I guess I got it all wrong

The familiar skyline, the towering structures, the bustling streets and the busy highways unfolding before my eyes remind me of one place; home. I believe that home is not merely a place on a map but a sanctuary of one's soul, where love, warmth, and a sense of belonging intertwine to create a feeling I can't even explain. A feeling am experiencing right now. It feels so good to be back. I've been away for two weeks. A good fifteen days and I wonder how I was able to stay away that long. I missed home, my family and my friends as well. I was eager to meet all of them. ( Not all like all of them). I shake my head in an effort to clear my mind. Only positive thoughts allowed I remind myself. A new mantra I adopted while away.

The ride from the airport to my place wasn't a long one, that's why I didn't bother telling anyone to come pick me up. I didn't even tell Lay I was coming back today. She's going to chew my ears out when she sees me but luckily for me she wasn't home when I arrived so I just freshened up and went to sleep. I was really tired. I didn't have to report to the office today since it's the weekend.

"No way!!!" a very loud Lay wakes me up from sleep with a squel. She was practically shaking me awake. (Arghh, someone come take her please)

"How can you come back without telling me" she shouts trying to appear angry. ( You think I'll buy that, haha)

"What if I had someone over?" She asks

"You and i both know that won't be happening any time soon" I say drowsily turning my face the opposite side. I don't want to wake up at all.

"Ouchh, that hurts" she says clutching her chest dramatically before she laughs. The bed creaked and I just know she's up to no good. Two warm hands reach for my face clutching both cheeks she squeezes my face and laughs delightfully.

"Wakey wakey" she sings. (Someone please help me)

"I missed you little sister" she says

"I didn't miss you at all" I grumble and she just laughs.

'I'll let you sleep more then." She says climbing down from the bed with her footsteps sounding farther away. I think she's heading out of the room. (Victory at last)

I wake up hours later and it's already late in the evening. I head to Lay's room and find her working on her laptop on the bed. She seems busy.

"Hey sis.' I say unable to prevent myself from yawning.

"Oo, you're awake" she says sitting up and looking at my way.

"Yh. I'd be sick if I sleep more than I did" I laugh

"So, how was your trip?" She asks removing the glasses she had on.

"Was ok. Though the work there was too demanding" I sigh. I work as an administrative staff for a delivery company, and although my work description does not involve making deliveries, I still handle alot of work in the company. I'm also part of the supervisory team since I work in the headquarters, that's why I was sent on this trip. I went to our different branches to access their performance in the last year. It really wasn't easy. I traveled six states in these two weeks. I was exhausted and I had only the weekend to rest. (Talk about working for a private firm. They practically milk you out)

"Just a few more years and you'll be starting your own. Just hang in there, okay" she says concerned.

"Starting my own means more work Lay" I say laughing. I plan on starting my own company in a few years after I gain alot of work experience in this industry. It has always been my dream and I can't wait for that day to come even though I know it implies more workload, not forever but at least till when am able to stand strong.

"Whatever you say, then" she says giving up.

"And before I forget, Mom wants us at home next weekend. Says they're finally having a little thanksgiving dinner for dad. He's retiring." She says smiling.

" It'll be on Sunday but you know we have to be part of the preparations." She says and I can't help but smile too.

"Wow. That came soon. I can't believe dad's retiring. But am so happy for him" I say all emotional. Dad has worked hard all these years even though he didn't have to. It's not like we lack money but he has always wanted to work.

"I'll take Friday off then so we can go early. I know it'll be fun having everyone around. Is Ben coming? because I really miss the old man alot." I added. Ben is our older brother. The eldest of us three siblings. He was actually named Benedict after our great grand father that's why we nicknamed him 'old man'. (Haha) He works as a security expert with the government so he's hardly around and lives in a different state. We only get to see him a few times a year.

"Yh. He cannot afford to miss this. He's been waiting for dad's retirement for long." She says and we both smile at that. We all have been waiting for it actually but Ben the most. He has tried persuading dad to have an early retirement but dad wouldn't budge. Says he still has enough strength to work which is true but still, doesn't mean he can't retire. Dad has been working as a college professor for a long time. Same college I graduated from. We all know he loves teaching students but then he doesn't really have to work so many hours because of that. When Ben first brought it up, he got angry. But as the years went by I think he realized that we only wanted him to rest and have more time for himself and mom. It's not like he needs the money anyway since he has enough and all his children are financially settled too. I can't wait for next weekend then. I can't wait to see everyone.

"Wait Lay. Why didn't mom just call me. She hasn't called me in a while." I say. Mom usually gives such information through me. So it's surprising she had to do that through Lay. Maybe she just wanted to bug Lay. Probably on another mission to st her up with someone. I grin at the thought of that. I don't mind loosing mom's attention for this. Not like I'd mind loosing it at all.(lol)

"Or have you turned her against me Lay." I continue, trying to look hurt. "Thinking of becoming the favorite kid right. You want to take my place?" I add, trying to sound pitiful. Lay just smirks. She doesn't mind becoming invisible to mom at all.

"You wish. I prefer my peaceful and undisturbed life." She laughs. Being the last born, my mom had always always been on my tail with one thing or the other. I'm the one that gets dragged to shopping and to her friends' parties. I'm also the one she calls to complain to about my dad and siblings. So, it's not something Lay would ever want. She likes her peace.

I grin from ear to ear already thinking of next weekend, untill a phone call shatters my happy mood. I look at the screen conflicted and as I've done all week I press the silent button. There's no way I'm picking that call. I'm not ready to talk to him yet. He has called alot of times since I left, that I'm left wondering why he hasn't gotten tired. I guess I got it all wrong. Now I think I was in over my head with this issue, thinking that staying away will help me forget everything but that doesn't seem to be the case at all because I still remember everything that happened before I left as if it was just yesterday.