ECHOES OF BELONGING

CHAPTER TWO

Malee, middle-aged 38, Decha's sister picks up Decha and Sydney at the airport. Her face brightens up when she spots her brother, they haven't seen each other for almost three years. It's very obvious she would be emotional seeing her only brother. Decha and Malee are the only kids Mr. Kittisak has and they are best of friends. Growing up Malee only had Decha by her side as their parents were always working.

Immediately she sets her eyes on Sydney her whole mood changes, and her wide beautiful warm smile fades away. On the other hand, Sydney doesn't seem to care about what's going on around her. Decha taps her on the shoulder for the respect she has for him she takes off her headphones and says hi to Malee who doesn't respond and instead helps Decha with the bags and heads towards the exit. Sydney puts on her headphones and follows her dad out.

Their drive home is the most awkward drive, there is a very awkward silence in the car. Sydney was seated at the back listening to music and admiring the beautiful city of Pattaya. Decha is just browsing on his phone. Reading Malee's phone you can tell she would rather be somewhere else than in this car driving these two home.  

After two long hours of driving, they are finally at home, Niran, Decha's only son with his late wife, can't hide his joy seeing his father back. He hugs his father so tightly. Cherry, Decha's niece and the only child of Malee, also overjoyed runs out of the house and hugs her uncle so tightly.

This whole time Sydney is standing leaning on the car looking like she is regretting her whole existence and the idea of being here "Uncle where is the new auntie?" Cherry asks innocently not knowing that is has created a whole awkward moment, Niran's smile fades away and he gets into a really bad mood. Cherry spots Sydney and runs to welcome her home, from her face one can tell that she is really overjoyed, it's her first time to see a black person in real life. "Wow! you look so cool like in the TV! you must be my new cousin, where is your mum? I want to meet her so bad",  Cherry asks in Thai, Sydney doesn't seem to understand a thing she is saying. She starts touching Sydney's hair out of curiosity, Sydney gets uncomfortable and she walks to her dad. Malee and Cherry help with the bags as the family walk into the house.

They all sit in the living room Malee serves Decha and Sydney some water to drink. 

" Niran i want you to meet your sister," Decha says hoping to get on the same page with Niran.

"How long is she staying?" Niran asks agitated.

"Niran!" Malee steps into the conversation to make sure things don't get out of control.

Sydney doesn't understand anything that's going on since the whole conversation is in Thai. Reading the mood in the room she can sense that something isn't right.

"Dad let me get some air," 

"Cherry go with her," Malee asks Cherry. The two leave the room.

"Was it not enough that they kept you away from me for three years,now they follow you back here? tell her to go back where she came from."

"Enough Niran," 

Niran gets pissed that his dad is still choosing Sydney over him, he leaves the room and goes to his room. Malee looks at Decha with a questioning look as he just sits down not knowing how to cross this bridge.

Outside Cherry and Sydney are sited at the gazebo. Cherry keeps on asking Sydney question but she gets no response since Sydney doesn't speak Thai Sydney looks at her takes out her phone and shows her, her mum's picture.

"She is pretty, you too look alike, where is she?"

"Do you ever stop talking?"

"what?"

"Nothing?"  giving her a cynical smile, Cherry smiles back.

Sydney and Cherry walk back into the house. Cherry in her mind she convinces herself that she has a new friend, Sydney can't help herself but see Cherry as a very annoyingly sweet soul. Malee shows Sydney her room. Sydney goes in and sleeps without eve taking her shoes off. A few hours later Cherry comes in to call her for dinner but she is sound asleep. Cherry takes off her shoes and covers her and leaves the room.

The following day Sydney stays in her room to avoid any contact with the other people, Cherry comes and helps her to unpack promising to keep quite. this time Cherry is understanding  her with the help of google translator. In a way this two seem to really get along.  Malee comes in to call them for dinner.

During dinner everybody seems uncomfortable but grounded by Malee nobody dares to leave.

"Am full,"

"Young lady sit back down and eat your food, that's my house rule number one,"

"Malee she said she is full,"

"She has barely touched her food, she hasn't had anything to eat since yesterday,"

Sydney doesn't argue with her she sits back down, Niran looks at her like someone who is waiting for a go ahead to beat the hell out her. Sydney stuffs her mouth so as to get on Malee's nerves. To Niran this has to be the longest dinner he has ever had to sit for. 

With Norah's surgery approaching Decha has to travel to India and be by his wife's side during this hard time. But before that he is introduced to the company by his father. Malee decides to escort him to India although she is not into this marriage that much she knows its not easy for her brother.

" Dad why not let me go with you?"

"Your aunt is coming with me, and again you have admission,"

"why is getting involved out of the blues,"

Malee walks in on the two, Sydney leaves angrily. Malee sits next to her brother as they check their schedule on Malee's laptop. Niran walks in he is still not in good terms with his dad.

" can we talk?"

"Niran show some respect to your father,"

"Dad can we talk?"

Niran says his voice calmer than before, Decha asks him to seat down as they can't talk and solve issues when he is still standing. Malee prepares to leave but Niran request that she stays back.

"I want to change school and course,"

"what do you mean this has been your dream and passion!"

"I guess people change,"

"You can fool your father with that statement but you can fool me, speak up,"

Niran expresses how uncomfortable he is sharing a school with Sydney and same faculty down to the same degree. He feels like she is taking everything that is his and feels like he has nothing that's only his.

" sounds to me like you are letting your insecurities win over you,"

"there we go again siding with her,"

"because that is what you have designed your mind to interpret anything I say,"

Malee walks and sits next to him, leans holds his hands and looks at him straight into the eyes.

"You know what your dad is right if you drop everything because of anyone you lose, how many people do you think are going to be in your faculty? But Sydney makes you feel insecure does this mean you can't stand a little competition? if that's the case then you don't deserve to be in any school"

Niran looks at his aunt because the words she said pierced his heart, he looks at his dad stands up and walks towards the exit.

" Pass my wishes to quick recovery to her mum, and the whole babysitter idea is weird am not going to do anything to her we don't anymore strangers so please tell her not to come."