Oblivious

“She really likes Emelie but he is still in denial.” I looked at her wide eyed. But on second thought, I reminded myself that she was no longer a little kid and of course she would know about stuff like this so no need to be surprised. “Don’t tell him I said that though, he always gives me the cold shoulder whenever I say that.” She said whispering in my ear. It was surprising that the smart girl in front of me in fact is the same child who always raised her hands in demand to get carried. I smiled at the memory, too bad I’ll never get to see her that way again. Surely, time did fly, very quickly I might add.

“Of course I’m not going to say a word to him.” I assured her. “Does she always come here?”

“Not really but she lives in the next house so we get to see her every day.” Kaima’s answer made me happy. I wanted to meet Lisa again. I wanted to ask her what exactly statement meant. I very well remembered what she had said and with the way my ‘big’ brother shunned her there is no way he’ll willingly give me answers. I know I could ask Kaima but I don’t want any of them worrying about me or any of them getting suspicious of me.

“I don’t understand him sometimes. I mean, she is beautiful and-”

“And who is this beauty you’re talking about?” We both stiffened as we heard that. Speaking of the devil, I for one did not expect him to return but he was, his lean frame resting against the door as he stared down at us.

“Kaima...” His eyes narrowed as he stared at her. He still had that one thing in him; his persistence. Well, we didn’t do anything wrong so I strongly believed that there was no reason for us to freeze like little kids who got caught taking meat from the soup pot without telling mum.

“Your friend,” I said that to see his reaction. “Lisa.” I beamed at him

His eyes fell along with his expression. I see, back to being glacier. But then he scratched his neck and his eyes began to wander. Okay, I did not see that coming. He let out a breath and next thing; he was sitting on my bed staring at both his sisters with a bored expression. Kaima still looked a bit fearful but instead I pouted at him. He always did that to me whenever he successfully riled me up, at least from what I remember. His silence made my eyes squint more and my lips pout even harder

Finally he rolled his eyes and let a slight smile graced his lips. “Whatever, she is not a friend. Just a nosy classmate and you-” He pointed at Kaima, “Stop talking to her, stop talking about her. I’ll be in my room.” And with a flash like whoosh, he left.

To my astonishment mom came back earlier than expected. I thought she had gone to work but that wasn’t the case. Actually, she had gone to a nearby store to pick up some food stuffs. Emelie went down stairs to help her with the groceries. I decided to make myself useful in the kitchen and so I help dice up the onions and do every other little thing there was left to do.

“Didn’t you go to work today?” I smoothly asked my mother as I peeled some of the garlic she had given me earlier. I just wanted to know but didn’t anticipate the response I received.

“Well dear, I quit that job at the bank a long time ago.” My hands shook a little and involuntarily I loosened my grip on the knife in my hand letting it drop on the counter with a low thud. She actually quit, I know I shouldn’t have but I very much liked the idea of having her around always. I felt utterly shocked but equally satisfied with her answer. A feeling of longing deep within me was sated and I had no clue why but I decided to just go with and let myself feel those happy bubbles burst within me. I felt a pair of eyes on me and upon turning to my left I saw my mum with a gentle smile on her face but her eyes seemed to glisten with moisture, they looked rather sad.

“Seeing you like that made me realize a lot of things, it made me realize that we haven’t created enough memories together and it is solely my fault. I’m sorry-” her voice cracked a bit

“I buried myself in work believing I was giving you kids a good life but that wasn’t the most important thing, money was never the most important thing, presence is” she sighed deeply and my heart kept squeezing due to the utter bliss I felt hearing those words. I moved closer to her and gently, I pulled her in for a hug which she returned with just as much intensity. I kept whispering that it was okay as I rubbed her back in attempt to soothe her and most importantly I reminded her that I was there, with her in that moment.

I found myself smiling throughout our stay in kitchen. I did get some minor burns when I stupidly lifted the hot pot lid without getting hold of a rag first. The fingers of my right hand hurt a bit from the injury but I didn’t let it become a bother to me. I just carried on like nothing had happened.

Kaima wanted to go out for a bit and she asked mom if I could come with her which mom agreed to. Emelie wanted to join us but Kaima directly declined saying she just wanted some alone time with me and argued that I was cooked up at home and needed some fresh air. And even, she promised Emelie and mom that she would bring me home safe and sound without a scratch. I didn’t like the sound of that; everyone was treating me like a child again. Normally, I overlook their safety; I take care of them, not the other way around. They care a lot about me and they are worried, I get that but even if it was just a few days, I was beginning to feel a tad bit suffocated with their overly protective attitude but they were oblivious to my feelings and I didn’t know how tell them