Strong winds are blowing in Andalusia, Spain. The air is not so fresh, but very refreshing. I looked at the land because I was now at the height of the rocks. I opened both my hands, then savored every stroke in my hair.
Well, two years ago. It’s been two years since I’ve been able to rest. Two years but my heart is still beating for one person. It seems that in those two years, nothing has changed. The world went round, but I was left behind. I didn’t even take a step once. Every day my heart is still crying for him. For two years, my memory kept coming back. That’s also probably the reason I can’t forget him.
— Flashback 2 years ago —
“Are your things ready? Won’t you change your mind?” I am now sitting on the bed where I used to live – my parents’ mansion. Ava’s eyes that you thought her boyfriend would leave her. I couldn’t figure out if I would laugh or be sad because I would be separated from her. My decision will not be a joke either.
“I won’t stop and get back to my words because everything I’m done preparing everything.” I laughed even though it was fake. I try to be strong because I don’t want them to see me in this situation. The doctor also told me I needed to go to a comfortable environment.
While we were talking, a maid knocked, so we stopped the conversation. We waited for her to speak, but she was quiet, so I got up to open it. My eyes lit up when I saw it was Alex. I opened the door wide then ask him to come inside.
“Why did you come here?” I quickly put the clothes in the suitcase so he could sit down. I also cleaned and arranged the things I would leave behind.
“Nothing, is it bad to visit a sick FRIEND now?” he emphasized the word “friend.” So we laughed.
I have had no news of Randall since I got out of the hospital. He followed what I said, that I didn’t want to see him anymore. For me, that was okay. I can no longer feel the happiness and butterflies every time we talk. I just hope he is happy. That’s what I will pray for every day wherever he is.
“Miss Winter, Turstin is here. He said he is your friend.” As we joked, Turstin came in next. He just smirked and looked at Ava first. Ava averted her gaze and stood up. She approached my tables there and pretended to put on make-up. Turstin ignored her again as he spoke.
“Won’t you talk to him?” Even if he didn’t mention it, I knew who he was referring to. I don’t know if I still need it. It’s good that we’re just like this. We hurt no one with the feelings of. Maybe when we just meet, we will have a rebuke and we can tell each other’s drawbacks.
That afternoon ended with us just talking. Alex and I never opened the topic of being lovers back then. All we talked about was Ava and I’s college days. Funny things we did. Until they left. The room became quiet again, darkness and silence were my friends again. It once again engulfed me as it recounted the bitter things that had happened to me.
As I came to down the kitchen, I saw Aunt Helena and Archer eating. I ignored them and just sat. I was not surprised that they still stayed at my parents’ mansion. I don’t bother thinking about that because I have more important things to deal with. They had been talking before, but since I came, no one had spoken to us. I just kept quiet and let the cutlery make the noise. Maybe Aunt Helena could not take it any longer and she spoke.
“Winter, when are you leaving the country?”
I knew she had no intention of her question, but I put down the cutlery, then looked at her blankly. I stopped chewing then looked at Archer who was also earnestly looking at me and seemed to be waiting for my answer. They will get nothing from my answer because they will just see that I am no longer at home and I will surprise them I have returned.
“Why? Are you excited about managing this house and my company?” I picked up the cutlery again but before I could do that I saw Aunt Helena’s clenched hands as Archer dropped the spoons and forks because they were so heavy, they sounded loud.
“I don’t know what your problem is. I don’t know if you are mad at us, but you are being disrespectful! Is that how your parents raised you- ”
He didn’t finish what he was saying because I threw the glass behind him and it hit the wall. Aunt Helena’s eyes widened as I looked at them coldly.
“Don’t ever question how my parents raised me because I act based on my actions. Ask me again how they raised me. I will forget that you are my brother, Archer.” I stood up and looked at Aunt Helena again. “If you continue to disparage them, the mattress you were sleeping on will become a frigid chair, and I will put you outdoors in the bitter cold.”
I threw the tissue on the plate, then came out. When I return, I will make sure I will focus on my parent’s case. I will find out what happened to them. And when I found out that they were the culprit, I would never forgive them again.