A Surprising Reunion
898 Words
Nora hopped out of the taxi, her heart racing with anticipation. The warm Alaskan sun bathed her in light as she turned to face the wooden cabin that had filled her childhood memories. The porch looked just as she remembered, adorned with colorful wildflowers and the familiar swinging bench that had creaked under her weight during her childhood days. With a bright smile, she fished out the taxi fare and handed it to the driver, who watched her with an amused yet cautious expression.
As the taxi pulled away, Nora couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. A couple of locals stood nearby, their gazes lingering on her, whispering to one another. Their faces were hidden beneath the shadows of their hats, but their eyes were sharp, assessing her like she was an enigma. A shiver ran down her spine, but she shrugged it off. She was here to visit her family, and nothing could dampen her excitement.
“Granny! Grandpa!” she called out, her voice echoing in the stillness of the forest. Ignoring the uneasy feeling in her gut, she raced toward the porch, her heart pounding like a drum. The cabin stood tall, its wooden beams steeped in nostalgia, reminding her of all the happy childhood memories that the place held before they moved away for reasons best known by her parents.
Nora reached the door and knocked vigorously, her excitement bubbling over. A moment later, the door swung open, and there stood her mother, shocked with fearful eyes yet relieved.
"Mum? What are you doing here ? When did you get here? " Nora asked her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Nora? Is that you?” Her grandmother, a petite woman with silver hair and a warm smile, gasped, her voice a mix of shock and joy.
“Yes! It’s me, Nana!” Nora exclaimed, barely containing her happiness forgetting about her mother's presence for a moment. Before she knew it, her grandmother enveloped her in a tight hug, the familiar scent of lavender and home wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.
“Oh, my sweet girl! We didn’t expect you to run away from home and come visit us. Do you know how we were shocked when we learnt about it when your parents called us!” Her grandmother pulled back, holding Nora at arm’s length, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Behind her, her grandfather appeared, an equally stunned expression on his face. “Nora? Thanks goodness you're safe.” He stepped forward, his strong arms opening wide as he joined the embrace.
The warmth of their reunion filled Nora’s heart with joy, dispelling any lingering unease she had felt. “I wanted to surprise you!” she said, her words tumbling out in a rush. “I’ve missed you both so much!”
Her grandmother’s smile faltered slightly, and her eyes darted to the porch, as if expecting someone else to appear. “But… we were so worried about you coming here without telling us,” she said softly, concern replacing the joy in her eyes. “Your parents—”
"What is mum doing here ? Nora asked trying to peep inside looking for any presence of her dad. Is dad ....
Before she could finish, her grandfather placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We’re just glad you’re safe. Come inside.”
As they stepped into the cozy cabin, Nora’s excitement began to fade slightly at the tension in the air. Her grandparents exchanged worried glances, and Nora felt a knot tighten in her stomach.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, glancing between them.
“Just a moment, dear,” her grandmother said, her voice suddenly serious. She hurried to pick up the phone that sat on the kitchen table, and Nora watched as she dialed a number, her fingers trembling slightly.
“Nora’s here, dear,” her grandmother said into the phone, her voice low. Nora’s heart raced as she strained to hear. “She just arrived… Yes you can come back ,she is asking for you .”
Nora exchanged glances with her mother, both of them equally puzzled of what to tell the other. "What was happening? Why were her grandparents and parents acting so strange?" was all Nora could ask herself.
“Who are you talking to, Nana? Was that dad?" Nora asked, curiosity piqued.
Her grandmother glanced at her, hesitating for a brief moment before saying, “Yes, sweetheart.He was worried about you and was out there trying to locate you.”
“Worried?” Nora felt a mix of confusion and irritation. “I’m fine! I came all this way to see you! And I had already informed mum and dad."
Her grandmother finished the call, placing the receiver down gently. “We’re glad you’re here, but we want you to be safe. There are… things we need to discuss.”
Nora frowned, the excitement of her arrival starting to wane. “What things?” And how did mum get here so fast ?" she pressed, sensing the tension in the air.
Her grandfather’s expression darkened. “It’s nothing to worry about, Nora. Just some family matters.”
Nora nodded, but the mysterious atmosphere weighed on her, leaving her with an unsettling feeling. As they settled inside the cabin, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story.
- Writer
