Chapter 16

Ziah is at the garden and watering the plants while Nally is sitting in the swing while reading her braille book. It has been very peaceful these past few days. The two is happily living by themselves. Nally and Ziah gradually became friends. It is good that they already knew each other so they did not have a hard time adjusting with their presence. Ziah is always cold and quiet, Nally is kind and warm, if you looked at them, they are an odd combination but ironically, they found peace with each other’s company even without talking. They seldom talk to one another, so they do not need to push their selves too hard, but they are contented by staying together like that.

“Would you like your milkshake now?”, Ziah asked Nally.

“Sure. Thank you. Can I also have your cookies?”, Nally replied.

“Of course, may I leave you here alone? Or do you want to come with me in the kitchen?”.

“I’ll wait for you here. I like the weather today, so I want to stay here in the garden.”, Nally smiled politely to Ziah.

“Ok, if you need anything just call me.”, Ziah said coldly before she went inside. When she saw Nally nod, she started to walk towards the door. Nally is already used in Ziah’s personality. She firmly believes that even though Ziah is cold, she has a big heart for the people around her.

Ziah went back to Nally with the strawberry milkshake and the cookies that she baked that morning. When they started to live together, Ziah always cooks for them both, she also does the groceries and the laundry. Even though she only needs to accompany Nally and does not really need to do other things, she decided to do those things. She sometimes leaves Nally at Granny Perry’s when she needs to do shopping for the groceries, but she always made sure to make Nally promise that she will not walk alone while she was away. It was one of Nally’s traits. She hates it when someone breaks their promises so she herself also makes sure that she will not break any promise that she gave.

While they were eating their afternoon snack, they heard the front door open. Ziah stood up from her chair and stood up beside Nally.

“Is there something wrong Z? Are you already done with your food?”, Nally asked.

“No, but I heard the front door opened, I was planning to check on it.”

“Oh, is that it? You don’t need to check on it, big brother must have returned.”, Nally said. Ziah raised her eyebrows to Nally, and that is when she saw Lello walking towards them.

“Hello ladies.”, Lello greeted the girls.

“You see Z? I am right.”, Nally smiled and waited for Lello.

“Yes, you are right.” Ziah chuckled before she went back on her cold self.

“What are you two doing here?”, Lello asked as he kissed Nally’s forehead. Ziah followed his every move and stared at him. ‘He is really sweet on her sister.’, Ziah thought and felt envious of Nally. How she wish that Lello is also her family. ‘I think I would be lucky if Lello is my family. I get to feel again how to be cared for, to be loved, to be kissed by him--, wait, what am I thinking?’, Ziah shook her head to erase her last thoughts from her mind. Maybe this is the effect of staying with Nally, her cold heart is starting to melt.

“We are eating snacks, Z made me a glass of my favorite strawberry milkshake and she also baked delicious cookies this morning. Do you want to have a taste?”, Nally smiled and offered her brother her cookies.

“Yes, can I have some, I can smell it from here and I am already drooling.”, Lello answered and took a piece of cookie. “Hmmm, this is delicious.”

“See? I told you these are delicious cookies.”

“Yes, you’re right. I did not know you knew how to bake.”, Lello turned his head and looked at Ziah who is now standing at the back of Nally.

“She’s not just a good baker, she also cooked really great.”, Nally proudly said like a proud sister.

“So, is her meals now your favorite?”, Lello said sulking.

“No, she cooks great but for me yours is still the best in the whole world.”, Nally said like comforting her brother.

“And that is why you are my favorite sister, you really now how to comfort me.”, Lello said while grinning.

“Of course, I am your favorite sister, I am your only sister silly.”, Nally said while laughing.

“Ok. Since I am now here, I’ll cook for you. I am afraid that Ziah’s food will make you forget me someday, so I have to remind you of how a great brother I am.” Lello said before he stood up.

Ziah is silently watching the two and she felt the warmth of their love for each other. She did not realize that she’s already smiling at the two. When she saw Lello stood up, she woke up from a trance.

“No, you don’t need to cook tonight. You just got here from the hospital, you can just take a rest.” Ziah butted in.

“No, it’s fine. I wanted to cook for the both of you anyway.”, Lello smiled at Ziah.

“It’s ok Z. Lello is a very good cook. When you tasted his cooking, I am sure you will be head over heels in love with him.” Nally said playfully. They both looked at Nally and looked away blushing.

“Don’t say that Nally, it’s embarrassing. I’ll go upstairs and change my clothes before I cook. Would you please take out the meat from the freezer for me?”, Lello asked Ziah. Ziah nodded and looked away.

Shayra was walking towards the hospital where Lello is currently doing his residency, when she saw a familiar built of a man.

“Neil!”, she shouted. The man stopped and look back at her then waved. She run towards the man who is holding a box of cake.

“Shayra, what are you doing here?” he asked her when she’s finally standing in front of him.

“Ahhhh, none, nothing in particular, I was just passing by.”, she avoided Neil’s gaze when she answered.

“Hmmm, it sounds like you’re lying. Are you here to see Lello?”, he asked.

“See! Why did you even asked me when you already know the answer.”, she said jokingly.

“You are really bold. You did not even deny it. You should have at least gave me an excuse you know.”, he said smiling.

“What’s the use of coming up with an excuse when you would figure it out anyway?”, Shayra blatantly said.

“Well, too bad for you, Lello is not in this hospital anymore.”, Neil said mockingly.

“What? Why? Did he change his residency to another hospital?” Shayra said confused. Lello is in his first year of residency, it should at least take him three years to finish his residency.

“Nope, he’s done with his residency. That is why I am going to their house to celebrate his early completion of the residency.”

“What happened? How did he finish his residency so early?”, she asked confused.

“Well, it happens sometimes, but only in some cases.”, he shrugged.

“Can you tell me?”, Shayra asked smiling.

“Now? But I need to go now.”, Neil said gesturing to his car.

“Well, can I tag along? You said that you are going to celebrate with him, right? It would be livelier if there are other guests than you.”

“But I am not sure if Lello would like the idea of me inviting other people to his house. It is not my house anyway.”

“Don’t worry, I will behave really well and I will not jump at him. And its not like we don’t know each other, we were both in the student council before, remember? Please let me tag along. Pretty please?”, she said pleading. Neil thought about it for a while and looked at Shayra. ‘I think it’s not that bad to bring her, right?’, he asked himself before he decided to nod at her.