New Opportunities

When we were done making dinner, I proceeded to set the wooden table of our makeshift dining in the living room. Soon enough everyone was seated and as Dad was saying grace on behalf of the food, all six pairs of eyes supposedly shut, I discreetly switched places with Nicholas so that I would be sitting beside Kyle and opposite Caleb on the other end of the table.

Or maybe it's Kyle that's opposite me and Caleb beside, so hard to tell but what I could tell would be the look on their faces when the time came. I told Nicholas what they did so he was in full agreement with my plans.

Not that we were making a caricature of the sanctity of the prayer for our eyes were still closed when we swapped, having calculated the proximity of the table's edge to their bodies and mastered the art of weight transferring from one part to the other; it was a piece of cake. Besides, it wasn't the first time we were doing this.

Nicholas and I were very well-versed in stealth and those other survival skills. We were the most dangerous duo of our time, we would go into war unarmed and emerge victorious, we would expertly manoeuvre our way to the cookie jar, swiping some and escaping unscathed...well, sometimes. We would make guns out of bamboo to play with.

Ahh! The good ol' times. We were real pains in the derriere of our parents but now we've well outgrown those things and I hoped they would too.

Thinking of it, we weren't much different from the twin heralds of destruction over here, I saw a peek of myself every time I saw them with that look on their faces, you know, the ones that said 'we're up to no good.' Truly, the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.

"Amen," Dad concluded.

"Amen," we chorused simultaneously.

The both of them were chuckling among themselves, I wondered what was so funny, maybe one had told a joke during prayer. Talk about sacred impertinence.

On opening their eyes, Caleb was the first to gasp, earning a curious stare from Mother, if Dad heard it, he didn't show it. Beside me, Kyle followed his brother's line of vision to me, must have not seen that one coming, eh? Now I've resumed calling them randomly, it's less confusing that way.

Nicholas smirked at the both of them while I began to eat my food, innocently ignoring their grave expressions. It was a delicious meal of pasta if I do say so myself.

After all, Mother and I prepared it, she said my cooking would be exquisite...in another life, 'cause calling it bad would be a grave if not horrible understatement—all those unfortunate ingredients that had fallen hapless victims to my doomed cooking expeditions—it was a miracle that this meal was edible.

Halfway through the meal, I dabbed my mouth with a napkin and leaned in towards the both of them.

"So...who was it?"

Now they had nowhere else to run, even if they tried to, Mom and Dad would get to know about their little stunt and the consequences would be more aggravating than the one I'd give them. I had them just where I wanted.

They exchanged glances with themselves, arms moving in congruity to point towards the other.

"He did it!" They chorused in unison, without a doubt attracting the attention of the whole table.

I slapped a palm to my forehead frustratedly, hearing Nicholas's deep mirthful chortles that seemed nigh mocking.

The rest of dinner went by uneventfully and I couldn't be more thankful.

"Those twain little runts!"

I was only trying to fish out the culprits so he could receive his just punishment despite that they chose to suffer together, if one did something, they both took the blame no matter what, it's like some kind of twin instinct—admirable really, but dumb—and they knew I would feel sort of guilty punishing the pair of them if it's only one that wronged, it's my vulnerability so they use it against me just for the fun of it.

And then again there was a possibility that they both did it so that's why they're doing the dishes right now.

"Please Sister, our fingers are hurting badly already," begged Caleb currently scrubbing away at the dishes.

"Oh please! They're not that much, don't make me call mum or you'll be doing more than just dishes," I warned, picking at my fingernails.

They were as lazy as they come, can't do a single chore without whining my ears off maybe next time, they'll remember to flush.

Kyle dipped his hand into the water and splashed some soapy lather on his brother's face and the latter retaliated. Before I knew it, the entire kitchen turned into a winter wonderland.

That infuriated me. "Can't these two do anything without it going awry?"

"Enough!" I hollered stretching my hand towards the door. "Out with you!"

Their eyes lit up in sheer delight as they majestically strode towards and out the door which I slammed in annoyance, pressing a hand to my temple to soothe the brewing headache while surveying the damage before me.

These kids will be the death of me.

Deciding to retire for the night, my now flaccid legs begrudgingly conceding to carry me to my room, prompting my movement to mimic that of a drunk—flailing and staggering. About to round a corner, my steps halted as I thought I heard someone's shouting. I strained my ears to hear further, discovering that indeed someone or perhaps two people were talking obnoxiously loud at that time of night. It was from my parents' room, I further uncovered—shocking.

Yes, they did nag each other a lot but not like that, it bordered mostly on subtle and harmless remarks but this was different. A serious, heated argument was in motion and I itched to know more.

