That night, after their conversation ended, Whira did not go straight to sleep. She remained sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Keysa sleep. The little girl's face looked peaceful, as if she had never known the hardships occupying both her parents' thoughts.
Amri sat in a chair near the window. He was silent for quite a while, staring at the floor illuminated only by the light of a small lamp.
“We have to come home,” he said at last.
Whira lifted her face. “Are you serious, Babe?”
Amri nodded slowly. “I don't know how yet. But I can't stand watching you cry every time you finish calling Mom.”
“I don't just cry because I miss them, Babe. I feel guilty. They're getting older, while I always have an excuse not to come home.”
“We're struggling to make a living here too.”
“I know.” Whira's voice trembled. “But our parents have never asked us to become rich. They only want to see their child come home.”
Amri did not answer right away. He understood what she was saying, but understanding it did not mean he had a way out. Their savings were running thinner and thinner. The cost of the rental place, Keysa's formula, everyday necessities, and their unpaid debt made coming home seem like something far too expensive to make happen.
Whira then picked up her phone. She opened her conversation with her mother and typed a few words.
Mom, would you be happy if we came home next week?
Her finger hovered over the send button. After a few seconds, she deleted the message.
She was afraid of giving them hope before she was truly able to keep her promise.
In the house far away, Tina still had not gone to sleep. She folded clothes that were already neatly arranged, just to keep her hands busy. Every now and then, she glanced at her phone, hoping for a message from Whira.
Her husband watched her from the bed.
“Tomorrow, let's just sell that bracelet,” he said.
Tina turned to him. “The bracelet from my mother?”
“Yes.”
“Don't. It's the only thing I have left from Mom.”
“If it can bring Whira home, what's wrong with it?”
Tina fell silent. Her eyes began to fill with tears.
All this time, she had thought Whira was the only one who felt guilty. She had never known that in that house, both her parents were also quietly calculating every possible way to bring their child back, even if it meant giving up the things they cherished most.
The next morning, Whira received a call from an unknown number. She answered hesitantly.
“Is this Whira?” a woman's voice asked.
“Yes, this is her.”
“I'm calling from your old workplace. There's an opening in administration. If you're still interested, you can come in for an interview tomorrow.”
Whira fell silent. The job did not offer a large salary, but it was closer and came with a steady income. She had never expected to get that opportunity again after resigning to take care of Keysa.
“I'd be interested, ma'am.”
After the call ended, Whira looked at Amri with a hopeful expression.
“Maybe this is our way to come home,” she said.
“Aren't you happy I'm going to get a job?”
Amri only smiled, wearing the same forced smile as before.
“Why, Babe? Or maybe you really don't want us to come home?” Whira grew suspicious again.
“That's not it, sweetheart. I'm just thinking about who will take care of Keysa when you leave.”
For a moment, Whira watched Keysa sleeping.
“Then what are we supposed to do, Babe? I don't want to stay here any longer. I'm sick of your family too—they control everything. I want to live in peace, Babe. I want to see my family too.”