What if?

Chapter 1: A new Beginning

Nick

“Nick, this will be your room okay? I’m really sorry, we don’t know what color you liked and we tried asking Michael but he said he’s not going to tell it. So your DAD and I decided to pick the color of your room for you.” Mom said. I looked at the inside and the colors are two shades of brown; dark and light. The room is also big, I liked it.

I never knew what my favorite color was but now I guess I know. When Michael’s parents called me as their own, I felt glad, so glad. “I like it.” These are the words that came out of my mouth. “Really? Oh I’m glad to hear that.” Mom I just smiled back, I wanted to say something, but I’m too shy.

“Nick from now on, we will be your family. If you need and want something just say it and we will get it for you.” Dad. I just smiled back again.

“Dude, how about some words?” Michael whispered to my ears. “Thank you so much.” I said softly because I was so shy. “Mom and Dad?” Michael whispered again. “Mom and Dad.” I added. I really wanted to mention it but I’m too shy most especially because Michael was there.

“Great! Now who wants to eat?” Mom. It’s almost lunch time, I was thinking that they will order some food but I was wrong. They have maids all over the house to take care of everything. I knew that Michael’s family is rich but I never thought they would be this rich.

“Nick come here, from now on this will be your seat. You sit next to Michael since you’re both close to each other and you’re also brothers.” Mom said.

“I understand, thank you.” I guess my new mom is just being understanding, maybe she also knows that if I sit beside any of them except Michael everything will be awkward.

“Janice, is the food ready?” Mom said. I see, so Janice is the name of the head maid.

“Yes, Ma’am here it is.” Janice replied. The head maid immediately placed the food on the table.

“Nick, that’s Janice, the head maid here. She has been working with my family ever since I was born. Mom said that my grandmother on mom’s side was the one who referred her. Janice is a great person after this, I will formally introduce you to her.” Michael whispered to my ears. I don’t know what’s wrong with Michael that he keeps on whispering to my ears.

“Okay.” I muttered. The food is ready and everybody’s getting food for themselves except me. I’m shy to get some food, maybe because this is my first time eating with them.

“Here eat a lot, if you don’t I’ll kill you.” Michael. He said while placing some food on my plate.

“Come on son, if Michael hurts you tell us because we will hurt him for you, okay?” Mom. I know Michael was just kidding to lighten the awkwardness but saying that he’ll kill me was quite scary.

“It’s okay, Michael was just kidding…I think?” I said nervously. I have been friends with Michael for a month, but that is not enough to know him better.

I started to eat the food that Michael placed on my plate. They all taste so good, I have never tasted food this good in my 10 years of existence. My late mother was a good cook too, but because of the scarcity of ingredients and loneliness, the food that she cooks doesn’t taste that good. Although it was still edible though. Oh no, I suddenly missed my Mom.

“Nick, are you okay?” Michael asked me. “Yeah I’m okay, why.” I asked. “You seemed like you were in another world.” Michael. “I’m sorry.” Michael smiled as feedback.

I ate a lot, after I finished eating I felt like my stomach was a bit funny. “Do you like the food, son?” Mom. “Yes I did.” I would be lying if I didn’t, I mean my plate is the evidence. I finished everything.

“I think I need to go to the toilet.” I excused myself.

“Oh, are you okay? Janice, please escort him to the toilet.” Mom. Janice helped me to stand up and I followed her in the toilet. I think I have a stomach ache because I ate a lot. I suddenly remembered the time when my mother and father were still alive, they often tell me that every food on the plate must be eaten, there shouldn’t be any leftovers. Even though I am now in a rich family, I still don’t want to follow what rich people think of etiquette on the table. After 10 minutes I finished and got out of the toilet.

“Boo!” Michael. “What is wrong with you?” I was a little irritated. “What? How’s your first day in the toilet?” I think he was trying to irritate me more. He likes playing like this.

“It’s your fault in the first place.” I answered. “What? How was that my fault?” he was playing safe as hell. “If you didn’t put a lot of food on my plate I shouldn’t have been in the toilet.”

“I see, sorry.” Michael. I just continued to walk and didn’t answer back. “Nick, Mom and dad went to the company so there will be just you and me in the house excluding the maids for tonight.” Michael.

