New Home

Chapter 22: My name is Riley, not Trisha!

I have been sitting on the couch for thirty minutes or so. After dinner, they let me have a comfortable sit. Sir Magno and his wife busied themselves washing the dishes and fixing the whole kitchen. Justin is seated beside me and we were both faced on a big television screen watching an unrecognizable film.

"Are you good with action films?" he suddenly asked. I loked at him and he is shadowed by a thrift smile. I shook my head as I answered him.

He thinks for a while. "Trisha has been a fan of action movies. She likes Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, even Jackie Chan. I actually don't understand her, others would die to see romantic cheesy films but she doesn't like to..."

Why would he tell me about her? I didn't even dare to ask.

"She's a martial artist too. She took taekwondo classes and she's also into boxing. Mom even thought for a while when she's still in her tummy, that maybe she's a boy and..."

"I'm not her." I whispered all of a sudden

"What?" I looked at him and I saw a hopeful guy. 

I put up a frown face and repeat what I just said. "I said I'm not Trisha. I'm not your sister so stop telling me about her. I don't ask." and I switched my eyes at the TV screen.

Why would they always tell me about her? She is not me, okay? She is dead! 

He, then, remained silent for the rest of the minutes that had passed. When a call came on his phone, he left me sitting alone on the couch. I guess it is way better without him sitting here with me. Glad, I have escaped his stares at me.

Sitting here is such a bore. I want to go somewhere. I have to still look for a place to keep myself. Maybe, I'll just stay at our old house. It's been a year but maybe I can still be able to define our once home. It'll take more cleaning for that to do so.

While the movie is still playing, I just held myself looking at the whole surrounding. This place is not that bad. It is actually really good. Every thing in the house is full of elegance and the walls are decorated beautifully. No doubt, this is a grand, beautiful home. One thing's just lacking, I don't feel any happiness at all. There is a big hole that swallowed the brightness of the light that is showering the whole place.

Maybe that hole is her. 

"Riley?" I heard his voice. I stopped touring around the living room. I even put away from my hold the one picture of her among the twelve others that are wonderfully displayed on the shelf. All were reflected by her great smile. It came from different occassions, though. During taekwondo recital competition, during her graduation in elementary, even her sixteenth birthday party.

I paid my attention as I sat on the couch once more.

Before he could even spit what he want to say, I saw him looked at her wife and she just nodded at him. He went to look at me again and released a smile. "Is it okay, if you could have your stay here for the meantime?"

I stared at him for a while. I know he's just being thoughtful but is it about her again?

I breathed sharply as I shook my head. "It's okay, sir. I know a place where I can stay at, I guess, for good. We have our house here in Manila and I could just go back to the place. I think I can still be able to know the place then. So I'm good." I stood up to say my gratitude and prepare myself to leave. "Thanks for letting me ride with you, and for your dinner Mrs. Madeline. I appreciate all the goodness you have shown me, and a pleasure to have meet your family. But I'm good. If you'll excuse me, I have to go." I even tried a beautiful smile and finally took my bag.

When I return to face them once again, I saw Mrs. Madeline make few steps near me. 

"Well..." she started as she keeps on fidgeting. "Our home is open for you. I'm sure your old house will never be that good to live at anymore, so... why don't you just stay? I'll be pleased if you'll stay." she smiled. 

And if she'll think I'll go on with that smile and encouragement, then no. I know she just want me to stay because she remember Trisha on me. And I don't want to live at her position. I'm Riley and they have to see me like that. Not the way they see their daughter.

I shook my head once more. "Thanks but I know I'll be better with our house. Besides, what have gone wrong with just a year? I'm sure it's still fine. I can clean it, if ever."

She never add such words anymore. I saw her smile fades and she started to take steps backward, making her to stay at his side. Justin, now finished on his telephone call, finally arrived inside the house.

I heard Sir Magno inhaled and exhaled after a minute of silence. Yes. I'm determined to go and there's nothing they can do to stop me from doing that.

"Then, I'll drive you on your way."

I posed a smile. I received their smiles as well but it's bitter taste of smile.

"I'll just drive her." he called to his wife and kissed her on the forehead. "Justin" he nods at him and he did the same. I don't know what does that mean but I don't care. It's their way of having a conversation.

I sat on the passenger seat and he, on the driver's seat. As he prepared for the seatbelt, I looked at the car window and I saw them making small waves and pushing a little smile on me. As an exchange, I smiled too.

As the car starts to move, the two of them already vanished infront of the door. 

I felt sorry for what I did. But that's the only way to prevent me from being their Trisha.