Chapter 49: Visiting Home

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Ryzen POV

The heavens seemed to be aware of the wavering feelings I had.

Therefore, they have helped me. They prevented me from carelessly doing something, like growing these feelings further...

I arrived at our university today pretty early, waiting for Zaynah. When I greeted her and gave her my gift, she was so surprised that she even shed some tears.

"Oh my gosh! Millen, I still can't believe you remembered my birthday and gave me this gift. How can you know my taste so much?" Zaynah said warmly.

She let her arms out, inviting me for a hug. I smiled at her before I accepted it without any hesitations.

My sister...

Again and again, I am thankful that I chose to be at this university, because I have crossed paths with my sister even though I am occupying a different body.

Reluctantly, we got out of the long embrace.

"I thought you didn't know my birthday... but, I was originally inviting you over anyway. Today, I'm hosting a simple birthday lunch right after our practicals. It's really good that we only have that for today, right?" she said.

"Mmm. Maybe they knew it was your birthday that's why that's the only schedule for today." I said cheekily.

Zaynah laughed for a bit at my remark before replying.

"Anyways, you have to go, okay! I'll drag you if I have to. I also invited other friends but they'll be arriving a little bit later. Since you're already with me now, you're not allowed to go anywhere else. It's my birthday." she said in a pouty voice.

With what she said, I could not help but snicker for a bit. Right, she must've been upset because I missed a lot more classes nowadays, especially during the height of the typhoon problem. Actually, it is only recently that I bothered to go to university. If it wasn't to spend more time with Zaynah, I would've actually taken the exam to accelerate my course and finish it earlier.

"Don't worry. It's your day so naturally, I will stay with you." I assured her.

But instead of being assured, she looked at me with suspicious eyes.

"Hmmp. You don't share anything at all, but I could tell that one way or another, you and Mayor Lennox already got together. However, he seems to be occupying all of your schedule." she said in a fake, sulky tone.

It's not like I could deny what she's saying... my schedule is really revolved around him.

Our banters continued even during our practicals. And before I knew it, Zaynah was already dragging me to her car. Really? I could not help but find her antics funny.

"I really won't escape... besides, Lennox is really busy today." I said confidently at first, but at the mention of him, my voice became smaller.

Zaynah only looked at me with her eyebrows raised up and her mouth pouting, making it a funny expression. Again, I could not help but laugh.

"Besides, where are we going anyway? Where are you going to host your birthday lunch?" I said in a serious tone.

"Where else could I host it? Of course, at my house! Don't worry, we don't need to set up. I got the maids to do it and besides, my mum is there to overlook things." she replied in a happy tone.

Her house?

No, to be more precise, it was the house that I used to live in my original life.

Instantly, I froze and only let out a small smile so Zaynah would not notice.

I got goosebumps all over me...

Ever since I occupied this body, it would be the first time that I'd see our old residence again. Somehow, I feel nostalgic. The longing that I feel for it could not be described.

It was, after all, the house I grew up in ever since I was a child. It was not as large as the mansions that I've seen so far as Millen Yu, but it was a modest house. It was a double-story house located in an exclusive village and we also had three house help staff to do house maintenance, clean and cook for us.

It was not an elite-worthy life, but it was pretty good. I am incredibly lucky and content already. After all, I have done many volunteering and relief tasks that have allowed me to see different situations.

I have seen people live in the slums of the metro cities, where the stench, heat and storms have created a toxic combination. There, the families live in a one room shacks in corridors of the dirty slums, where there is no privacy and the pile of rubbish continues to surround them.

It also did not help that the government's inadequate health services was also present. Therefore, diseases and malnutrition was only an everyday reality for them.

I had the chance to talk to one of them and each day, people wade through rubbish and look for anything of value. Tons of chicken scraps are collected from garbage bins. Afterwards, those chicken scraps would be boiled and that, itself, would be their meal for the day.

Most of all, I think the worst thing is this cycle keeps on repeating. Mothers there typically give birth at a mere age of 14 years old. Since they live in the slums with no education, they do not have enough money to also send their children to school. And so, her children also get in the same situation as their mother. They would also get pregnant at 13 or 14 years old and the cycle would keep repeating itself.

It's at that time, where I realised, that poverty is not a lack of character. It's a lack of money and opportunity. It's when society turns its back on you and makes you invisible.

The national government seemed to have turned a blind eye to them, the ones who are living a daily nightmare. They chose to turn a blind eye because perhaps, they are too busy putting the taxpayers' money on their pockets? Hmm?

As Millen Yu, it's incredible that I have really seen different realities. I was a doctor before, but I have not seen the world to this extent. I was not aware that the things that I had no care for, such as politics, have the ultimate power to influence these deeply-rooted problems.

I have not realised how deep my thoughts have were, since in an instant, we have already arrived at Zaynah's home...

"Come on! What are you waiting for? Don't be shy." Zaynah said to me, as she opened the car door for me.

