one last time! I promise I won’t ask again!”

“Fine,” AnAn laughed. “But this is the last time.”

“Mama, stop! We’re getting late. And we have to pick up brother too!”

Her mother paused. AnAn added gently, “Also, it doesn’t matter who I take after. I’ll always be your daughter and Baba’s daughter. Didn’t you both give birth to me? So I take after both of you.”

Silence fell for a moment. Her parents looked at each other, their eyes softening.

“Mama? Baba? Did I say something wrong?”

They shook their heads and smiled. “No, AnAn. It’s just… you’ve grown up so fast. Just a few years ago you were our little girl, and now… you’re a beautiful young woman.”

AnAn stepped forward and held their hands.

“No matter how much I grow, I’ll always be your daughter. I’m lucky to have you both as my parents. And I want to be your daughter again in the next life too.”

Tears glistened in her mother’s eyes.

“We want the same, AnAn,” her mother whispered. “You’ll always be our precious daughter.”

Her father sniffed dramatically and said, “That’s right! And wife, if you want AnAn to be our daughter again, doesn’t that mean… you want me as your husband again?”

Her mother rolled her eyes. “Look at him getting sentimental just to brag!”

They all laughed.

“Now come on, Mama, Baba,” AnAn said, grabbing their hands, “Let’s go before your other child complains we abandoned him after having me!”

And with laughter, love, and joy in their hearts, the little family stepped out—ready to welcome home a son and embrace the beauty of a day filled with memories.

[To Be Continued...]

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