His oppression

Talk

Chapter Twelve: TALK

The first thing that my parents did when they got inside was look around. I knew deep inside they were going to give comments on how I keep the place intact after my grandparents’ departure. They might have thought that I wasn’t going to take everything easy because I rely so much on grandma. I guess I could say I was sulking but that would be in my own time and leisure.

Why would I be sad anyway?

My grandparents have lived a good life and if I wanted them here, to stay here for long, because I needed them… Well that’s just a little bit greedy on my part, ain’t it? My grandma used to say that we shouldn’t dwell too much on forlorn moments in our lives because the time we’ve spent on grieving and regrets, instead it’s the right time to start anew. And I stuck by that ever since my bunny died after having her for 7 years. She was sick and was having a hard time holding on for her dear life. It was until she passed away that I really cried.

It hurts as hell losing something or someone so dear to you but you always have to remember the good memories you had with them and furthermore cherish every second because I’m pretty sure that’s what they’d want you to hark them back on. They wouldn’t want you to be depressed.

Or that my grandma just didn’t want me to be sad because I lost the only friend I ever had.

“Why don’t you find a better job? Isn’t the toy store you’re working at going into bankruptcy?” father had asked, taking a seat on the couch with a glass of juice in his grip.

“I’m looking into some jobs right now.” I informed him even though that was the last thing I’d do.

“Why don’t you work for your mother’s company? They could use helpers there. With the paperwork and all.”

“No thanks,” I laughed nervously, just wanting this rendezvous to be done and over with because I had little to no patience left acting so polite in front of them.

I just think my grandma wanted me to be like this in front of them which I don’t particularly understand but have to do anyway because I have no choice. I could practically hear her voice in the back of my mind and that wasn’t healthy for my mental state at all.

“Why not? So I could keep a closer eye on you too.” mom said as she was taking huge bites of the cake like no one was going to consume it except her. “It’s been stressful in the office lately.”

And I don’t really want to be part of that stress you’re talking about, let me be to make my own decisions alone. They really think they can just take the wheel on this one and I’d be okay with that. This is why I’m rather thankful that they didn’t let me live with them or else I might have ended up like my criminal of a brother.

“I said no thanks,” I repeated with stress in my words. “I don’t want to work in an office.”

They both stared at me and if looks could kill, I’d really be dead right now. I could have been digging my own grave but I still stand my guard, no matter how much they try to intimidate me. They make me act like a child and it was nerve wracking.

“What’s the matter with working at an office? You just get to sit your butt down and work on papers all day and you’d have money by the hour.” mom argued.

“It’s not worth it if I’m not going to enjoy myself.”

“Who said anything about enjoying it? Jobs aren’t supposed to be enjoyable. It’s something you do to strive and earn money to pay your taxes and bills. Do you think it’s for enjoyment, Aria?” Dad asserted his view on the subject matter, his eyebrows meeting in the middle. “You’re never going to find a decent job that puts food on your table if you have that kind of mindset! That's why we got you your grandparents' money because we don't believe you can make it through without the help."

This time, my eyebrows were the ones that furrowed. The points he was making just didn’t make sense to me and just infuriated my very being to the very core. If my mindset was so messed up according to them, what word should I describe their opinion on things? It has got to be the worst. And the fact that they say they don't believe in me but I never relied on them in the first place says a lot.

"Look, I don't understand why you're here." I finally told them, forcing myself not to claw their eyes out right at this instant.

"What don't you understand? We're your parents. We're supposed to be checking up on you every now and then." mom snarked.

For a graceful woman everybody says she is, she eats like she lives with the pigs. Heck, even pigs have more denency than her when it comes to eating. It's all amusing to me. They're just as fake as they want to be.

"No, where were you all my life? Do you think you visiting me would make me love you that easily?"

"Don't you have respect for your parents? We brought you into this world. We've been grinding on work everyday to feed you, you should be thankful." dad countered, his cheeks were now bright red.

He isn't used to his children talking back at him and he was angry.

"Really? I owe you for putting me in this world?" I asked, laughing sarcastically as I crossed my arms against my chest. "No child should be an investment for the parents who raised them. It's your responsibility to raise a child you brought into this world. It wasn't their choice to be born."

"You ungrateful little brat! Is that how your grandparents raised you!?" dad's tone of voice got a little higher and you could tell his frustration was showing.

"See, how you said your grandparents but they were your mother and father." I pointed out when he was getting closer to me. "I've been alone all my life but I'm not this out of touch with people."

I could now understand what my brother has to go through everyday with these people. It made me gain a little respect for him. 