"No! It's not good to eavesdrop, most especially on your parents' conversation even if it's being said so loudly that it begs to be eavesdropped on," my conscience mused.

Catalyzing a resolve, I opted to head for my room to resist the temptation, my mind was set on this but my movement proved otherwise as it propelled me towards the noise. It was obvious that at this point my body then had a mind of its own or that my resolve wasn't strong enough 'cause somewhere in the dark recesses of my medulla, I craved to know.

Still making sure not to step on the creaky boards, I tip-toed silently, their voices becoming clearer and clearer;

"No, how could you even think of that, the city is perilous, fraught with danger, you have no idea what you're exposing her to, not to mention you're not sure she's legitimate." Yelled a deep voice, Dad's voice.

"Honey, she's a good friend of mine. I've known her for years and she's not that kind of person." Mom strained and sighed before proceeding. "Look Darling, this is a wonderful opportunity for her to go and experience new things. It will be benefitting for us too and you know that she's no longer a baby but a grown woman who-"

"Were they talking about me? Was I being sent to the city? If I am then-" A floorboard creaked interrupting my train of thoughts. I'm pretty sure they heard it too.

My head snapped towards the sound.

A fat rat! It scurried by easily and haughtily with sure steps as if it owned the place, oblivious to what it had just done. Silly creature!

Footsteps...approached from within and just like the rat, I too had to scamper away howbeit, in place of its proud steps mine was subdued like a thief.

As I lay on my bed accompanied by the worst soundtrack ever—Kyle's snores—my mind wandered to what I'd heard a while ago and my heart soared at the thought of going to the city. It was a breathtaking place as I'd heard; lights and the nightlife… Amazing... But why was Dad so against the prospect?

The door opened a second later and me being so ever lost in thoughts failed to hear the incoming footfalls. I pretended to be asleep—shutting my eyes and evening out my breathing. Soon enough, I felt the bed dip and soft hands running themselves through my hair, combing it.

"I know you're not asleep," whispered Mother.

I could never fool her, could I?

My eyes fluttered open to her radiant green ones that twinkled ever so brightly in the faint silvery glow of the moon that stole in through the opening between the drapes. She resembled a goddess being clad in a long cotton gown.

A thought erupted. "Did she know about me listening in on their conversation? Gah! I blame it on the rat! That blasted robust rat!"

"I know what you've been up to," she spoke again thus confirming my fears. I blanched.

"The woman I went to visit today, she was on a leave from her work in the city. She works as a maid in an opulent home and she mentioned an opening there. Normally, I would have opted to fill it myself but..." She gestured to the rest of the room where the twins lay. "Can't leave you all like this... It's a nice chance, pay's good enough but I would understand if you didn't want to take it, it's completely your choice," she elucidated.

Was that even a question? Of course I wanted to go, if it works out I'd be able to save enough money to get into college! What could be better?

But I'd miss them though; Nicholas, Mom, even the twins as warped as they were. They'd grown on me so much that I couldn't imagine life without them. Then again, I was doing this for them—for all of us... Dad...he kicked against this so much so I had to ask.

"What about Dad?" I voiced concernedly.

Mom smiled conspiratorially, "Him? Oh, you need not worry about him."

I sat up, fiddling with my fingers, trying to comprehend what she said.

"Does it mean he agreed?"

"Maybe, maybe not." She joked.

"Mo-oo-m?" I whined.

"Fine, fine. Well, he is one hard nut to crack but he'll give in and even if he doesn't, who's to stop me when my mind is already set." Was her witty response.

I knew what she was capable of doing. When she was determined, there was little you could do to deter her and the way she was looking at me with that stoic, resolute look on her face that I had come to know her for, that instant I perceived she had something big—for lack of a better word—brewing in that head of hers. Then, she broke into a sickly sweet smile which had me appalled.

"So what's it going to be, dear?"

"Yes, I'll go," I conceded.

"Lovely," was all she said before leaning in and pressing a kiss onto my forehead.

"Sleep tight dear, don't let the bed bugs bite. I'll enlighten you more in the morning," she said cheerfully before moving to place soft kisses on the twin's forehead then she left.

I readjusted myself into a lying position once more. I could tell she was overjoyed by my answer which made me wonder, 'what if I refused...?'

She would try to mask her disappointment even though her eyes would give it all away.

Having been left to my thoughts, I let my mind soar, pondering about the huge decision I had just taken; if it was the right one, only time would tell. I also created possible scenarios in my head of what lay ahead of me. I partially take it back, maybe today wasn't that bad after all.

*Derrière—(of French origin)—back/backside.