After a brief chat with Hendrick, I boarded the train and settled in for the four-hour ride to my hometown. By the time I arrived, it was already night, but I managed to catch the last bus heading to my village. Once I got off, I had a pleasant fifteen-minute walk ahead of me to reach my old house.

The night air was refreshing as I strolled along the dimly lit path. Despite the darkness, I felt safe knowing the crime rate here was virtually nonexistent. The full moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft orange glow over everything, while the cool breeze rustled through the leaves and the symphony of insects filled the air.

When I finally reached the cottage, I felt a rush of nostalgia. The small wooden house with its sprawling front and backyard, where Mom grew all sorts of vegetables and flowers, felt as welcoming as ever. I opened the low wooden gate, the bell above it jingling softly, and made my way to the front door, which was unlocked.

Stepping inside, I was greeted by the cozy living room. It was a small space, with a set of sofas facing the fireplace and walls adorned with framed photos and newspaper clippings. Each frame captured a piece of my life—from childhood moments to my graduation, my wedding, and articles celebrating my achievements. Seeing them all displayed so lovingly brought tears to my eyes; it was a powerful reminder of how much my mom cared for me.

Just then, a middle aged woman appeared, a dust cloth slung over her shoulder. Her eyes widened in surprise, and a broad smile spread across her face. “Oh my goodness, is that you, my little Livy?”

She came closer and hugged me tightly. No matter how old I got, I would always be her little girl. I hugged her back, breathing in the familiar jasmine scent that always reminded me of home. Mom loved to put jasmine flowers on her bed to sleep with.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming today! I would have cooked more if I knew,” she said, guiding me to sit at the dining table.

“I wanted to surprise you,” I replied with a big smile.

As she prepared hot chocolate, she asked, “So, Garet couldn’t come with you? That’s too bad, I miss him.”

“No, he’s busy,” I said.

“You two aren’t fighting, are you?”

“No, Mom. Don’t worry,” I assured her with another forced smile.

“How long are you staying?”

“Three days,” I answered.

“You should stay longer, maybe a week.”

“I can’t, Mom. Those poor patients would cry if I didn’t give them anesthesia during their surgeries,” I joked, trying to keep things light.

We chatted as she handed me the hot chocolate, and then Mom helped me carry my bags to my old room. It was just as I had left it, a time capsule of my teenage years. Everything was still in place, and the sense of nostalgia was overwhelming. Photos of me and Mom when we were younger brought a wave of gratitude for the bond we shared.

I laid on my bed, which wasn’t as soft as the one in the city but still felt comforting. Closing my eyes, I let memories of my friends and family wash over me, filling me with joy and a sense of belonging.

However, my phone buzzed. It was Garet. I didn't want to talk to him and ignored his calls, putting my phone on do-not-disturb mode.

The next morning, I woke up early, feeling the chill in the air because I hadn’t used a blanket. I opened the window and looked out at the sky. My room faced east, giving me a perfect view of the sunrise. Watching the sunrise used to be my favorite way to start the day before school, and now I got to relive that moment. The sky transformed from dark to red, then orange, pink, and purple before finally turning blue. Those few minutes of serenity were magical.

I went downstairs to find Mom already up, busy in the kitchen like she always was.

“Hi, Mom. Need help?” I asked, pouring myself a glass of water.

“No, this kitchen is too small for the two of us,” she said with a warm smile.

“I’ll take care of the garden, then,” I replied, smiling back.

Mom’s garden was her pride and joy. In the backyard, she had tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, pumpkins, and cucumbers. The front yard was a vibrant display of jasmine, roses, petunias, and many other flowers I couldn’t name. Everything flourished under her careful attention.

I spent too much time in the hospital, surrounded by the sterile white of operating rooms, the smell of chemicals, medicines, blood, and disinfectants. It felt refreshing to be outside, surrounded by the vibrant colors of nature, listening to birds chirping and water flowing, and breathing in the scents of flowers, fresh water, and soil.

I smiled as I watched the drizzle of water on the plants’ leaves. After watering the garden and harvesting some vegetables, I joined my mom in the dining room, savoring the warm pumpkin and mushroom soup she had made. She also prepared mashed potatoes and hot milk for me.

“You need to eat more, look at how thin you are now!” she exclaimed, placing more food in front of me.

