Chapter 56: Chapter 56

“Natasha…”

My forehead creased and my brows knitted into a straight line when I felt someone was shaking my shoulder. The voice wasn’t familiar to me as it repeatedly call my name. I groaned and rolled to the side, pulling the blanket above my head , letting the darkness fall upon my sight so I could get a good rest. However, she was persistent to wake me up because I felt her hand wrapped around my ankle and before I knew it, my buttocks drop on the floor. I winced in pain as I look up to see who is the suspect.

“I told you to wake up.”

I paused when I saw her infuriated expression in a scolding manner. She was saying something but then my mind was already wandering elsewhere. It’s like as if I am in front of a mirror.  She snap her fingers right in front of my face, pulling me back to reality.

“Hello, earth to Natasha. I said lunch is ready and you’re still sleeping.”

I repeatedly blink then managed to stand up on the floor while massaging my swollen legs and butt. She laughed then teases me, poking on my waist  but then she pulled my arms and wrapped it around her shoulder while looking at me.

“You have been all night watching again on the television.” she sighed then shook her head. I swallowed then look away, timid to admit the truth because she saw right in my eyes. Well, she’ll always knew because I am her other half.

Her smile remained the same when my eyes slowly look down on her arms and I saw a band aid was covering her finger. My eyes narrowed into slits as I tried to inspect it when she started to guide me while talking, diverting the attention.

“Mother prepared your favorite food.” her smile didn’t falter as she gazed at me. However, I know that wasn’t her authentic smile. She’s concealing something, I could sense it but she doesn’t want to talk about it. As much as I wanted to interfere, she will push me away. Sh will do whatever it takes just so I wouldn’t get involved.

“How about yours?” I asked, waiting for her to say something. I wanted to hear something. Something different today. Something that will show what is hiding under her mask. But as it is always, she said the opposite of what I am expecting.

“I already ate, don’t worry about me.”

I wanted to yell at her. I clenched my hand into a balled fist and aiming my words to throw at her when someone spoke behind us, causing us to cease from our tracks.

“What are you doing?”

I blink, looking from my shoulder to see a tall woman standing behind us. Her both hands are placed above her waist while glancing down at us with narrowed hawk eyes. Her hair was tied into a bun, bedraggled, and the dark circles underneath her eyes were evident. She looks like she haven’t slept for days and seeing us adds her nervous strain endocrine. However, when I glanced at Nadine beside me she was paralyzed in her spot as her eyes were fixated on the ground.

“M-mother….” I feign a smile as we both turned around to face her. Well, Nadine was still looking on the ground while scratching her elbow while nibbling on her lower lip.

“I was just helping Natasha since she fell on the floor…” Nadine explained quietly, almost couldn’t hear her voice properly. I hole her hand then caressed it, encouraging her because she know what will happen if she spoke too softly.

“I didn’t hear you.” mother said with wicked and eerie voice, making my whole body fall into numbness. I know she can’t hurt me  but after what happened yesterday, the other day, last week and couple of months living with her I already know what’s her true colors.

Nadine swallowed as I felt her hand grabbing my elbow. I slowly look down and notice her fingers were trembling terribly. Her eyes widen in terror as she tried to suppress her fright. I looked at her in the corner of my eyes, sending a message to her that everything is going to be okay and that she doesn’t need to get scared anymore.

“I-I was helping Natasha.”

“Louder.”

“I said-”

My spirit left my body when Nadine flew away and crashed on the wall, limping in pain. I repeatedly blink as my lips were parted slightly. My knees were frail, almost about to give up and drop on the floor when I snap to reality because Nadine started to cough blood while clenching on her stomach.

“Nadine!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, aiming to sprint towards her spot when mother block my path, holding my arms.

“I told you Natasha that don’t go near her!” she yelled, scolding me.

