Chapter 1
Laura's P.o.v
I got down from the cab, paid and as I dragged my luggage down Hyde street, I feel so exhausted and tired but I somehow make it to our scrap house.
I ring the bell trice.
The door creaks open, a worn out-tattered-angry-looking yet pretty faced girl comes out and upon seeing me, a big smile spread on her face, she is beaming in happiness and suprise.
The door extends even wider and the girl's full posture is shown, she screams
"Eomma! Eomma! Laura is here! Moma, Laura is Back!!"
She grabs my arm and bring me closer to her in a hug, I return it with full smiles.
As we both walk inside, she takes my luggage bags from me and places a kiss on my cheek, I flush cos am not so used to all the guise. We come into a shabby looking place called the sitting room. An underaged shabby-looking woman walk toward us with a big smile. Upon seeing her, I swallow back tears
"Moma! How are you moma?"
Her smile gives away her sadness
"My child.. I am well (sniff) I am okay my child.. (tears stream down) look at you honey, you've grown so big, so beautiful, so weighty.. Oh myy look at you, who would believe when I tell them Clara birthed you, oh my"
She sniff even more and sons louder
"Oh mother! Oh moma! Don't cry.. Aren't you happy to see me? Please don't cry moma"
Even I cry upon seeing her cry, her both hands caress my both side of cheeks, she smooders feathery light kisses all over my face
"Of course am happy to see you. It's been three and half years since I saw you in the flesh. And look at you, (checking her out).... all grown up.. Am so blessed, am so lucky"
She finally release me and I slump to a closeby curshon, I exhale in exhaustion.
Benita-my elder sister leaves and returns back almost immediately with a glass of milk, I gulp all the content, she gets me another, I gulp also and thank her.
Soon, they both begin my welcome party with bombarding me with various question upon question, I wear on a plastic smile which hides my fatigue and answer their most relevant questions.
Moma returns to the kitchen to prepare me a solid food while Benita lead me into a dark, untidy room to which am unable to recognize.
She informs me that we would both be sharing the room and bed for the meantime. The room consist of a bed, doormat, two closets, a door, a window, a ceiling fan etc.
I nod my head in approval, together we unpack my luggage bags and arrange my wears in the second closet.
After having dinner and sharing gossips of our time spent separate from each other, we watch a movie 'Sing street' on my laptop for old times and rebond sake, Benita sleeps on my laps as usual, we do not watch to the end. Moma and I gently struggle and lay Benita on the bed without waking her up. Moma once again tells me how she appreciates my presence here, she kisses my both cheeks and tip of nose and then watch me cover for bed
"I love you moma"
I whisper to her, she smiles warmly and pecks my forehead for the fifth time
"Mom loves you so, go to bed now honey"
I lay to sleep.
The next day...
Benita P.o.v
"Moma,moma! Am hungry!"
I half yell from inside Laura and my room. It's the first morning since Laura returned from College, time's 9:00 am and she's still snuggling on bed, I smile and remind myself for the thirdth time not to wake her from bed, she must have been really exhausted from yesterday everything.
My hunger resurfaces, I yell out again
"Moma! Can I have something to eat today! I'm totally famished"
My face is flushed red, I'm always in a bad mood when am hungry.
Last night was special, it's been almost decades since moma prepared a nutritious food that was also tasty.
I know lately that she has been complaining alot about her small side shop to which she sell beancakes and rice cakes but then, there was a certain day she came home crying. After her day's sale, she was returning back home when she was ransacked. All her money and leftover rice cakes were forcefully taken from her, she had also gotten a loan of a hundred cent from the bank. It took a really long time before she was able to put herself together and report the incident to the cops, the men were brought to justice but moma stlll lost. Since then, even a square meal brought a smile on my face.
"Beni? Beni? Is there a problem?"
My eyes shoot up
Oh no!
"Uhm.. Huh? Of course not, go back to sleep"
I fake a big smile on my face.
Laura sits up and rubs her eyes with her palm, she stares at me as if seeing me for the first time
"No no Beni. I know there's one. Please tell me what it is, your face says it all"
Oh nooo... Why am I so bad at hiding my feelings???!!!!
"Uhm, what're you saying? There's no problem. Go back to sleep now. (Changes the topic) uhm.. you might have some headache from yesterday's strees, let me make you a some ginger tea, it might help relieve you"
I say that and rush out, before I can take a step forward, I feel a cold hand holding mine, hindering me from moving forward
"Tell me the truth Beni. We're sisters, I know you well and I know right now your hiding something. What is it? I could help"
Laura stares in intoy grey eyeballs, willing me. I sigh in defeat
"I really feel ashamed of myself Lara. I should be taking care of moma but I can't. I'm so so hungry and there's nothing in the house to eat...."
I look down, averting her piercing gaze
"Really Beni? What are we? SISTERS! We are sisters Beni, we're family. We should always watch each other's back. Can you please stop treating me like a guest? It's no big deal if I shoulder today's breakfast??? Really Beni, I can't believe you! (Sigh in exasperation) You know what, tomorrow... You and I should go out for some coffee and get to Bond, sister to sister, deal?"
Laura ask, her eyes shot in concern, I nod slowly, she is such an optimist. She smiles and wakes out
"Good morning moma!"
I hear her say.
