Favorite

Emiliana

It was already glooming outside when I got discharged. And just like what Nico said, he really did pay for my bills. Even Scott got me a place to stay. A unit in his owned condominium building, which we are currently in and at the reception area to take my keycard.

At first, I wanted to reject it since I also have my own unit–or I could stay in one of my parent’s properties, however Scott insisted with the reason that Clarence might come after me to explain himself.

I doubt that he would have a face to show in front of me after what he had done. But still, I considered Scott’s reason and accepted his help.

If it weren’t for this incident, I would not know that Scott and Nico are cousin’s, and Scott is from a wealthy family. That’s not all, he also has his own fair share of businesses even if he is still a high school student.

Well, it’s surprising after all since the boy is humble from head to foot.

“Oh, right! I have a question. Is Nico part of the basketball team? I have not seen him play in any of the games our school has participated in,” my curiosity sparked again earlier after seeing Nico at the hospital.

Scott inserted my keycard and punched my password in. I heard the door unlocked. 

He then averted his gaze on me and shook his head. “No. He is part of the taekwondo team. He just substituted for Clarence in a friendly match this afternoon,” he says before  twisting the knob and pushing the door open. 

I walk after Scott. I couldn’t help but be amazed at how spacious the room is. It’s even bigger than the unit Clarence has. 

“You’re going to be alright here, right?” Worry is still evident in Scott’s tone. Though he’s looking at me with a soft expression.

I give him a reassuring smile. “I will be. I would not dwell on this incident any further. Thank you for accompanying and helping me. Tell Nico as well that I’ll pay for the hospital bills. I caused you both inconvenience.”

I flinch in pain and rub the part where he flicked me with his index finger. “What inconvenience? Am I the only one who thinks that we are friends? I’m hurt, Emiliana!”

I watch him fake an offended expression. Friend? I did consider him as a friend, though we interact with each other a few times because of Clarence. 

I felt somehow happy at the thought that he considers me as his friend. Not just his friend’s girlfriend, but a friend.

“You’re pretty when you smile. No wonder he fe–nevermind. You should smile often and not just look so serious, or look timid like you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders,” Scott jokingly said.

I let out a chuckle. What he said is true. I am not good at expressing myself. And people would mistaken me as an aloof or snobbish person.

“But I was able to have friends and got myself a boyfriend, who in the end cheated on me with my own younger sister.” I said with a half smile.

Scott did not comment on what I said, instead there was a short pause on him before he said, “you should rest now. And don’t cry again. You’ve already shed enough tears for yourself.”

I furrowed, “did I cry?”

“You did. Are your eyes not hurting?” he asks, bewildered.

I shook my head and touched my eyes. Now that I felt them, they were indeed puffy and a bit aching.

“You should put cold compress on that. And I better get going. I still have some things to do. Sebastian will be here to give you your dinner. If you need anything else just give me a call.”

I nod and bid Scott goodbye. I watch him get inside the elevator before closing the door.

I walked to the living room and pulled my phone from my pocket. Sebastian went home to grab me some clothes and dinner.

While waiting for his return, I busied myself by scrolling through a movie app, not minding the continuous messages I received from my friends, ex-boyfriend, and sister.

Once the popping of messages stopped, I was ready to click the movie I wanted to watch when a call from my mother popped on the screen.

I have no reason not to answer her call but my guts telling me to swipe the green button. And so I did follow my gut this time. I watched the unanswered call end, but my mother was so persistent that she even called me again, and on her third call, I swiped the green button.

“Where are you?” Mom’s stern voice greeted me the moment I put my phone near my ear.

“Condo,” briefly, I answered. Based on the tone of her voice, she’s not worried about me. It’s nothing new. Really.

“Come home. Your father and I just arrived,” she said. Still with no affection in her tone. And with that the call ended.

I know why she wanted me home. We’re going to talk about what happened. My mother is someone who does not like arguments that are not settled on the very same day. Whenever she and father argued—their sweet bantering—but a real argument, they would not go to sleep until they said sorry to each other.

I stare at my dead phone. Contemplating whether I should follow mommy’s words or not. I don’t want them to worry about us but I also don’t want to see my sister’s snakelike appearance.

The memory of witnessing their affair is still fresh.

I received a message from my father. He also wants me home.

Well, I guess I could fake up the fact that I am forgiving Trisha for what she’s done.

When Sebastian arrived, he had nothing on both of his hands, no bag of clothes and food.

It appears that when he arrived at home, both my parents were already there comforting the crying Trisha, as Sebastian narrated.

I left a message for Scott informing him that I will not be staying at the unit he prepared for me. And that I left the key card at the reception area. Not long after, I received a reply from him, asking for the reason. Instead of telling him the truth, I replied with a thank you and sorry before turning my phone off.

All throughout the drive, I was just silent at the back and from time to time, I could feel Sebastian’s gaze through the rear mirror.

