The day of hell is finally over. I walk at a snail's pace from the train station back to the flat, cursing the day. I had 36 hours to turn around 6 manuscripts. Death by reading if there was ever such a thing. The moment I reach the door, the unmistakable scent of pasta lingers in the air.

Since I moved out, mom makes a point of coming to the flat at least once a week and bring with her enough food to feed an army. I can't remember when was the last time I've seen the back of the freezer. Not only that, but mom is now in the habit of not only feeding her daughter but also her adopted son, George, who is more eager for visit day than I am.

I open the door and walk to the kitchen where I know I will find mom cooking her spaghetti Bolognese for dinner. Her smile when she sees me takes away all the hurdles of the day. At the table sits an eager beaver looking at the spaghetti in the stove like he has not seen food for months.

"Nat! You arrived!" My mom greets me.

George looks up. "Finally! I'm starving!"

I set down my bag and walk over to mom to give her a small hug. "Hey, mom." I look at George and put my tongue out. "And you... You're eating with us because she has a soft heart." I point at mom. "And I put up with you because you live here."

"And I put up with you because you live here..." George mocks me and gets up with his plate. "She's here. Let's eat." And runs towards the pot.

My mom laughs. "Poor thing can't even catch a breath."

I laugh with her while seeing George piling up food on his plate before covering it with grated cheese.

"How was your day?" Mom asks me.

I take some food to my plate. "Horrible, to be honest. This week has just been really horrible."

"Tomorrow we're still on, right?" George says while shoving food into his mouth.

My mom smacks him softly. "Where are you manners?" George shrugs in response and my mom laughs. "What plans are these?"

"We're going to this new club in Angel." George responds.

I groan. I hate clubbing. Except that one time. On my birthday...

"I don't know... not really in the mood." I mumble and twirl my fork around the plate.

My mom puts a spoon next to me in a gentle nod to use the spoon to assist with my task. "Why are you not in the mood?"

I shrug. "Just tired..."

"Bullshit."

Mom smacks George again. "Manners!"

I snort with laughter and some of the spaghetti flies from my mouth.

"Not you too!" Mom admonishes me.

Both George and I laugh uncontrollably. Being an only child, I never been privy to the pleasures of having a sibling. George himself is also an only child. We both have developed a platonic sibling relationship that has transferred to our interactions, either through constant bickering, moments of vulnerability and unwavering support, but also more recently through our interaction with our parents. My mom with George and me with his dad.

"Why are you not in the mood to go out?" Mom repeats the question.

I look up at my mom. "No reason. Just tired." and look down again at my half eaten plate of food.

"You are such a liar!" George rebuts. "She's like this since that email."

I open my eyes at him. George!

"What email?" Mom asks immediately.

"It's nothing..." I look pointedly at George in an attempt to hint at him to shut it.

But, as a good fake brother...

"The email she got from Daniel."

Mom's head turns immediately. I go back to staring at my plate, but I can feel both of them observing my every move.

"He sent you an email? Saying what?" the eagerness in my mother's voice is as translucent as the air.

"That he wants to plan a party for Emily together with her..." George responds for me.

I lift my eyes and stare angrily at George. "Do you mind? Can I have some privacy?" I say, irritated.

"No, you cannot." He responds. "Especially since you've been sulking from the moment you've received the email. Not to mention you haven't even replied to it. Even if it's to say he can sod off!" George counter-argues.

"George!" my mother admonishes him for the third time. She stares at me and pats my hand softly. "You should respond to the email. Not to tell him to sod off..." She glares at George momentarily before focusing back on me. "But because it's the polite thing to do. And you are nothing but polite. Even if it's politely refusing his offer. Emily wouldn't be upset and you know this."

I nod. "I just need to gather my thoughts. That's all." I sulk in my own thoughts. His email has been the only thing on my mind lately.

I'm so immersed in my wallowing that I neglect to notice that George has left the table and is washing the dishes. My mother, on the other hand, has her eyes firmly on me.

