Isabella woke up from the bed, her hair ruffled and her eyes bleary from sleep. She stretched, yawned, and swung her legs over the side of the bed, feeling the soft carpet beneath her feet. As she stood up, she smoothed out her wrinkled clothes and made her way to the bathroom to freshen up.
After washing her face and brushing her hair, Isabella felt more alert and awake. She took a deep breath, savoring the aroma of dinner wafting from the kitchen. Her stomach growled in anticipation as she made her way to the dining room.
As she entered the dining room, she was greeted by the warm smiles of her family. Her grandma, seated at the head of the table, beamed with joy, her eyes sparkling like diamonds. The table was filled with an array of dishes, each one more delicious than the last.
"Isabella, my sweet granddaughter, it's been an eternity since we last saw you!" Grandma exclaimed, opening her arms wide for a warm embrace.
Isabella's heart swelled with love as she hugged her grandma tightly. "I've missed you so much, Grandma! You're the only one I've missed," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.
Grandma chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You scamp if you missed me that much, you would have come home sooner! We've only had phone calls for the past five years, and I'm starting to think you've forgotten what your old grandma looks like!"
Isabella laughed, feeling a hint of guilt. "Grandma, I came to South Korea six months ago, but I've been busy settling into my new job and getting accustomed to the new environment."
Alex, her cousin, jumped into the conversation, his voice laced with teasing. "Yeah, and how many days did you spend with us? A whopping 24 hours, right? You're like a ghost, Isabella – always disappearing on us!"
Benjamin, her other cousin, playfully nodded in agreement, earning a mock glare from Isabella.
Grandma shook her head, her expression turning serious. "Isabella, every time you come home, you don't even sleep here. You claim you're staying in a hotel, and then you leave without us knowing. Can't you see, dear, that we miss you? We want to feel your warmth, your presence in our lives."
Isabella's dad, seated at the head of the table, spoke up, his voice filled with emotion. "Isabella, won't you just be our daughter for once? Let us feel your love, your connection to us?"
Isabella's heart swelled with emotion as she stood up, bowing deeply to her family. "I'm sorry, everyone. I'll try to do better, to be more present in your lives."
The dinner continued, filled with laughter, jokes, and warmth. Alex regaled them with stories of his misadventures, making everyone laugh with his silly impressions. Benjamin shared his latest gaming conquests, earning cheers and high-fives from the family. Grandma told stories of her youth, her eyes sparkling with mirth, while Isabella's dad shared his latest business ventures, seeking advice from his family.As they conversed, Isabella felt a sense of belonging she hadn't experienced in a long time. She realized that home wasn't just a physical place but a sense of connection, of love, and warmth. And in that moment, she knew she was exactly where she belonged.
Alex asked, "So, Isabella, how's life as a surgeon? Are you saving lives and looking fabulous in scrubs?"
Isabella playfully rolled her eyes. "Hey, watch it, Alex! I'm trying to be a serious doctor here."
Benjamin chimed in, "Yeah, but are you at least getting any cool doctor perks? Like, free medical supplies or something?"
Isabella laughed. "I do get some perks, but mostly just free coffee and a lot of paperwork."
Grandma smiled, her eyes shining with pride. "We're just proud of you, Isabella, no matter what you do. You're a brilliant doctor and an amazing person."
As they continued eating and chatting, Isabella felt a sense of warmth and belonging she hadn't experienced in a long time. It was moments like these that she cherished most – surrounded by loved ones, sharing laughter and stories.
After dinner, they sat in the living room, swapping stories and jokes. Alex made impressions of their relatives, making everyone laugh. Benjamin shared his latest gaming triumphs, and Grandma told tales of her youth, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Isabella's dad put his arm around her shoulders. "We're glad you're home, Isabella. You're always welcome here."
Isabella smiled, feeling grateful for this loving family of hers. She knew she didn't deserve them, but she was thankful for their unwavering support and love.
As the evening drew to a close, Isabella hugged her family tightly, feeling a sense of peace and contentment wash over her. She knew she'd always have this – this warm, loving home, this sense of belonging.