21 Visit (4)

William who was still sitting on his old bed for quite some time finally calmed his heart and stood up.

He fixed the action figure and returned it to its usual place. He liked to keep the place the same as his childhood. He went to the bathroom to wash himself, he felt refreshed after and started heading out for the door.

While he was walking out, there was a person waiting for him while leaning on the door of the car.

"What are you doing here sister?" William asked with his usual tone.

"You weren't answering my calls," Stephanie said bluntly.

William took out his phone and confirmed that there were a lot of missed calls on his log.

While William was looking at his phone her sister said, "You always come back here when you're troubled, or sad, or angry or lonely."

She smiled as she looked at William, "You're such a crybaby, so what happened this time?"

William took a deep breath and said, "I don't always come here you know."

William was trying to deny her sister's words.

"Oh please, don't think I don't know that you've been visiting this place a lot? Who do you think maintains the house?" Stephanie said while looking around also reminiscing about her childhood, although it was not as good as William's it was still a fun memory.

"I was just passing by," William said downheartedly.

"From the looks of it, you have already passed by the place you were supposed to go to. William, how do you think I know you keep tabs on Mia? I know since I was the one who hired the person who maintains this house. That said person just lives next door." Stephanie pointed at the house to their left.

"The nice old lady would call me when she sees you coming here," Stephanie said proudly of herself.

William put both his hands on the air as a sign of surrender, "Fine, you win!" William said with a genuine smile now.

He always knew that her sister cared for him. Even though they grumble at each other's personality, deep down they watch each other's back when the other needs them.

"I also know you look for her after you're done with your depression. You look at her from afar like a creep." Stephanie said while grinning.

"I said you win, okay... No need to rub salt on my wounded heart!" William said exasperatedly.

"So what happened this time?" Stephanie asked seriously.

William looked at the side, pondering for a bit before telling Stephanie what happened.

Stephanie kept quiet the whole time as she listened to her brother's heartache.

They were leaning on the car, one talking, and one listening. They just stood there as the stars covered the night sky and the moon peeking from time to time from the covers of the night sky.

The cold wind blew on their faces and yet no one seems to notice.

Both leaning looking stoic like statues, they could be used as an inspiration for a painting.

After his brother finished his monologue, Stephanie finally said something while looking at the stars. "Brother, the past is the past! Don't dwell on it any further, Mistakes were made but don't let them be your shackles to move forward with your life."

Stephanie looked at her brother seriously and continued, "You were young, you had your thoughts, they might not be the right decisions but you made them. Instead of dwelling on them, let them be your strength in the future. Be the strength to change yourself so you won't make the same mistakes. As they said, learn from one's mistakes and make them stepping stones for the future!"

Both of them stood there for a little while more before Stephanie said, "So what are you going to do about the pet shop?" Stephanie was grinning this time.

"Nothing gets past you huh.." William sighed and said.

"I wanted to visit and take a look but I think I'll pass this time." William continued.

"Do I see a hint of growth from little William?" Stephanie said still having the same grinning face.

"Don't call me that! I'm not little anymore. Anyway, I just have to show Mia my good side." William said full of determination.

"And which side is that?" Stephanie chided.

As if ignoring Stephanie's words, William continued, "and now I have Aunty to help me."

Clenching his fist as if he had passed a huge hurdle, William's confidence was starting to build up.

"I just have to show Aunty that I'm the best candidate!" William was now standing tall looking proud of himself.

"Fine, whatever. Let's go home as it is getting cold." Stephanie said as if tired after a long, tedious day.

She opened the car door and went inside while William went to the driver's side to start the car.

While William was driving the car, Stephanie asked a probing question. "So what are your plans for Monday? Are you going to be aggressively chasing after Mia?"

"I don't know, I haven't thought this through. As she said, she does not want any rumors to spread." William said while still looking at the road.

"Hmmm," Stephanie replied while looking at her phone and browsing through her texts.

"Have you messaged Mia?" Stephanie asked.

"No, I forgot..." This was the first time William looked at her sister instead of the road.

His face full of remorse looked funny, Stephanie thought.

"Look at the road! Do you want to get in an accident?!"

"I forgot as I was busy planning what to do in front of Aunty. I got excited about planning things that I forgot." William said feeling bad.

"Text her later as you are driving... I'll send her contact details now." While Stephanie was looking at her phone William was now driving faster, flooring the gas.

Stephanie looked up as she said, "I still want to live, you know!"

Original novel by Chuchuwachuwa

Editor - DnC