Lala had always been the quiet one in the family. Growing up, she preferred to stay behind the scenes, avoiding attention and hiding her true feelings beneath layers of calm and composure. She was known for her gentle smile, her steady demeanor, and her unwavering patience. But when her sister Thuy announced she was coming to visit after three long years apart, something inside Lala shifted in a way she hadn’t anticipated.
The news came on a rainy afternoon. Lala was folding laundry in the small, sunlit room that doubled as her workspace. The phone rang, and the voice on the other end was unmistakably Thuy’s — warm, excited, and unmistakably her sister’s. “Lala! I’m coming home next week! I can’t wait to see you!” she exclaimed. Lala’s heart fluttered unexpectedly. She smiled quietly to herself, a hint of nervousness creeping in.
For all their childhood closeness, the past few years had seen a widening distance between them. Thuy had moved to the city to study and then work, chasing dreams that seemed worlds away from Lala’s simpler life. They had called and messaged often, but the reality of a reunion after such a long time felt different — heavier, more uncertain.
As the day of Thuy’s arrival approached, Lala found herself restless. She cleaned the house meticulously, prepared meals she hoped her sister would like, and even bought a new dress she hadn’t worn in years. But beneath all this, she wrestled with feelings she had tried to suppress — longing, guilt, hope, and even fear. Would Thuy still care for her as she used to? Would they be the same sisters who shared secrets under the mango tree and stayed up late talking about their dreams?
When the morning finally arrived, the sky was clear and bright. Lala stood by the gate, her heart pounding as she heard the familiar footsteps on the gravel path. Then, she saw her — Thuy, with her wide smile and bright eyes, carrying a suitcase and a bouquet of wildflowers
Without thinking, Lala’s composure cracked. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she rushed forward to hug her sister tightly. “Thuy,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I missed you so much.”
Thuy held her just as tightly, as if making up for the lost years in that one embrace. “I missed you too, Lala,” she said softly.
For a moment, time stood still. The years apart seemed to melt away in the warmth of their reunion.
Inside the house, Lala’s emotions bubbled over in unexpected ways. As they sat down for lunch, memories of their childhood flooded back — the laughter, the fights, the dreams they once shared. Lala found herself laughing freely, a sound that felt strange and wonderful. But then, without warning, she grew quiet, her eyes glistening again.
Thuy noticed immediately. “Are you okay?” she asked gently.
Lala nodded but couldn’t speak. The truth was, she was overwhelmed. She had missed her sister more than she realized, and the emotions she had kept locked away were now pouring out uncontrollably.
That evening, as they sat watching the sunset from the porch, Lala finally opened up. She talked about the struggles she had faced — the loneliness, the hard days when she felt invisible, the moments she wished her sister was there. Thuy listened intently, her hand reaching out to hold Lala’s.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” Thuy said quietly. “But I’m here now. And I want to make up for all the time we lost.”
Lala smiled through her tears. “That means everything to me.”
Over the next few days, their bond grew stronger. They cooked together, shared stories late into the night, and even planned a trip to the old places they loved. Lala realized that emotions she thought she’d buried deep could still bloom again, given the right moment and the right person.
When it was finally time for Thuy to leave, Lala’s heart ached. But this time, the tears were different — filled with hope and the promise of a renewed sisterhood.
As Thuy waved goodbye, she turned back and called, “I’ll be back soon, Lala. This is just the beginning.”
Lala watched her sister disappear down the road, a bittersweet smile on her face. She felt lighter, freer, and more connected than she had in years.
She whispered to the wind, “Thank you for bringing you back to me.”
And in that moment, Lala knew she would never hide her emotions again — because some feelings were too precious to keep inside.
