It has been eight months and I haven't met my parents, I kind of missed them. They wanted me to come home but today I had an important meeting which I couldn't have missed at any cost. Technically, I followed dad's words right!? As my dad always says, "You should be the man of the house and take hold of our family's responsibility" ,because I was the elder one. By not missing this meeting I have tried to ensure my place in this company. Even my friends have already planned a night party at my favourite restaurant, it's going to be fun, but this little part of my mind wants me to feel guilty. This is the first time I'm not going to be with my parents and my crazy little sister who never misses seeing this day as an opportunity to bake cookies for me, which is the only thing she makes well. I have two hours to get ready and leave for the party. My parents would get mad if they come to know that I had already finished with the meeting by today afternoon and I could have left for home, well my sister knew about all of this and agreed to keep it as a secret. I know my dad must have been mad because three months ago , I had promised to go home for their thirtieth anniversary as my dad wanted to be there to surprise mom. He even bought pretty earrings with the help of my sister. I tried to explain to him how busy I was that day and instead of being sorry I got irritated and dismissed him. I realized later that I should have said sorry. Later he complained to mom about me never calling home or even him and the only time I called was when my sister uses to text me reminding me to talk to them. Even today when mom video called me he simply wished me with a poker face. I should have known he would not forgive me that easily because I am also like him. I got up to take a quick shower before I got ready for the party. Someone rang the doorbell and I went to open the door and was surprised to see mom, dad and my sister smiling cheekily. My mom hugged me as quick as her reflexes allowed her , and squished me. I hugged her back welcoming all the homely feelings making me quite emotional and making me realize how much I missed her. My sister entered, followed by mom and dad stood there hand crossed over his chest and I smiled at him with a nod and he came in. I saw the tears formed in the corner of his eyes before he blinked it away. All the guilt hit me hard for not making efforts to meet or call them. My room now felt like home with all the precious people here with me. I could never have known how much wrong I was , for not letting them be here for my last birthday, just so I could have a taste of freedom which is nothing in comparison to them. "Happy birthday bro", my sister shouted and took out her ,as she calls it, 'world-famous cookies' from her bag shoving it in my mouth, laughing like the crazy girl that she was. And dad gave in a smile and patted my shoulder saying happy birthday. "Here is the cake, which your dad insisted to buy on our way here," said mom. I looked at dad ,"why don't you keep your room clean? " , was what he said and we all started laughing at his way of trying to change the topic. This was the best surprise present for me, my family.
