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“Hello miss Hannah…. Welcome to China…”

Someone greeted me as I picked my bags and turned around.

“Oh hey Mr. Chang… It’s been a long time yeah…. Look at you all grown up to man...” I smirked at the familiar young guy and nudge him.

“OK OK stop it Hannah banana…. It’s good to see you crazy...”Chang ruffled my hair laughing and gave me his usual bear hug.

“Oh I really missed you a lot Chan-Chan…” I squeezed his waist tightly.

Chang is my first best friend. His family moved in to our house next door when we were both six. His father was a neuro surgeon and when he got appointed to one of the best hospitals in USA their family moved to USA from China. Ever since the first day Chang and I met we became best friends. Since then we were inseparable and our families also became very close. But just as we graduated from high school Chang’s grandfather passed away and since Chang was the next heir to their family business they had to move back to China. It has been three years since then but we never lost our contact and here I am visiting my best friend just as i promised three years ago.

“Let’s go Chang… I want to see your mom and eat all those delicious food she has prepared for me..” I said rushing out of the airport dragging Chang with me.

“Of course she cooked for you. It’s not fair man I’m her son but she loves you more than she loves me…” Chang murmured his usual complain.

That is true. Chang’s mother aunt Meera and I were more like mother and daughter. Since she had only two sons she considered me as the daughter she never had.

Laughing at Chang’s stupid complains I got in to his car and we drove off to his home.

Wow C… China is really beautiful…” I said looking at the beautiful scenery we were passing through.

“This is just a little of it kiddo Get ready to see the most beautiful things you have ever seen in your life…” He smiled proudly.

“You bet Chan-Chan. That is why I chose you as my tour guide…” I stuck my tongue making him laughing.

When Chang stopped the car I was awes trucked. Their house was a magnificent traditional Chinese mansion just like those beautiful mansions in Chinese movies.

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I quickly shook of my surprise and jumped out of the car and ran to the main door. As i rand the door bell impatiently familiar middle aged woman opened the door.

“Aunt Meera…!” I hugged her tightly making her laugh.

“Oh my little Hannah… How have you been sweetie...?” Her hug was as warm as my mother’s.

“Come in honey I cooked all of your favorites….. Chang bring Hannah’s bags with you..” She ordered her sulking son and ked me in to the beautiful house.

After all the unpacking and settling in the guest room it was time for the evening tea.

“Hannah darling we are having a family gathering tomorrow night. Would you like to come?” Aunt Meera asked sipping her tea.

“Of course aunt Meera… Would that be ok? I mean I’m a foreigner and I can’t even speak Chinese…”

“Oh it’s not a problem dear… Most of our family members are fluent in English besides wouldn’t this be a good opportunity for you to learn our culture?” She asked patting my hand.

“Ok then I’ll come… So when is this party start?| I asked her eating my third baozi. Baozis are Chinese steamed meat buns and super delicious.

“Oh it starts around five in the evening but Hannah you have to wear a traditional dress for this even. So let’s go shopping tomorrow morning…” Aunt Meera said excitedly. She loved to doll me up whenever she got the chance.

“A traditional dress?”

“Yes honey. It’s our family tradition. One day once a year we would dress up in our traditional cloths and get together…. Do you remember Hannah even when we were living in USA we would Come to China once a year and stay here for a week?” She asked me raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah I do remember…. You brought something for me every time you come back..” I said recalling the memory and she nodded smiling.

“So tell me more aunt Meera… What is happening in this party?” I asked curiously.

“Oh nothing much honey. Our whole family would gather and we share our stories while children play together. We are a very big family Hannah so this party is the thing that keeps all of us in contact. I remember when I was a child I always look forward to this party because all of my cousins would come and we would play together. Those are beautiful memories….” Aunt Meera said with a faraway look in her eyes.

“Oh… So is it really Ok with me joining your party? I mean it sounds like very important event for your family…”

I asked doubtfully.

China is a new place for me and going to a very special event like this as soon as I came here seemed quite hard.

“Oh honey I’m pretty sure our family is going to love you. Besides you are like my own daughter so you are practically family. So don’t think too much Ok…”

Aunt Meera said with a motherly look in her eyes.

“OK OK … Let’s do it…!!!”

I cheered grabbing my fourth baozi.

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