Chapter 91: The Missing Pieces

After returning from the city park, I invited Kevan and his parents to stop by my house. Mr. Aditya’s offer to eat at a restaurant near the park was voiced, but I politely declined right away. Besides the fact that I was not very hungry, there was another reason that was far more important.

I wanted them to taste my grandmother’s cooking.

There was a small pride I wanted to show, something simple, yet deeply meaningful to me.

As soon as we arrived, the aroma of food immediately greeted us from the kitchen. Grandma looked busy, while Grandpa sat relaxed in the dining room, as if acting as a faithful supervisor. Grandma’s face looked slightly tense as the dishes began to be served. I knew she always hoped her cooking would be liked by the guests.

“What do you think?” I asked as soon as they started tasting the food. I smiled broadly, almost unable to hide my confidence. “My grandmother’s cooking is not inferior to food from fancy restaurants, right?”

Mr. Aditya chewed slowly, then nodded firmly. “It’s very delicious, Frel. Honestly, restaurant food is still far behind,” he said while giving a thumbs-up.

Without hesitation, he put another big spoonful of food into his mouth.

Grandma’s face instantly lit up. Her eyes narrowed happily, as if the praise was the most precious gift today.

“Yes, that’s true,” Mrs. Viona added. She leaned her body slightly forward, observing the dishes with great interest. “The taste is a bit different from what I usually eat.”

She took two empty bowls and poured each dish without rice. With slow movements, Mrs. Viona tasted them alternately, as if she truly wanted to recognize the flavor in every spoonful.

“The broth tastes fresher,” she said afterward. “The seasoning seeps all the way into the meat. The meat is very tender too, it just melts on the tongue. What’s the secret, Grandma? I’m amazed the flavors can be this balanced.”

Grandma nodded while clasping both hands in front of her chest. A faint smile never left her face, looking very flattered.

“Ah, you’re praising Grandma too much,” Grandma said, even though her tone clearly did not mind. “Grandma is getting embarrassed. But that’s what people say. Many say Grandma’s cooking is always delicious and savory. Some even suggested that Grandma open a cooking class here.”

I scoffed softly, unable to resist teasing. “Don’t believe it completely, Mrs. Viona. The one who says that is only Mr. Mamat, and that’s because he often gets free meals here.”

Smack.

A dry spoon landed squarely on my arm.

“Ouch! Grandma, that hurts!” I complained while rubbing my reddening arm.

I jolted and grimaced in pain while Grandma glared at me with bulging eyes.

As usual, she grabbed whatever was within her reach when she wanted to teach me a lesson, as long as it was not dangerous.

Once, I had been hit with a plastic basin after I turned Grandma’s flour into a toy and scattered it all over the floor. Another time, she threw a sandal at me when she found out I had hidden her dentures on top of the cupboard, all because of my mischievous behavior whenever I was at home. In the end, the only one who could make peace between us was Grandpa, who could always coax Grandma with his deadly tricks.

But this time it felt unfair. I was only telling the truth.

Seeing that I was still wincing, Kevan immediately moved closer. He carefully took my hand and gently rubbed my arm. His touch was soft, full of concern.

“Are you okay?” he asked worriedly. “Does it still hurt?”

I immediately put on the most pitiful face I could manage, nodding coyly in front of him. A bit exaggerated, deliberately wanting to gain sympathy.

“Just let it be, Kevan,” Grandma replied casually. “That’s already normal.”

“Yeah,” I muttered softly, “I’m used to being abused.” I muttered unconsciously.

Kevan chuckled softly, looking at me with an amused gaze.

“Grandma heard that,” Grandma said sharply. “Do you want another one?”

I immediately shook my head quickly, my lips pressed tightly together.

“That’s enough, my wife. Frel is just joking. Don’t hit your beloved grandchild again, or she might really cry,” Grandpa defended me while chuckling, trying to lighten the mood.

I immediately took advantage of the opportunity.

“That’s right, Grandpa. Grandma is really mean. Look at this, my arm is almost broken!” I began to act dramatically, pretending to sob and leaning toward Kevan, hoping he would hold me.

However, before that plan could succeed, Mr. Aditya stood up from his chair instead. He approached me and spread his arms wide.

“Oh, how pitiful. Come here, let me hug you,” Mr. Aditya said in a playful tone.

I shook my head vigorously. “I don’t want to. I want to be hugged by Kevan.”

Mr. Aditya laughed. “It’s the same. My hug is warm too. Come here.”

“I don’t want to, no matter what.”

“You have to, no matter what.”

“No.”

“You have to.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You have to want to.”

Our silly debate only stopped when laughter suddenly filled the dining room. The laughter came from all directions. Mr. Aditya and I fell silent for a moment, looked at each other, and then both of us burst into laughter, laughing at our childish behavior.

In the end, I let Mr. Aditya hug me. He kissed the top of my head sincerely, a gesture that felt very unfamiliar yet comforting. Not long after, Mrs. Viona and Kevan also moved closer, wrapping us in one big hug.

The hug became warmer, livelier, and somehow felt very safe.

Grandma and Grandpa smiled happily as well, although I briefly saw Grandma shed tears for me.

My mind suddenly drifted.

Is this what it feels like to have a complete family? Is this what it feels like to be embraced by figures who are supposed to protect us since childhood?

If this is how it is, may I hope to always be a part of their lives?

The overwhelming emotion tightening my chest made my eyes burn. All this time, I had always tried to appear strong despite growing up in hidden loneliness. But among them, I felt that I had found the missing piece.

Without them realizing it, my tears fell. I buried my face deeper into Mr. Aditya’s shoulder, hugging him tighter as if afraid this warmth would disappear if I let go.

Kevan’s parents were truly kind. They did not show even the slightest awkwardness being in our small house. On the contrary, they easily chatted and laughed with Grandpa and Grandma, as if they had known each other for a long time.

Today’s togetherness was firmly etched in my memory. With Mr. Aditya and Mrs. Viona, I felt something new, something I had only ever dared to dream of.

A family I had secretly always longed for. As if I had found a new family with them, a family that was harmonious, full of warmth, and sincere love from a pair of parents to their child.

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