The day had surrendered to a sullen gray, the sky rumbling with a low growl that mirrored the irritating hum in the air. A stark contrast to the recent sunshine, this sudden shift was a headache materialized for most. "Ugh, more rain!" she thought, the familiar dread of dirty water splashing her shoes and the hems of her trousers rising within her.
But for someone else, cocooned in the anonymity of a hooded sweatshirt and the fortress of noise-canceling headphones, this weather was a balm. A deep breath filled her lungs with that peculiar, comforting scent she couldn't quite name. It was an opportunity, perhaps the only one today, to let the day's worries drift away. A small smile touched her lips as she briefly opened her arms to the elements before continuing her walk home.
Pausing at her apartment door, she noticed four pairs of shoes. Only she and her parents lived here since her graduation. The extra two? Relatives. Fuck, she thought, the fragile bubble of her good mood bursting. She pressed the doorbell and her mother's warm greeting was the first thing she encountered.
"How was your day?" her mother asked.
"As usual," she replied flatly, already slipping off her socks to enter. Ignoring the sounds of the dining room, she headed straight for her room.
"Emi!" her mother's voice called out, a gentle reprimand for her lack of greeting to their guests.
She exhaled, the weariness of the day settling heavily on her shoulders. Another mask, a happy one this time, was needed for her parents' sake. Without further delay, she pulled her hair back and went to shower.
Meanwhile, her mother was beaming at their guests. "Please don't mind her!" she said apologetically.
"Oh no, it's perfectly alright. Perhaps she's just tired!" Luna, their guest, exclaimed, eager to return to the previous topic. "So, what happened next? Did Harvey propose right away after you told him you liked him?" Luna's excitement was palpable as she anticipated the rest of her parents' love story.
"Yes! And look, Luna, he gave me this ring," her mother said, displaying a sparkling ring with a bright smile.
"Diamond! Oh, Anna! You're so lucky!"
"And that's the biggest mistake of my life," Harvey interjected from a nearby couch, causing Steven, who was watching the news with him, to burst into laughter. Anna rolled her eyes, a silent "I don't care" or "we'll talk later" conveyed in the gesture, and continued recounting their courtship and wedding.
Just then, Emi reappeared in the dining hall, dressed in casual clothes. She offered a polite smile to the guests before heading to the kitchen for cold water. "How long are they going to stay?" she muttered, a slight frown creasing her brow as she took a long sip from her water bottle. "Anyway," she thought with a hint of relief, "at least they didn't bring their son."
It was perhaps an unkind thought, but it was honest. Social interaction felt like navigating a field of cacti for her. How had she become this way? She couldn't pinpoint the exact moment.
Grabbing a plate of food, she settled on the couch next to her father and uncle, Steven. She remembered them fondly from childhood visits, always finding their company easy and comfortable.
"Everything good? How was university?" Steven asked kindly.
"Not great, Uncle. Just trying not to fail," she replied. Steven's loud laughter annoyed Harvey.
"Ah! Can't you laugh quietly? I can't hear the TV!" Harvey grumbled.
"Oops, sorry. But look at your daughter, just like you! Remember that final year how you messed up your—"
"Oh really? But who got caught cheating?" Harvey retorted.
"You!" The playful banter threatened to escalate, but the women's voices rose, effectively lowering the room's temperature.
An unusual quiet settled over the room, punctuated only by the ladies' conversation. Emi, however, found herself unexpectedly enjoying the moment. A small, unconscious smile played on her lips. She loved the silence, the lack of pressure. This peculiar blend of background noise and her own quiet contemplation was surprisingly pleasant.
But then the doorbell rang, shattering her peaceful interlude.
"Emi, go open the door," her mother instructed. Emi shot her a questioning look before rising to answer it.
Standing at the door was a tall, young man. He looked familiar, yet she couldn't quite place him. Her expression clearly conveyed, "Who the hell are you, and why are you here?"
"Well—" he began.
"Emi, it's Ian! Didn't you recognize him?" Luna called from inside.
"What!" Surprise widened her eyes as she scanned him again, trying to reconcile the familiar feeling with the unfamiliar face. "Seriously?"
"Um, you're Emi, right?" he asked, a nervous smile gracing his lips as she nodded, perhaps a little too quickly. He stepped inside as she wordlessly welcomed him.
The room buzzed with renewed chatter, but Emi remained a quiet observer, her gaze occasionally drifting towards the smiling newcomer, that same dimpled smile she vaguely remembered. She stood there for a long moment before retreating to her room, her departure unnoticed in the lively atmosphere.
It wasn't that she disliked him, exactly. He was her aunt's only son, after all. She should have at least said "hi." But she hadn't. A silent wish for this encounter to be a one-time event now felt decidedly unlikely.