"You still have her necklace?"
I suddenly turned to my door and immediately laid Maddie's necklace on my desk.
"Brother! How long have you been there?" menacing eyes I asked him.
"I just arrived." he said with a soft voice and then sat on the side of my bed.
"Why don't you knock?" annoyed I asked him.
"Look... I knocked multiple times but you didn't answer or open the door. So I decided to just enter since you didn't lock your door." my brother gave a long explanation and then looked at me seriously. "Still thinking about her, huh?" he added.
"Not really." I answered instantly.
"Don't lie to me. I know how your brain works, You are my little sister. I know you better than... you know mom and dad." he said and then smiled.
I smiled then sighed heavily. My brother is right, he knows me better than mom and dad. He has been with me since childhood. And one more thing, he's the only one who understands me better.
"I heard what happened earlier." he says. "You alright?" he asked.
"Yeah, It's just... Dad and Mom are really. I told them I'm not ready to have a boyfriend yet but they were urging me. Mom gave me two weeks to find a guy that I would introduce to them and... if I can't find a man to introduce to them..." I sighed before continuing what I am going to say. "They said they would find and introduce me to one of the sons of their Amigas." I said while staring at Maddie's locket.
"I'm... sorry to hear that. I know that's hard for you." said the older brother and then touched me on the shoulder.
"It is brother... But what can I do? Even if I say what I truly am. They won't let me do what I want." I said and then took Maddie's necklace and then opened it.
"You miss her?" my brother asked me.
"A lot." is my short answer to him.
"No wonder you don't want to have a boyfriend yet. You're still waiting for her." he said and then smiled. "Do you like her?" he asked again which stunned me. "It's a simple question, Al. You may answer 'yes' or 'no' ... So why are you silent?" obviously teasing he said.
I looked at Maddie's picture. She is so cute in her picture. I think she was just the same age in the picture when I met her. She wasn't smiling, her expression was just serious but she was still very cute. No wonder she is a princess.
"Well?"
"I guess? I don't know, Sheldon. It's true that I still don't want to have a boyfriend because I'm still waiting for her to come back. But, It's been a few years since the last time I saw her. I don't even know if she'll come back. But I'm still waiting... waiting for her to come back. " I replied then sat down next to my older brother.
"While she's not coming back. I'd like to introduce you to someone. So you won't be pressured by what mom and dad want. Just... bear with it Al. I know you'll have a hard time because you don't want a boyfriend yet. But you have to pretend. His name is Cedric Nevrakis one of my classmates. He likes you, he's just quiet but he obviously likes you. Why don't you give it a chance... "said my older brother and smiled at me.
"I-It's not that simple brother." I said and then stood up and walked to the window.
"I know it's easier said than done, but you have to try. He's a good guy. But... Hey, look at the bright side, It'll be easy for you to stop mom and dad from nudging you." said my brother.
I gulped and looked at Maddie's picture again.
"I'm sorry Maddie, I guess my brother is right... it looks like I can't wait for you... I have to follow my parents' wishes. Even if it means I have to forget what I want and who I want to be with."
Back to Present
Almira's POV
"Then here it goes..." I gathered all my strength and wished that he would not hate me if I told him my deepest secret. "I-I'm... I-I'm a lesbian, Ced." I said tearfully.
I waited for him to say something but, he did not say a word. Not a word did he utter. I looked down and wished the earth would swallow me right now. I feel so embarrassed. I do not know what to do. I also kept it a secret for a few years and Only now did I have the courage to tell others my secret. Only to Cedric. I waited for him to say hurtful words to me but still nothing. I just felt that he suddenly hugged me. Hugged tightly.
"I-I'm sorry..." he whispered.
There my tears flowed one after another. I was crying in extreme pain.
"I hope that I found out. I hope you told me, If only you did, you wouldn't have such a hard time." he said and then immediately wiped away my tears.
"I-I'm sorry... I'm sure you hate me now." I said while sobbing.
"What? No, I'm not, I'm just so glad you told me, I know it's not easy for you to say that to me. But you have nothing to be ashamed of." he said and then smiled.
"I-I'm still sorry... Because I lied to you." I said again.
"It's alright, I know you're just following your parents' wishes. I hope they listened to your side. Do you know I'm so proud of you because even though it's too hard for you to admit to me, you still did." he says.
"It's been a few years now. I've also been hiding for a few years, afraid to come out because of what you would say about me. I thought you'd despise me or loathe me." I said again.
"I would never do that. I loved you so much, I can't do that to you." he said and then smiled.
I just smiled at him and then caressed his shoulder.
"You are so kind, I don't deserve you and you don't deserve me... You deserve someone better, who will love you and appreciate you the way you loved and appreciated me. I hope you meet the person who will truly love you. The one who will truly appreciate you, the one that you will be comfortable with and truly that you can be with. " smiling I told him.
"You too, I hope that she comes back to you. The person you've been waiting for a long time for." he said while looking at the necklace I was wearing.
We both smiled at each other.
"I hope so." I said and then held on to Maddie's locket tightly.
To be continued...