Gifted

"The Royal Institute of Music. The most prestigious school in the country for classical and contemporary music alike. You're gifted to be studying there, Daniella."

Lumi blinked her eyes at me in surprise. I remained unsure if it was because of my words. "You're back already, Dad?"

Daniella, on the meanwhile, looked nonchalant. She waved her hand, not even the slightest of embarrassment. "Ah, you're flattering me. I have a passion for music, that's all. And yes—did something happen?"

Their gazes at me were sharp, Lumi, in particular. I placed her feet flat on the ground and held my hands up in defeat. "Was I interrupting something?"

Daniella and Lumi glanced at each other, as if they had a shared secret code together. They then giggled. "No, we're only curious."

I would be lying if I said I was not feeling left out. I wanted to take to our telepathy, but Lumi's stormy gaze lingered on me longer than I would have liked. I could only bury my doubts on what they were hiding down.

"I got the date wrong," I said, scratching the back of my head. "The matter is the Friday after."

They continued to stare at me. I realized the coldness creeping up my back would only grow frostier if I did not elaborate more.

"No, I'm busy anymore. You guys can do you. Pretend I'm not here. I'll be watching from the sides. Per usual."

I sprinkled a bit of vinegar and soured my words on purpose to no avail. It did not bother Lumi. She cheered along with Daniella, and before long, they treated me like a ghost.

"Now, where was I? Oh yes, ice cream. I was telling you about why I came to like snacks. My parents didn't approve my dreams to become a musician. They thought I had no future, even though I began studying at the Royal Institute." Daniella sighed.

Weariness hit the tone of the melancholy in her voice.

"I was so angry that I ran away from home. I borrowed some of my friend's money and used all my own pocket money to buy a flat here."

The serious Lumi nodded. "Expensive."

That made Daniella laugh. She leaned over and pulled on Lumi's cheeks. "Oh, ice cream. You're so little and so cute, what would you know about money? I was only lucky with the rent, after all."

It peeved me to see Daniella violating her cheeks like that. Not because I was jealous; I for sure was. But Lumi dropped her guard against people so fast.

I guessed the difference between the current me and the experiences of this past body must have inspired her.

It was a great thing, excellent even. But the resentment bubbling in me was an evil concoction in a witch's cauldron. It was unmistakable.

I prayed Lumi would enter my mind, but her attention fixated elsewhere. She did not consider my feelings at all.

"My family was the usual inconsiderate, stubborn, and traditional one," Daniella continued. "They looked down upon these jobs. Singing, acting, streaming, they were not professional. It was only fun. It was shameful to be working in such job."

I saw Lumi give her two pats on the arm and my bitterness softened.

"My father believed in that the most. He was very patriarchal. He wanted me to be a teacher or get married to a scion and be a housewife. My mom never challenged him, but in her heart, she always agreed with him. I kept thinking about as I began living alone, when all the sudden, it got lonely. Lonely, even with music."

Daniella realized her soft tone, the grey atmosphere, how the topic had grown out of hand. She attempted to brighten everything up.

"That was when I discovered snacks! Creamy chocolates! Crunchy chips! Melting ice cream! They are the most comforting foods known to man!"

Lumi began to giggle at I assumed was Daniella's animated gestures. Then Daniella began to giggle too, losing me. She wrapped her arms around Lumi and gave an apologizing smile.

"Sorry, ice cream. That was not a good story to tell. You must've not understood much but know that it was personal."

The scene was eerie for me as it was so familiar. I too treated Lumi as a child, not knowing she knew and comprehended far more. Our special telepathy taught her lots.

As expected, Lumi comforted Daniella. She shook her head and grabbed her sleeves. "No, you stood up against your family with your music. That's inspiring, sister Ella."

I recognized I did not have much part in developing her emotional intelligence, yet I was still proud. Proud, but a little guilty. I realized Lumi must have tried to comfort her many times before.

This emotional maturity came at a cost.

Of course, Daniella did not know that. Her shoulders sagged. Her knees trembled. It was quick and unnoticeable, but not from the angle I observed them at.

"Ice cream, you are the sweetest little pie I've never met! Ooo, you're so smart and kind. I'll get diabetes from you and not the snacks. That's it! You can come to me for more than only snacks. You tell me whenever your Dad is bullying you into doing what you don't want! I'll come right over and... and hit him with this, this piano!"

"Yes, bash his skull in!" Lumi agreed, her voice as sweet and milky as ever.

I froze. Daniella froze. We both stared at her, one in complete shock at the un-innocent comment and the other in complete awe.

Daniella was the latter. She snapped back into her senses and pulled Lumi into her lap with an excited cheer.

"Yes, that's the spirit! A guitar would be better for that though, it's easier to swing!"

My heart crumbled into a million little pieces.

"The room is not that big. I can hear the both of you," I grumbled.

I threw an expectant gaze towards Lumi, demanding an explanation.

Dumpling, don't tarnish your Dad's image. Girls can't be violent. Err, girls can't be violent with the ones they love. 

Hmph!

But Daniella's sudden laughter was loud and cut off our internal conversation.

"You don't need to explain anything. I can tell with only your eyes that the two of you have a good relationship. It's like... you can understand each other fully. You need a lot of love for that."

Lumi turned to me.

Sister Ella is sad, Dad.

I know. She's a bit envious. 

Oh. 

She then turned to face Daniella, whose head now bowed low.

How do we cheer her up? Should I slander you, Dad? 

Stop holding a grudge against my teasing, dumpling! You're asking for tickles! 

I hesitated.

Ask her to sing her favorite song or play her favorite piece on the piano. That'll make her feel better.