YMM#9

Naiah's POV

"How was it?"

"Too sour" I frowned. How many times have I cooked it? If it's not salty, it has no taste. This is really a kitchen war.

"Just cooked it yourself! You know what? Just eat outside!" I shouted at Gust. I am here in his condo. After all, he said we should just talk about my father, here.

"I don't want to" he's really pissing me off. I grabbed his hands and smacked his head. 

"Ow, that hurts" I hissed at him and went back to the kitchen. I'll just cook an egg. I don't care if he wanted to eat a proper meal. 

" Step aside, let me" I let out a sigh and turned my back. I kept quiet, and just watch him moving around. I grimaced as I can't imagine myself doing all the chores in my own house. I think, if I will do it myself, it'll just turn out, a big mess. 

"You are not really a wife material, tsk" I rolled my eyes. "I'm still young...no need to learn those things" I nonchalantly said. 

"Do you hear yourself? Geez! Are you really my cousin?"

"I don't know. You are the one who told me, I'm your cousin. So, who's fault is that? And, just cook, okay? I'm hungry" he hissed at me. He concentrates on cooking our meal for today. 

"Aren't you tired? Just take a nap first, I'll wake you up after I'm done" I smiled at him, well, even though he's pissing me off all day, he still cares for me. 

"Okay," I said and went into the living room. 

"~la, la, la, la, la~" I sang as I jogged my way to the living room. I jumped in surprise when I felt my phone, vibrated underneath my pocket. I frowned as I saw an unknown number. 

Who the hell is this?! How come, this person knows my number? I opened the message, but as soon as I've read it, I glanced at my back where the kitchen was. Just checking if he can hear me or see me. But for precaution, I decided to go to the veranda. 

From: Unknown Number

I'm done with it. What's your plan? 

I tilted my head. This girl works fast than usual, huh? Great! I put my phone back. I looked up and stared at it. The sky was turning orange by the time. It's as if, it was taking it's time to light the world in the meantime before taking its rest. I Hope, it works in life. 

I smiled bitterly as I remembered something... 

***

"Mom! Come here!"

"Why?!"

"Just come here!" I shouted, I looked at my sketch pad in my hands. I smiled, though it was only a drawing of a simple car. 

"What is it?" I glanced at my mom, good thing she doesn't have work today so I can show her my works. She's so busy that she can't even manage to look up to me. And as a kid, I felt like, I don't have anyone who cares for me. 

"Take a look at this. One day, I wanna buy one! What can you say?" I eagerly asked her. The truth is, it is the first time that I let her have a look at this. I'm always hesitant to ask her for this because she was always tired and exhausted after work. 

"Why a car? Don't you want a barbie doll?" she asked. I stared at her before letting out a deep breath. This is one of the reasons why I was always hesitant. She doesn't have any idea of what I want and what I don't want to. She was always focused on work. 

I stared at the sketch pad, I worked hard for this. My hands were also full of bruises just to finished this art. And the words I was yearning to hear from her, didn't come. 

"I think it's cooler than a barbie doll, isn't it great?" I still asked, hoping to hear some little and simple praises from her. 

"Well, it is better if you draw something than this. This car, don't even think of buying one. There are more sensible things out there" my eyes are starting to water but I held it in. 

"B-but-" I wasn't able to finish what I was about to say when she shooked her head. 

"I still have work, go upstairs and take a bath," she said. I watched her turned her back on me. I gripped on my sketch pad before throwing it at the ground. I stepped on it several times until I can no longer recognize what was on it. 

I held my hand which has a band-aid. I gritted my teeth, she doesn't care for me. No one cares for me. Even my dad left me, though I never saw him. I looked up in the sky as I shed some tears. 

I smiled bitterly. 

****

That was one of my bad memories back then. I shrugged and stared at nothing particular. 

"Hey.."

"O-oh?" I was startled a bit when Gust held my shoulder. 

"Thought you were sleeping. Let's eat, I'm done cooking" I watched him walking ahead of me. I smiled, this guy...even though we just met, I feel his worries and care for me. At least now, I know, someone really cares for me. 

I run towards him and clanged on his arms, he was shocked at first but then smiled after. "What's with you, today?" he asked. I shooked my head. 

"Well, just trying to be sweet. Is this sweet enough?" I kidded, we laughed at that. Throughout the night, we only talked about some random things and laughed at something. I can say that this day is a memorable one. 

"Hey..." I glanced at my back when she greeted me. I was wearing a hood and a mask to hide my true identity. Wondering who is she? She's the girl I met at the comfort room the other day. 

"Updates?" I asked in a monotone. I looked at her from head to toe. She's also wearing a hood, a red one though. She has a golden mask, I even thought, she is the red riding hood girl. Tsk. 

"We're scheduled after the battle of Deadly twins and Bloody gang. I also did some investigation, and you can't believe what was it" I tilted my head as I creased my forehead. 

"What is it?" I asked her still with a monotone voice.

"Can't tell you here. Remember why are we here? Set aside this first. We still have an important business to do" I let out a sigh and glanced at the mini door in front of me. Behind this door is a place that a normal person shouldn't enter. 

"Let's go?" she asked. I nodded at her. She heaved a sigh and fixed her mask. I smirked as she kicked the door open. It was not a problem because no one noticed us, entering the place.

We went inside and the silence became loud and messy as we hear their cheering and shouting as if they are watching some interesting and entertaining show.

We settled on the far side. The place we're in was dark. They couldn't see us but we can. 

We watched the battle that was happening at the center of the place. Guess where are we? A battleground, but the thing is, it was in an underground. 

"Times up! Deadly twins won!" I tilted my head and frowned. The audience started to shout and cheer. I shooked my head.

"We're next" and as soon as she said it, the announcer called us. 

"And next! The battle of Sinners and our new challenger.... 

Hell's Duo!"