The Life of Her

An Impulsive Chatter

She was gazing lifelessly at the young boy and somehow her reaction told me that she was deeply drenched by questions about why her mother had taken the child. Maybe because she was longing for love from a new child or it's just pity that had placed that she had took him. Might as well love that had developed in the Orphanage.

Amber had told me that Mrs. Aliana wasn't fond of talkative children but she's also taking care of some in that building. Though it may seem like a miracle, her mother had worked and dedicated her life in an orphanage which was obviously a place filled with juveniles.

The time that her mother notified her that she was going to adopt Galvin, Amber was reluctant and didn't know how to respond. And instead, she just gouged it out as nothing happened and argued from. They became cold and I could sense, now, that I'm being her in this house. Mrs. Aliana was glad on how I'm treating her - an opposite of how her real daughter is behaving towards her.

"Where have you been all this time, dear sis?" Galvin asked as he tossed a coin in front of him.

He immediately caught it in his palm and stared at me with his cold eyes. It just started to rain and it was bursting that it was even hard for us to recognize the pavement. The wind was blowing hard, swaying the trees and wafting the dust. Vehicles were lashing in different directions, people were under their umbrellas and some of them were busy in finding shelters enough not to get themselves damped.

Amber’s light ruddy curtain oscillated and the cold breeze had entered the room.

I rasped my arm, looking over Amber who was at his back. She was crossing her fingers like a mad teacher tutoring someone at home. A stick and thick lensed glasses would make her in a perfect act.

“Just tell him that you wanted to continue your studies in a different location.” She promptly said.

I gazed towards Galvin who was patiently waiting for my response. I gave him a timid smile and uttered, “Well, your sister wanted to learn how to be independent and have fresh things in her way. I wanted to…study in a different school. By that, I could…make…new friends and memories there.”

He pouted and spun the coin on the floor. It had twirled around and stopped by the side of his toys. Fiddling his tiny fingers, he babbled, “I was hoping that you’ll be with Mom when she took me out of the Orphanage, but I guessed you were busy that time. I thought…you don’t want me to be your younger brother.”

Amber gasped for air and slowly moved near the pane. She peeped at the lamp post at the end of the street for a while, thinking about her current situation. She slowly reverted herself and confront us both.

“Life is full of mysteries isn’t it?” She chuckled for a while. She directed her attention towards Galvin. “This boy totally knew that I don’t want a sibling. In fact, he’s brave enough to tell you things like that.” A smirk was curved on her lips.

She was quite amazed at how the child is talking to me right at the moment. Even I didn’t feel any awkwardness from the time I saw him and as he started to talk. He was naturally fond of speaking to others and most of them were elders. Perhaps the Orphanage and the people in it have taught him hard, that life is also about choices to prevail.

She walked through him and stood in front of me. She tried poking his hair, but her fingers were just passing by. Amber shook.

“Do you think I could possess a body too? I might try this child.” She giggled.

Galvin took his cookies on the plate that was on the bed and took a fine bite. He slumped himself on the bed. Hugging the pillows, he stared at the clear ceiling and made his hush.

I gradually took myself and crouched beside him.

“When did...Mom take you here with her?” I curiously asked.

He snickered. “Well, when Mom told me that you left, a week after that, she decided to take me home. She was devastated and I guessed she also needed someone to at least ease the pain. But now that you’re here, I’m sure Mom is delighted to have you again and also me. I’m really excited to get to know you more, sister.” He uttered.

Amber winced and I don’t want to force her in liking the child. But then, I just want peace as I do her role. And I don’t want any trouble with a child, especially a loquacious one. I plumped my back on the bed and let the cold air touch my complexion. I grabbed one of the pillows and embraced it on my chest. I comprehended Galvin playing with his toys on the sheets. His hair was still damped and wasn’t even brushed.

He wriggled his nose and sneezed.

Amber departed near the door and passed her right foot to the outside. She blinked at me and said, “I’ll just roam around. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes. Have fun with that child.” Then, she completely vanished.

“Do you believe in ghosts?” He suddenly laid a question.

I felt my mouth went dry but I managed to have a reply.

“No, but I want to see one. I think it would be scary but at the same time fascinating. The nuns told me that my parents have died in a car accident. Somehow, I wanted to see them too, even if they’re already dead or maybe in one of my dreams they would appear…” He said, pressing the pillow with his fingers.

The door was being knocked on twice then I heard Mrs. Aliana call us by our names, slowly twitching it open. She peeked beside me and uttered, “I guessed both of you are having time to know each other. Dinner is ready children.”

Amber didn’t come upstairs. So I guessed she was already in the dining room, waiting for us to arrive there. Perhaps, she had focused herself on examining her mother so well. And even if she’s hiding it, she still missed her for sure. Galvin smiled in excitement and it was then he hurdled from the bed and moved towards his mother. He grabbed her hand and whirled to look at me.

“Let’s go, big sis!”

Grabbing my phone and my purse, we then went downstairs straight ahead.

Mrs. Aliana had been so careful about how she was acting towards me as if she didn't want to have a misunderstanding with me as her daughter. Now that I'm in their house, it would be simpler to know what kind of person she is and what's her real relationship with Dad.

I should make my move and don't exhaust time. The smell of fried rice and omelettes and chocolate shake was there, making our stomach ache to lavish them. She had also prepared a creamy, overload with cheese, fruit salad that was neatly served inside her gaudy, ceramic bowl. Amber was just resting still at the edge of the counter, patiently examining over her mother.

Mrs. Madison had never ceased to put a smile on her face, especially when I'm around. She surely had missed her daughter, that I felt bad that it was not her real child whom she'll be spending time with.

I conveyed her a feeble laugh as she waited for me to take my meal. She voluntarily served me rice and some of omelettes. She opened the other bowl that was covered. It was corn soup. She filled my pot with it and I thanked her.

"It's your favorite, that's why I made some tonight. Your brother had also recommended it." She voiced.

Galvin was beside me, taking his bites of his meal. He was enjoying it that he was just focused on his plate.

"Thank you. I'll...definitely add some more."

"Amber..."

Her face was meek. And I saw her eyes watered on the sides.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for coming home...I missed you."