What if?

Chapter 8: Massaging Chairs

Nick

Michael and I are currently walking inside the house. I think Michael is excited, he is jumping and walking at the same time. I wonder what he is excited about. Finally we are here in the living room.

“Kids, how are you?” Mom asked us both. “Great!” Michael shouted.”You seem really happy Michael.” Mom said. Yeah he is really happy because he annoyed me well. “Michael is just bright and happy because he got to play with Nick.” Janice said cheerfully.

What play? We did not play, he annoyed me all this afternoon. Michael’s hobby annoys me, I think…? Ughh! I really want to say something like this loudly but I’m too shy to say so because I don’t want to sound rude.

“Really? You played with Michael, Nick?” Mom asked. Maybe Mom asked because she wanted to clarify if it is true. “Yeah! We played a lot.” I answered. “HAHAHA.” Michael burst laughing. What the hell is wrong with him? I am playing as a good person here. I pat Michael’s back hardly.

“Ouch!” Michael exclaimed which made all Mom and Janice worried. “What happened?” Mom asked. I turned to look at Michael and did a sign not to say anything. “My back hurts because Nick and I sat in the garden chairs for a while.” He answered. I smirked after hearing Michael’s answer. I give him praise because he is quite good at reasoning and lying at the same time.

“Oh you should go to the massage chair to massage your back.” Mom said caringly. “Yeah I will go there after you say what you wanted to tell us.” Michael replied. “Oh it is okay we can talk about that later, maybe let us just talk about it at dinner, while eating with your Dad.” Mom said. “Okay.” Michael said and he was about to leave when Mom spoke. “Michael, bring Nick with you. I think he hasn't tried the massage chair yet, am I right Nick?” Mom asked. “I still haven’t.” I answered.

Actually when Mom said about the massaging chair I was quite curious and I also wanted to try it, but not with Michael. I am a hundred percent sure that he will be an annoying jerk again there, most especially that Mom and Janice are not around.

“Sure Mom, my pleasure.” Michael said cheerfully. “I think I’ll pass.” I replied immediately as soon as Michael finished his sentence. I looked at Michael as id I’m warning him not to insist. Gosh! I can’t imagine myself being annoyed straight today. I need space from Michael’s annoyance. “Oh no. You should go with Michael so you can try it now.” Mom said with her calming voice.

Ughh!!! Mom you don’t understand, Michael is a totally different person when he is alone with me. “Come on Nick, you need to try it, it is super duper cool.” Michael said then drew a smirk on his lips. s**t! Ughhh! “Okay.” I replied shortly. I feel so weak after replying.

Michael grabbed my hand and walked so fast to the area where the massaging chair is. I have been looking at this area of the house but for the whole week that I have been living in this house, this is the first time I stepped foot in here.

We are here right at the door of the room. “I did not notice that there is a sign near the room saying this.” I said to Michael. “Really?” Michael asked curiously. “Yeah.” I replied shortly. “Well, I think it is because of the color and the font size of the words.” Michael explained. “Maybe.” I said.

Michael already went outside but I am still here outside the room. The signage says “Relax Room” . I wonder if I am here without Michael and just relaxing in the room. I think it would be awesome.

“Don’t you want to come in?” Michael said right in my face. Maybe he found out that I was still stocked standing outside. “No, if there is you inside.” I answered. “Tsk! Come in.” Michael said while pulling my hand inside the room. Whaa! There is a big jacuzzi inside, a shower room, a big TV screen and massage chairs.

“Looks relaxing doesn't it?” Michael asked. “Yeah, but I wonder what’s this smell?” I asked because the smell is really relaxing and fragrant. “Ahh! It is Jasmine. Mom bought that from Japan last month.” Michael said. “Really?” I asked in shock. “Yeah, well Mom told me that she and Dad went to a convenience store somewhere in Japan and the owner presented it to her. After smelling she said that she felt so relaxed so she asked for a dozen of it and bought it.” Michael explained while starting up the massaging chairs.

“Ahhh! Luckily she got to buy it. This smell is really good and relaxing though.” I said. “Yeah, for you and for some people.” Michael replied. “What?!” I asked because Michael doesn’t make sense. “I don’t like the smell.” Michael said. “Why? it is good.” I asked. “I don’t know, I just don’t like smelling the smell of Jasmine.” Michael explained.

I was worried that Michael might feel bad. “Then let us just turn off the thing that gives off the Jasmine smell.” I said. “How about you, you said you like it.” Michael said. “It is okay. I care about you more than myself. Besides, it is just the fragrance.” I said. “Thank you.” Michael said and he turned off the device.

I sat on the massaging chair first and then Michael did too after he turned off the device that gives off the smell of Jasmine. “How many minutes do we need to sit on this massage chair?” I asked Michael. “At least 30 minutes is okay to make you feel relaxed.” Michael answered immediately. “Cool! Then let’s just be here for 30 minutes then.” I replied.

I am really worried about Michael, the longer I stay here the more I learn about him. How can he have these weird characteristics? I wonder if there are other people who know about this besides this family.

“Michael, who else knows about your strange characteristics?” I asked because I was curious. “This household.” Michael answered shortly. “I mean like other people, you know?” I asked again. “You mean like not family right?” Michael clarified. “Definitely! Yes.” I answered his question. “Hmmm, let me think.” Michael said while scratching his head as if he was thinking. “You… wait! Funny! You are already part of the family though.” Michael said while stuttering.

I think he doesn’t really tell this to people, even his classmates, because it is quite strange. For a minute I felt so glad and gave off a gentle smile. “Oh! There is another person.” Michael burst out. The smile that was written on my face disappeared as soon as I heard him. “Who?” I asked. “John.” Michael said while facing me. “So he knows.” I said with my heads down. “Of course he does. He has been my closest friend.” Michael replied as he turned his head looking at the ceiling.

