#ahnai

Ahnai Campbell

1.     She grew out her locs for 6 years before cuttingthem all off when she found out that she was pregnant. She wanted a clean slatefor the new chapter of life called Motherhood.

2.     Never having met her parents and growing up asan orphan of the system in San MyShuno, Ahnai prides herself on beingself-sufficient. But after 23 years of being on her own, she finally metsomeone worthy of sharing her space; her husband Marco.

(She got her tattoo “for better or forworse” on her shoulder when they got married)

3.     She aspires to be the Super Parent that shenever had. She continues to love and support her children despite the fact thatthey have long-since left the nest. She likes making them paintings.

4.     Low-key clairvoyant, she can read tea-leaves.

5.     Since retiring from fashion design, Ahnaifocusses her time on wellness, gardening, and making Ricotta Stregala Gelato.

Previously on Rising Sun...

Episode Six.

The next morning Soleil found herself in the back of a Suber, headed to Newcrest. Despite how emotionally drained she was the previous night’s disappointment, she was glad to be getting out of her apartment. Moving last minute had been stressful, and frankly she was tired of looking at all of her stuff.

The sun felt warm on Soleil’s face as she sat in the back of the Suber, watching suburbia pass her by. The light breeze was nice too; spring was finally coming to an end. Summer was fast approaching and Soleil couldn’t wait.

She and her mom attended a yoga class together every month. When she was younger, she and her mom would do yoga together every weekend. Soleil didn’t have as much free time, but her mother insisted they keep up the tradition. Soleil couldn’t get out of it even if she tried. She smiled as she thought of her mom’s favorite response. “Who’s going to keep up with your self-care regimen if I don’t?”

As much as she looked forward to spending the morning doing sun salutations with her mom, she knew that that wasn’t all that they would be doing. There were very few people who knew her better than her mother. Ahnai knew both of her children so well that she could tell when something was wrong with one, just by looking at the other. It was a bit of a pain growing up.

Stepping out of the Suber, Soleil’s feet quickly took her up the steps and into the reception area of Zen Yoga & Wellness. And there she was. All of a sudden it seemed, Soleil found herself in her mother’s arms.

“Hi sunshine.” Soleil could hear the smile in her mother’s voice as they embraced. Soleil’s response was muffled in her mother’s shoulder. She always smelled like warm rosemary, it reminded Soleil of her childhood. Soleil felt some of the tension that she hadn’t noticed before, leave her body. Her mother had a healing affect that way. And their yoga sessions always came just in time.

They moved their light conversation into the yoga studio. They were a little early so they took off their shoes and waited for the instructor. Soleil hoped that her mother would just spend the time meditating, but that would’ve been too good.

“So.” That was the only word she spoke. It wasn’t exactly a question, but Soleil knew that she was waiting. Plus, her body language and facial expression said a whole lot more. She had this look. It was almost smug, and expectant, but more knowing than anything. Like she already knew what Soleil wouldn’t say, had predicted the events in the first place, and was ready to provide her expert opinion. Great, Soleil thought with a sigh.

Clearing her throat, Soleil decided to start, or one could say distract, with some good news. “Darien found us a wedding planner.”

“That’s wonderful hon, have you seen any venues yet?”

“Uh, no, not yet…” Soleil started playing with the edge of her yoga mat. The tacky texture was suddenly quite fascinating. As much as she wanted her mother’s advice, she was still embarrassed. Her mother and father had a perfect relationship. They had been together her whole life. There was so much she wanted to tell her mother, but how? How could she express her unhappiness, without totally throwing Darien under the bus? And she didn’t even want to think about what her mother might say. How can I say just enough without…?

Noticing her daughter’s hesitation, Ahnai spoke up, “Honey-” Much to Soleil’s relief, her mother was interrupted by the appearance of the instructor, and several more people there for the class.

This wouldn’t be the end of their conversation, but Soleil hoped to at least have her thoughts together by the end of this class. That’s what yoga was for, right? Mindfulness and allat.

Yoga was just what she had needed. It was as if the stress of the impeding talk had just melted away.

They decided to stay and talk in the studio. There was a special on massages and the next class wasn’t for another hour, so it was just the two of them. Her mother wasn’t one to judge, she didn’t really have a reason to be afraid to share with her.

Taking a deep breath, Soleil divulged what was on her mind. “Darien stood me up again.”

Ahnai had a soft, knowing smile on her face; she hadn’t really needed the confirmation. She didn’t want Soleil to feel attacked. And she knew her daughter; she could be a bit of a glutton for punishment. She asked, “Does he make you happy?”

Soleil was actually surprised at the question, what did she mean? She wouldn’t have gotten engaged if he didn’t. “Of course, ma.”

“How?”

“Well… he’s been really busy with the campaign lately, but before we would go out all the time. He picks out art pieces for me; um… we go to lots of events together...”

Ahnai had noticed a while ago, Soleil’s knack for excusing Darien’s behavior. She didn’t like it.

Taking a different approach, Ahnai inquired, “Are you happy?”

Confused, Soleil immediately responded, “You just asked me that.”

“No, I didn’t. What do I always say?”

Thinking back, Soleil realized that she was mistaken… her mother hadn’t repeated herself. With deep breath, she answered her mother, “You’ve always said that happiness comes from within.”

“And it does.” Ahnai’s voice had taken on a soothing quality as she spoke. Her eyes softened as she observed her daughter. She remembered being her age, and confused. However, Ahnai hadn’t had her mother there to have these conversations with. She never knew her mother. She was aware though, that it didn’t matter how much guidance she gave… Soleil would have to decide for herself.

Soleil was becoming flustered, what is she getting at? “Okay ma but… why does it matter if he makes me happy, if happiness comes from within anyway?”

Ahnai had an intense look on her face. She knew what she needed to say. “Because you wouldn’t be with him if you were happy… Soleil, my sunshine,” Ahnai felt like she was pleading with her daughter to understand, “a happy person doesn’t settle for unhappiness just to be with someone else.”

Find out what happens next time on Rising Sun...

AN: Soooo sorry for the wait 🙃😬 Let me know what you think. Also, Ahnai (pronounced uh-n-eye) is one of my favorite sims ever fyi.