Not Home Anymore

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She rang the bell with her own key still sitting inside her handbag.

When her mother opened the door, she smiled the way people smile at relatives who visit once a year.

Her suitcase was moved to the corner near the guest room, beside folded extra bedsheets that smelled of naphthalene.

At dinner, her mother stirred her brother’s favourite curry, serving everyone, then asked her twice if the salt was enough, the same careful politeness she used with neighbours.

Nobody told her to open the steel containers in the kitchen anymore.

That night, she reached for the bedroom light switch out of habit and paused when she saw her old cupboard filled with winter blankets and temple receipts.

Her wedding photo still hung on the wall, but the house had already learned how to live without her. 😊

Comments

  1. NiluMay 9, 2026 at 10:27 PM

    This one hit home. It is quite painful when a child, once grown up, suddenly becomes a stranger to the parents. I guess it's the cycle of life, and one has to get used to it. Our parents are fallible, too.

    ReplyDelete

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