If love wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it special.
°°°°
Day before Christmas eve
"Jacob, we're out of groceries. I've sent you the list buy all those and feel free to add the things you like." I say to him over phone.
He groans on the other end. "Where are Jade and Judith? Why do I have to do it?" He whines.
"Because Jade and Judith took half day. They have their families too." Then I pause. "Fine. Don't bring."
"Really?" He sounds elated.
"Just don't expect to get anything special on Christmas eve."
"I'll do it. I'll bring everything." He says quickly.
I laugh and end the line.
Such a kid.
He comes back carrying two big grocery bags. The things I listed wouldn't need more than one packet.
"Why's there so much stuff?" I ask as he throws the two on the kitchen island.
"They sell such interesting things in the supermarket. I just had to buy them." He tells excitedly.
God knows what all stuff he has bought. I empty one bag on the island. He picks an apple and bites into it after washing.
I pick out a golden coloured spray bottle. "What's this?" I ask. It's a food spray?
"It's a golden food spray. Totally edible and tasteless. To decorate food. Interesting right?"
I shake my head at him. Next, I hold up a pair of panda mittens for infants! "Who are these for?"
"I dont know. They were cute so I bought them. Maybe you could fit them in your baby hands." He says with a shrug.
"You're insane." I comment. Then my eyes fall on a box of tampons. I mortify. "Why would you buy this?" I ask.
He glances at what I am pointing and coolly goes back to eating the apple. "Your date is close and you're out of them." He answers.
I fold my arms. "How do you know this?"
He walks over to me and points at the calendar in the kitchen. "You mark a big red circle on your estimated date every month. That's how. And we share a closet and I'm a pretty good observer." He elaborates.
"Oh." Is my only reply.
"You're not embarrassed are you?" He asks, scanning my face.
"No. Not embarrassed just surprised that's all. I've never talked about this with a guy before." I tell honestly.
He puts his arms around me with a smile and pulls me close. "You can talk to me about anything. I'm a really broad minded guy."
"I'm marking your words." I reply with a smile.
He leans in to kiss me but the bell rings before he can. I try to get out of his hold but his grip is tight.
"Jacob..." I laugh. "I need to open the door."
"That person can wait." He says with a cute pout.
"No. It's bad manners." I shrug away from him and open the door.
There, I come face to face with my sister. I freeze to my spot. I haven't talked to her since her birthday. Aunt Aurelia did give me updates on her but I did not contact her. Jacob was right that night. She needs to realise her mistake and my importance.
Jacob senses something is wrong and comes to me. He regards Sina with a cold look.
"Why are you here? I told you, you won't see your sister ever again." He says to her.
My elder sister side comes up. "No Jacob don't.."
"No Sierra, I have zero tolerance for immature and ungrateful brats." He shuts me up.
Sina, for once, has removed all her rings and is wearing a full sleeved tshirt with normal jeans. She looks exactly like my sister from before.
Her eyes fill with water and she looks down.
Jacob starts closing the door but then we hear her sob and he stops.
"Please.. let me talk to.. her.." She pleads.
It tears me apart to see my sister in pain. I pull her in and hug her. "You can talk to me. I'm always here." I rub her back while she cries like my little sister.
"I'm so.. sorry.. Sierra. I didn't mean.. what I said.. I miss them so much.." She says in between her sobs.
Tears roll down my cheeks too. "Me too honey. Me too."
She hugs me tightly like a kid. "I can't live without you... I'm sorry for what said.."
"It's okay." I push her to arm's length and wipe her tears. "Atleast you realise your mistake."
She hugs me again and cries and cries and I let her. It's good that she is letting out what she had stored inside for so long.
"I'm sorry too. I should've asked for your opinion too. But trust me, I did it for both our good. I wasn't being selfish." I say.
She nods.
After some time, she calms down. "I'm sorry Jacob." She says to him.
He sighs. "I don't have a big heart like your sister. I won't forgive you so soon. You'll have to make it up to me." He says softly.
She nods. "I'll do anything you say."
"Study well and get into a good college. You don't have much time. And never trouble your sister ever again." He orders
"I promise." She says and smiles. It's her rare genuine smile.
I got my sister back today after so long. I cannot have been more happier.
I feel like the richest person in the world having two person I love the most by my side.