Esma hugged her son for a long time and cried to her heart’s content. She kissed his face and forehead, not believing he had finally come home. They finally separated.

"Mom, I am sorry it took me so long to return," Yurian was apologetic as he wiped the tears from his mother’s cheeks.

"I thought you would never come my handsome boy, I love you so much," she didn’t want to let go of him in case he would disappear soon. She hugged him again and cried some more.

"He is not going anywhere Esma, and we have another guest. Let’s greet her too," her husband diverted her attention to Aselia who was quietly watching them with an emotional smile.

She glanced in Aselia’s direction and also gasped at the uncanny resemblance she held with her deceased daughter. She beamed at Aselia who awkwardly returned it.

"Oh! I am so sorry. I got carried away, come, my child," Aselia stepped closer to her and she embraced the elven girl.

"It’s alright ma’am, nice to meet you," Aselia replied as she hugged the petite woman.

"Call me Esma my dear and you are beautiful," she affectionately touched Aselia’s face, making her wonder if that would have been how her parents would greet her if they were alive. Thinking back she couldn’t recall how they had died, she just remembered she was an orphan. That part of her memory was gone too and she made a mental note to ask Yurian about it.

"Thank you, Esma. You, people are so kind to offer me a place to live," Aselia gave them both an appreciative look.

"It’s nothing, we are overjoyed to have you. Son, why don’t you show her the room and freshen up? Your father and I will set the table so we can have late lunch," Yurian nodded and guided Aselia towards a room at the far end with a green door.

Opening it they entered a well-lit room with a single bed in the corner with a window that showed the view of the river that snaked its way about a hundred yards away from the house.

A dressing table and a wooden chair were neatly arranged in one corner. While a cupboard was situated near the bathroom door. Aselia observed all the furniture had been painted a teal shade. A floral wallpaper covered the walls with green vines and multi-coloured flowers on them.

The whole room had such vibrant shades to it, revealing that a lively person had decorated it. And Aselia wondered if it belonged to his sister. As if to answer her question, Yurian softly spoke up from behind her:

"It belonged to Rasia," the forlorn look in his eyes told Aselia how much he was hurting.

"I am sorry Yurian, you are going through all this emotional pain because of me," she softly rubbed his back.

"No, it’s not because of you. I should have faced my fears earlier and returned to my parents. I made them suffer indefinitely. You are the reason I was able to return. So I must thank you," Yurian turned to her with an appreciative look and Aselia affectionately hugged him while he hugged her back, with tears shimmering in his eyes. She held onto him, understanding he needed her.

They finally let go and Yurian said: "I will bring your luggage, meanwhile you can get fresh and settle in. If you need anything let me know."

"I will," Yurian left the room after that while Aselia made her way to the washroom to freshen up.

Later they joined Razian and Esma for lunch. She had cooked mac and cheese and grilled meat along with vegetable rice and stew.

"Yurian told me you like grilled meat so I made that for you, I hope you like it. He used to love my mac and cheese and stew, so I made those as well," Esma explained while heartily putting food on Aselia’s plate.

"I love all kinds of food, give me anything and I will eat but yes meat is my favourite. So thank you," Aselia offered her gratitude with a warm smile.

"Doesn’t look like it though, you are too skinny. It’s good you are going to stay with us now, I am going to help you put some meat on these bones," Esma heartily chided her and Aselia couldn’t help but laugh.

"Mom! Don’t make her uncomfortable, she has just arrived," Yurian shook his head while taking a bite of mac and cheese.

"Your mom is right. Both of you appear to be starved, don’t they give you proper meals over there," this time it was Razian who spoke up.

"Dad, we have to train a lot so everything we eat gets burned up and our lean bodies keep us agile or we will be dead meat," Yurian explained to his parents.

"Still, both of you need to eat more," Esma was not going to listen to his explanation as she kept filing their plates.

"Mom, food is delicious, thank you," Yurian heartily smiled at his mother who beamed in return.

Once the lunch was over Aselia thanked Mr and Mrs Razian for the scrumptious food and helped with the dishes.

"You have just arrived, have some rest we will clear the dishes and make some tea," Esma pleaded with Aselia.

"No, Yurian and I will clear the dishes and make tea. Although I have zero knowledge when it comes down to cooking, Yurian can make it and I will arrange the cups," Aselia sheepishly added.

"Ah! No worries I will teach you a few tricks of cooking. Also, I baked some cookies. Rawais bring them with tea," Esma instructed her son as he and Aselia began to clear the table while the elderly couple settled in the living room near the fireplace. The weather was getting colder as the evening progressed.

Once Yurian and Aselia had gone to the kitchen, Esma whispered to her husband:

"She looks so much like our Rasia, no wonder Rawais is so attached to her."

"Yes! I think he sees Rasia in her. They appear close and I would like to believe she has kept our son sane, he seems so much in control of his emotions," Razian added.

"I hope so too."