Twin Alpha's Sickly Mate

Chapter9

DALIA'S POV

The sun was gradually being covered by the clouds as darkness descended. The air was getting more chilly, but I couldn't go inside; I was too worried to sit inside.

As the day got darker, I became even more worried and paranoid. Where could they have gone? I hope nothing has happened to them.” I thought to myself.

Tears were brimming in my eyes as I forced them not to fall, but it wasn't long before it fell. I bent my head to clean the tears.

“Dalia?” the familiar voice called out.

I jerked up in a rush, my head almost hitting the rail. “Mom! Dad!” I called out and rushed to them.

They both opened their arms, and I ran into their warm embrace.

“Were you crying?” My mom asked.

"No, I wasn't; I was just worried. Where have you been?” I asked them.

“We went to work, and after that, we just decided to go out instead of coming home to the lonely house. But why are you back already?” My mom asked.

I croaked my head to the side. I was surprised by her question, but just as I was about to ask what she meant by her question already, because that didn't make any sense, my dad interrupted.

“We should go inside and continue talking. I wouldn't want you to catch a cold, and you are on the verge of catching one.” He said.

That was when I noticed that I was shaking from the cold. We went inside, and my dad helped me sit while my mom rushed inside to get me a sweater and my pills.

“I guess I am back to the sickly Dalia again. While I was in that strange place, I never felt this way; there was definitely something about that place.” I thought to myself.

“Are you okay? You seem to have a lot on your mind. Do you miss your friends?” My mom said, bringing my attention back to her. As she handed me the sweater and pills.

I popped the medicine into my mouth and swallowed it with water.

“Friends?” I asked, perplexed.

“Yes, your friends, the one you mentioned in the letter.” She replied.

Now I was even more confused. “Which letter are you talking about, mom?" I asked.

“The one you left us before you went to visit your friends. You told me that your friends invited you over, and you just wanted to feel normal for once in your life, and you really wanted to go and that we shouldn't be angry with you.” She explained.

“I never wrote any letters; I don't remember writing them any letters. Actually scratch that I never went to see any friends because I didn't have any; I went missing!. Oh my gosh, did those people do something to me while I was there?” I panicked in my mind.

“So how was it there?” My dad asked.

“It was fine, I guess.” I replied to my dad, giving him a small smile. Where exactly did you see this letter that I left you?” I asked my mom again.

“Where we normally leave notes for you when we are leaving the house.” My mom left where she stood and came to crouch in front of where I sat down. "Baby, I know you are surprised that we are not angry that you left without letting us know properly, but what we want is the best for you. All your life, you have never gotten a chance to be like every other child your age. So when you turned 17, we were really happy; we hoped your life would change for the better. So when you said you were going to see your friends, we were really happy. But we also love having you here, so we are also happy that you are back.” My mom said to me,

Her words melted my heart, and I decided to go along with whatever madness was going on. “It was a nice experience; for once in my life I wasn't the sick Dalia. Thanks for allowing me to do this, and thanks for not getting angry.” I said to both of them sincerely.

As much as I didn't understand the madness that was happening with the letter and the whole story in the letter, it wasn't a lie that I was happy while I was in that strange place. And if it gave my parents peace and made them happy knowing that I was happy there, then nothing about the letter matters. There is no need to make sense of everything; I will just accept things as they are.

“I am just glad to know that you are happy.” My dad replied, ruffling my hair.

“Dad!” I whined as he scattered my hair, and he burst into laughter, and my mom joined him.

We sat together at the dining table and ate. But as much as I missed my parents and my home, my mind wouldn't stop going back to the strange place.

For the next couple of days, life felt slow; I felt incomplete. I felt like I left a piece of me there. All my life I had always felt like a part of me was missing, but now after the experience I had in that strange place, it only got worse. I kept seeing Xander and Sly’s sad eyes when I said I was leaving; it broke my heart, and I can't even explain why.

I missed Jules; I missed the beautiful scenery and fresh air. But most importantly, I missed myself. While I was there, I wasn't the sickly Julia; I felt strong, I smiled, I laughed, and I felt full. It all suddenly felt like I had made a mistake coming back home. I turned around and looked at my mom, who was in the kitchen helping me with the cleaning. It felt wrong to feel the way I felt about returning home, and it made me feel bad.

My mom turned around, and her eyes met mine. “You know I have been watching you since you returned, and something feels off about you. Do you want to talk about it?” My mom asked.

I turned around and looked at her, contemplating my options.

“You know you can tell me anything.” She urged me.

“It's nothing serious. I just miss my friend’s place, that's all,” I replied.

“Was there something special about the place? You have a certain look of longing in your eyes. Tell me how you feel.” She said.

I decided to be honest. “I met a different me while I was there. I know it sounds weird and funny, but I didn't feel sick while I was there. I felt strong and happy. The air there was fresh, and the scenery was pretty. I even made a best friend and met people who genuinely liked me. I felt weirdly at peace.

I think I also met a guy that likes me; he said I am his soul mate. Actually, they are twins, and they both like me, which is weird and unacceptable, because that is not how the society we live in works. But they both claim I am their soulmate, but I am only 17!” I rambled out.

“Oh my gosh, you like them both! You sound like you like them.” My mom smirked at me, teasing me.

“No, of course not!” I lied.

She chuckled. “I am just teasing you. I trust you to make the right decision at all times, so I am not worried about that. What I am worried about though is the look in your eyes when you were telling me about this place. I have never seen that look in your eyes.

Since you returned, you have been sad. You try to mask it so that we don't feel bad, but I and your dad can see it. We want you to be happy, and it seems your happiness lies there. Maybe you should go back there. Have you thought about that? Or you don't want to bring it up because you are considering your father and me?"

“Mum! Don't say that. I do have to consider you and dad.”

“Not many people find their paths in life. Some get lost along the way and never get a second chance again, but some people get lucky and get a second chance at happiness. But second chances are rare and shouldn't be used carelessly.

Sometimes we do not understand what is in front of us; other times we are just too scared because it is not what we are used to.

But sometimes it is best to follow your heart; when you do, it might just be the start of the journey you have been waiting for all your life. What I am saying is, try it out first, and if you decide to return, you can return anytime, and we will be here for you always.” She touched my cheeks compassionately.

“All we want is for you to live your life to the fullest and be happy. So if you want to go back there, we will allow you. So take your time and think about it and then decide.” She said to me.

Tears brimmed at the corner of my eyes “Thanks mum.” I replied feeling very emotional.