I'm sorry grandma that I'm getting rude but they're really testing my patience here.

My dad had his hand up, fuming. I knew what he was going to do but I didn't even budge on where I stood. Before his hand made contact with my cheek, I just now noticed Radcliff was standing beside me and he held my dad's arm to stop his momentum.

I told Radcliff to keep himself lowkey but do you call this being subtle? He wanted my parents to know that he was there and he wasn't letting anything hurt me.

Though that made my insides jump a bit, I kept a cool and indifferent look. My eyes gazed over to my mother who was so busy with her gluttony that she had not paid any mind to what was happening and how dad was trying too hard to move his arm.

Even he looked terrified that something was blocking his actions.

"What the f**k is going on??"

I gave a warning look to Radcliff to let go of the petty and terrified man. But the thing was— he did, he did let go of dad but not in the way I had anticipated. Dad was sent flying and for a few seconds he was in the air before his body slammed to the ground.

That was when my mom finally took her attention away from her food and to what had just occurred.

"Michael!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, swiftly coming to my dad's call of help. She got down to her knees, giving support to the man who had just fallen to sit up. "What the hell is wrong with you you stupid child!"

I just looked at them. I wasn't even the slightest mad at them. But you know who I was frustrated at? Myself. I was frustrated at myself for the fact that I was getting emotional because of this stupid scene. The people I was wholeheartedly expecting to be there for me and how I've been longing their care and attention for too long now were the same people who really don't give a single flying f**k and perhaps never will at how egoistic and narcissistic they were.

I believe people change. But by the rate of how old my parents were, that's just wishful thinking.

"I didn't even lay a finger on him." I told my mom. "Just get out. Never visit me again. You are not my parents. Don't pretend that you are, it's sickening."

"We are taking the money your grandmother gave you! You're a freak! We never wanted you in the first place!"

I don't think that's a threat, honestly. I think that that was their intention coming here in the first place. Their greedy arses just want to take the money.

"Take it, I don't care." I told them, holding onto my forehead. It hurts. "Just leave me alone."

I'm not even angry when Radcliff opened the door with full force that got my parents out of here in an abrupt way.

Sighing, I collapsed on the sofa as I tried so hard to keep in the tears that were threatening to escape my eyes but just failed quicker than a second when Radcliff was now in front of me, sitting on his legs. His fingers were playing with my hair and that just made me really emotional. Such a simple gesture could break me down.

"I told you we could have just scared them the minute they stepped foot in here." he tried to lighten up the mood. "They act like they're the bigger person but they're just as cowardly."

"I'm just upset that I really thought that they were going to start being real parents to me and we could have been family even if it took the longest time to be one." I said, putting my hand on top of his. "Then I just find out they really didn't want me."

I really needed the comfort.

"Money changes how people perceive their surroundings and the world. They might stay on the ground, humbled, or fly by their own ego. There's really nothing in between. They're people who just care about themselves enough to look and feel good even though they're in the wrong." he told me, giving a small smile. "You look so vulnerable right now, Aria. It's disheartening to witness."

I laughed lightly at that. "Don't get used to it. It's been a while since I really cried."

"It's bad that you bottle up your emotions. Then you just explode one day, it's terrifying." he sighed.

"I don't bottle up emotions! I let them be." I pouted.

Even though his hand was cold, he made me warm inside. 

"Hey.." I softly called out to him. "Could you do me this one thing and we never speak of it?"

"I will do anything for you."

I felt my cheeks heat up at the thought of asking him of this favour.

"C-could you snuggle up to me?" I asked with a small voice, hoping he had heard it the first time so I wouldn't have to repeat myself.

Because I'm going to get embarrassed and probably tell him to f**k off.

He smiled, not speaking one word before leaving and coming back with a pillow and a blanket. 

"I do not get cold but you do." he said before putting the pillow under my head and the blanket around my body.

Still timid, I moved back to the back of the seat to give him some space. We've never been this close before and the idea of it kind of excites me.

He scooted his body closer to mine and his arm was immediately wrapped around my waist which made me want to get out of the position badly but I attempted to remain calm. My hand was shaking when trying to hug him back but it just went to his chest. 

"Y-your body is cold, Radcliff."

"Oh.. does that make you uncomfortable?"

"No, I love the cold." I told him before hugging him by his neck and muzzling my face into his chest. 

His body vibrated a bit when I heard him laugh. "We can do this—"

"No! I told you it's a one time thing!" I cut him off, blushing.

He doesn't smell like anything in particular. And I guess that's fine. But I would want some scent on him to remember him by.

"Okay, but if you want to do it again, do not hesitate to ask."