ALYSSA'S POV:
I dumped the mails on the kitchen counter as entered into my apartment. My cat, summer purrs beside my leg as a sign of welcome home owner. I scratch her head and filled her bowl with milk. Opening the drawer, I took out a penknife and unsealed the fancy envelope among the mails
It was eye catching.
Dear Alyssa,
it reads..
I hope this letter finds you well in New York! I am writing to invite you to a very special occasion - my wedding!
I am thrilled to be tying the knot with my partner, and we would be honored if you could join us on our special day. The wedding will take place on 9th June, 2024 at in Bournemouth, UK.
We have planned a beautiful ceremony and reception, and we would love for you to be a part of it. We have also arranged for accommodations for our out-of-town guests.
If you'd be coming RSVP on or before 4th June 2024.
We'll be glad to see you there.
Yours faithfully,
Johanne Steve.
I stare at the cute decorative wedding invite. A lot has definitely change since I left home. The fact that my sister's best friend Johanne sent me her wedding invite via post not email, that's something big. When did started dating and now she's getting married?
Should I be expecting invite from my sister soon too. Especially through post mail and not email.
For Chris sake we're using an iPhone not telephone. Don't these young adults know that? I snickered at my thoughts.
It's not like she would know if the invite got to me or not. I could pretend it didn't and continue figuring out how I could cover my rent money, gas, water and light bill. The whole bills mails were staring down at me probably laughing at my misery.
Grrr -grrr-grrr. The contact showed "Marina" with a red love emoji.
I sighed softly and pick up phone.
"Hey sister" I said with a low voice.
"Hey Lisa. Hold on.. why do you sound down. Is something wrong? Are you sick?" Her tiny phone pierce my ears to jerk me up from my head.
"What?" I blow out air from my lips slightly closed. "Nah. I'm just tired. I have been up writing a project."
I lied through my teeth. I never wanted to let her know how has my life is. She would be like I told you so and give me an earful why I shouldn't have left home even though mom and dad treated me like trash and I should applied for college.
I know my choices then was poorly made out of rage because our parents discrimination when it comes to who is the ideal daughter of the family. I hated it so much.
" You know if you need money, you tell and I'll send immediately. I don't know why you're being strong-headed in your life. " my sister's tiny angry voice echoed in my ear.
" It's how we learn sis. So what's up? How is mom and dad, do they miss me? I said playful because I no the answer to that particular question.
"Call them and ask yourself." Yup that's what cryptically says 'no they don't.' But Marina would never say so. I love my sister though sometimes I'm angry why she is so perfect.
"I got Johanne's wedding invite? Did you tell her there's something called email? Ver fast and reliable."
"Oh shit. She actually did it?." My sister's voice sounds surprised. Well classical Johanne. I smiled.
" it's actually nice though. Brings back old memories of how it was in the 18th century."
My sister laughed. "Shut up Alyssa. You weren't even born then. Anyway I did tell her not to send the invite that I would call you instead. I didn't know she still passed through the process."
I laughed. "Well I got it and funny I think I like her own invite for the wedding than your call"
" So we should be expecting you is that what you're saying? My sister's voice whispered. I knew she was hesitant to say the sentence. She has always wanted me to come home but never openly said it.
She knew it was my choice and the reason why was strong to easily digest.
"I don't know yet Marina. I have bills to cover and I don't even know if I can cover the flight fee. I also need a dress." I looked around my small crampy apartment. I looked at my wardrobe and I did a mental check for a nice dress but I don't have any.
I shook my head as though Marina could see me. "I don't think so. You will have to tell Johanne that I'm sorry I couldn't make it."
"Check your Venmo when we are done with the call." Her replied threw me off.
"What?! No Marina. I told you I don't want handouts. I want to figure things out on my own." I didn't like it at all.
"I'm your elder sister and it's my right to take care of you when you can't. I have always listened to you for three years since you left home. This is not a request. This is an order. I will be expecting you in one week time Alyssa Michelle Wallace! " she barked in the phone and hanged up.
" Oh shit. What am I going to do now? " I lay my head on my kitchen table with a grunt.
My phone binged and I looked at the notification. She sent me money enough to buy a dress, flight ticket and cover almost seventy perfect of my outstanding bills. Even though I was happy but I wasn't still happy.
I dialed a number. The second person I have in my life after my sister.
The line clicked.
"Hi babe. Are you done with your afternoon shift? Wanna grab dinner with me?" I said with excitement as I grab my jacket and apartment keys ready to go see my boyfriend.
