And the story begins

Awkwardness

"Selen....Selen!" I opened my eyes to glistening sun "crap!" I said immediately covering my eyes with palm. 

"Come on we have reached" said uncle Mark stepping out of his pick up truck. Groaning I too opened the door and jumped out of truck. "HEY! girl easy there" said aunt Sarah, who was standing on the porch. I smiled nervously 

"....You'll be staying here" Aunt said turning the knob. She entered in the room first and I followed her. This room is almost as big as mine. One of the wall has Ben 10 wallpaper on it, while other three are of light blue color. The sunlight beamed through the half open white blinds, small empty but clean wooden table standing by the window and a twin bed with white cover in the corner of the room. Photos of a blonde boy grinning at the camera covered one wall, he looked cheerful and just like aunt Sarah with those blonde hair, but he had the eyes of uncle mark, brown in color. *Ben* I thought, I was only four when he died so all his memories are now faint. But I do remember a boy's laughter and his mischievous eyes who once ran after me with a water gun during Christmas break, a month before he died *Adam was an adorable boy, one of those kids you fall in love with instantly* I thought remembering what's left of his memories. 

A dull thud pulled me out of my thoughts and I turned my head to left just as uncle put second bag on the floor and turn to leave. "That's the bathroom" aunt who was standing in door pointed to my right at a white door "...as you must have guessed already. Go get fresh and come down eat something" she turned to leave but stopped "Also you can't jump now, you can't be careless. Remember you are carrying a life inside and you have to look after it too" 

"Okay....thanks" I said and she nodded before leaving. I closed the door, before keeping my backpack filled with books on bed and plopping down. I heaved a sigh. *This is helluva awkward, more awkward than I initially thought. I mean how many times have I met them over the last five six years? The answer is one, at one of my mum's cousin's wedding and even there it was just a formal hello. God ....* I rubbed my palms over my face softly *if I had even one percent idea that  in future I'll be staying with them for like six months. Atleast I would have tried to get friendly with them. Not that it would have been easy, but atleast it wouldn't have been this awkward. I am sure of that. I don't even know how to talk to them, how to response or maybe start a conversion with them. Only forty five minutes in Victoria Sand's and I already don't feel so good*  yawning I got up from the bed "and I definitely need some sleep" I said to myself unzipping my bag and taking out a white floral top and denim shorts.

I took my own sweet time of half an hour in shower, changed clothes and combed my wet hairs before going out of the room. Going down the stairs I noticed photos hanging on the wall of staircase. Aunt smiling at the camera with bouquet of colorful flowers in her hand walking down the aisle with my maternal grandpa, in one photo uncle and aunt are kissing near statue of Liberty and they look really happy as if they couldn't ask for more. Another photo was of aunt, uncle and my mother standing by aunt's side. My mom looks young *maybe same as my age* in this one, with long baby pink gown and those thick and long blonde hairs side braided, her dark green eyes dancing with happiness. I wish I had my mum's green eyes instead of my father's grey eyes. I looked at other photos where aunt and uncle were with Adam on beach, park and with snowman and Christmas tree. They look content and a perfect family. A beautiful family. Something that my family isn't, my father is strict and not really into photos. I don't remember my father ever looking at my mum, the way uncle Mark is looking at aunt Sarah. His eyes are filled with so much love, when he is looking at Adam his eyes are filled with adoration. I tried to think of how many times my father has actually looked at me like that, with adoration. The answer is a couple of years ago when I won trophy in a chess game in my school, my father looked proud and clapped for me. That was the first time I proved that I am not that worthless after all. Shaking my head I started stepping down, no use of standing here and staring, family in these photos is long gone with their boy. Their shadow is what remains of them. And my family will never be like this one.

I first checked in kitchen which turned out to be empty, so I headed straight for living room. Aunt Sarah was sitting there on the cream color sofa in the middle of the room watching tv. Not knowing how to approach her I cleared my throat for her attention and it worked as she looked back "Oh Selen" she said I swear for next twenty seconds we just stared at each other *okay at least I now know that this arrangement is equally uncomfortable for both of us *  "err....your bowl of fruits is in fridge. Finish it and after that I'd suggest you to take some rest as it would be good for...." she looked at my teeny tiny or should I say barely there baby bump "you and the baby" I gave her an easy smile and nodded. Before turning to leave I saw a ghost of smile on lips too. "Oh and Selen" I was in corridor when I heard aunt  calling me again, I turned back to living room "Yes" I said peeking in room through the door.

"Ember called me but you were in bathroom. So I told her you reached here fine, but I'd suggest you to call her anyway"

"Ohk" I replied.

After finishing my fruit salad, I unzipped my backpack and took out my phone. There were two missed calls one from mom and one from Kyle. I decided to call my mom first.

"Hello Selen" she picked up on third bell.

"Hey mom!" I said.

"I told you to call me as soon as you reach there"

"Yeah I am sorry, It slipped my mind"

"oh really!" I could already imagine her rolling her eyes "so..um how are you feeling here...you know" she asked.

"Well" I got up and walked to the window looking through the blinds out at the street "I slept from airport to home so missed what this famous town looks like. But I have to say neighbor looks beautiful and so does aunt and uncle's home. I mean they have maintained it pretty well. Also they have given me Adam's room now I don't know exactly how to feel about it. I mean it's their personal space. But hey.....ughh now I am bumbling" 

I heard mom sighing "I meant Mark and Sarah"

"Umm in all honesty it is kind of awkward, you know I never really got a chance to talk to them when they used to be normal. Now all of the sudden I am living with them so it is awkward plus looks like Aunt Sarah too don't really know how to initiate conversation"

"Sarah used to be so bright. I used to call her chatter box, I am sure if you just try to talk to her. I mean make her comfortable with you she will talk, she won't hesitate. We will never get old Sarah back but honestly at this point anything is better than this 'awkward' Sarah"

"I will give it a try, we'll be living together under the same roof for next six months after all"

"Yeah, now take care of yourself and baby"

"Yep, you too take care"

"I will, bye"

"Bye"