Chapter 4 - Familiar Stranger
1000 Words
It was almost six by the time we arrived home.
I placed the takeaway bags on the dining table before helping the kids settle into their rooms.
About a year ago, I had the house renovated.
Nothing extravagant.
Just enough to give each of us a little personal space.
Zayn and Zarra each had their own bedroom, connected by a shared bathroom in between. My room was the master bedroom at the end of the hallway.
The rooms weren't huge, but they were more than enough.
Home wasn't measured by square footage.
It was measured by comfort.
When decorating their rooms, I let the kids choose everything themselves.
Zarra, unsurprisingly, picked a princess theme.
Soft pink walls.
A unicorn duvet.
Fairy lights.
And her favourite star-and-moon lamp hanging from the ceiling, casting tiny constellations above her super single bed every night.
Zayn couldn't have been more different.
He chose light green walls with a forest theme.
He had always been drawn to nature.
His favourite corner wasn't his bed.
It was the tall bookshelf beside the window, neatly filled with storybooks, science books, and puzzle magazines he insisted on arranging himself.
"Zarra, do you want to rest first, or would you like to take a shower?"
She rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"I'm afraid you'll fall asleep before dinner."
"I wanna shower, Mama," she mumbled.
I smiled.
Together, we headed to the bathroom.
After a warm shower, I helped her into her favourite pink satin pajamas.
Covered in little unicorns, of course.
Meanwhile, Zayn had already gathered his clothes and patiently waited for his turn.
One thing about him...
He never liked making a fuss.
By the time both of them were clean and fresh, dinner was waiting on the table.
"Yay! Dumplings! I love dumplings!" Zarra squealed the moment she reached the dining table.
I served fried rice onto the kids' plates before filling mine with spicy fried noodles.
The food was still warm.
I placed the dumplings and spring rolls in the centre of the table so everyone could help themselves.
"You really like dumplings, huh, Zarra?"
"Yes, Mama!" she replied happily as she reached for one.
"Rice first," I reminded her with a smile.
She pouted dramatically but obediently took a spoonful of fried rice before taking another bite of her dumpling.
"What about you, Zayn? Want a dumpling?"
He shook his head.
"No, Mama. I want the spring roll."
"Now?"
"After I finish my rice."
I smiled.
That was so... Zayn.
He always ate his meals one item at a time, never mixing anything on his plate.
Sometimes I forgot he was only seven.
A bowl of chilled watermelon cubes sat in the middle of the table too.
Healthy balance.
At least that was what I liked telling myself.
Dinner passed with the usual chatter.
Mostly Zarra talking.
Mostly Zayn listening.
Just the way it had always been.
Once we finished eating, Zayn quietly carried the empty plates to the sink before loading them into the dishwasher without being asked.
Meanwhile, Zarra carefully pushed the dining chairs back into place.
Each of them had their own little way of helping.
"So..." I smiled.
"Bedtime stories?"
Both pairs of eyes lit up.
Together, we walked to our little reading corner.
I read a story aloud while Zayn followed every word with his finger.
Five minutes later, both children were already fighting yawns.
I laughed softly.
"I think that's enough adventure for tonight."
"Time to count some sheep."
Still half asleep, they shuffled to the bathroom to brush their teeth before climbing into bed.
Within minutes, both of them were fast asleep.
I tucked Zarra's blanket around her tiny body before quietly stepping into Zayn's room to do the same.
I stood there for a moment, simply listening.
Nothing.
No cartoons playing in the background.
No little footsteps racing across the hallway.
No tiny voice calling,
"Mama!"
Just silence.
I smiled.
I loved my children more than anything.
But I had learned to treasure these quiet pockets of the day too.
9:00 p.m.
I prepared their school uniforms and packed their school bags for tomorrow before returning to my bedroom.
With a cup of water on my bedside table, I picked up my phone and absentmindedly scrolled through social media.
Then...
My phone buzzed.
I glanced at my phone.
It was him.
Adam.
After a brief hesitation, I opened the chat.
Hi.
Sorry if I've been disturbing you.
Have you eaten?
I stared at the screen for a moment before deciding to reply.
You're the food delivery rider?
The reply came almost immediately.
Yeah.
I used to deliver food to your house.
Many times.
But I don't remember your face, I replied.
I had always been good with faces.
Especially people I met repeatedly.
Yet somehow...
I couldn't picture him at all.
The typing indicator appeared.
Disappeared.
Then appeared again.
We only met once or twice.
Most of the time, you left a note in the app asking the rider to leave the food inside the parcel box.
I blinked.
Ah.
Now that made sense.
I rarely met the riders face to face.
Especially back then.
When was this? I asked back.
About a year and a half ago.
What?
I stared at the message.
A year and a half ago?
And after all this time...
He decided to text me? Why?
You've been keeping my number all this while?
Why are you texting me now?
Sleepiness slowly crept over me.
I didn't wait for his reply.
Whatever his reason was, it could wait until tomorrow.
I switched my phone to Do Not Disturb mode before placing it on the bedside table.
The room fell into darkness, illuminated only by the soft amber glow of the diffuser beside my bed. A gentle blend of citrus and lavender drifted through the air, wrapping the room in a familiar sense of calm.
I closed my eyes.
For the first time that day, my mind felt quiet.
Within minutes, sleep claimed me.
- Writer
