Kyle looked at the calendar.
Tomorrow would be his 17th birthday.
Yet another birthday celebrated without his twin.
It felt strange.
He sighed.
He vowed that next year, with it being their 18th year, they would celebrate it together somehow. He had already taken away the 'sweet 16' birthday celebration, so he won't do that for their 18th.
After that, he didn't know how things would turn out.
His Death Day would be the following year and there were still too many variables that he had to settle as Kyle Smith before he could focus on it.
He sighed loudly again.
He seriously needed to fix this cold war with Patrick.
Kyle rubbed the back of his neck, thinking hard on all that he had done since he was born, until now. He knew he had to find some middle ground with his biological father, but somehow, he just didn't know where to start.
His words he had spoken to Kay still stood, for he could not change himself no matter how hard he tried. It was a part of him, that was so deeply ingrained, that it could not be scooped out.
"If you're going to sigh one more time, Rex, I swear, I'm going to smack you with this broomstick," came Alia's voice from behind him.
Kyle turned towards his supervisor sheepishly, "Sorry, Kak."
"What? Missing Sari already?" she teased him.
"No, I mean, yes," Kyle said quickly, "But that's not why I'm sighing."
"Hey, look," Alia suddenly said, "Your favourite customers are here."
Kyle looked up eagerly, seeing his two kids walk through the door. Joseph held the door open for his sister, who went in after thanking him. Kyle looked out, and saw that 'he' was waiting in the car outside, double-parked.
Her face was serious as she looked at them entering the store, and only when the door was closed did she look away.
"Abang Rex!" greeted Lianne happily and Joseph did the same.
"So, what are you here for today?" Kyle asked happily, resisting the urge to scoop up his daughter in his arms, "Milo? Hot dog bun? Or perhaps it is chicken ball today?"
Lianne giggled, "Abang Rex, how do you always know what I want?"
Kyle spread his arms wide and said "Magic."
"And you, Joseph? Milo and Kit Kat, right?"
Unlike Lianne, Joseph never changed his choices.
"Yes, Abang Rex, thank you," Joseph answered politely.
"Well, you know where the milo is," Kyle answered with a smile as he went to the hot counter to get the chicken balls.
Joseph nodded and headed over.
"Remember to get one for your sister," Kyle reminded him gently.
Joseph nodded again, and felt like Abang Rex was as naggy as his mother but he didn't say that out loud. He went to the chiller behind and promptly took the milo box drink and went back to the counter.
Lianne was busy telling Abang Rex all about her day, and how they were on their way back home after visiting their grandparents. This was their treat for being on their good behaviour at the house.
Kyle's smile didn't falter while he listened, though his hands stilled for a brief second when he was putting the chicken balls into the plastic bag.
His parents.
He had been here for over a year now yet, he never had the inclination to go and check up on his aged parents. Well, he didn't have to, right, considering that 'Kylie' was here to do so.
His mind wandered as he thought about his parents, and how he was treating Patrick at the moment. His mother had been the type that demanded things of him, as the elder daughter. Initially, he had no problems in obeying everything and doing everything his mother demanded but as he got older, and had kids of his own, he had had to make a choice.
There were times when his mother's requests clashed with what his kids wanted. It was 'little' things like his mother needed someone to send her to the store, when Kyle had already promised his kids that they'd go to the park.
At first, Kyle had 'sacrificed' his kids for his mother. He told them that their grandmother was old, and needed help and they were to be understanding. However, as time went on, he began putting his kids' interest and welfare first.
It may seem like a 'little' thing and the younger generation should aways give in to the older generation but the hurt was there. Kyle didn't want them to think that he prioritized his mother over them. They were as important to him (if not more) than his own mother.
Thought that sounded callous, but it was the truth. He balanced out the needs (and urgency) of what his mother wanted, with what his kids needed. Most of the time, his mother 'lost'.
Kyle had to learn to harden his heart whenever that happened and he tried to make it up to his mother in other ways - but it was never enough. No matter what he did afterwards, she still resented him for what he had not done before.
This was a trait that he could not get rid of, even in this life. Hence, most of the time, Patrick 'lost'.
While he was thinking of all of this, he was also asking his kids on calculating how much the times they were buying cost, and how much change they would get.
It was automatic, and it only hit him what he was doing when Joseph commented, "You're really like Mama, Abang Rex."
Kyle chuckled and didn't really have words to say to that.
They picked up their items and left with a wave, saying, "Bye Abang Rex!!"
Kyle waved back at them, his smile immediately gone the moment they left. He sighed and was immediately rewarded with a smack at the back of the head from Alia.
She glared at him and he just grinned sheepishly.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel