To Want You

35

Within the Parker’s estate, words out that something might be wrong with Abel. Family and friends are beginning to worry about him. It’s already been a year since Elka left and as if a spell had been casted, it was as if Abel had forgotten all about her. His demeanor had gradually changed from that wolf who’d constantly disappear into the forest, into a person who seemed to care less about everything that happened last year. Loona breaks the whirlwind of her own inner thoughts and saunters into the depths of the Parker’s home. Because what's more concerning than Abel’s plopping failure to recall who Elka is, both Mr and Mrs Parker equally have no clue with who Elka is as well.

Familiar voices jump back and forth stemming from the area in living room. Loona’s determined to accomplish something today. All she needs is closure. A sentence or two words to finally set her mind at ease. Because she feels like she’ll go crazy if this keeps going on. Her whole being prays that this is just some kind of phase they’re going through and not real. 

 Again, the house's alive like always with Mrs Parker preparing snacks in the kitchen since Jace, June and the rest of Abel’s friends, are around.  Loona enters the living room only to find the person she’s looking for missing in the circle. She plans to get to the bottom of this today. It’s one thing to feign ignorance towards someone you’re suppose to cherish deeply. But if family is involved, then it’s a whole different story. She finds the latter gazing into the window with a lost expression. Something she often notices coming from him. A knock on the door is enough to bring the alpha wolf back into reality. 

“How long have you been standing there.” 

“Not too long. Hey, can I talk with you?” 

“Make it quick. I have to bring this to dad soon.” He piles up a bunch of papers and secures them in a folder before turning his chair to face Loona. “What is it?” 

“It’s about Elka.” 

“Oh.” And there’s that face again. An expression that shows no hint of interest but a half hearted expectation for the next words to flow. Abel nods his head slowly when she still remains quiet, almost as if he’s unsure wether to ask her to continue what she’s saying or not. “What about her?”

He still doesn’t care. Last time he got annoyed when she mentioned her and even swore he doesn’t know anyone with that name. Loona had been beyond nauseated when he said that. It’s always a different response. Sometimes he acts like he wants to know and sometimes he just straight up says if he had met a person named Elka, then he’d remember it. It’s a different reaction today.

What about her? That’s not the answer she wants. He’s lifting his leg up and down repeatedly, a sign that shows he gives no regards to the topic and will immediately leave  once this conversation is over. Gritting her teeth, Loona exhales slowly from her nose and rubs the space between her eyebrows like she’s having a headache. “Im literally this close to ripping your head off. What about her you say? I get that what she did was unforgivable but do you really have to pretend you don’t know her? I thought you were better than this. How could yo-“ 

“Woah calm down for a second.” 

How on earth can she calm down when the people around her can’t even remember her best friend? Even if she’s distanced herself and broke all means of communication, having to go this far into erasing her from their memories is unacceptable. Unless, there really is something wrong. Is she missing something? Nothing happens without a valid reason. So there must be one for this. 

“I’m leaving. Tell aunt I won’t be here for dinner.” 

“Where are you-“ Before he can even finish, the door slams shut. 

- 

Nathan had only one mission for today. And that was to scare his sister right after school. Today a fishermen visited their classroom with a few surprises up his sleeves. First was a catfish. Probably the first big fish Nathan’s ever seen in that species. A fishing rod, boat stickers and the experimental give aways. 

But instead of using then as bait as per the original plan, he thought of something more exciting. He’s brought a handful of earth worms and since she’s a girl, it’s only reasonable that she’ll hate these kinds of things. He arrives home first and sets his shoes aside. Clever’s probably taking his afternoon nap right now and mom and dad’s probably doing some paper works. The twelve year old familiarly strides into the kitchen in search for a jar to put his little friends.They’re all wiggly in a plastic bag for now. 

Nothing in the lower cabinets. Neither are there some in the boxes. Where does mother keep her jars? He then slides his eyes somewhere in the seasoning area and finds a jar with sugar in it. Or is it salt? Who knows. It’s white. Nonetheless, at least he’s found a jar. The perfect temporary habitat for his sister’s surprise. The little boy smiles under his breath as he takes the lid off and pours the contents into a bin. 

His sister should be arriving at any moment from the university and he can’t wait to surprise her. 

They were able to get closer in a year, much to both their relief. Nathan had noticed how lively she’s become, unlike the sister from when he was still a toddler. Back then he faintly recalls how she was always busy with school and how they'd barely see each there in person despite living under the same roof. It was hard for him that time since it was only the two of them. But now, he can see how she’s putting an effort to join them in their little games even if she tons of activities that needed to be done for school piled up her desks and calendars.

As he begins to pour his little earth friends into the jar, it’s at that moment Clever enters the kitchen while rubbing his eyes. This is usually the time he gets out of bed so it’s not surprising for Nathan. He’s probably here to ask the babysitter for his after-nap milk.

“Hyung*, what are you doing?” (* ‘Hyung' is a term used for younger boys in addressing someone who’s over than them.) 

Nathan glides his glasses up the bridge of his finger and responds without losing his concentration. Carefully, he places the fifth worm inside. Ten more to go. “Nothing. You should go back to sleep.”

Clever, now fully awake, takes attendance of the object in front of Nathan. He widens his eyes and climbs on one of the stool to have a better look. Something wiggly and pink are inside. They look like little snakes. Knees on the surface of the stool and elbows resting on the counter, he inches his head closer to the jar and immediately breaks a smile.

“Can I have one?” 

“You can’t. They’re for noona. “

“But what if noona doesn’t want them?” 

“That’s for her to decide.” 

Feeling dejected, the young boy snakes down the stool walks out of the kitchen while wondering when his sister’s returning. Maybe if he acts cute, she’ll give them all of them to him right? Nathan can’t say no when it comes to her anyway. So that’ll probably work. Determination fills the soul of Clever’s little body as he skips to the living room. He’s aware how irresistible his cuteness can be so it’ll definitely work. Today, he’s going to get new pets.

On the other hand, Nathan’s already imagining the surprised look that’ll cross his sister’s face when she sees what it is he has in stored for her. This is one way to celebrate the day she finally chose to come back and complete their family. Might as well make it memorable.