I stood up when the host called my name to give a speech for the newlyweds. I took the microphone handed to me by the host so I could climb the mini flatform.
"Hey there, my dear sister and brother Isaiah..." I started. I swallow may own saliva befor continue.
"First and foremost, congratulations to both of you. Just stay strong. Please don't be overwhelmed by any kind of temptation. My dear sister , I'm sorry for leaving you years ago. I know you know my reason." I said as a matter of fact, but only half of that she know. I smiled at her and she mouthed 'it's okay' so i continued.
"So, yeah. I'm thankful to have you as my sister. Thank you for always being there when no one did. Thank you for become my diary to keep my secrets and my shoulders to cry on. I love you so much , my sister." I said and blinked when I feel my eyes become watery. She noddes as she carefully wiped her tears to avoid ruining her make up. Now it's Isaiah's turn.
"Brother Isaiah, please take care of my sister. Don't leave her like I did. Don't hurt her. Either physically or emotionally. I'm the one you can fight against." I laughed nonchalantly. "So, that's it. I hope many more years will pass that you will be together. Thank you for loving my sister. That's all. Welcome to the family." I approached their place and my sister quickly stood up to hug me. I smiled as I hugged her back.
"I love you so much, sis." she said emotionally.
"I love you too, my sister." I said and tapped her back to greet her because I knew any moment, she would cry again. Among the two of us, my sister was the most emotionally sensitive. I first let go of my sister's embrace and turned to her husband. "Congratulations again, brother." I extended my right hand. He looked at my face first and dropped it on my hand. He accepted my hand and shook it. His touch send undified feeling and makes me shivered. He still had this affect on me. I smiled at him again before I withdrew my hand. I turned to my sister and made her sit down. This followed. I glanced at my wristwatch as I walked down the flatform. It's already three o'clock in the afternoon. I need to be home at five. I will even buy the chocolate cake that Kai requested. I went back to our table and sat down on my chair earlier. I confronted my Mom who was now happily listening to the one who give the speech for the newlyweds
"Mommy." I called her. SHe looked down at my seat with a questioning look in her eyes.
"I need to be home at five." I said.
"You still need to help your sister for the take off, Sam." she said.
"But I still have some works to do and scan some blue prints, Mom." My voice trailed off.
"You'll stay, Alexis." Grandpa answered our conversation with Mommy, and he called me using my second name. It only means one thing, my grandpa's words were final.
"Spend your week with us. Postpone your work first." my granfather said.
"Thats true, Sam." Seconded by my Aunty Luna; my mother's sister. "You need to get some rest. Don't stress yourself with your work. You'll grow old sooner than that." I shuddered at their decision. "That's not possible. My salary will also increase significantly for this project." I said, trying to reason out. I need to go home. My son is waiting for me.
"How much is your salary so I can pay for you to spend your time with the our family." Daddy replied. "Also you Daddy?" I asked,frowning. Aunty Linda chuckled.
"You really love your work." she said. I nodded and smiled at her.
"Yes. That's what my livelihood has been since I lived in Japan. I didn't touch the money that my Mom send me because I want to live with my own income and buying my food every day." I replied and Mommy smiled.
"I'm so proud of you, Sam. But why not getting married first-- "
"I'll take care of my sister first. She said she's already hungry. Excuse me." I cutt my mom word. I know I'm being unrespectful but I just want to avoid the topic. I immediately stood up and bowed slightly before leaving the table. Why do they have to force me to get married? If there's anyone for me, I'm sure it will come. I get a side buffet dish and rice. Isaiah may not have eaten hard. The thought of Isaiah makes me shook my head. I can't quite imagine that in a few years, his effect on me is still there. I feel like I miss him even more. I never thought too much that their wedding would continue. It's funny to think that I ran away from them five years ago not to witness their marriage but now, I even signed the contract as a witness. I think my luck is good. I walked up to the flatform and approached their seat. My sister smiled when she saw me while Isaiah is listening to the person who is now doing there's speech. "Please eat, my sister. Mommy told me you didn't eat this morning." I said while pouring her the spoon with only rice and dish. She nodded while chewing the food. SHe pointed to Isaiah next to her, saying that I would go after him too. She's the bride. She should be the one to do that. A part of my head whispered. "Sister, can just do it instead?" I spoke softly. My sister did not growl and shot Isaiah. I tried to smile at them when Isaiah looked at me. "Sister, I'm going to say goodbye. I still have something important to do." I said and smile to hide the pain I felt.
"What? It's still early to go home," her question is puzzling. My brain immediately functioned to find the loophole.
"Because I'm going to buy a ticket back to Japan." I lied. Sorry but I need to lie just to get out of this place. My son is waiting for me while his father is here with his wife.
"Next week. I still want to talk to you, a lot." I said a frustrating statement. I smiled at her. "I don't want to see you frown, but I still need to buy my ticket soon. My project is waiting for me." All right, Sam. You're a good lair. You're difinetly forbidden in heaven for being a good lair.
"Can't I change your mind?" she asked.
"Sorry. Not anymore, sister." I smiled again.
"It will only change if my flight takes a long time. But I'm really in a hurry. So...until next time ." I said. "All right. Just when you come back, bring Kai." She mouthed the last two words. I nodded at what she said. For five years, I mastered the art of lying and pretending. That's what being independent has taught me. You need to smile even if the world keeps pulling you down. You need to lie and pretend that everything's okay. Even if it isn't. I smiled at him again and bowed slightly before turning around. As I took two steps, I heard Isaiah talked.
"Have we met before?" he asked. It was as if my breath had been cut. He can't remember me. I immediately faced him and shook my head one after another.
"N-not yet, brother." I answered and gulped.
"This is the first time we've encountered since I didn't attend your engagement party, remember?" I saw my sister nod and look at Isaiah. "Yes, Ice. That's impossible." All right, my sister. That's
It. Protect me because I love you. "Nothing," he said. "Y-you just looked so familiar." he continued. I breathed a sigh of relief. I feel like a thorn has pierced my heart with nervousness that he might remember me.
"Maybe you just saw my picture on the mansion. That's why I looked familiar to you." I smiled nervously. He nodded.