share your warmth with me
1488 Words
Ashlyn POV
It was embarrassing to be in a place where you are not wanted, but I had no choice. I was compelled to gulp my pride down on the ill-body that felt fragile like a flower. Honestly, when I was abandoned and betrayed at the same time, I wanted to leave the world, but never knew it would be this difficult. So, I had to endure it all, for the life and food on the table.
Leaving my town, which gave me nothing more than wounds, I had thought I would make a fresh start. However, the fresh beginning was there with the baggage of a new relationship and new hurtful rejection. Never thought I would turn from being my mother's love to an unwanted child.
Every bite I took of that porridge made me feel no less than a beggar. The only difference was they begged for money in the street. I begged for a meal inside that house.
“Do you want anything more?” Evan asked in a very soft tone.
He had been by my side the moment Xavier left. He was very attentive to my actions. His aura of warmth was something that I had never experienced before, not even from my ex-boyfriend, Nico.
I couldn't figure out if he was younger or older than me. But I could view the beauty inside and outside him.
Not just him, his brother Xavier and sister Emily were both also built up well. I couldn't help admitting that my new step-dad had produced really fine products.
Shaking my head, I forced a smile. I tried to reach out for the tissue paper.
He got it and as he handed it to me, he said, “If you need anything just ask. Don't hesitate. You are warmly welcomed here.”
Nervously, I snickered. “Doesn't seem so.”
He laughed. “Oh! Don't worry about my twin sister. She is always the same. So we don't pay much attention to her. Can you believe once she was so mad at dad that she kicked him out of the house?”
“Really?” I questioned out of shock. “Then?”
“Dad had to take her on a trip and buy whatever she asked for. Only then did she allow him back.”
“But I have no money to do that. Seems like I have to be homeless –”
“No, you don't!” He interrupted in a confident tone. “You are brought by Brother Xavier. Dare she go against his decision!”
I thought for a second and said, “So she can go against your dad and not your brother? He seemed to be a cold person then.”
Suddenly, scrunching his face, he said, “Hey! You are talking about my brother. Watch out!”
Nervously, I shook my hands before me. “No, no, I didn't mean to badmouth him. I was just–”
“Calm down!” Gently, he punched me. “I am just kidding!” Instantly his serious face returned to jolly.
I signed in relief and snickered. “Oh!”
“But still my brother is not that bad as he tries to show in front of others. I am not saying this because he is my brother. I am saying it because I have known him more as a human being than my sibling. Trust me!”
With mixed emotions, I nodded. If I am to analyze his words, he was right. He did appear when I needed help. He took me in after knowing I was not in good health. Let me stay until I recover.
But what after that? Where should I go? What should I do? Should I return home again? There is no home for me to return to.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice Evan calling out for me. Only when he shook my shoulder, I come out of my reverie.
“Sorry! What were you saying?” I asked Evan, trying to pick up with our conversation.
“Here, take your medicine. Then you can rest!”
After I took my pills, I followed Evan upstairs. They had provided me with a big guest room.
The bed was bigger than mine back home. When I sat on it, the bedding was so soft that it could make us fall asleep in no second.
“Rest well. I will see you after my classes,” Evan said before leaving the room.
Soon after he was gone, I lay on my back. Staring at the ceiling, I recalled everything that happened to me over the past few days. When my mind was super exhausted with thinking, I closed my eyes.
I was close to drifting into the realm of dream, when suddenly I shuddered at the cold water pouring on me.
Getting up at once, I frowned on seeing Emily standing before me. Throwing the bucket aside, she yelled, “Get out of here.”
Before I could say anything, Evan rushed inside rumbling at her, “Emily, have you lost it?”
“Don't!” She pointed at him coldly.
Rolling his eyes, he marched outside the room. Then he called out for Joy.
Returning inside, he commanded me, “Come with me.”
Finding it better to stay silent and walk with him, I threw my legs off the bed. Then, without glancing at Emily, I made my way to him.
“Evan!” Emily shouted, “You are pissing me off.”
“And you are driving me insane,” he grumbled, turning to her. “Stop being childish. Like dad, I will not take your stubbornness.”
Looking sideways, she muttered, “I cannot believe you are my twin brother.”
“Really? I also cannot stop thinking the same,” he said, and grabbing my wrist pulled me out.
Outside, Joy stood waiting for his command.
“Change the bedding and reprepare the room for her,” he ordered him.
He took me to his room and as we stood at the door, he said, “I am really sorry from the bottom of my heart. Emily is nuts.”
The fever was getting worse, and I was not able to cope with things going on. My legs were feeling too weak to stand. I just want to drop my butt somewhere. So I forcefully nodded.
“Until the room is prepared you can stay in my room!” He pushed the door to his room and revealed his messy room.
I stood at the door, as he rummaged through his wardrobe. I looked around and found his clothes scattered on the floor.
“Sorry about the mess. I was getting ready for my class,” he said in between his actions. “Here it is!” He took out a towel and walked to me.
“Thanks!” I murmured, taking it from him.
As I wiped my hair, he said, “I will be leaving. You can rest on my bed. And don't worry about her. She will not come here. She is coming to college with me.”
I don't know if it was the fever or my selfishness that made me happy thinking Emily wouldn't be home. I thought about the rest I could get.
Soon after he bid me bye, I peeled off my clothes one after another. I had no energy to collect it and fold it. I dropped them on the way to bed as Hansel dropped the pebbles so that he could find his way back home.
When I reached the bed, I was butt-naked. Slipping under the white quilt, I lied on my side. It was a great relief to finally rest my body, which didn't feel like mine.
The bliss didn't last long, because I got chills and began to shiver. My whole body ached like someone had beat the s**t out of me. I possessed no energy to call out for help.
Shutting my eyes tight, I waited for sleep to knock my eyelids. I had a feeling that when I woke up again I would be back in my healthy body. Suddenly, someone stripped the quilt away from me. Nervous and embarrassed, I stared at Xavier.
Hastily, he let go of the quilt and turned away. Before he could walk away, I reached out to grab his coat. In the time of despair, I didn't even care that I was exposed to him. All I cared about was to make that pain go away and turn the cold on me into warmth.
It was hunger before, and now it was cold that drove me to the edge. It made me beggar again. Beggar of food. Beggar of warmth.
“Please! Can you share your warmth with me?” my voice shivered as I said that.
- Writer
