ACT 28
The wind howled as it beat against the building. The storm that gave rain is finally making it's way right over the town, as if it knew what was going on inside Emily's heart.
After the phone conversation with her mother, Emily needed to gasps for air. How the hell did her life come to this? She felt so tired, so weak, and so defeated. Was she cursed, even as a baby? Emily staggered to the wall and had to lean on it for support. Suddenly, everything in her room seemed to be caving in on her. She slipped down to the floor and hugged her knees. The words that came out from her mother's mouth was still fresh in her mind.
[Start flashback]
"Mom?" Emily asked nervously as she cradled the phone in her hand.
"Emily? Thank God! How are you sweetie?? Why havn't you called sooner? Your father and I are sick with worry! We even tried to call your school, but could never get a hold of you." Mrs. Hickens said concernly.
There was a pause on Emily's side. She was busy wiping away tears, eager to find out about herself, but scared as hell.
"Emily, you okay sweetheart? Maybe your father and I should pay you a visit this weekend."
"No, Mom, please don't. I'm... I'm okay... " Emily said trying to hide her shaken voice.
"Are you sure? Is something the matter?"
"Mom... I.. I need to ask you some questions."
"Ohh..." Mrs. Hickens sighed. This was the moment she feared the most, is when her daughter is ready to ask questions. Mrs. Hickens knew exactly what kinds of questions Emily wanted to ask. She braced herself, only hoping that her precious Emily will continue to love her, even if....
"Mom.. you and dad told me before that.. that.. I was adopted." Emily swallowed the lump in her throat. not really wanting to utter those words.
"Yes dear, we never keep anything from you. You are our baby, no matter what. And we love you very much, even if you're not ours biologically."
"I love you too, Mom. And I appreciate everything you've done for me. But now.... I need to know the truth about me."
"Sweetheart, but we told you everything you need to know. You were 6 months old and needed a loving family to care and love you. And here we are."
"Mom! I know okay! What I want to know is who? And where did you adopt me from!" Emily raised her voice, feeling frustrated than ever. And she realized she was yelling at her mother for no reason, so she lowered her voice. "Mom, I'm sorry. It's just been very weird lately, and... I just need to know okay. Could you please tell me?"
Mrs. Hickens hesitated, she was sworned into confidentiality back then, but it's been so long ago that she thought it wouldn't hurt to tell her the truth already.
[End of flashback]
Emily's head was pulsating and ached badly. She hugged her knees and buried her face in them, not wanting to accept the truth, but she must. She just couldn't believe that fate would be this cruel. If it's true then why do they keep silent like that? Am I that dreadful? Do they not want me? Why was I given away like a an item on sale! Emily thought sadly.
My twin? His precious Emmy Rose is my twin? Emily murmured to herself in disbelief.
*****************************************
By the time Edward arrived in front of the building, all the lights were out. He sat in his car as it poured rain. He looked over to Emily's window on the upper floors, but it was pitch black. There was no sign of anyone awake at all. He sighed and ran fingers through his hair.
Wait.. I can't let her see me like this, he thought. He was disheveled and worned. He wanted her to see him differently. He is not the darkned Edward anymore. He is not the death dwelling asshole she knew anymore, he thought and decided to go home and rest.
Tomorrow, yes.. I will explain everything to her tomorrow.
Edward sighed, but smiled a little, excited about his new found hope.
I will tell her exactly how I feel.. and this time, I won't let go. Edward thought and drove off.
********************************************
The morning shone streamed through the window. Emily woke and realized she fell asleep on the floor. She must have veen so tired to not even bother moving to the couch. She stood up and went over to the window. The land was moist. glistening in the sun. The storm is finally gone! Emily was glad that rain was no where to be seen. Yesterday was sorrowful, but today is a new day, she thought. Now that she knew the truth about herself, she wanted to start over. She wanted to erase him forever from her heart.
Emily looked at her clock and was relieved to see that she has 2 more hours till class. She looked around the room and remembered Anna. Where's Anna? She thought. She was so busy with Edward that she forgot about looking for Anna.
You consumed my time, Edward. And for what? For nothing, nothing at all. Emily thought sadly, and decided to focus on other things that she thought was more important. Her heart hurts, but she decided to live and learn and forget everything that happened, or at least try to.
As for Robert's invitation, Emily decided against going with him. She wanted to pull herself away from them all. She thought she'll just mind her own business and stay away from them. After eveything's that happened, that's the vest thing to do.
Emily got dressed and was determined to find out once and for all where Anna was. Students were swarming around, going from one class to another. Emily stepped into the student information center and went to the woman at the counter.
"Excuse me.. " Emily asked politely.
"Yes?"
"Uhm, I need to ask a question about my roommate?"
"Okay? Name? And what room are you in?"
"My name's Emily Hickens, Ma'am. I'm in Room 57, 3rd floor." Emily replied.
"Gimme a minute, let me bring it up on my computer."
"Okay, thanks." Emily smiled politely and waited.
"Hmm.... " The receptionist raised her brows. "Those are the singles dorms. You didn't have a roommate assigned."
"Huh? But, I do. I haven't seen her a while now. Maybe you've got the wrong information. Could you check again?" Emily said in a panic, wanting to know what's going on.
"Hmm, okay. Gimme a minute. Room 57, 3rd floor right?"
"Yes, ma'am."
The receptionist typed it in again as Emily waited.
"Nothing's change, hun. Look, it says here, single room." The receptionist pointed to the screen.
Emily scratched her, "That's impossible!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Hickens, but that's what it says here." The receptionist looked at her weird.
Emily tried to remember Anna's last name, but realized that Anna didn't tell her. She held her
"Ma'am, I know it sounds crazy, but I swear I had a roommate." Emily said frantically.
"Miss Hickens, are you okay?"
Emily realized that she sounded like a crazy person, so she calmed down.
"Uhmm, I'm sorry. It must have been my mistake then. But... do you happen to know an Anna?"
The receptionist looked at Emily incredulously.
"Miss Hickens, there are literally tens and thousands of Annas that comes to this campus. Do you know her last name?"
Emily shook her head.
"Sorry...." Emily said almost inaudibly and was about to leave, but the woman called after her.
"Miss Hickens, why don't you try looking in the reference hall? There is a section with student alumnis there. Perhaps, you will find your friend's photo there."
Emily's face lit up and she quickly thanked the woman and made her way to the reference hall, desperately to find out where Anna was. That or go insane wondering if she was crazy.
ACT 29 COMING UP!