Somewhat Necessary

“Nah, I'm not interested in this wizzy game. So lame…” Lily cursed. “But you haven't tried playing the hobbly-dobbly game before, hmmm…” Sophy, Lily's sister, resorted. I don't need to know how it works. I don't need to...and besides you can't force me to play the game. I know...I can't force you. I won't try further either because you're like a lightning bolt, here in one moment and there in another. I don't have your vibe now. You're free to sit idle, "enjoying" your god-forsaken company. I'm outta here. Sophy said in finality. “Bye... please don't bother coming back”, Lily chorused behind her. “I won't. Find your way home” Better... Boring, boring, boring! Everywhere is just so dumb, no life, vibrance or color, going through the same cycle of events over and over again. This is not life... I wonder why I agreed to follow you to this breath-sapping park, looking like the 16th century” Lily ruminated. “Are you reciting a poem, or are you practicing insanity?” Someone asked from behind, throwing a sandball on her. Back off, jerk! “I didn't know you were a mad dog too”, the stranger mocked. She packed her jumpbag and scampered off, raising quality dust as she passed. She got to the bus stop and just then, it began to rain. Aaarrrgh!!! Rain on, fool. I won't cry, neither will I beg you to stop raining. “Jump in and stop cursing the rain”, A tricycle rider offered. Whatever...she scoffed. Where are you heading to? The rider courteously asked. “When I get there, I'll tell you” She replied nonchalantly. “I can see you love rascality, I won't be stopping this ride after now. If you are not ready to speak up now, I won't stop later. Maybe you're acquainted with jumping off a vehicle”, the rider replied out of pique. “I didn't ask you for a ride. You offered it. You can do your worst. I've had enough of bullshits today’, Lily blurted. “Really? Fine”. The tricycle rider said and sped off. The rider finally halted in front of his gate and turned off its ignition. He offloaded it and made his way inside his house, leaving Lily outside. Stop right there! Where do you think you're going to? Are you planning on abducting me? What business do I have with you? Why did you drop me at your house you crazy… Lily was interrupted with the slam of the gate against her. Aaarrrgh! Phew! What a day, what a miserable day! Come take me back to where you picked me from, you insane man! She screamed, banging the gate at the same time. Manuel made sure he left her unattended to throughout the evening. It was almost midnight when he reluctantly slided the gate lock open. He saw Lily sleeping outside, coiled all over due to cold. She had spread her jacket on the slab in front of the gate and laid on it. He tapped her awake and motioned her inside. By that time, her tigeress whines were asleep, so she followed obediently. He led her inside the house, to a spare room which belonged to his brother, Jude, who passed away two years ago. The room was quite comfy, with sofas and throw pillows in it. There was a large window, through which you could see the exteriors of the yard. Inside the room was a large portrait of Jude's artwork. A large water lily, lying tenderly on the lake, then with shades of sunlight piercing in, breaking through the long waterweeds to get to it. The painting was so aesthetic that it wasn't destroyed alongside his other properties after his death. The wardrobe there was initially constructed by a local carpenter, but by the time Jude was done crafting some artwork on it, it looked like a wardrobe made with mahogany wood. This also was left in the room. The floor was tiled and rugged at the same time. All these uniqueness were accredited to Jude's expertise. After Jude's death, the room was emptied of his belongings and well rearranged. Ever since, it became a visitor's room, in consequence of their scarcity of rooms. The other rooms, one for mom and dad, one for Manuel's sister, Cathy, one for grandma and one for himself, were already occupied. Manuel took Lily to Jude's room and covered her with a blanket. She was already shivering due to cold. Just as he tiptoed over the rugged floor to avoid waking her, Manuel's dad came in. What is going on here? He rumbled Dad it's me, Manuel answered. Why are you gallivanting the whole place by this time of the night? Are you a nightwalker or at worst, practicing robbery? Nooo, how can you think me to do so. I was only tiding things up. “You were only tiding things up? Really? Inside that room?” He asked in a ridiculous face. “Dad, I understand your dramatic reaction but it's not worth it”. Manuel resorted. The room is strictly for visitors, so what are you tiding up inside there? Your room isn't enough for you? Dad...you worry a lot. Go back to sleep. I'm done now with what I'm doing. Come on, let's go inside. Don't bother about the room. Okay? I don't know why you're tripping me. Let me see what's inside that room. Are you hiding something? Noo, it's just that I had to borrow a design from Jude's expertise to work on the project I'm creating for a customer from the cafe. Oh? If that's the case, it's fine. I'll head inside before you. Be sure to secure the door locks, Chinahead. Dad, Chinahead again? I'm not a Chinahead. I don't like the names you do call me. I mustn't be artistic like Jude, I've got skills too!” Manuel corrected in a sullen voice. He made his way to the kitchen and took a cup of water. "I can't wait to build and own a house. Not sharing a roof with people who doesn't believe in me." After that he went to his room, having borne in mind that Lily has to be out of the house before anyone woke up the next day. "Anyways, the individuals here won't wake until after 8am. Lazy bones! Even at that, she needs to be outta here before they wake up." Lily slept until it was dawn. She was woken up by the chirping of the songbirds on the cypress trees behind the large window in the room. She woke up in her saliva, as it drooled excessively over her face. “Eeew... Lily. Why the flop? She shouted at herself. A bulldog is more coordinated than you are, how disgusting!” "Besides, how come I'm sleeping on a nice bed? Little wonder the pool of saliva. I got too comfortable." This guy is as goat-headed as I am. But it's nice of him to take me inside, I would have been frozen to death. She admittedly confessed. Just then, Manuel creaked the door open and came inside. “Oh, you're aw ake. Eeew, are those what I think they are?” Manuel asked, putting on a loathsome face.