Bujrum | Top 50 TESTED |

Elma smiled, her eyes crinkling. She didn't let him finish the apology for dropping by unexpectedly. She waved her hand inward, a gesture that encompassed not just the cool room, but her entire home.

Marko entered, stepping into the dim, cool hallway, the heat of the afternoon left behind. "I brought plums," he mumbled. "," she repeated, gesturing to the kitchen table.

She didn't mean just walk through the door. She meant: you are welcome here, you are safe here, my home is yours. Bujrum

Marko sighed, the anxiety leaving his shoulders. He didn't ask if it was okay. He didn't thank her profusely. He just accepted it, knowing that in this house, bujrum was the only welcome he would ever need. It was the invitation to just be.

She pulled out a chair. He sat. She poured coffee. Bujrum again as she set the cup down. Help yourself. Elma smiled, her eyes crinkling

Elma heard footsteps on the gravel path. She knew the rhythm: hurried, yet trying to be polite.

Bujrum (pronounced boo-YROOM) is a Bosnian word of Turkish origin, often used to mean welcome, please come in, or help yourself. If you'd like a different type of story, just tell me: What (comedy, drama, fantasy)? What is the setting ? Who are the characters ? Marko entered, stepping into the dim, cool hallway,

"Elma," he began, looking flustered. "I thought, with the storm coming..."