“Will you be alright?” he finally broke the silence between us. I meet his gaze at the rear mirror. He was looking at me worriedly. Now, this is new.

“Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like I am the one at fault here. They will take my side this time.” I confidently blabber. But deep down, I am doubting my own words. 

“But that’s not what I think this is.” Sebastian commented in a low voice, but it was enough for me to hear his words. I did not mind him and continued thinking of the possible scene that will happen once I arrive.

Questions sweep through my mind.

Would my parents do something about what Trisha did? Will they punish her? Or will they dismiss this incident and let us say sorry and forgive each other like nothing happened?

And just what I’d hope for, will they take my side this time?

The thought of them not siding with me caused a painful lump on my throat and a heavy feeling on my chest. That I wanted to vomit.

“Emilia? Where here!” I glanced at Sebastian when he cut-off my thoughts. I then realize that the car’s engine died down. 

I brought my gaze outside the car’s window. The house is well-lit, a proof that my parents are indeed home.

I heave a deep sigh to ease the anxiousness that’s slowly corrupting me. My emotions and thoughts.

Sebastian was the one who opened the door for me and all I did was to get out and drag myself towards the huge wood door of our entrance.

I have not yet entered the house but I could already hear the sobbing of my sister and the sweet and soft voices of my parents as they comforted her.

“Mom! Dad!” I called to get their attention. In unison, they both turned their heads in my direction.

I stood from my place, waiting for a comforting hug from the both of them.

However, my expectation shattered the moment I saw my mother’s furious gaze as she stride towards me. And that did not end there as a strong slap hit my cheeks that put me in shock.I could feel my ears ringing because of the strong impact.

As I looked at my mother with a widened eyes and confused gaze, I held my throbbing cheeks while tasting the metallic aftertaste of my own blood.

“How could you raise your hand at your sister and push her down the stairs?” she shouted at me but I didn’t mind it as I was confused by her words.

Push? I did not push her do–I averted my gaze at my father’s direction beside him is Trisha, with bruises all over her face and arm. There was even a bandage on her forehead that made me even more puzzled of what’s going on.

“How did you–“

I was unable to finish my words because my mother cut me off. “Don’t pretend that you did not do that to her, Emilia. You were supposed to protect her because you’re the eldest but instead, you were the one who inflicted pain on your own sister. Did I raise you wrongly, huh Emiliana?” 

“I didn’t push her down the stairs! You can even ask Sebastian!” I said, pointing outside, where Sebastian is.

“What’s the point? He might not tell us the truth in order to cover for you. You probably told him that he should keep his mouth shut!” Mom said in an accusing tone.

What?

“Is this why you wanted me home? To push the blame on me? I swear! I did not do that to her. Just this once, believe me! Listen to me!” I pleaded. Trying my best to not crack my voice.

“How can I believe you when the evidence is right in front of us?” Mother said, pointing at Trisha who was still shedding tears and looking pitiful in father’s embrace.

No! No! I really didn’t do–Scott and Nico. Maybe they can help me. “I have friends who witnessed the incident. They can vouch for me that I–“

“Save your reasons now, Emiliana! No one except you could do this to your sister. I know you are angry at her but that doesn’t mean you can push her down!”

She’s really not going to listen to me, is she? So be it!

I wiped the blood that’s sliding down from the side of my lip. I watch her with contempt. “Then mother, are you not even going to talk about how my younger sister fuck my own boyfriend in her room? Because I can give you a detailed story on how she wraps her legs on his waist, screaming in pleasure while meeting his every thr–“

“That’s enough, Emiliana!!” Father yelled.

I looked at my father, then on his hands that were covering Trisha’s ears. What can I expect from him? He favors Trisha more than I am. What’s so different between me and her?

I heard my mother’s sigh of frustration. “We already warned you not to enter into a relationship. You did not take our warning. And now look, you got hurt and even inflicted injuries on your sister. You also made mistakes, Emiliana. Can’t you forgive her? She’s just a child,” mother said, her voice toned down and pleading as she said those words about me forgiving Trisha.

And a child? Is she out of her mind? Trisha’s just a year younger than me! And what do they take me? An adult like them. I get it that I am the eldest, but I am also working to understand how everything works.

Yes, I also made mistakes. Mistakes that I needed to learn so I won’t repeat them again. But once in my life, I never made a mistake on coveting someone else’s boyfriend and fuck him. Not like what my dear good younger sister did.

“If you forgive her Emiliana, we will forget this incident tonight,” it was my father who spoke this time. 

I let the warm water roll down from my eyes down to my cheeks as realization hit me. “Am I rea-really nothing to the both of you? M-mother? Father?” My voice broke as I watched them while crying my heart out.  “I k-know she’s your favorite but…I-I am also your d-daughter!”

Why can't you treat us equally?