What if?

Chapter 15: We’re okay

Nick

When I saw Mom and Dad come running to us I already felt how guilty they were because of what they did. They asked us if we were mad, I immediately answered I am not, because I can’t take the look in their eyes. I can feel how sad they were. I also think that maybe they thought that we went somewhere because we don’t want to see the both of them. Luckily, Michael was able to say it in his speech. At first, I was a little worried because of what he was saying because he kept on saying what he feels and I was worried that he might get agitated but thankfully he didn’t. The more I listen to his words the more that I get into how much he cares about me. Sometimes, I just ask myself if he really thinks of me as a brother or a son.

The conversation went well and I am deeply glad about it. Mom and Dad even laughed and smiled again. At least, the worry that I saw to them when they first got here is now erased in their faces. 

“Today, we don’t have anywhere to go.” Mom said to the both of us while messing Michael's hair using her right hand and me with her left hand. “Ughh! Mom! Don’t please.” Michael shouted. He shouted but not in a bad way but it was in a funny way he made Dad laugh. “Mom, stop doing that because our son doesn’t like things like that.” Dad said to Mom while placing Mom's hand to Nick’s head and transferred it to me. “Pfft! How about you Nick, are you okay if I do this?” Mom asked me. That actually startled me. “Ehh?!” I replied to Mom. I don’t know what exact words I have to say. 

“HAHAHA! I guess Nick can’t answer well because he doesn’t like it either.” Dad replied, teasing Mom. Now I get why Michael likes teasing, he got it from Dad. Mom got both her hands on my head. After doing that she pouted her lips out like a baby. “Fine.” Mom replied with a sad voice. 

“You should stop doing that, our kids are not that small anymore. They are 10 years old and whether we like it or not, they are not gonna stop growing up. Look at the way Michael talks.” Dad said while patting Mom’s shoulder as if he was trying to console her. I turned to look at Mom and I saw that she looked down. “I am okay with anything.” I burst out saying that startled everyone. Mom moved her face up, enough for me to see her full face. “I am okay with anything.” I said one more time. This time it was in a calm voice. “Really? Thank you.” Mom said and started to mess my hair again. 

“Ughh!” I heard Michael exclaim. Mom stopped messing my hair and we all looked at him “What?!” Michael said and stood up. “Just don’t be annoyed by him.” Mom whispered to my ears. I then again turned to look at what Nick is going to do. “Nick.” I heard Dad’s voice calling me out. He then put his index finger on his lips as if he was telling me not to say anything. 

Dad is really a tease, even though he is not saying anything, just the thought that he likes teasing Michael makes me feel happy. Is it bad? I think not. He always does this to me though so it is okay, now we are equal. 

Michael tried to open the drawer on  the center table. I think he wanted to drink something but Dad stopped him. “Son, no soda.” Dad said to Michael in a serious tone. I think this is why he told me not to say anything. Maybe he wanted me to go with his plan and not do anything. “What?! Dad, come on. I’m just going to drink one.” Michael answered, trying to beg Dad just to let him. “Son, no is a no.” Dad replied to Michael in a more serious tone. “Ughh! really? What’s the point of putting drinks inside here if I can’t drink it?” Michael asked while moving his hands along while saying. “It is only for design and you can drink too but maybe next time only. “I need it now. Mom please?” Michael begged Mom now as Dad is only giving him serious looks while he is begging. 

Actually I don’t know why Michael wants to drink soda right now. When in fact, he is very aware about health and he knows it is not good for the body. Oh! Maybe it is because he is mad now, that’s why he wants to drink something that is sweet. “Son, listen to your Dad. It is for you.” Mom added. I looked at Mom and in just one glimpse I knew she was trying not to laugh at Michael. I feel so guilty right now because of what we are doing to him. “Ughh! You never did this to me. What is wrong with the both of you?” Michael asked Mom and Dad. 

I think Michael is really annoyed right now so he just stopped and turned his body on the opposite side. He was about to leave so I touched Mom’s hand. “Don’t worry.” Mom whispered to my ears. I don’t know what Mom meant by her, don't worry but I just continued to look at Nick. Nick started walking then Dad immediately opened the drawer in a sneaky way so that Michael won’t hear anything. As soon as Dad got it, he ran to reach Michael immediately. When he was already near Michael he put the canned soda on Michael’s neck. Enough for him to get started. “Ahh!” Michael exclaimed and touched the behind of his neck. 

He then turned to look at who did it and saw Dad. “Dad. Ughh! Give me that.” Michael said and got the canned soda and opened it. I know there was something fishy. Mom you shouldn’t do this to your son.” Michael said with an annoyed voice. “Sorry, this is only just for fun.” Mom replied to Michael. 

“Oh we have something for the both of you since we made you both disappointed.” Mom said to the both of us. “It is in the car. Both of you just stay here and we will get it. Mom let us get it first.” Dad said and she grabbed Mom’s hand and they both went out. I think that the thing that they are going to give to the both of us is inside their car outside. That’s why they went outside as soon as they excused themselves. 

