“Tell us a story, mama.” Nicole chirped when their mother tucked them into their crappy futon.
“Yes mama, tell us. Tell us a story. I want to hear a story.” Sia chimed in. Her sleepy voice enraptured their mother’s heart.
“You really want to hear a story now?” She asked and they both nodded. Their decrepit room was bitch black. Only the rays from the moon swept into the room.
The kids bored their sleepy eyes on their mother’s face, taking in her looks. Her features. You can see the beauty that lies underneath those wrinkled cheeks. It’s not because of old age it’s because of condition.
Sometimes wrinkles ain’t gotten because of old age, it’s gotten because of circumstances that alter a person’s looks.
“Fine. I’ll tell you a story.” She grinned, fanning them with a piece of paper.
“There’s a girl who so loved her father. He loved her back and she loved her mother and sister. They lived together. But the dad so loved the girl more than anyone- she assumed.” She began.
“Why does he love her more,” Nicole asked.
“He said because she’s different. But that doesn’t mean he hates the others. Of course, he loved them.” She responded, still swaying her hand back and forth to fan the kids.
“The girl had a playmate just the way you too are.” She chuckled.
“Really? Was he a cheat like Sia? Does she cheat when you play hide and seek?” Nicole asked again.
Sia hit him on the head and murmured, “I’m not a cheat.”
“It’s okay kids.” Their mother spouted. “He was never a cheat. He was a good boy. However, the girl’s sister hated that he only plays with the girl and always reported her to their papa and mama.” She said, still fanning them.
The kids’ eyes slowly turned closed.
“The mama grounded the girl from playing with her playmate but the papa never did. He told her, ‘never let what’s yours be taken from you.” She watched their faces. Sia was slowly drifting and Nicole’s eyes were half closed.
“But the girl loved the mama and sister. Because she wanted the mama to love her like she loved the sister, she started avoiding her playmate.” She huffed.
“Something happened to the girl.” She peeked at them and continued. “One day, the girl’s papa died. She cried and cried for him to come back and be with her but he never did. Since that day the papa died, the girl’s life took a turn…” She paused when heard the kids snoring. She sighed and pulled the sheets on their chest.
*
Sia sat under the cabanas, grinding her cookies, chasing them down with her juice. She remembered the night their mother told them that story although she couldn’t pinpoint the sad undertone in their mother’s voice.
Sia tried to recollect Nicole’s face but it’s so hard to remember considering it’s been years. The images of him in her mind are all blurry but she could remember the time they spent together.
She could hear his tiny voice in her ears. It’s like a sweet melody. One she wouldn’t like to stop playing.
She wondered what he’d look like if he was alive now. Will he be handsome? Will he be gay or not?
Sia’s phone tinged beside her and she clutched it and ogled at the screen. It’s a message from Estrella.
“Hey girlfriend, how are ya?”
“Ethan and I planned to host a dinner night with his friends and mine. And also a pool party.”
“And that’s going to be held tomorrow evening.”
“Shit, I know you’re gonna lash on me for not informing you on time. But trust me I had a lot on my table, so I forgot.”
“So, endeavor to come with your Victoria’s Secret lingerie tomorrow. And yes, we’re going to cook. I’d need your help.”
“See ya tomorrow. Bye.”
Sia read and rolled her eyes. A dinner night and Estrella’s just texted her about it now? She fumed.
“Do I still have new pair of Victoria’s Secret lingerie?” She mumbled under her breath but another message from Estrella obstructed her thoughts.
“Did I mention you should bring the gym guy over?”
“My bad.”
“Please…please bring him over so I can see him. I already know he’s going to be super hot”
“love ya.”
Sia’s crunched up her lips when she read this. She let her fingers run fast on her phone’s screen.
“Never told you I’m into him. So I’m not bringing him over and that’s not debatable.”
She waited to see Estrella’s response but it didn’t stream in. So Sia already knows she had slept off. It’s midnight even. She swung to her feet on the ground and walked back into the house.
**
Sia woke up feeling frolic and energized. She brushed her teeth and spray some mouthwash before creeping downstairs.
She looked around for Michelle and found her directing the servants to clean the theater room.
“Michelle,” Sia called as she closed in on Michelle. Michelle snapped her head back and locked eyes with Sia.
“Good Morning, Mrs. Monson.” She spilled her greetings.
“Do you mind going on a stroll with me? A morning stroll.” Sia mentioned. Michelle gave it a snappy deal of thought and nodded.
“Alright.” She agreed and they strolled outside, walking across the street. It’s the weekend so most people came out with their pets for a morning stroll. Some sat on bleachers reading the papers.
“What made you want to stroll and not go on a roadwork?” Michelle’s question cut through the silence.
Sia shrugged, lightly. “Just felt like strolling with someone. I don’t have the zeal to run today. Is that bad?” She stated, stealing glances at Michelle.
“Not at all. I bet you’re missing your husband .” Michelle voiced, earning a short grin from Sia.
When Mr. Monson was alive. He usually takes Sia on weekend morning strolls and they’d chatter about so many things. Sia upholds that memory. Maybe that’s why she wants to relive it this morning.
“Why didn’t you marry, Michelle?” Sia asked. All the while she never mentioned anything about her kids or husband. At some point, she asked Mr. Monson if Michelle was married but he said.
“She chose to remain single. But I don’t know her reason for it.” That was the curt response she earned from Mr. Monson that day. But now that they both are chattering about her late husband, Sia saw it as an opportunity to ask the question that lies on her tongue.
Michelle paused walking but Sia didn’t know at first until she didn’t feel Michelle by her side. She halted in her tracks and glanced back at Michelle.
The grim look on Michelle’s face was subtle but Sia saw it. It shone in her eyes when she peered into them.
“I chose not to marry,” Michelle uttered. Sia walked back to her and held her hands.
“There must be a reason why you chose that. What happened? Can you share your story?” She asked, looking into Michelle’s eyes.
Michelle nodded.
“Yes, only if you’re willing to feel pains,” Michelle uttered and they locked their eyes.