“Really why, what happened?” I asked. “They said that there was an emergency that they needed to process in China… I'm not sure what country it was though.” he explained. “Whaa that’s something. Michael, how many times have you been outside the country?” I asked because I was curious. “Well, let me think.” he scratched his head while thinking. “Never.” he answered shortly. “What?” I really want to bump his head on the wall. “Well, I have never been outside the country”. He said. “Why?” I asked.

“Because mom and dad go to another country doesn’t mean I have to. Whenever they are outside the country, it means business, not vacation.” Michael explained. I felt bad for him, Michael is no different from me. We’re the same, we’re both lonely.

“Hey, you said, you will introduce me to the head maid.” I changed the topic to lighten the situation.

“Oh yeah I forgot. Follow me.” He said. I followed him straight in the kitchen and there was the head maid. “Hi Janice, this is Nick, he's the friend I was talking about.” Michael.

“Oh I see, Nick welcome to the Travera Family.” She mentioned the family name of this household. “Thank you.” I smiled as I answered.

“I’m so happy that you are here now, at least Michael gets to have someone to talk and play with here.” She said cheerfully. “I am also happy to be finally here with him.” I answered back.

“We gotta get going, bye Janice see you at dinner.” Michael grabbed my hand and ran upstairs. “What is wrong with you?” I asked, he has been like this from the time I came here.

“Okay, Nick I have a deal with you.” Michael. “What? What deal?” I asked curiously. “Every time that mom and dad are not here, you sleep in my room or every time that mom and dad are not here I sleep in your room. So, which one would you prefer?” Michael.

“What kind of deal is this?” I asked. “A great deal! Come on Nick, I have been lonely every time Mom and Dad are not here and I know that we’re on the same boat.” Michael.

I think he has a point, when my parents were alive we would sleep together because we only have a small shanty place to stay. But after the death of my parents, I missed having someone beside me in my sleep. On the other hand, Michael lives in a big house with his parents, but because it is big he has his own room, besides his parents are not always in the house because they are busy with their company.

“Fine, deal!” I realized it’s better for the both of us to sleep with each other every time our parents are not in the house. “Great! Hey, I prepared some questions here to better know each other. When I read the question, I will answer first and then you, is that clear?” Shit, he sounds like a teacher.

“I get it." I answered. “Okay, first question. Do you want to change your name? This question is only applicable for you.” Michael. “No, I like my name the way it is.” I answered.

“Okay next, what’s your favorite food? We have been friends for a month but I never knew what food you really like best? Mine is onion rings.” Michael. “As long as it is edible I like it.” I answered.

“Great! Next, what is your favorite color? I like brown, you?” Michael said. “Brown too.” I answered. I just discovered my favorite color this morning because of my room. What a coincidence that we like the same color. “Cool, same color. If you were given a chance to have a pet, what pet would you like? I want a dog.” Michael. “I don’t want a pet.” I answered.

“Not cool, what about your favorite fruit? Mine is a banana.” Michael said. “Banana it is.” Michael and I have the same favorite fruit too. “Nah! Come on Nick, quit copying me.” He said annoyingly, “Shut up Michael, I liked it ever since I was a fetus.” I said. “Fine.” he answered shortly.

“Oh, Nick this upcoming school year, what grade would you be in?” he asked. “I will be in the fourth grade.” My biological mother died as soon as I finished grade three and was an orphan during the first month of summer. “Same, I will ask Mom and Dad to transfer you to the same school as mine so that we are always together.” He said cheerfully.

“Will that be okay?” I asked. “Of course I don’t want you to be far from me because maybe some of your classmates will bully and hurt you. I don’t want to see you cry.” Michael.

For a minute I felt great hearing that coming from Michael. I felt like I’m rest assured that Michael is there to protect me. 

Ever since I was in first grade, I have been the one who is being bullied. Maybe because of my family’s status, my biological mother used to be a laundry-woman while my father was a carpenter.

My family was a happy type of family even though we don’t have that much money, just having each other is already something that we are proud of. So when my biological father died my mother couldn’t get a hold of herself. After a week since my father died, I turned six. It was the saddest birthday I ever had.

After 2 years, my mother changed. She would come home late, sometimes drunk and not like herself. She’s like a totally different person. After another two years, she killed herself and left me in this world.

I want to understand her but no matter how hard I try I just can’t because she is not the only one who suffered. I did too and because of her decision of killing herself she made me an orphan. But guess what, I still can’t blame her because she’s still my mother.