I gulped as I calmed myself internally as we entered the house. But even so, my hands could not help but shake a bit. I did not expect that I would shiver this much upon entering my home.

I thought that I would be much more ecstatic when I see my home again, but more than anything, I feel nervous.

As I looked at the hallway, there was a couple of pictures of Zaynah and I. But, the most noticeable thing was Zaynah's large graduation picture.

I stared at it more... if I remember, I also had mine hanged there before. Did they remove it because I'm gone already?

Somehow, it hurts.

It also hurts even more, looking at my original appearance. It looks like I'm really staring at another person, not really at myself...

"You know, my sister's picture was also hanged in there before. But my mum ordered to take it off, so... But see the girl I'm with there, that's my sister. She was really pretty. Sometimes, people would not even believe we were sisters." Zaynah murmured in a nostalgic tone.

I only managed to nod at her, since I really did not know what to say.

But upon her saying that, I did remember a few encounters where people would be surprised upon finding out we're sisters.

We did not look alike, but we both had mixed heritage or mestiza features. We had fair skin and mostly westernised features. But compared to Zaynah, I had paper white skin and in a way, my features looked more foreign. Perhaps, it was because of the hazel-green eyes that I got.

Growing up, I did not think it was strange since it was said that our father's mother, our grandmother, was pure Spanish. It was why our dad was mestizo and it seems like his blood was quite strong, since we both had mestiza looks.

"Zay, you're already here?" a familiar voice called out.

I instantly got chills as I turned around to see that person.

This...

That stern voice, it was no other than my mother.

Since my mother is a celebrity doctor, even though I was in Millen Yu's body, I could somehow still get updates on her. Every chance I get, I would always watch the show that she's hosting, just to be able to see her and hear her voice.

Mum!

That's what I almost wanted to shout.

"Yes. By the way, I brought in my friend early. She was the one that I was telling you about, the one always helping me in med school, Millen Yu." Zaynah said warmly, introducing me to my mum.

My mum, Rose Ferrada, walked closer to us and gave me a polite smile. She was the first one to hand her hand out.

I did not know what expression I had as I stared at her. Longing? Regret? Pain? It was indescribable. My heart felt very heavy, as if my body is about to collapse.

With shaking hands, I accepted her hand greeting and quickly, she let go.

I only smiled back and looked at the ground. Although they may think that I'm just shy, right now, I'm really crumbling inside. I did not know that the moment I see my mother in person, I would react this violently.

Indeed, the person who has the most impact to me in this world, would be my mother.

"It's nice to meet you. But it's unfortunate that I have to leave now. I have to attend an emergency meeting for my work." my mother said formally.

I only let out a small smile again for her. Then, she walked pass me and kissed Zaynah on her cheek.

"Happy birthday, Zay. I'll be back at dinner. Enjoy with your friends, okay?" she said warmly to her.

Zaynah happily nodded at my mother and they chatted for a bit more before my mother finally left.

All along, I was just quietly observing them.

It was honestly, so far, the most painful minutes of my life. Before, I was already used to my mother being affectionate only to Zaynah, but seeing it again in person after so long, I feel pained.

Is this because I am so used to being pampered by Millen Yu's family now?

Or maybe, it was also because I was here, also their family, but I could not tell them since I was occupying another person's body.

Once my mother finally left, I actually felt relieved. The splurge of emotions that arose within me calmed down a little.

"Hey, you were so shy and quiet when my mother was here. Wait... don't tell me... you're a fan!?" Zaynah said in a shocked tone.

Ah... my sister's brain really does work this way. But I guess, this is the best way to explain my sudden behaviour earlier.

"Yeah, you could say so. I grew up watching her." I replied in a low voice.

Technically, it was not really a lie, is it? Since I was a kid, I was so excited whenever I'd see my mother on television, talking about medicine. Actually, I would consider that she was probably the main reason why I pursued medicine in the first place.

I wanted to be as great as her...

That maybe, unconsciously, when I had the same career as her and did good on it, she would also show more affection for me.

"Wow! That's perfect. I did not expect this at all." Zaynah continued to say, amazed.

Hmm? What's the big deal about it?

"You know, my sister isn't here anymore so I was so worried I'll be alone when I go to my mum's live shooting of her last episode. But now, you're here. Go with me!" she said enthusiastically.

My heart beat fast in an instant. This is so sudden. My mum would really be quitting that show that she's already been hosting for several years?

Maybe, it would also not be bad. I would have the chance to talk to my mum for a bit longer. Maybe by then, I will be more calm and at least, say a few words to her.

"Mmm. Fine." I replied solemnly.

Zaynah was so happy that she hugged me tightly again.

"Yeay!" she said once again.

Soon after, her friends came so the lunch party she was hosting really began. In fact, I mostly recognised some of them since they would also come over before whenever Zaynah invited them.

Honestly, it was fun and nostalgic at the same time.

Maybe, today was really a reminder from the heavens.

This is my life. The thought of abandoning my mum and sister completely is not feasible at all. I cannot simply do it.

The most important thing in this world is my real home... my family.

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