Tangled Affections

44.

Becky's PoV

I felt a weight in my chest as we left the hostel. The place that had been my refuge for so long now seemed so distant. Freen's warmth, her laughter, and even the smallest moments we shared lingered in my mind. I knew I'd see her tomorrow, but the thought of not waking up next to her, not having her nearby, made me feel like I'd already lost something irreplaceable. I stared out of the car window, trying to keep my emotions in check, but the emptiness gnawed at me.

I was pulled from my thoughts when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Rose, sitting beside me with an encouraging smile on her face. "So, sis, what do you like to eat?" she asked brightly, her eyes shining with excitement. "Let me prepare all those as we'll be having our first full family dinner."

There was such joy in her voice, a kind of warmth I wasn't used to. I tried to mirror her smile, but I could feel how hollow it was. "I can eat anything, Rose. I've learned to eat anything after all these years," I said, my voice carrying a quiet resignation.

Rose pouted, her face scrunching up in a way that was almost childlike. "But sis, there must be something you love, right? Something special?"

I shook my head gently. "No, Rose."

She wasn't deterred. "Mm, then you try my favorite dish. Maybe you'll like it!" she suggested, her smile unwavering.

I nodded, feeling a little off-balance by her persistence and enthusiasm. I wasn't used to anyone caring about what I liked or disliked. Her calling me "sis" felt strange and unfamiliar. I wasn't sure if I was ready for it, but there was a kindness in her voice that made me want to try.

"Dad," Rose suddenly called to the front. "Can you stop near the shopping mall? I want to buy clothes for my sis."

I immediately stiffened. "No, Rose, it's not necessary," I protested.

She turned to me with those bright, earnest eyes. "Hey, can you just take a small gift from me? Please, sister?" she pleaded, her voice soft and sweet.

I was caught off guard by her words, and for a moment, I felt something inside me soften. Why is she so good to me? I wondered. I'd never felt this kind of warmth from someone who had no reason to offer it. Already, I could feel myself beginning to let my guard down around her. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard after all.

We wandered through the shopping mall, and Rose took charge, picking out clothes for me. I didn't know how to choose for myself. At the orphanage, I'd never had the luxury of buying clothes—only wearing what was given to me, usually second-hand, sometimes too big, sometimes too small.

I hadn't realized my eyes were wet with tears until Rose's concerned voice broke through my thoughts. "Hey, sis, what happened? Isn't the dress good? I can get you something else."

A lump formed in my throat, and before I knew it, I was wrapping my arms around her, holding her tightly. "No, Rose, the clothes are really good," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "It's just... it's my first time shopping. No one's ever bought me any clothes before. I've always had to wear used ones."

For a moment, Rose was silent, then she hugged me back just as tightly. "I'm so sorry, sis. But from now on, you'll get whatever you ask for, and that's a promise," she said, her voice filled with determination.

I nodded against her shoulder, clinging to her like she was a lifeline. For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of comfort—a feeling I wasn't used to, but it felt right, like maybe I could belong somewhere after all.

"Girls, come on, let's go. I'm hungry," Rose's dad called from a distance, his tone light and playful.

We broke the hug, smiling at each other, and nodded. The bond we were forming felt new, but it was real. I could see that she genuinely wanted me to be part of their family, and for the first time, I allowed myself to feel a sliver of hope.

The drive to their home was quiet, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. It felt like a soft lull in a storm, a moment of peace. As we pulled up to the house, I stared out at the place that was supposed to be my new home. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the swirling emotions inside me.

This was it. Our home. My parents. My sister. Could I really call it that? Could I say I had a family now?

The thought of it made me feel something—an emotion I couldn't quite name. Happiness? Relief? Fear? Maybe all of it combined. My heart ached with the possibility of belonging somewhere, but there was a quiet voice inside me that whispered doubt.

Would I really be happy here? Could I truly allow myself to believe that this place, these people, could be my family? Only time would tell, but for now, I wanted to try. For Rose, for her dad... and maybe, just maybe, for myself.

........