Chapter 4 Four

"We'll be having a family dinner tonight at seven. Make yourself available. I do not want to hear any excuses." My mother woke me up with the announcement. It was unnecessary. She could have waited for me to wake up. I'm sure she did not wake her precious daughter like that. I hissed and went back to bed, but I couldn't sleep anymore.

It was always like that. I was always given instructions as though I was a hired maid. Well, we did not have one, so I did everything, while Penelope did nothing. When we were in high school, I would wash our uniforms both. My mother had an annoying saying everytime. "She's your little sister. You should do it so that she'll learn from you."

But she never learnt anything. Till now, she's still learning from the "older sister." I scoffed. I heard footsteps approaching my room. It was Penelope.

"I would need your help today." She said as she walked into my room. No one actually spoke about how disrespectful my own younger sister is to me. Nobody actually cared.

"What is wrong with everyone in this family? Can't I at least have some peace? You keep disturbing me. What do you want, Penelope? I asked.

"Check the time." She said, rolling her eyes like an old witch.

"Are you crazy? If you have something to say, say it, or get the fuck out of my room."

"Well, if you don't want to, I'll help you." She walked towards my bedside table and took the wristwatch there.

"The time is 1pm. And you're still in bed. What does that tell you?"

I looked at her sternly. I had the urge to crush her but I stood still.

"You won't make it in life like this, sister. You won't. Such a shame." She said and twisted her mouth.

"What do you want, Penelope? I'm not in the mood for this."

"We have dinner at seven today. It's compulsory." She said, with one hand on her waist, while swinging the other slowly.

"Mum told me already. Now get out." I said and covered myself with the sheets.

Penelope dragged them away and threw them at the other end of the bed. I was amazed.

"Penelope! What was the meaning of that?"

"Meaning of what? I'm not done talking to you. So listen to me. It's not just any dinner. Jordan would be coming. Mum invited him. And we have a special announcement to make."

"I have no business with you, your family, or Jordan, whatever you call him. I'm really not in the mood for this. Just leave." I told her. I was already getting impatient.

"I know dear. Of course you have no business with us. But you do have business in the kitchen. Mum said you would cook the meals."

"And why would I do that? Isn't he your boyfriend?"

"And so what? Your duty is to make the meals. I was told to tell you. And you know what will happen if you don't do it right? I'll send you the list of what you'll make." she said.

"Why can't you do it yourself? Ohhh, I see," I laughed. "Poor girl, you can't even boil water. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Don't insult me," She said. Her boldness had died down.

"I'm not insulting you. It's a fact. I wonder how your "boyfriend" would take it when he realizes that you cannot do anything. A waste of sperm!" I blurted.

She was filled with rage but she couldn't do anything. I could see the veins in her head sprawling out. She said finally:

"News flash. He knows and he loves me that way. You cannot say the same for yourself, can you? And I see where your cooking skills have taken you. To the jobless guy right?" She laughed.

"Don't forget to make the food tasty." She said again and banged the door.

"Bitch!" I hissed behind her. I was like a slave in my own house. I was wishing it would end one day. It definitely has to. They can just tell me if I was adopted. I would gladly look for my parents.

I proceeded to get things ready for the so-called dinner. I had to get a few things in the supermarket to make everything set. I realized when I got to the kitchen that some foodstuffs were not there. I looked at the other side of the kitchen that was covered with sooth just above the microwave and the thoughts of what happened that day flashed through my mind.

Penelope decided to make rice and her own. We were still in college. She was back before me and decided to make something to eat, but ended up burning the whole thing. I walked into the house, and saw my mother standing by the door. I greeted her, and a resounding slap followed.

"What did I do!" I was confused.

"Check what you caused in the kitchen," she said.

I walked to the kitchen and saw the mess. I came out quietly, with tears filled eyes.

"This house would have been burnt down. All because of you! Why did you let your sister cook alone?"

"Please, mum tell me, what exactly did I do? Or do you just hate me? I was not even around! I just came back. Why should I be punished for what Penelope did?" I asked, still crying.

"You are her older sister. You are supposed to guide her. Why did you let her do it on her own?

"Am I now her bodyguard? Is she a child?"

"I told her to help me but she said she'll be busy at school. I knew she was lying. She just wanted to avoid me." Penelope said.

"Are you not even ashamed of yourself?" I said, turning to her. I carried my bag and stormed out. That was the day I met Thomas.

I sighed heavily, leaving my thoughts. I took note of what I needed and left for the supermarket.