The light left on

I came home late tonight after the worst day at work. I explained everyone to be asleep, but the porch light 🚨 was still on, Amma was waiting in the life living room, pretending she had only woken up for water. She asked whether I had eaten and reheated the dinner she had saved for me. I nearly cried while eating rice at midnight. We barely spoke about my day, but she stayed until I finished. I had spent the entire evening 🌆 feeling like a disappointment. Somehow, that ordinary plate of food reminded me that I didn't have to earn my place at home.