Chapter 4
1189 Words
Rhea's POV
Rhea stood in front of the mirror for a moment, staring at herself without really seeing anything, like her reflection didn’t belong to her, like she was looking at someone trying too hard to stay composed.
Her hair was still slightly damp, falling over her shoulders. She pushed it back absentmindedly, then dropped her hand, the movement slow, distracted.
She told herself she was fine.
But the feeling in her chest said otherwise.
She reached for her phone and dialed her mother, it rang once.
“Hello?”
“I’m here,” Rhea said, her voice steady, almost too steady, like she was holding something back.
“How is it?” her mother asked.
Rhea glanced around the room, her eyes moving slowly over the walls, the bed, the space that felt too familiar. "It’s fine.”
The word was empty, she knew her mom could tell from the small pause
“Have you seen your dad?”
Rhea sighed, the sound heavier than she intended.
“No.”
“Not yet?”
“No.”
Her mother sighed softly. “You’ll be okay.”
Rhea swallowed slightly.
“I didn’t come here for that,” she replied, quieter now.
“I know,” her mother said gently. “Just don’t close yourself off before anything even starts.”
Rhea leaned slightly against the table, her body feeling heavier than it should. "I’ll be fine.”
“Call me later.” “I will.”
“Take care of yourself.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight baby girl.”
The call ended, and for a second, Rhea just stood there, staring at her phone before lowering it slowly, she really wish she was at home with her mom right now
She took a deep breath then she straightened.
She had to go down for dinner
She stepped out of her room and closed the door behind her, the soft click echoing more than it should.
The hallway was quiet, but voices came faintly from the living room, distant, unfamiliar, like she didn’t quite belong in them.
She followed the sound, her steps slow, measured, her chest tightening slightly with each step.
Then she turned the corner and stopped.
Kyle stood in the living room, his arms around someone, and she didn’t need to see clearly to know who it was.
It was her father.
Something in her chest tightened sharply, like a sudden pull she wasn’t prepared for.
Kyle pulled back slightly, and that was when her father saw her.
“Rhea.”
Her name sounded strange coming from him, it didn’t fit, he moved toward her immediately, arms opening, like it was natural, like it had always been that way.
Was he about to hug her? Tge thought made her want to throw up, she moved back slightly and lifted her hand instead for a handshake instead.
The movement slowed him and for a brief second, he hesitated, and in that pause, everything felt exposed, the distance between them, the years, the silence.
Then he lowered his arms and took her hand instead.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.” her tone stayed flat
Emily stepped in almost immediately, her voice bright.
“Dinner is ready,” she said. “Let’s all sit.”
They moved toward the dining table, Rhea took her seat quietly, choosing her place carefully, keeping just enough distance, like space could save her.
Plates were already set, the room filled with the soft clink of cutlery and movement, the tension was very clear
Her father cleared his throat slightly, the sound breaking the silence.
“So,” he began, glancing at her, “how was your trip?”
“It was fine,” Rhea replied, her voice even.
“Tiring, I’m sure,” Emily added quickly.
Rhea nodded. “A bit.”
“And work?” her father continued. “You said it’s something new?”
“Yes.”
“What exactly do you do?” Emily asked, smiling.
Rhea paused for a second, her fingers tightening slightly around her fork. “I just started. I’m still settling in.”
“That’s good,” Emily said. “New beginnings are always exciting.”
Rhea gave a small nod but didn’t respond, her silence stretching slightly longer than expected.
Her father leaned back slightly "And how long will you be staying?”
“A few weeks,” Rhea said.
“That’s… good,” he replied, like he wasn’t sure how to finish the sentence.
Emily smiled again. “It will be nice having you around.”
Rhea picked up her fork. "Hmm.”
She saw Kyle shift from the corner of her eyes, a small movement, but it pulled her attention for a second.
He hadn’t said anything yet, not one word.
She kept her eyes on her plate at first, focusing on the food, on something simple, something she didn’t have to think about.
Her father spoke again. "You used to like this,” he said, gesturing toward the food. “Your favorite.”
Rhea paused slightly, what was he trying to do. "I don’t remember,” she said.
The lie sat quietly between them.
A small silence followed and Emily stepped in quickly.
“Well, maybe you’ll like it again,” she said lightly.
Rhea didn’t respond, she took a small bite instead, but she was finding it hard to swallow.
Her father tried again.
“How do you like it here,” he said carefully, like he was stepping around something fragile.
She sighed, the sound soft but tired. "I just got here.”
She noticed Kyle shift slightly in his seat again, and without meaning to, she looked up and their eyes met.
There was something in the way he looked at her that made her uncomfortable .
Rhea broke the eye contact first, her chest tightening slightly.
She reached for her glass of water and took a sip, needing something to distract herself while
Emily spoke again, filling the space quickly.
“Kyle, you’ve been quiet. Say something.”
Kyle glanced at his mom briefly, then back at his plate.
“There’s nothing to say,” he replied simply.
Emily laughed softly. “That’s not true.”
Rhea didn’t look at him again, but she could feel his eyes on her
Her father cleared his throat again, and this time it irritated her more than anything else.
What do these people have against silence, she thought, her jaw tightening slightly.
“So, Rhea… your mom, how is she?"
“She’s fine.”
“Still working at the same place?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good.”
Another pause, the silence stretched again, it was awkward, she sighed quietly to herself. This was hell.
Nobody seemed to know what to say, and yet no one was willing to let the silence exist.
Emily kept trying, asking questions, making small comments, her voice filling the space again and again.
Rhea answered when she had to, by the time dinner ended she was so glad, she quickly packed her plate and excused herself.
She couldn't bear it anymore.
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