What's family? They say it's a group of people bonded by blood. I have heard this saying that "Blood is thicker than water." But is that family bond worth keeping or fighting for?
Hmm... I am Justin and here's my story.
Growing up in the neighborhood of Greenville, peaceful, quiet most times and filled with understanding people. Though only people of high class could afford to live in such environment. I have always been that curious child and top of my class, maybe because of how my Dad trained me. He made me take IQ test at the end of each month. Which sometimes I find it so boring and not exciting as a child. I wanted something out there, like there was an unsolved puzzle which needed my attention.
But I was restricted of all those activities as a child. My parents would keep me occupied with Lot's of educational books and activities all in the aim of using me to brag in front of their friends, well to my observation. My parents worked in the States office. Yeah! They're government officals. I'm the only child of my parents, but anytime we had a family gathering, a lot of new faces would show up, which I haven't seen before, but they claimed they were family too, sometimes this gathering ends up with a fight.
It was another Christmas Thanksgiving and this time we all were traveling to Germany to stay at my old grandfather's mansion. My grandfather served in the army for 65years, though he had sustained some injuries in his left leg, which made him to use a walking stick as a support. My grandfather is still as strong as in his youth and he has an intimidating height.
The mansion was painted light brown, having 16 rooms with so many pictures (painting) of family and painting of war arts. I walked down the hallway to take a look at the portrait of our family, when I noticed a lady that resembled my mother. She had the same eyes, smile and looks. Was this my mother's sister? Her twin? I thought to myself.
"Everyone come over here"
That's was my grandfather voice.
We all gathered at the big wooden brown circular table at the dining room. I was surprised that I had a lot of cousins, Uncle's and Aunties. Some I knew of and some I didn't. We were happy, eating and drinking. Saying old jokes and talking about beautiful family memories. Not when one of my uncle's mentioned a name (Maria). Their was silence for some minutes as all eye's stared at Uncle Ben.
"Who's Maria?" As I broke the silence
Nobody gave a response.
"Mum, who's Maria?" I asked with curiosity
"U hmm... Justin" she was trying to explain, when Grandpapa said "She's your mother twin sister."
I want shocked, it sounded strange to my ears.
"So my mother has a twin sister, I know nothing about."
I couldn't bear that thought, but I had to digest it, so that I can ask more questions. My facial expression changed, so as everyone in the room.
"So Grandpa, where's she now?"
"She... She..." He stutter
I noticed tears coming out of his eyes.
"Grandpa what's wrong?" I asked with a husky voice.
"My son, your mother's sister was sick, she had brain disorder. So we took her to a medical rehab center, where she has been there for 12years now."
I felt so sad and somehow angry with everyone in the room.
"I want to see her." That was the first thing that came out of my mouth, after a little display of my anger.
"No, you can't see her." They all yelled, except my Uncle Ben.
"Silent now" Grandpa shouted, hitting his fist on the table. "Justin, my boy. If it's your wish to see your aunt, so be it. I'll go with you."
They all felt guilty of themselves, everyone suddenly lost appetite, as we all retire to our beds. I couldn't sleep as I thought of all what happened today and also how Aunty Maria would look like. Will she accept me into her arms? Would she smile for me? Would her beauty be glowing like my mother's own? All these was playing on mind.
We all gog prepared that morning and drove to the rehab center, everyone was tensed and a little bit scared, but I was curious, and filled with anxiety. The rehab center looks more like a training school, with a lot of cool equipments, people with different issues and conditions. My Grandpa took me to my Aunt Maria ward. The room looks clean, lot's of painting. Most of them was about the sky and drawings of my mother. I guess she missed her.
She was facing the window, looking outside, like she was drawing her inspiration from there.
"Maria" my Grandpa called quietly
She tuned and starred. Her eyes were blue, with her bonde hair. Her skin was so white. She was beautiful.
"This is your sister son, Justin' Grandpa said
For a while, the room was silent, she just kept smiling at me, then she called my name.
"Jus...Justin, you have grown big"
Her voice was calm and sweet to my ears. I ran towards her to hug her, neglecting any violent past act Grandpa told me of. She opened her hands and lifted me up with a warm smile on her face and kissed my forehead. I was in her arm all day.
I guess I have finally solved the puzzle.