Just from hearing that soft, low voice, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Oh, Mother...I missed him so much. I knew it was impossible, but I felt like I could feel the coldness of his skin beyond the door. It took everything I had to prevent myself from yanking the door open and just threw myself in his embrace.
Perhaps that was why Zia was covering the door handle with her back.
"Sweetheart," he called again, and I realized I hadn't been replying. But when I opened my mouth, my voice came out cracked and pathetically weak.
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're still there," he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Of course, I'm still here! Where do you think I would go?" the forgotten vigor in my voice came back.
How dare he think I would leave?! After all this time?!
But then, his reply got me stiffened and feeling guilty for scolding him in my mind.
