CIGARETTES AND ROSES

"Mina, Where are you?"

The soft creak of floorboards was the only answer. The house, though big, was never this quiet when Mina was around. That silence always meant one thing-trouble.

Her mother sighed, pausing in the hallway, one hand on her hip, the other rubbing her temple like she could already feel a headache coming.

"Mina, sweetheart, if you're stuck in a cupboard again, I swear-"

No response.

Her mother tried the living room, the kitchen, peeked into the laundry room. Still nothing. Her voice sharpened, but it wasn't real anger-it was the kind of scolding stitched with worry.

"Mina, answer me! Don't make me call your full name, young lady!"

Finally, a faint voice floated down from somewhere above.

"I'm upstairs, Mom!"

The attic. Of course.

Her mother groaned out loud, already climbing the stairs with the tired determination of someone who had done this dance far too many times.

"What did I say about you and that dusty old attic? What if the ladder breaks? What if you fall? You think I have time to visit you in the hospital every weekend?"

When she reached the attic door, Mina was sitting cross-legged on the floor, flipping through an old box of photo albums like she owned the place.

"Found some cool stuff," Mina chirped, looking far too pleased with herself. "Did you know Grandpa used to have a motorbike?"

Her mother crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "I know Grandpa used to have a daughter who actually listened when she was told not to wander off. Can you imagine that?"

Mina grinned, resting her chin in her hands. "Wow. Sounds boring."

"It was peaceful," her mother shot back, trying to keep her stern face but failing as a smile tugged at her lips. "I should've known you were born with extra curiosity. You never sit still."

Mina jumped up, brushing off her jeans, eyes shining with that playful spark. "Yeah, but you love me anyway."

Her mother huffed, but her heart softened instantly. "Unfortunately, yes. Now come on, troublemaker. You're on dust duty for the next week."

"What?!"

"House rule: if you find the dust, you clean the dust."

Mina groaned dramatically as she followed her mother down the stairs, but the quiet smile on her face said she didn't really mind.

As they made their way downstairs, Mina trailed just a step behind, swinging her arms lazily.

"You know," Mina started, "you could've just texted me instead of staging a house-wide search party."

Her mother glanced back, unimpressed. "Oh, please. You ignore texts when you're on your little 'missions'."

Mina grinned. "Yeah, but I don't ignore chocolate bribes."

Her mother laughed, shaking her head as she stepped into the kitchen. "Bribes? Is that what my cooking has become to you?"

"Yup. Highly effective, too." Mina plopped down on one of the kitchen stools, pretending to sniff the air dramatically. "Smells like... is that curry?"

"Don't think you're getting lunch that easily." Her mother pulled out a dish towel and flicked it at Mina's arm. "You've got dust duty first, remember?"

Mina pouted, rubbing her arm where the towel had snapped. "Cruel. So cruel."

Her mother smirked. "That's what happens when you sneak off and make me ask the whole house where you disappeared to. I nearly interrogated your brother."

"He'd crack in two seconds," Mina said, waving her hand. "The moment you offer cookies, he'll sell me out."

"Well, next time, I might just bake the cookies in advance."

They shared a look and both burst out laughing.

Later that night, as Mina passed by her mother's room, she heard soft humming. She peeked in.

Her mother was folding laundry, quietly singing to herself.

Without a word, Mina walked in and plopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Tired?" her mother asked without looking.

"Not really."

"Regretting attic dust duty?"