XIII
908 Words
“Alicia?”
Mom knocked on the door. I’m standing beside her. The door opened. Aunt Alicia crossed her arms and looked at us suspiciously.
“What do you want, Amara?”
Mom cleared her throat before speaking again.
“You see, I’m sick. I feel dizzy if I’m standing for too long. My body is asking me to just lie down on my bed.”
“Then go rest. Don’t tell me that you want me to nurse you until you get better? Hell no!”
“As if I would let you! I may die if you do that. You may poison me or suffocate me while I’m resting.”
I think they both forgot that I was here, too. I can hear their unsuitable words.
“Then what do you want?”
“Can you come with Tobias to his school?”
“Why would I do that? I won’t sacrifice my time for your son, I’d rather go back to sleep.”
“They have a family event today. Mom went out early in the morning. I don't know where she is. I also don’t know when she’ll be back. My husband is already back in service, so please?”
Aunt looked at me blankly.
“Should I sacrifice my sleep for you?”
Wow, I just felt so loved.
They both looked at me. O-oh! Looks like I said it out loud.
“Is that your poor attempt at guilt-tripping me?”
“Just go, Alicia. Gosh, I feel like my head is splitting. I’ll go back to my room and rest.”
Mom weakly walked back to her room.
“Remember, I sacrificed some of my innocence for you. It’s only right that you do this for me as well.”
Aunt looked at me and sighed dejectedly.
“Fine! If you're ready to go, wait for me inside while I get myself ready.”
“Thank you, Aunt Alicia.”
She just waved her hand, dismissing my thank you and went to shower after.
“So what’s this event all about?”
She asked when we were on our way to my school.
“It’s the usual family event at school.”
I answered.
“So there’s games and stuff.”
“Yeah.”
“What’s the price?”
She looks like a child with her face beaming with excitement.
“Mostly sweets.”
“I’d make sure to win then.”
“It’s for children, Aunt Alicia.”
“That’s discriminating! It’s just you, kids, who love to eat sweets, okay? We, adults, are already dealing with a lot of bitter things. And you’d condemn us for loving to eat sweets?”
I look at her, judging.
“And I’m just a kid. How would I relate to the bitter things you are talking about?”
“Now, I’m hating the fact that you’re a smart kid. I feel like I’m dealing with myself.”
“By the way, Aunt, do you have a license? Since you’re driving today?”
She smiled wickedly.
“I have a license, not in this country though.”
I looked at her to see if she was serious. She just shrugged, as if what she said ain’t shocking to me.
“Relax, okay?”
“Relax? What if we get caught?”
“Caught? What’s the probability that a highway patrol stops us and asks for my license? I’ll just make sure that I’ll drive within the speed limit.”
I prayed that we'd be lucky for the rest of our ride. And we’re really lucky that we arrived at school without any unfortunate incident. I breathe out a sigh of relief loudly.
“You’re that nervous, you really are just a kid.”
She said it like she was invalidating what I felt, like I was the one who was at fault with the two of us.
“Let’s go, Tobias. Lead the way, this is my first time in your school. I don’t know where to go.”
Since arguing with her is pointless, I just lead her inside. My teacher greeted us when she saw us. Some of my classmates are not yet here, so most of the parents that are present are mingling with each other and my classmates are playing in the play area.
“You can play with your classmates, Tobias. Don’t mind me. I’m an adult, I can take care of myself.”
She gently pushed me towards my classmates. I glanced back at her before running towards the play area. I try to enjoy it, but I always find myself glancing at my Aunt who is sitting in a corner alone and aloof.
I excused myself and went back to my Aunt to accompany her. I know she’s fine being by herself, but ever since she arrived, I have a feeling that she treasures our family like no other. That she’s okay being alone, she’ll be more than just fine, but she’d rather be with us. Maybe that’s the reason that, aside from being intrigued, I’m drawn to her.
“Are you pitying me, Tobias?”
I shook my head. I’m really not, I really just want to be with her. She smiled but, for some reason, it didn’t reach her eyes. I can feel her sadness. And this is my first time seeing her in this state.
“I don’t really like family events.”
- Writer
