“It’s been too long. You look well...” I said with a smile.
I meant it. She did look well. Everything about her looked well and perfect except for the fact that she was now stuck in a wheelchair.
“You look very well yourself. Congratulations on your marriage. You look so happy, so I take it that marriage life is treating you well,” she said before showing me a sweet smile.
“Thank you. I’m still trying to get used to married life, but it’s been quite smooth sailing so far,” I lied smoothly as required of my role as Diana.
“I’m so happy for you, honestly. It’s such a shame that I couldn’t be there on your big day. I was still going through some rehab abroad...” she said while looking quite apologetic.
“It’s not a problem at all. I did receive the present that you sent. Thank you again,” I thanked her politely.
I had no idea whether the gentle smile that she was showing me was genuine or not, but if I had to place my bets, I would put everything that I had on the line to bet that she was just acting. I didn’t want to believe that this woman could look so excited to see me. After all, I was the one who pushed her down the stairs.
“I’m not sure if I can ask you this but since I don’t have anything else that I can ask. How is Dahlia doing these days?” she asked as she stared directly at my face.
I guess no one wants to talk about me anymore and even if they were open to talk about me, they probably didn’t know how I was actually doing after the day that I left the country. My lips curved into a smile as I intentionally narrowed my eyes slightly at her.
This girl might be really crazy. How dare she ask about me?
...
**During Dahlia’s middle school days** Dahlia’s Point of View
“Diana, please go out with me. I’m really in love with you...” a guy whose face doesn’t exactly look familiar with an unknown name confessed to me.
Just how many times have I heard a confession like that this week?
“Thank you so much for letting me know, but as you know, I’m already engaged to Anthony. I’m so sorry but I can’t go out with you, and I can’t return your feelings,” I replied with my practiced line of rejection.
I knew exactly what was going to come next. I stood there in the garden at the back of the main school building as I watched the guy struggle to deal with what might have been his first rejection from his first love. Admittingly, it was something hard to watch at first but after going through the same loop a couple of dozens of times with just the male character changing each time, I had already become immune to developing any feelings of pity. It just felt like a chore that had to be done to help preserve my sister’s perfect image.
“Well, then...I’ll be seeing you around...” I said with a polite smile as I lifted a hand up and waved a little at him.
Before he could say anything more, I quickly turned and took my leave. Although I was no longer impacted by their apparent disappointment, it didn’t make it any less tiring for me. I wanted to stomp off but all I could do was walk as gracefully as I could while I pretended to be my twin sister. Once again, I don’t remember how Diana talked me into helping her receive and reject the confessions from all the guys that had fallen head over heels for her.
“Such useless fools...” I muttered under my breath as I walked along to where my sister was waiting for me.
How can they claim to be in love with Diana when they can’t even tell that the one that they’re confessing to is her twin sister?
“Oh, you’re back. What took you so long, Diana?” Diana asked the moment that I entered the room.
“Everything went well. There’s nothing for you to worry about,” I replied casually before heading toward the sofa where the two girls were seated.
“Must be troublesome to reject all those guys over and over again,” Daphne said sympathetically.
“Don’t say something so mean. I think their feelings should be valued even if I cannot reciprocate their feelings,” I replied before smiling angelically.
“I don’t know about that. Isn’t it disgusting to be liked by a guy that you don’t even like?” Daphne asked before making a disgusted face.
She might have a point...
“I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it is disgusting but it can feel a little uncomfortable,” I replied while trying to sound compassionate and reasonable at the same time.
“I guess it doesn’t help that you’re also engaged to Anthony,” Daphne added.
“I’m sure that Anthony doesn’t mind and that he’ll understand. Right, Diana?” Diana said before winking at me.
“I guess...” I murmured while wondering how Anthony would feel if he knew that there was a long line of guys just waiting to confess their love to his fiancée.
Does Anthony even know about it? I guess he must have found out by now some way or another...
“I wonder when I’m going to get engaged and who I’m going to get engaged to...” Daphne said wistfully.
“I don’t think you need to worry about that right now. Plus, don’t you want to be able to choose freely for yourself?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re already engaged to someone so outstanding like Anthony,” Daphne said before rolling her eyes.
“We should head home now, Diana,” Diana said as she got up from her seat and headed toward the door.
“Sure. I’ll you tomorrow, Daphne,” I said with a smile.
...
“What do you want to do about tomorrow?” I asked Diana when we were back home and alone in my bedroom.
--To be continued...