It was a bright Friday morning. Through a portable window opposite the sizable bed, the sun left off it's rays on Nora. She didn't need an alarm to get her up on her feet because she had been mindful of today - the day of her parent's remembrance service.
It was the sixth year, yet it still made her heart ache on the thought of it. Shielding her face from nature's 7 o'clock shining light, she laid still, reminiscing. The good old days she had with her other five siblings and her parents; she would give anything to have it back. But death was cruel to her, snatching every bit of happiness she shared in the company of her beloved parents.
Wiping a teardrop from either side of her face, she braced herself. Sitting up and staring out into space through her window, Nora was determined to bring back only the beautiful memories of the past as she would spend three days with all of her siblings and their families.
As the fifth child, she took up the responsibility of cleaning up the family house prior to the arrival of others. Located few miles from her studio apartment, Nora's family house stood majestically like the manor owned by a billionaire. Her parent were of the middle class - not very wealthy, yet not short of money and food.
The burgundy pantiles roofed the perfectly structured storey building. Painted with emulsion almost similar to mud color, the exterior of the house was further beautified by cute shrubs, creating a pathway towards the main door led by a flight of stairs.
There was a garden too with a grown tree to provide shade, having enough space for a set of chairs and a table or for a picnic mat to be spread out on the floor. Nora could feel more tears welling up in her eyes as she stood in front of her parents property.
On getting into the house, the young lady dropped her night bag alongside a fanny pack she wore across her chest. She didn't go through the hassle of packing too much as she would have done previously. Besides, it was only going to be for three days. "One night bag is enough", she agreed while packing two hours ago.
She made it a habit to occasionally stop by the family house to either relish the soothing environ or to let out her sadness. She would always end up doing a quick clean up and protect the furniture from accumulating dust and dirt with the available covers. There wasn't much to do afterall, yet she plunged into work.
She has always been cautious about how days like this went. There was either shortage of food or drinks or the meal could be too peppery, too salty or just bad. Ready for this jinx that was always popping up on this yearly meet-up with the ever busy siblings of hers, Nora made preparations for meals to be cooked.
Toweling her washed hands, she was about making a call to her fourth sibling, Tina, when the middle aged woman knocked on the door.
Shoving a roll of tin foil at Nora, "I have plans to make sandwiches tomorrow after the church service", she said with a mischievous grin.
"Welcome big sis. You made it quite on time", Nora returned the grin with a bear hug to her sister who was three months pregnant.
Her husband, Theo was just unloading their bags from the bunk of a white hummer jeep when he heard the beeping of a scooter. The rider was a lean teenager dressed casually with a yellow helmet on his head.
"Hello uncle", Tim waved at Tina's husband who was four feet away from the black scooter.
"Hello T, good to see you", the older man replied.
"Let me help you with those", Tim offered as he properly parked his scooter which was a birthday gift from his uncle Theo.
"Always a good boy you've been", Theo ran his hands through the hair of the well mannered boy he was fond of as they both made way into the house upfront.
Meanwhile, the two ladies in the house have been chattering about the special recipe for the mind-blowing sandwich they intend to make tomorrow.
It has been hours since the cooking began and it was about time for the rest of Nora's siblings to arrive. The door bell and the oven dinged in unison. Nora reached for the oven while Tim took care of the door. Voices of little children and exchanging of pleasantries came from the spacious sitting room which caused Nora and Tina almost racing down the stairs.
"Brother Mario!", Nora called out in utter surprise mixed with pleasure. "You said you wouldn't come. It's surprising to see you", she made way to the open arms of the bigger person smiling at her.
"Well..., I had a change of plans", Mario replied with a touch of laughter in his voice.
"Aunty Nora!", the voices of children calling made her turn around. They were all her nephews and nieces - all six of them came running to her, foiling her in one big hug. Chuckling, she said, "it's so nice to see all of you".
"Nice to see you too", they replied in unison, causing the adults roaring with laughter.
"Brother Mike and John, welcome", Nora welcomed her twin older brothers.
Their wives weren't left out too as she greeted them all, especially Zara, Mike's wife who was with a five months old. The house was full of people and noises. Everyone was catching up with one person or the other with a glass of cocktail in hand.
"The garden has chairs and a long table. Why don't you all settle down outside while Tina, Tim and I serve the meal?", Nora suggested.
In no time, the house was empty and the garden, filled. Then the dishes were served and everyone had a good fill of their bellies.
With the help of the other women present, Nora cleared the table and while handling the dishes in her capable hands, from the kitchen window, she drowned herself in the happy view of her family. This view was going to stay glued to her, she knew it.