“But, Nadine! You hurt her! You hurt my sister-”

“She deserves it! She isn’t a human!” mother’s eyes dilated in fear and choler then she pulled me inside my room. I tried to protest and punch her hand that is wrapped tightly around my wrist. I cried and pleaded until we reached my room.

“Stay here!” she pushed me on the floor and I landed with elbow. I grunted in torment, a tear escape from my eyes as I look on my flesh that has a cut now. I look up to see mother looking down at me with peril in her eyes. I tried to reach her and crawl towards the door when she slammed it close and lock it from the outside.

“No!” I stood up, banging my hands on the wooden door as I cried reiterate when I heard my sister’s wails and blaring thump coming from the other side. My lips formed into an uncontrollable sobs.

“Mother! Please, stop! Don’t hurt her!”

It’s been like this ever since she found out my sister’s true identity. She was bias to me. She was only treating me as her own daughter, but not my sister. Nadine hasn’t eaten anything for days because of her torturing discipline. I slowly sank down on the floor, wiping off my tears that were falling endlessly. I stayed there in my position, still banging my fist until my body gave up on me and I realized that I dozed off.

I slowly lifted my body while rubbing my eye to look around. It’s already night and my mind was still adjusting when I suddenly recalled what happened earlier. I hurriedly stood up and tried to twist the door and this time I was glad it open. I did make sure not to create any noise as I look to my left and right, looking at both end of hallways to see if someone is around. I don’t have any idea what time is it but judging the moon that is illuminating through the windows, it’s already past midnight.

I tip-toed my way throughout while holding my swollen elbow. I bit my tongue so I wouldn’t create unnecessary noises. I was roaming my eyes when I caught something that almost took my breath away. However, when I saw who it was I was relieved.

“Nadine…” I called her name at the same time my voice was hoarse. I still haven’t eaten anything after stumbling upon with mother earlier.

I kneeled on the ground to sat beside her. She wasn’t saying anything as she held her both knees tightly, hiding her wounds. I raised my hand to caressed her shoulder when she flinched and scoop away.

“Hey, it’s me don’t worry.” I assured her but then she didn’t listen to me. She scooped away until there was a five meters distance from us.

“Mother said i am forbidden to stand or sit closer to you. She said I might hurt you.” she whispered looking to the opposite direction where she wouldn’t see me. Her words cut deeply as a knife in my heart but I wasn’t faze by it.

“Nadine, you are my sister. You don’t have to listen to her-”

“And if I won’t, she’ll hurt me again.” she cut me off harshly and I saw how her fingers slowly shake from remorse. A long deafening silence dominate when something grumbled. I look down and it wasn’t my stomach. In fact, the sound was coming from her. Her tummy created a blasting noise, indicating that she hasn’t eaten anything yet. Looking at her situation, her body is about to give up on her and I have to do something.

I stood up and didn’t say anything  as I marched my way towards the kitchen and find something to get for her. There was a plate above the table and I have to climb on a chair just to reach it. When I finally set my feet above the chair I grabbed five pieces of bread then hurriedly went back to Nadine who was still in her same position.

“Here.” I sat in front of her, giving her all the bread she needed to eat. At first, she was hesitant to accept it as if it was a sin to east but after sniffing on the bread’s aroma, she snatch it on my hands then started to munch on it. Breadcrumbs were falling off from her mouth but she didn’t mind. She was lost in her own world while eating her fourth bread.

I couldn’t stop myself from watching her. The night of the moon that is enlightening from the window glowed on half of her face. Even though a lot are scared to go near her. Still, she didn’t change from my perspective.

“You told me you already ate, but why it looks like you haven’t eaten anything for days?” my high-pitched voice echoed.

Nadine was speechless, stopping from chewing. Her mouth was still full and crumbs were on her side lips. I sighed, wiping them off because she looks like a mess.

“Nadine, I am your sister. You have to stop from lying to me. I can see it right  through your eyes…”

I was anticipating for her to say something but instead, a tear rolled down from her cheeks as she stared at me with eyes pure of agony and sorrow.