''That goes for you too. I hate people who think that just because they are helping out, I should be grateful to them.'' Amala stood up and picked her bag. ''Second elder sister, I don't think I can stay here any longer. I would rather go back home and be alone than be in the same space with this boy.''
''I am not a boy. I am a young man. I am almost 19.''
''Just because you are almost 19 doesn't make you a man. I am almost 18, does that make me a woman?'' Amala retorted.
Rosa sighed and touched her head. She stood up and picked Leo's bag saying. ''Leo, how about you go first?''
''I am not going. This is also my house. I used to stay here with you. You should leave.''
''You used to stay here? Why did you move out then?''
''Why do you want to know?''
''I bet you did something bad and second elder sister made you move back.''
Rosa was about to speak when her alarm went off. She took the phone and muttered. ''It's time to pick Erica. You two that's enough!'' She yelled.
''It's time to pick Erica from school. I don't care whether you two like each other or not but you are staying here until I return. Leo, you can go to your room. Amala, watch TV or find something doing. There is food in the kitchen.''
''Alright!'' Amala replied.
''I will be in my room.'' Leo said and turned towards the room with a blue-black door.
Rosa looked at them. She picked her bag and gave them a warning gaze before going out.
Amala sat down and removed her phone to play video games.
A while after Rosa left, the door to Leo's room opened and he came out. He looked at Amala and went to the kitchen.
Amala's nose twitched and the aroma of the food wisped through her nostrils. Amala turned and saw Leo in the kitchen making pancakes. Amala's stomach growled and she closed her eyes and muttered.
''This is so embarrassing…''
''Erica likes pancake, so whenever I'm here and she is around, I make some for her. She is actually always grateful unlike someone else.'' Leo said and Amala stood up.
''Stop subbing me. If you are talking to me then be direct.'' Amala retorted.
''Why are you so rude? Does it make you feel better to see that your words hurt another person?''
''You started it first. I didn't ask for your suggestion back at the store. I didn't ask you to pay for my drink. And now… I didn't even ask you for pancakes. Why are you attacking me?''
''I did that out of the kindness of my heart but you? You acted as if I was a bad person.''
''Why were you kind to me? I thought you were hitting on me!''
''Hey, have you being deceived all your life to the point that you question the kindness of others? Young Miss, I do not have any interest in you. You are not my type?''
''Whoa! You are even more obnoxious than I thought. I am not your type? Same goes for you too.''
''I doubt that!'' Leo placed a few pancakes into a plate and placed it on the table before going back to make more.
''What do you mean by that?'' Amala asked angrily.
''You looked at me when I first got out of the car. You only looked away when our eyes met. You also thought I am good looking.''
''Whoa! Apart from being obnoxious, you are also a narcissist. You and I can never get along.'' Amala said and turned to go. Her stomach growled again and she flushed.
''You are hungry!''
''None of your business!''
''Don't say I starve my cousin's guest. You can have the plate of pancakes. I am making more for Erica.''
''Whatever, I'm not hungry.'' Amala went back to sit down. Her stomach growled again for the third time and she stood up.
''You said I can have it. I didn't beg for it.'' Amala picked the plate saying. She sat down and started eating.
Leo turned and looked at her and smirked.
The door opened and Rosa entered with Erica. Rosa stopped and looked at Amala.
''You two are…'' She asked.
''I was just helping out. It's not that good. I hate to waste food.'' Amala said cutting Rosa off.
''Oh, okay. I see!''
''Aunt, I missed you…'' Erica ran and held Amala's hand.
''You…'' Amala looked at Erica awkwardly.
''Erica, aren't you coming to greet uncle?'' Leo turned and asked.
''Uncle Leo, this smells good. What are you making?'' Erica asked.
''Your favourite pancakes. I knew you were coming here so I decided to make these for you. Sit down, I will serve you.''
''Mm, thank you uncle Leo.''
''Even a little girl knows how to show gratitude.'' Leo commented and looked at Amala.
''Whatever!''
Rosa picked a jug of milk from the fridge and poured some into a glass and placed it in front of Erica. ''Here, baby. Drink this with the pancake.''
''Thank you, aunt.'' Erica replied.
Amala finished with her pancakes and stood up. She went over to the sink and placed the plate in it and turned to leave.
''Aren't you going to wash that? You don't expect me to wash your plate for you, right?'' Leo asked.
''Hey! Where would I stand to wash the plate if you are everywhere in the kitchen?'' Amala asked and Leo looked at the small in the kitchen. It was true that the kitchen was small but he didn't see that to be a reason why she would leave her plate on the sink.
''You have such a bratty attitude. Do you know that? You don't know how to talk and even worse, you don't appreciate the kindness of people.''
''Elder sister, I should get going. I don't think I can stay in the same space with him.'' Amala went and picked her bag.
''Aunt where are you going? Are you not going to wait till Mum arrives? She can send us home together.'' Erica said.
''Amala, where are you going?'' Rosa asked.
''I want to go and check out a few places. Don't worry, I know my way around. I won't get lost.'' Amala replied and turned to Leo. ''You… I hope we never meet again!''
''What?'' Leo turned and furrowed his brows.
Amala turned and left the apartment.