"Oh… Xali. Didn't hear you coming," she said, taking the ingredients from him and checking them.
He internally cringed at that nickname he despised the most.
"Take a shower, I'm almost done. I'll make your favorite Mango Sago for dessert." She cupped his face.
He nuzzled in. "You're the best, Mom." Her hands had been slightly colder since the day they lost Xehelya, as if she had taken a little bit of mom's warmth with her so that she wouldn't feel so lonely.
Xal finished the shower, picked one of the books, and dropped onto the couch in the living room, letting the soft beige cushions swallow him. The air smelled like freshly cut mangoes mixed with curry.
The glow from the kitchen spilled over the counter, warm and gold. He started reading, listening to the clinking of utensils echoing like small bells. The front door opened a few minutes later. His father arrived and went straight to freshen up, saying he was so hungry he could eat a demon.
After arranging the dinner on the table, his mom came to him, seeing him reading a book. That was indeed a rare sight.
"Is that really a book I'm seeing you hold?" she asked, glancing at the content behind him.
"Yes, Mom. Remember the good offer I got as a bodyguard yesterday?" She nodded. "Turns out he's a weird rich kid, and his family believes in this stuff. I'm considering the offer and thought I should look into it so I won't offend him accidentally." Xal lied through his teeth, feeling guilty but consoling himself that it was only a white lie.
Damn, already picking up habits from Kian. He shook off that thought.
His whole life had turned upside down so fast.
Almost unbelievable. Better that his parents didn't know. He was sure as hell his mother would be the first to send him to an asylum if he explained what he saw. Apart from that, he could not let them know what truly happened to Xehelya until he caught Khem. The thought sent pulses through his fists.
Dinner time wasn't as lively as it used to be, not without her chiming in, gossiping about her classmates. She had been sassy and extroverted, taking after Xal. In loving memory of her, all three of them tried their best to make the most of each moment.
Xal always made time on Saturdays every two weeks to go out with his parents. A park, a café, a new restaurant… something. And his parents never hid from talking about his sister because she had passed away. No matter how hard it was thinking about her, they still spoke of her, and it was always the good memories, keeping her a part of their lives. Even his best friend Darian aka D-Day, encouraged them to do so. It made things slightly easier than running from the fact that they wouldn't see her again.
Stories of how they spent their day were the usual topic at the dinner table, where his father sat mostly quiet but still engaged. What exciting incidents could happen at the back office of the city bank?
Once dinner ended, both helped to clean up the dishes, and finally, his mother grabbed the Mango Sago and handed it over.
Funny how she thought it was his favorite because every time she asked what dessert he wanted, he'd always answer Mango Sago. She used to say, Like brother, like sister, for having the same preference.
What she didn't know was that it had been Xehelya's favorite, and he kept asking for it from the day he knew about it.
Xal's throat tightened as he took the bowl. He forced a smile and muttered a thanks before she could notice.
She smiled, ruffling his hair.
He grumbled, fixing his hair with one hand. "Mom… I told you I don't like anyone touching my hair."
Waving her hand, she dismissed his complaint completely and busied herself wiping the counter clean.
He picked up the book from the couch and went to his room after bidding sweet dreams to his parents. He got onto his bed, propped the pillow against the bed rest, adjusted the lights to a warmer tone, and read the book while eating the Mango Sago.