Member-only story
Finding Home
A Short Story
“Who could that be?” Afreen mumbled to herself as she climbed out of bed to answer the doorbell.
She pulled her hair up into a bun, using the elastic she kept at her wrist to secure it.
“Who is it?” she asked.
“Afi, it’s Mama,” a soft voice responded from the other side.
She opened the door to find her mother, Neelam, holding a huge tray of food, smiling at her. “Can I come in?”
Afreen grabbed the tray and held the door open. “Of course!”
As was characteristic, Neelam walked around the apartment and immediately began straightening pillows and organizing papers.
“Mom, you’re giving me anxiety. Can you sit down? I’ll pour you some chai.”
Her mother acquiesced more quickly and quietly than usual. She undid her scarf and let down her hair, displaying the grays that always caught Afreen off-guard. They were a reminder that Neelam was no longer in her twenties, that time was happening to her.
Afreen handed a fresh cup of chai to her mother. Neelam took a sip and let out her usual “mmm”. She then examined her daughter, landing at her swollen feet.
“Beta, you must ice your feet.”
