The Girl Named Mirage

Elven’s voice was heard from the stairs and his words were like lightning that struck both Leona and Eliana. They looked as if they were petrified.

They couldn’t speak nor move a muscle. It felt like their whole body had gone numb and all that could be heard was their loud breathing and heavy heartbeats. Their faces were pale as if they saw a ghost. His face was stern and there were dark rings under his eyes. His eyes are still red and swollen.

” What the hell are you thinking? Have you hit your stupid head again? ”

Eliana was the first to recover from shock. She was shaking with rage and disbelief at her brother’s actions. Her voice was full of anger but when she looked into his eyes she could only see sadness and hurt.

” Are you really that stupid? Does everyone need to tell you again and again before you can understand? No one in your family can live here and that’s final! ”

Angelique can’t really stop herself even when Elven’s already present. Her patience has dried up a long time ago and she can’t tolerate their trashy manners anymore. If it weren’t for Belle’s sake when she’s still here, she may be done putting them in their rightful place already.

Elven closed his eyes for a few seconds then spoke.

” All the things that Angelique told you were true. I don’t have the right to take this house because I don’t spend anything here. Not a single cent. My wife built this all by herself, I was only there to support her. The money that I earned all goes to you. ”

” Because you all can’t make a living. You can’t get a job. Even if you get one, you can’t stay for as long as 2 months. Riza, our 2nd eldest sister, has a stable job as a professor, but what did she do? She gets into a relationship with her colleague who already has a family. Eliza, my 3rd eldest sister, got pregnant with a man who had a lot more women who he impregnated in the past. Derick, who’s younger than me, lives like a prince in your house doing nothing! And the youngest, Rico, already has 4 children. And his wife is addicted to gambling instead of taking care of their baby who’s younger than my daughter! ”

Leona was shocked and scared at the same time. She never expected to hear such horrible words come out of Elven’s mouth but what surprised her was that Elven didn’t show any signs of fear or regret. He sounded calm despite everything that was happening around him. It gave Leona a frightening feeling. But the look on Elven’s face made her feel uneasy even more.

Elven kept talking without stopping.

” That’s how irresponsible you are. That’s how pathetic your lives are. And you blame my wife for taking me away from you? ”

Elven let out a bitter laugh. His voice is full of disappointment, disgust and remorse. He is hurt all over.

” She saves me from you. I was on the verge of falling into the pit of emptiness, of loneliness and sadness but she came and took me away from my so-called family before I lost myself. I worked to support all of you but you can’t be satisfied. You always wanted more of me. You never think of me. You just needed me for my money. And I never really feel that I am a family to you. Not even once. ”

With those last few words his voice cracked and tears formed in his eyes. He wipes them off.

” When I met my wife, she knew everything that I’ve been going through and she still accepted me. When I asked her for marriage, even though we don’t have money, she still agreed. Yes. She spent all her money for our wedding. And she still smiles at me and shows how happy she was. But you? You have the nerve to say on my face that our wedding is so simple. Ordinary. And not to your liking! ”

Elven smiles bitterly. Leona vows her head, she can’t look straight on Elven’s piercing eyes. Eliana glared her eyes elsewhere. Elven’s words were like daggers shot to them.

” From the little money I gave my wife, ah no, she told me it was borrowed money so she gave it back to me after. From that little money, she started her business. And make it grow to where it is now. She is able to build our house too, without asking for any more money from me. She asked me to give all of what I earned to you because she understands your situation and she told me that whatever happens, you’re still my family. And what have you done in return? You treat her like a maid whenever she visits you. And what now? You want to take her house? All of the things that belong to her? Don’t you really have a little bit of shame? ”

It seems like every word that fell off Elven’s tongue was like poison. There was an invisible weight on each word that made them fall harder onto them. They could not take his words and they could not take the pain and betrayal coming from him either.

There was no reply from anyone. No one dared to open their mouth. Eliana doesn’t answer and keeps glaring somewhere. The silence is making Leona’s skin crawl. The silence is suffocating. She didn’t know what else to say. She feels completely helpless.

Elven looks at her straight into her eyes. His stare is so strong, it makes her shiver.

Leona stands up.

” Eliana, let’s go. ”

” But we still don’t have money to pay for our rent! ”

” I said let’s go! ”

Elven throws a white envelope on the table.

” This will be the last time you’ll get something from me. ”

After saying that, he went upstairs and locked himself in the room where he has the most memories of his wife, Belle.

Leona stands up and leaves the house without looking back. Eliana grabs the envelope and stomps her feet as she walks out the door.

Angelique and Sylvia let out a sigh. The house is finally quiet and at peace.

” Elven lost his family again. ”

” Well, this time, it’s good for him. ”

” It is… But I’m worried about Elven. ”

” Yeah… I wonder how he’s holding up with his wife and daughter’s loss? ”

Sylvia pats Angelique’s shoulder, giving her a warm smile.

” Just leave him alone for now. He needs space and time. We’ll help him no matter what. “