“Calm down, Mom. I’m full. You’re the one who needs more nutrition. I brought supplements for you,” I said, trying to reassure her.

“Nonsense, I’m fitter than you. I’d bet on it,” she retorted with a grin.

Our playful banter continued until we finished our meal. I washed the dishes while she went out to run some errands. It was only 8 o’clock, and I wasn’t sure what to do next. The air was still cold, and a bath sounded freezing, so I decided to take a nap.

I was awakened by the sound of people chatting. The sunlight streaming into my room told me it was already noon, and the warmth had increased. I got up and stretched, feeling rested and ready to face the day.

I checked the clock on my phone; it was 11:30. At that moment, I noticed several missed calls from Garet. I opened the notifications and saw his message. Around 11, he said he was near my mom’s house and would arrive in 15 minutes. I frowned. Was it him talking to my mom now?

Quickly, I got out of bed and walked downstairs. Sure enough, there he was, smiling and chatting with Mom in the living room.

“Livy, you said he wasn’t coming!” Mom exclaimed when she saw me, her voice filled with joy.

I forced a smile and approached them. “Well, that’s what he told me. Isn’t that right, Garet?”

“Yeah, I managed to reschedule a meeting, so I can stay here for the weekend,” he explained.

“It doesn’t matter. You two are here now, and I’m so happy! I’ll make you a pie. Garet, you should rest up after driving for so many hours this morning,” Mom said warmly.

“You drove all the way here?” I asked, a bit incredulous.

“Yes, that’s my car outside.” He pointed out the window. I wanted to ask about Jane but hesitated because Mom was there.

Once we were in my room, I finally asked him about her. “How’s Jane?”

“She’s okay now,” he replied.

I didn’t press for more details and quickly grabbed a towel, heading to the bathroom. As I was about to leave, he suddenly called out, “Livy.”

I paused, turning to look at him. “What is it, Garet?”

“I’m really trying here,” he said, his voice soft and earnest. “I know things have been rough between us, but I want to make things right.”

I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and hope. “We’ll see, Garet. Actions speak louder than words.”

With that, I went to the bathroom, letting the hot water wash away my thoughts. I needed time to clear my head and figure out my next steps.

When I returned, Garet was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He looked so different from the confident man I had married. There was a vulnerability in his eyes that made my heart ache.

“Do you want to talk?” he asked.

“Not now,” I replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Let’s just enjoy the weekend with Mom.”

He nodded, seeming to understand. We spent the rest of the day helping Mom around the house and enjoying her delicious cooking. It felt almost normal, like we were a family again. But the underlying tension between us was hard to ignore.

Later that evening, after Mom had gone to bed, Garet and I sat on the porch, watching the stars. The silence was comfortable, yet charged with unspoken words.

“Do you remember our first date?” he asked suddenly.

I smiled, remembering the awkwardness and excitement of that night. “Yeah, you took me to that fancy restaurant, and I spilled wine all over my dress.”

“And I thought it was the cutest thing ever,” he said, laughing softly. “I knew then that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Garet...” I started, unsure of what to say.

“I know, Livy. I’ve made mistakes. Big ones. But I’m here now, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to fix things,” he said, his voice filled with determination.

I looked at him, searching for sincerity in his eyes. “It’s going to take more than just words, Garet.”

“I know,” he replied, reaching for my hand. “But I’m ready to put in the work, if you’ll let me.”

I squeezed his hand, feeling a glimmer of hope. “One step at a time.”

We sat in silence, the cool night air wrapping around us. The familiar comfort of his presence was still there, but so were the wounds that needed healing. For now, it was enough to simply be together, under the vast, forgiving sky.

As the night wore on, I felt a small flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we could find our way back to each other. But it would take patience, understanding, and a lot of effort. I was willing to take it one day at a time.

Maybe it was the pure air of the village, away from the pollution and toxicity. My feeling became so peaceful, and I softened. We slept together that night, but not doing any sexual interaction, just cuddling.

The next day, I woke up alone at around 7 am. I wondered if Garet was downstairs, so I went down. It turned out to be true. He was sitting on the sofa, watching TV leisurely with Mom.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” Mom teased when she saw me. “Did you have a good sleep?”

“Yeah, it was great,” I replied. “What’s the plan for today?”