My heart ached. I touched my chest. “Why is it acting like this?” I asked myself a question. “Am I jealous of John again?” I answered my question with another question. I think I am because after hearing that somebody knows his strange characteristics I felt like someone was pinching my heart, but it became worse when I heard it was John. I know that John and Michael are best friends but if I didn’t become Michael’s brother then what was my role in his life then? Ughh! This is frustrating.

“UGHH!” I exhaled loudly to let out what I was feeling. “Are you okay?” Michael turned and asked. “I am, I just feel like doing that.” I answered without facing him. “I see. UGHH!” Michael replied. Why did he let out a sign too? “What was that for?” I asked. “It was because I can not smell the Jasmine anymore.” He replied. I thought he was trying to annoy me again.

I looked at the wall. “Hey! It is almost dinner time.” I said. “Yeah, let us just finish this one.” Michael replied. “Okay. By the way, how long do we still have to stay here? Well, we have been here for a couple of minutes already though.” I asked Michael. “We still have 20 more minutes left.” Michael answered.

I looked at the wall again to check the time. It is 5:38. “Michael, I will take a nap. Wake me up when the time is up, okay?” I requested Michael. “Sure!” He answered. I closed my eyes and I started to fall asleep.

“Nick, wake up. We finished the 30 minutes of massage in this chair.” Michael said as he was shaking me. “Yeah, yeah thanks Michael.” I said and stood up. The chair massaging chair is really good. My back feels so good. “I wonder how much these chairs cost.” I said. “I don’t know, Mom and Dad did not bring me with them when they bought this.” Michael replied. s**t! I was not planning to let it out for him or anyone to hear.

Ughh! I feel so embarrassed right now. I don’t want him to think as if I am uncultured and new to all this. “I see. Mom and Dad maybe did not tag you along because you are quite a hindrance.” I replied to Michael. “Really? Funny! That might be true.” Michael replied.

I smiled at what Michael said. I want to laugh but I can’t because he might think I am supporting him with his jokes. Michael is kind of boastful with me and it is irritating. I can even picture what he would be like and I know for sure that I wouldn’t like it.

“Oh very good.” I turned to face Michael and said. “What?! Why aren’t you laughing? It was supposed to be a joke.” Michael asked while acting as if he was hurting. “Jerk! Stop it. It doesn’t fit you.” I answered. “TSK!” Michael exclaimed. “Whatever! You are not a baby so please stop.” I told Michael because he kept on pouting his lips. “Yes sir!” Michael replied. “Let’s go, Mom and Dad are maybe waiting in the kitchen for us already.” I said to Michael.

We walked out of the room and went straight to the kitchen because it was already dinner. When we got inside the kitchen, Mom and Dad were already on their chairs, already prepared for dinner.

“How was your massage day?” Dad asked with a cheerful tone. Dad is the kind of person who is bright while Mom is more of a caring one. I looked at Michael hoping he would answer the question from Dad. Michael looked at me with his annoying eyebrows moving and while smiling like an evil jerk as if he is teasing me that he is not gonna answer Dad’s question. s**t! You will have your time. I turned to look at Dad. “It was great.” I answered with a smile on my face. “That is good to hear. Your Mom and I just bought two massaging chairs for us to relax but since you are here and you seem like you like it then I will buy one for you.” Dad said with a smile on his face.

Dad’s smile is soothing, I can feel that he is true to his words. This household really cares for me with all their hearts. “What?! Just Nick? What about me?” Michael exclaimed. I turned to look at him with my teasing eyes and smirking lips. Michael pouted, for a minute I thought he was kinda cute.

“But I remember when your Mom and I bought those massage chairs, and when we asked you if you wanted one too you said… what was it Mom?” Dad explained and asked Mom. “Michael said, '' NO NEED.” Mom answered with hand gestures. “I take away what I said that day.” Michael replied to Mom. 

I think Mom and Dad are teasing Michael, now I know where he got his annoying side… to Mom and Dad.

“It is okay Nick, we can share.” Mom said while patting Michael’s head as if Mom is sympathetic to Michael. “Ah! NO! I will really cry.” Michael replied. Such a baby. “HAHAHA Mom and Dad burst out laughing. I can’t hold myself to their laughter so I unconsciously laughed as well.

“Of course we are just teasing you Michael.” Dad said to Michael. Michael looks irritated and it makes me happy. Am I bad now? I mean I got to see him irritated now and this doesn’t even make me feel about him. Instead I feel great that now he knows what I feel whenever he teases me.

“Whatever! Let us eat.” Michael said and sat on his chair. After seeing Michael sitting on his chair, I also sat on mine which is next to him. “Come on Michael, I know that you know that your Dad and I are just making fun of you.” Mom said then she touched Michael’s face.

“I know so stop touching my face, please.” Michael said to Mom. “Okay. Let’s eat then.” Mom replied.

All the food is already prepared on the table so each one gets the food we want to eat and starts eating.

“Mom, by the way what was the thing you wanted to tell us in the afternoon?” Michael said. It just came to me that Mom was really supposed to tell us something. “Oh good that you remember because I almost forgot about it. So here is the thing, your Dad and I are going to take some time off from work tomorrow because we want to spend time with both of you tomorrow.” Mom said. “Really! Great!” Michael replied. “What do you think Nick?” Dad asked. “I think that is a great idea.” I said while looking down because I am shy to answer. “Great! Tomorrow is our Family Day, we are going to a place tomorrow…. but! The place is still a secret. Tomorrow the two of you will know if we are already there.” Mom explained.

I smiled softly after hearing what Mom said. I am really excited for tomorrow, I hope that I will get to know Mom and Dad more.