After they got out, Michael started to walk straight where I was and sat on the sofa where I was sitting. “Hey. I really had fun when you were getting teased.” I said to Michael. He almost threw the soda he just drank up. “Ahh! So you are an accomplice too huh?” Michael asked while interrogating me. “I didn’t do anything.” I replied to Michael looking away from his stares. “Next time. It will be you.” Michael said and continued to drink the soda. “You always tease me so what’s with those words?” I asked Michael while looking at him. “Nothing, it is just a warning.” Michael said. “What?!” I asked again because he doesn’t make sense. “Nothing.” Michael replied in an irritated tone.

What the hell? This guy. Ughh!! Can he be more annoying than this? I want to know to what extent he can be as long as I am still young so maybe when we grow up I will be immune by all his words and his doing. “Hey! Don’t look at me with those eyes. It seems like you are planning something bad for me.” Michael said to me. “Whatever!” I replied shortly to Michael. 

Michael and I just talked about teasing and he just said that next time it will be me. He just said the word NOTHING but it already made me so mad. Just how fast the situation changes though.

Mom and Dad are taking so long. Now I am getting curious, maybe it is a big gift or what. I don’t know, whatever they give me I promise to accept it with all my heart because they gave it to me and I know that spending money is nothing for them but knowing that they thought about giving me something is what I am most aware of. Some people like luxurious and big gifts, most especially for young kids, usually people like me at this age still like gifts like that but for me it is not important. I don’t know actually if it is because I grew up in a poor family or I have never received such things from my parents who have money. 

Michael treated me at the mall and even gave me a phone and it already made me so happy. So happy that I don’t even know how thankful I am for giving me gifts. Ughh! I am thinking a lot right now. I should just wait for Mom and Dad. 

I heard the door opening so I looked closely. Little by little I saw Mom’s image and Dad. They are now inside with 2 paper bags. Mom was holding a big blue paper bag while Dad was holding the red small paper bag. Now I am thinking who will get the big and small paper bag. 

As Mom and Dad are getting closer to the both of us the more I feel excited about the gift. I feel like a three-year old kid waiting for his candy. Ughh! I like this feeling. The feeling that you know someone will give you something that you know you will really going to happen upon receiving. 

Mom and Dad finally got to our position right now. “What is this?” Michael asked with confusion while pointing at the paper bags. At first I didn’t get what he was trying to say. “What?” Mom asked in confusion. “Ughh! Mom! Why is there a small and big paper bag?” Michael asked with a strong voice. “You still don’t know which gift is yours and now you’re complaining?” Mom said while shaking her head as if she was disappointed with Nick. 

What does Michael want? Does he want to have the big paper bag? Then he can have that. I am okay with anything though and I am not that aspiring for something that is bigger than the other. I am more interested in the feeling of the people who gave me the gift behind. 

“We are going to give it to the both of you together. Dad on the count of three we will give it to their respective receiver.” Mom said, trying to instruct Dad. “Okay.” Dad replied to Mom. “Wait! I have a better idea Mom.” Dad said out of nowhere. “What plan?” Mom asked Dad. “Oh, come on! Just get over it.” Michael exclaimed which made us all turn to look at him. “Oh come on son. You are no fun.” Dad replied to Michael. What dad said made Michael scratch the back of his head in frustration. 

After seeing Michael in frustration, it made me really happy again. “Okay dad, what was it again?” Mom asked dad one more time. “Okay so, this is what you two are going to do. You two close your eyes and put your hands like this, as if you are asking for something. Okay? Because we will put the paper bag on your palms. Got it?” Dad asked. Dad’s plan made it more exciting. “You heard your dad, now close your eyes.” Mom added to what dad said. 

I immediately closed my eyes. I don't know if Michael did it first or it was me but one thing was for me, it is that I can’t wait for them to put the paper bags on our palms. “One, two, three.” Mom and dad counted at the same time. Now, the paper bags are on our palms. But I am still waiting for instructions for them to tell us when to open our eyes. “Open your eyes now.” I heard Dad say, As soon as I heard that said that I immediately opened my eyes. I saw the paper bag that was on my palm was a small one. I smiled then I looked at Michael. He was looking at me with sad eyes. So I turned to look at Mom. “Mom, what is this?” Michael asked. “A gift. You open it now.” Michael said with frustration. 

I don’t know what’s wrong with him. Doesn’t he like the big one? I thought that was the reason why he exclaimed a while ago. “Don’t tell me.” I said and looked at Michael. I think he was thinking about me, the reason was all because of me. Maybe he thought that I might feel sad if I were given a small gift. “Hey! I patted the back of Michael and I immediately opened my paper bag. “Nick.” I heard Michael shout. “But I neglected him and continued to open it. “What’s wrong?” Mom asked Michael. “Why…” Michael said but he wasn’t able to finish it because I spoke too. “I like this.” I said. They gave me a watch. The watch is silver and it is just a small watch that is like a bracelet for me. I know I saw this watch somewhere but I don’t know where. That watch is the new released Rolex watch and you know what? We asked the company to engrave your name at the back of it. See it by yourself.” Mom said. 

I looked at the back of the watch and saw my name with a heart in the end. My heart melted. I looked at Michael and I saw him smiling. “Thank you.” I said to Mom and dad. Michael, when are you going to open yours? “ Mom said to Michael. He did not reply to anything, instead, he opened his paper bag and got out what was inside. “Ughh! Thank you mom and Dad.” Michael said and jumped as soon as he saw his gift. “See? We know that you want to learn more nowadays so we decided to get a laptop for you so you can search the information you want from the internet easily.” Dad replied.