"Unni!"
As soon as I walked in the little girl ran to me and jumped into my arms.
Heeya, my beautiful child.
I picked her up and held her as she planted her face on my shoulder. I could feel that it was getting wet from her tears.
Tears of joy.
I bent my neck down to her head, kissing her on the crown, smelling - smelling the scent of the little girl. The girl I wanted to protect, but failed.
Never again.
After a few minutes of just holding her like that, she squirmed herself out of my hold and yelled in excitement.
"Close your eyes and come with me!"
"Eh?"
"You have to close them as tight as you can, OK? No cheating!"
I wasn't going to argue with the little tyrant, so I did as was told.
I felt Heeya's tiny hand grab mine. It was cold, but I felt the warmth in my heart that I had been longing for.
She carefully led me to what I knew to be the kitchen even without looking.