“Well, I was thinking we could visit the local market after breakfast. It’s been a while since you’ve been home, and I’m sure you’ll love to see what’s changed,” she suggested.

“That sounds perfect,” I agreed, feeling excited about spending the day with her.

“Can I come, too?” Garet asked.

“Of course.” Mom was overjoyed.

We headed to the market, and I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. The familiar sights, sounds, and smells brought back so many memories. We wandered through the stalls, picking out fresh produce and chatting with the vendors. Everyone seemed to know my mom, and they greeted us warmly.

Later, back at home, we spent the afternoon cooking together. We made a delicious vegetable stew with the ingredients we had bought at the market. As the aroma filled the house, I realized how much I had missed this—the comfort of home-cooked meals and the warmth of my mom’s presence.

As evening approached, we sat on the porch, watching the sunset. The sky was a beautiful blend of oranges and pinks, and the air was cool and crisp. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for this time with my mom and the opportunity to reconnect with my roots.

“Thank you for everything, Mom,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence.

She smiled and squeezed my hand. “I’m just glad you’re here, Livy.”

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. This trip had been exactly what I needed to recharge and gain perspective. No matter what challenges awaited me back in the city, I knew I could face them with the strength and love I found here.

Around 9 PM, Mom felt sleepy and went to her room, so I did the same. Garet, however, decided to stay up and enjoy the night a bit longer.

I laid on the bed, checking my phone and replying to some messages, including one from Roxanne. I told her Garet had come over and we’d spent the day together.

I heard footsteps approaching. Garet walked into the room without saying a word, and neither did I. Then he looked at me with a strange smile.

“What?” I asked.

“Don’t you want to grant your mom’s wish?” he replied.

“Mom’s wish?”

“Yeah, giving her a grandchild.”

There was an awkward pause. I wasn’t prepared for this question and froze. Despite having a good time here, I still held a big grudge against him and didn’t fully trust him yet.

Without warning, he quickly held me tight and tried to kiss me. Part of me wanted to resist, but the other half didn’t. We hadn’t touched each other in months, and although my feelings for him had changed a lot, my body was still touch-starved.

Eventually, I gave in, and we had sex that night. It was really good.

***

Monday came, the last day of our stay at Mom’s house, and I wanted to make the most of it. Since Garet had brought his car, I suggested we visit the nearby waterfall and hot spring. Everyone agreed, so after a hearty breakfast, we set off in the morning.

Although it wasn’t far, the road was bumpy and narrow, so the car had to move slowly. We arrived an hour later.

The hot spring was nestled at the base of a hill, and if you hiked for 15 minutes, you’d find a beautiful waterfall. My mom and I used to come here every weekend back in the day.

“I’ll just enjoy soaking in the hot spring here. You two can go up if you want to,” Mom said.

“Alright, I wanna see the great waterfall,” Garet, who had never been here, replied.

So, I accompanied him up the hill. It was an easy trail with stairs and everything. We didn’t talk much during the hike; I was still embarrassed about last night. We were married, but since we’d been so distant, having sex with him felt like being with a stranger. Enjoyable, but awkward.

“Still far?” he asked as we walked.

“Nope, that’s the gate over there.” I pointed ahead.

When we arrived, there weren’t many visitors, probably because it was still morning. I sat on the edge of a big rock and dipped my feet into the water. Garet seemed in awe and took lots of pictures of the waterfall. Then he asked me to stand up so he could take a picture of me with the waterfall in the background. I was in a good mood, so I agreed and struck several poses.

Finally, we took some pictures together, smiling and doing silly poses like a newlywed couple on their honeymoon.

After we’d had our fill of the waterfall, we headed back down to the hot spring. Mom was still enjoying her soak, so I joined her. The sauna and hot spring made me feel completely relaxed, especially since I got to chat and catch up with Mom.

We then had lunch at the hot spring’s restaurant.

“You guys are heading back today?” Mom asked, taking a sip of her chamomile tea.

“Yeah, today, Mom,” I said, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving her.

“I wish you could stay longer.”

“I wish we could too. Everything here feels so much better.”

“Well, that’s why I have no intention of moving to the city,” Mom replied with a smile.

“It’s okay. We’ll come back next month,” Garet chimed in.

I smiled, but inside, I couldn’t shake a deep sense of sadness, as if this might be the last time I’d see Mom.