Chapter 8 Chapter 8
Chapter 8 Chapter 8
Sandra POV
Two days later, my phone rang. I was sitting on the couch, lost in my thoughts, when the loud ring almost made me drop the phone. I looked at the screen, and my heart stopped for a second.
It was not a normal call.
It was a FaceTime call.
And the name on the screen… Father.
My hands shook. I blinked my eyes twice, not sure if it was real.
“Oh my God…” I whispered, holding the phone tightly. “He… he is calling me.”
I pressed accept with trembling fingers. The screen lit up, and there he was—my father’s face. His strong jaw, his sharp eyes, the gray hair that had started to appear at the sides.
For a second, I could not speak. My mouth opened, but no words came out. My eyes burned, and I bit my lip hard to stop the tears.
Before I could say anything, his deep voice filled the air.
> Father: “Sandra… my daughter. Do you know how much I missed your face?”
The words hit me hard, straight into my chest. Warmth spread inside me. My heart, which had been so heavy for weeks, suddenly felt light.
He still loved me.
I smiled, and my tears finally rolled down my cheeks.
> Sandra: “Father… I… I missed you too. I didn’t know if you still wanted to see me. I thought you were angry.”
He shook his head quickly.
> Father: “Angry? At you? Never. I was only… sad. Sad because you left without a word. Sad because I thought you forgot your family. But my love for you has never died, Sandra.”
I placed my hand on my mouth, trying not to sob too loud. My heart ached at his words, but at the same time, I felt comfort.
> Sandra: “I thought I lost you, Father. I thought I didn’t deserve to call again.”
> Father: “Don’t be foolish, child. You are my daughter. Nothing in this world can change that.”
I nodded, wiping my tears. I wanted to hug him so badly, but all I could do was hold the phone closer.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice in the background.
> Voice: “Father, who are you talking to? Why are you smiling like that?”
The camera moved a little, and then a face appeared beside my father. My second brother, Daniel. Tall, handsome, with the same sharp eyes as Father.
His eyes widened when he saw me on the screen.
> Daniel: “Wait! Is that… Sandra?”
I laughed softly, covering my mouth.
> Sandra: “Yes, Daniel. It’s me.”
He let out a loud laugh.
> Daniel: “Oh my God! Sandra! Where have you been hiding, little sister?”
Before I could answer, another voice came in.
> Voice: “What’s going on? Who’s shouting?”
The camera shook again, and soon another brother, James, leaned in. Then another, and another. In just a minute, all five of my brothers had crowded around the screen.
> James: “Sandra! You’re alive!”
> Lucas: “We thought you forgot us!”
> Matthew: “You didn’t even call for years! Do you know how much trouble you caused us?”
> Nathan: “But look at you… still as pretty as always.”
They all spoke at once, their voices mixing together. I couldn’t stop laughing through my tears.
> Sandra: “One at a time, please! I can’t hear anything!”
They all laughed, the sound filling the room. For the first time in so long, I felt like I was back home.
> Father: “Calm down, boys. Let her talk.”
The voices lowered, and I smiled.
> Sandra: “I missed all of you. Every single one of you. I thought… maybe you hated me for leaving.”
Daniel shook his head quickly.
> Daniel: “Never! We were angry, yes. We were hurt. But hate? No. You are our sister. No matter what, you are still blood.”
James added with a grin:
> James: “We should punish you for making us worry. But maybe seeing you smile again is enough.”
I wiped my cheeks and nodded.
> Sandra: “Thank you… thank you for not giving up on me.”
The Long Talk
We kept talking. Minutes turned into hours. We talked about my childhood, about silly things we used to do together.
> Lucas: “Do you remember the time you stole Father’s car keys and tried to drive?”
I covered my face with my hand, laughing.
> Sandra: “Oh no… don’t remind me! I was only fifteen!”
> Nathan: “Fifteen and stubborn. You almost crashed into the gate!”
Father chuckled softly.
> Father: “She was always the brave one. Always testing limits.”
I blushed but smiled proudly.
We talked about Mother too. The mood grew quiet for a moment.
> Father: “She would be so happy to see you now, Sandra. She always worried about you the most.”
My throat tightened. I remembered Mother’s soft hands, her sweet smile.
> Sandra: “I miss her every day.”
My brothers lowered their heads, and silence filled the call for a while. But then Daniel spoke again, trying to lighten the mood.
> Daniel: “She would probably scold you for disappearing, then hug you tightly.”
We all laughed softly.
After some time, my brothers started asking questions.
> James: “So… where do you live now?”
> Lucas: “What do you do every day? Are you happy?”
> Nathan: “Do you have friends there?”
They threw question after question. I tried to answer without revealing too much.
> Sandra: “I live in the city. I… I’m fine. I take care of myself. I read, I cook… I try to enjoy simple things.”
> Daniel: “And your husband?”
I froze for a second. My hand tightened on the phone. I didn’t know how to answer.
> Sandra: “He’s… busy. Always busy. But I manage.”
They all looked at me with curious eyes, but I quickly smiled to hide the truth.
> Sandra: “Don’t worry about me. I’m stronger than before.”
Father nodded, his eyes gentle.
> Father: “That’s my daughter. Strong, but still soft at heart.”
Time passed, but none of us wanted to hang up. It felt like healing. Every word they spoke filled the empty space in my heart. Every laugh brought back pieces of the girl I used to be.
> Sandra: “I can’t believe we’re really talking like this again.”
> Daniel: “Believe it, little sister. We’re not letting you disappear again.”
> James: “You belong with us, no matter where you live.”
> Father: “Sandra, remember
this: you are never alone. You will always have a place in our hearts.”
I pressed the phone against my chest, holding back more tears.
For the first time in years, I felt like I was truly home—even if it was only through a screen.