As soon as Elena stepped into the house, the familiar scent of roasted spices and wood smoke wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. Her mother was seated on their old pallet couch, the same one that had carried years of laughter, stories, and quiet tears. She looked up as Elena entered, her face lighting up instantly. Without a word, Elena dropped her bag and hurried into her mother’s arms, giving her a long, warm hug — the kind that spoke of gratitude, relief, and love all at once.
Her mother chuckled softly, patting her back. “Hmm… that’s some hug, my dear. Did something good happen today?”
Elena smiled, finally pulling away and sinking onto the couch beside her. “You could say that.”
Before she could say more, her mother disappeared briefly into the kitchen and returned with a