“Nick? Hey, are you okay?” Michael said while shaking me slightly. “I’m sorry, I’m okay.” I said. “You sure? You have tears running down your face, Nick if you have something to talk about to just tell me, I’m here for you.” Michael. “Can you hug me?” I asked in the open air. He then hugged me without any signs of hesitation.

“The feeling of pain is still fresh in my heart, I don’t know what to do. If I have not met you that day I could have lost myself, thank you for being here with me Michael. Please don’t leave me.” These are the words that went out of my mouth as I was crying on Michael’s shoulders.

“I won’t, I promise. I will always be here with you no matter what.” He said. After Michael said those words, I suddenly felt calm inside. As if everything is really okay and nothing bad is going to happen again in my life.

“Can you count to ten?” I asked him and he responded without any questions. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.” Michael whispered slowly. After he finished counting I got out from his shoulders.

“Thank you.” I said and smiled gently. “You are welcome.” Michael. “I think it’s time for dinner.”

Time went past fast without us noticing it. “Dinner it is.” Michael. We went downstairs to eat our dinner. As expected all the food and utensils to use are already prepared on the table.

“Good evening lads.” Janice. “Hmmm.” Then I smiled gently. “What’s wrong?.” Michael asked me out of curiosity. “Well, I just think that what Janice called of both earlier is a bit cute.” I explained while giggling. “Why is that so? I mean she was right. What’s cute there? She’s just stating facts.” Michael argued. I guess Michael is just used to being called like that but not me. I think I was and is now, it has been a long time since someone called me with names nicely. “Nothing, just forget it.” I said just to end the topic because I might cry out of nowhere again.

“Do you like the food that we prepared for the both of you?” Janice asked nicely. “Yeah, these recipes are very delicious.” I said out of blue. “Scrumptious, I think that’s the word that you mean.” Michael. Shit Michael we’re not in the classroom, this is not the time for vocabulary learning. “Yeah that’s the word.” I said. “It’s good to hear that you liked it Michael.” Janice. “Do you know what’s the name of these recipes?” Michael. “Definitely! What are the names?” I asked lustfully.

“That is baked catfish, next to it is stuffed cabbage, the other is roast chicken and this one is baked salmon.” Michael said while pointing at the food. “Geez, they all sound fancy.” I exclaimed. “Not at all actually, these are common recipes we have for dinner. Don’t worry you’ll get used to it.” Michael. After he said those words he looked at me and smiled. “Hmm.” I answered and nodded.

We both finished our dinner and the maids cleaned everything for us. Michael and I then both went upstairs.

“I’m going to shower now.” I said. “Nick, wait, do you know where your clothes are?” Michael. Shit, I remembered that this is not my room, it is on the other side. It is because I followed Michael and also went inside his room.

“Sorry.” I said. “No worries, oh Nick, you have your own bathroom inside your room.” Michael. I went straight to my room which is just right in front of Michael’s room. I got my sleepwear and went right through the bathroom and took a shower. The bathroom is big, I even have my own Jacuzzi.

“This family is freaking rich, what’s more shocking is the reality that I am now part of this family which means that I am also rich.” I muttered to myself. After five minutes, I finished taking a shower. I was about to jump on my bed when I heard someone knocking on my door. So I immediately opened the door.

“Congratulations! I will be sleeping in your room tonight.” Michael. Shit, I remembered that we had a deal. “I know.” I answered as if I knew even if he didn’t come in when in fact, I totally forgot the deal.

“Hey, tomorrow we will be going to the mall.” Michael. “Why are we going there?” I asked. To be honest, I have never been to a mall before. “We will buy things for you to use and some toys if you like, but I have a lot of toys already so we can share them. It would be a waste to buy another because we are not going to be kids forever.” Michael.

“Do you have any kind of awards or achievements?” I asked. “I do, I have a lot of awards and achievements at this age. Why did you ask?” Michael. “Nothing.” I answered shortly. He’s a big deal, I think many are head over heels over him. Actually the reason why I asked him that, is because he thinks maturely although he may be annoying sometimes.

“Don’t get excited yet, sleep now. We have to be early tomorrow so that there will be less people. Do you understand?” Michael. Shit, there he goes again, he freaking sounds like a teacher.

“Yes, sir I understand.” I said annoyingly. “What was that supposed to mean?” Michael. “Nothing, let’s sleep.” I said and turned my body on the other side of the bed.