CHAPTER 005
1357 Words
Chapter 005
Selene's point of view
I didn't realise how much I missed my mother and siblings until today. The day has felt like it's dragging on forever. I've been excited for this moment for so long, but now that it's here, it’s like time is just stretching out. My feet bounce anxiously against the floor of the taxi as we drive down the street that’s been home for my entire life.
The three-hour journey from the Universidad in the heart of Sevilla has already been taxing, and now the short ride from the bus stop to our house seems to be taking an eternity. This is the part where I regret choosing to study so far from home. But I had to go far away because of a certain person.
You know who I'm talking about. No need for a reminder.
If I had my way, I wouldn't be coming back here, but I miss the people who mean the world to me.
The taxi finally stops in front of our house, a proud one-story white building. I hurriedly pay the driver and rush up the stairs to the front yard.
The door swings open just before I reach it, and there’s my brother, Andrés, looking as handsome as ever. He pulls me into a tight hug.
I guess I wasn’t the only one missing everyone.
"Hey, sis," Andrés says warmly, letting go of me.
"What's up, kid?" I ruffle his neatly combed brown hair.
He grumbles and slaps my hand away, immediately fixing his hair. He’s so particular about it.
"I'm not a kid," he says, puffing out his chest to look taller, trying to act tough.
I roll my eyes and shove him aside, walking past him into the house. I hear him complaining about how many girls are apparently "drooling over him."
He’s good-looking for a seventeen-year-old, but I’m not going to tell him that and give him a bigger ego.
He’s even taller than me now, and his muscles have grown, complementing his good looks. I remember before I left for school, girls from his school—both juniors and seniors—would always hang around our house.
Mamá didn’t notice, though. If she had, she would’ve run for the hills. I chuckle softly to myself as I walk into the living room and see Lucía, who’s totally engrossed in her favourite cartoon, Vamperina. She doesn't even notice us standing there.
Andrés and I stand behind her for a few minutes, snickering quietly. Then, Andrés suddenly shouts, “Boom!”
Lucía screams in surprise, jumping in shock. She spins around, ready to fight, but when she realises it's us, she runs straight to me.
"Ava!" she squeals joyfully.
I pick her up and spin her around, giggling. I’ve missed this little one so much.
Behind us, Andrés groans, clearly annoyed by all the hugging and squealing, even though he had just nearly crushed me in a hug a few minutes ago.
"You came, Ava! I’ve missed you so much!" Lucía chokes out, holding back tears.
"Hey, I’m here now, okay?" I whisper, rubbing her back gently. I sit on the couch, still holding her in my arms.
"Where’s mamá?" I ask Andrés, who instantly scowls at the question.
"She’s at work and won’t be back till eight," Andrés says, his voice sharp.
I can tell that it bothers him. He feels like Mamá should be home, taking care of us, but instead, she’s working late. All because of Papá.
I wonder what he gets out of all that gambling and drinking.
I shake my head, pushing those thoughts aside.
"And Papá?" I ask, even though I already know the answer.
Andrés groans, clearly upset with the question. His jaw clenches, and it’s obvious that he’s been holding a lot of anger towards our dad.
"The usual," he spits out, his eyes flashing with disgust. "You don’t want to know."
I can feel his frustration. I pray he doesn’t start to hate Papá even more.
Just then, the front door slams open, and in stumbles Papá, clearly drunk. He sways as he locks the door behind him, startling Lucía and me. Andrés stays still, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface as he watches. His hands are clenched into fists, but he doesn’t say anything.
Papá stumbles past us, then pauses when he notices me. Of course, I wouldn’t go unnoticed after being away for over two months.
His gaze locks on me, and I brace myself for the usual harsh words. But what happens next shocks me.
Papá pulls me into a hug. It's a genuine embrace. He actually apologises. I stand there frozen, completely caught off guard.
This isn’t the dad I left two months ago. The dad who never shows any emotion or says sorry.
I can’t even wrap my head around it. What’s going on?
"I’m sorry, my child," he mumbles, his words slurring. The suddenness of it makes me tense up.
Why is he saying sorry now? After all this time, is this supposed to make up for everything?
I shake my head. I can't help but wonder if all these "sorry"s even mean anything at this point.
Before I can even respond, Papá passes out on my shoulder.
Great.
Now I’m the one who has to drag him upstairs. I feel like I’m dragging a sack of rocks up the stairs, and the thought alone makes me shudder.
I look to Andrés for help, but he’s already gone, leaving the house. I’m left alone to deal with this.
Somehow, I manage to get him upstairs and onto his bed. As I turn to leave, he grabs my hand.
Then he mutters, "I’m sorry," before falling into a deep sleep.
Seriously?
I groan inwardly, shrugging his hand off as I walk out of the room. I head back downstairs, where Lucía is still glued to her cartoon. I plop down besides her and let out a long sigh of relief.
The silence between us stretches, but it’s soon broken by the front door slamming again.
What is with everyone and slamming doors today?
"Ava, Sofía, Andrés!" Mamá marches in, looking furious. Andrés is trailing behind her, looking guilty.
"Why are you out of school?" Mamá seethes, clearly mad that I’m home when it’s not a break or holiday.
"Mum," I whine, trying to act innocent. "I missed you guys so much." It's not a complete lie. I really do miss them.
"That's not an excuse, young lady," Mamá snaps, ready to start one of her long lectures. If she wanted to, she could be a teacher with the way she goes on.
"Did you even ask permission from your department head?" she asks, narrowing her eyes.
Uh-oh.
I didn’t. How should I communicate this to her now? I can’t lie. She’d see right through me and lecture me about that too.
I’m so dead.
"You didn’t, did you?" Mamá states, her voice cold. "How could you be so irresponsible, Selene? I raised you better than this. Do you want to get suspended or expelled?"
I stay quiet, not wanting to drag this conversation out longer than necessary.
"You’re going back on Sunday," she declares, and I know there’s no arguing. I open my mouth to protest, but one look from her shuts me up.
I know better than to push her further.
That night, over dinner, I bring up what Papá said earlier.
"He said he’s sorry," I tell Mamá. Papá hasn’t said that word in a long time, and I can tell Mamá is worried about it too.
"Did he say anything else?" she asks, her voice tight. Her eyes narrow as she looks at me.
It’s clear that something’s not right. Mamá’s usually so calm, but now she looks worried, like she’s holding something back.
I hate seeing her like this, and I wish I knew what was going on. It’s hard not to share the weight of her burden. For the first time, I’m not sure what’s going on with Papá, and Mamá knows something that she’s not telling me.
Something is definitely off.
- Writer
