066: A Phone Call Away 3

As soon as Aliyah's face lit up with excitement, her expression shifted, a shadow of disappointment crossing her features. She turned to Sophia, the weight of realization heavy in her eyes, and asked, "Am I a bad person for not being able to visit my sister in the past decade, not even once?"

Sophia paused, sensing Aliyah's inner turmoil. "If you say it out loud like that, it sounds bad," she acknowledged gently. "But you shouldn't beat yourself up too much over it."

She leaned in even more closer, her voice soft and reassuring. "It's not too late to adjust your ways, starting from this coming Christmas holiday," Sophia suggested. "All you need to do is start visiting her, even if it's just once every three years."

Sophia continued, her tone encouraging. "I'm very sure your sister isn't mad at you. She would be more than delighted to have you over." She observed Aliyah's demeanor thoughtfully. "Even from your attitude, I can tell you're very much concerned about your relationship with your sister. I'm sure she sees that too."

She reached out, placing a comforting hand on Aliyah's shoulder. "Your sister already knows that you care. All you need to do is remind her by visiting every once in a while. That's all," Sophia reassured her, her gaze steady and supportive.

Aliyah nodded slowly, her features softening with relief. "Thank you, Sophia. You're right," she admitted, a sense of determination flickering in her eyes. "I'll make sure to prioritize spending more time with my sister, starting from this Christmas."

Sophia smiled warmly, glad to see Aliyah finding solace in their conversation. "That's just the best. And I'm very sure your sister will appreciate the effort."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Aliyah nodded, gratitude evident in her expression. "Thank you, Sophia. You've given me a lot to think about," she said sincerely, feeling lighter with the weight of guilt lifted from her shoulders.

Aliyah's curiosity sparked as she asked, "Do you have siblings of your own?"

Sophia's smile widened. "Yes, I do," she replied warmly, eager to share. "In fact, I have two siblings. Their names are Elijah and Debra."

She elaborated, "Debra just started college this year. She's a freshman, diving into the world of higher education." Sophia's eyes lit up with pride as she spoke about her sister's new journey. "And Elijah," she continued, her tone shifting slightly, "he's in the military. He's a Marine, and he's currently deployed in Vietnam."

Aliyah's eyes widened in amazement at the revelation. "Wow, that's quite impressive," she remarked, clearly taken aback by Sophia's family situation. "You must be really close with your siblings," Aliyah observed, noting Sophia's animated demeanor when discussing them.

Sophia nodded, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Yes, we're actually very close," she confirmed. "I even spoke with Debra just last night. We had a video call for over an hour."

"Really?" Aliyah exclaimed, impressed by their bond. "That must be really nice."

Sophia nodded enthusiastically. "It is," she agreed wholeheartedly, feeling grateful for the opportunity to stay connected despite the distance.

Aliyah's curiosity piqued further. "When was the last time you spoke to your brother?" she inquired, struggling to recall his name.

Sophia chuckled softly. "His name is Elijah," she reminded Aliyah, a fondness evident in her tone. "And I spoke to him about two weeks ago."

She explained, "We have restricted communication times, given his military duties. Our next scheduled communication is in two days, and I'm really looking forward to it." A spark of excitement danced in Sophia's eyes as she imagined their upcoming conversation. "I can't wait to tell him I'm in Africa now. It'll be such a surprise!"

Aliyah nodded in understanding, her interest piqued by Sophia's family dynamics. "I'm sure he'll be thrilled to hear from you," she remarked, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "It sounds like you have a really close-knit family."

Sophia smiled gratefully, touched by Aliyah's understanding. "Yes, we do," she agreed, feeling a sense of comfort in sharing this part of her life with her newfound friend. "And I'm incredibly grateful for that."

As Sophia and Aliyah continued their discussion, Sophia felt a vibration in her pocket. Retrieving her phone, she saw her mom's name flashing on the screen. She apologized to Aliyah and excused herself, stepping into the room's passage to answer the call.

However, before she could pick up, the call rang out. Sophia immediately dialed her mom's number, and on the first ring, Abigail's voice came through the phone, warm and familiar. "Hello, Sophia. How are you? How's Kourtney? And how's the trip been so far? Tell me all about it."

Sophia smiled at the sound of her mother's voice, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her despite the distance. "Hi, Mom," she replied affectionately. "We're both okay, and the trip is going well. Better than expected, actually."

Abigail's tone was filled with maternal concern. "That's good to hear, dear. I've been worried about you two since you left."

Sophia's heart warmed at her mother's concern. "We're fine, Mom, really," she reassured her. "Everything's been smooth so far."

Abigail sighed with relief. "I'm glad to hear that. And how's Richard? Is he with you?"

Sophia's expression faltered momentarily as she responded, "No, Mom, he's not here at the moment. But he's doing well. He's now in possession of the artifact we came for."

Abigail's curiosity peaked. "Oh, that's wonderful news! I'd love to speak with him and congratulate him."

Sophia felt a pang of guilt knowing that Richard's absence was necessary for his mission's success. "I'm sorry, Mom," she apologized. "He's not around right now. But I'll make sure to pass on your congratulations when I see him."

Abigail's voice softened with understanding. "It's okay, dear. Just make sure to tell him I called and asked for him."

Sophia nodded, her heart swelling with love for her mother. "I will, Mom. I promise."

Abigail then let out a sigh, "I'm glad to hear that," she said before her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "But, there's something I need to tell you. One of the craziest things happened today."

Sophia's brows furrowed in concern. "What happened, Mom?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and apprehension.