December arrived, bringing with it the summer heat, festive cheer, and the usual excitement of holiday freedom. While most of Elara's friends were out every weekend, partying and going to groove spots, she preferred something quieter. Home. Or him. Those were her two favorite places.
People asked her why she never came out with them. Why she always turned down invites. But she didn't mind. Her peace mattered more.
If she wasn't curled up on the couch watching a series or helping her mom clean, she was with Zeon. Sitting side by side in his yard, talking about dreams and dumb things, or walking hand in hand down familiar roads. It was simple—but it made her feel full.
Christmas approached quickly. Elara had already planned to spend the day with her family. Her cousins would be coming over. The house would be filled with noise, music, the smell of chakalaka, roast chicken, and laughter. Zeon too had plans to spend time with his family. Even though they wouldn't be together on the day, they kept checking in on each other, texting and sending selfies.
They were only two kilometers apart, but it felt like they were worlds away.
"Save me some rice and chicken," he joked.
"You better save me some dessert," she shot back.
On Christmas night, they video called each other, laughing about what their uncles wore, whose house had the better food, and which kid cried the most.
And even from a distance, they felt close.
But the biggest surprise came after Christmas.
Zeon told her he wanted her to meet his mom.
Her heart skipped.
At first, Elara was caught off guard. She had heard so much about this woman—how strong she was, how protective, how hard she worked to raise Zeon. Elara had this image in her mind of someone tough, strict, someone who might not think she was good enough for her son.
She smiled when he told her, but inside she was nervous.
What if she doesn't like me? What if she thinks I'm just some girl wasting his time? What if I mess up?
Still, she agreed. She wanted to do this.
The morning of the visit, she dressed carefully—not too casual, not too formal. She wanted to look respectful but still like herself. On the way there, she kept fixing her braids, checking her phone, and biting her nails.
Zeon noticed.
"You're gonna be fine," he said, reaching over to hold her hand.
"I know," she said, voice quiet. "Just nervous."
"You don't have to be. My mom's gonna love you."
The moment they reached the house, Elara's legs turned to jelly. She stepped out, suddenly feeling like a child again. She walked a few steps behind him, heart racing.
But then the front door opened.
And there she was—Zeon's mother.
To Elara's surprise, she wasn't intimidating. She had a soft smile, kind eyes, and a warmth in her voice that instantly made her feel a little more at ease.
"Ah, so this is the girl my son won't stop talking about," she said, opening her arms to hug her.
Elara blinked. Then smiled.
The hug was real. Not just a polite one—but one that said, you're welcome here.
They sat together, talked about school, life, and even a little bit of gossip. Zeon's mom asked questions, but not the scary, judgmental kind—genuine questions, like someone who cared.
By the end of the visit, Elara felt like she had gained more than just an approval—she felt like she belonged.
As they left, Zeon grinned. "Told you she'd like you."
Elara smiled back. "She's amazing."
"Just like you."
And in that moment, walking side by side down the same path they always took, her heart felt fuller than it had in weeks.
Because meeting his mother wasn't just a formality.
It was a sign of something deeper.
A future, maybe.
A real one.