"Do you want to talk?" she asks me softly. "Or a shoulder to cry on?"

I smile. "George already offered if I would like to take it out on a punching bag with his face on it. Thanks, mom." I take a sip of water. "I just don't know what to say..."

"Do you want to organise the party with him?"

I sigh. "I would like to do something for Emily. And, it's a good idea. But, the thought of organising with him means reliving things I don't want to..."

"Or re-connecting with someone you're scared may still have a hold in your heart..."

Her words are true. I'm not scared he may have a hold. I know he still has. Although he has moved on. I haven't. And I'm scared as shit that re-connecting will only deepen his claws in my already frail heart.

"Or maybe re-connecting will help you close the chapter once and for all. Your last interaction... didn't really allow for closure..."

"He called it a break-up, and he meant it." I rebut while sinking my face into my hands.

Mom rubs my back. "It allowed him the closure he needed. Perhaps. Not for you. Maybe this is the opportunity you need. To move past it. Because honey, it's clear as day, you haven't."

The sound of plates banging draws mom's attention to George.

"This boy will break all the dinnerware in this house at this rate. Let me help him."

Mom gets up, leaving me to ponder her words. Closure. He got closure, but I didn't. I decide that she's right and I need to provide the perfect opportunity for closure.

I grab my phone and open my email. I re-read his email once again. His words timed perfectly for a casual deliverance.

I type a response,

"Hey, Daniel. I'm doing well and hope you are well too. I will arrive two weeks before the wedding to help Emily with last-minute preparations. I think your idea is great and would love to help but would like to request the party take place somewhere else other than your place. I hope you understand. Speak soon, Natalie."

I re-read my message and hit send before I doubt myself. I set the phone down and look amusedly at mom showing George how to hold a wet plate so he doesn't drop it.

"Hey, when are you going to Newcastle next?" I ask George.

"Next month. Want to come?" He responds while grabbing another wet plate from my mother's hands, ignoring completely her previous instructions.

"Yeah, was thinking maybe we could also take my mom. It's about time our parents meet since they have joint custody and all." I chortle.

My phone lights up with a notification. An email. I look at it. Can't be... can it?

"I would love to go. Never been to Newcastle." my mom responds in the background while my eyes remain glued to the electronic device. 

I slide the notification to open it, and his name appears.

"Okay, so let's go next month, the three of us. I'll tell dad to prepare the guest rooms."

"Oh no, I couldn't impose. We'll stay in an Airbnb or something..." my mom turns to me and sees my face staring at the screen. "Nat?"

"Huh?" I look up for the first time.

"Are you okay?" mom asks.

"He replied." I mumble.

"He replied? Wait, did you reply?" George asks.

I nod and stare at the unopened email.

"Oh, here we go again... Are you going to read it or should I?" George asks amusedly.

"Honey?" Mom's voice is laced with concern.

I take a deep breath and open the email. I look at both of them hesitantly but can see they are both on the edge of their seats with anticipation.

"I can't tell you how relieved I am that you replied." I read aloud. "Of course we can have it anywhere else. I'm just happy you have agreed to it in the first place. Do you still have the same number? Would it be okay if I were to message you there so we can start planning? Daniel."

I sigh. Yes, my number is the same. It hasn't changed, Daniel. Although you ignored it completely.

I look up. My mom has a big smile on her face.

"What?" I ask her.

She turns around back to the sink. "Nothing." she sings.

I huff. Of course she's making stories in her head.

"So..." George looks at me expectantly. "What are you going to reply?"

I bite my nails nervously and look down at the screen. "Same number. Text whenever you want." I quickly type and hit send.

George hears the whooshing sound. "You've replied? What did you reply?"

I get up and smirk. "None of your business."

George rolls his eyes and turns back around to help my mom. My phone buzzes in my hand. I open my WhatsApp and a message from an unknown number appears.

"Hey, Kleiner."

You wanted closure, Nat. Well, here it is. Now or never.