Chapter 3: Unfair

Isabella's parents gathered around her, wishing her a happy birthday. Although the celebration was simple, with only a few dishes on the table, Isabella appreciated the effort her parents had put into making her day special.

"Thank you, Mom and Dad! Come on, let's all eat, for sure all of the food are delicious!" Isabella exclaimed with excitement as she grabbed a plate and offered it to her parents.

"No, you go ahead, Isabella. And Nerissa, why don't you join us too?" her mother suggested gently, Isabella's reaching out to hand Nerissa a plate.

But Nerissa seemed disinterested, she then averted her gazed from them.

"No thanks, I'm still full. If only Dad hadn't woken me up to surprise you, I wouldn't be so sleepy right now."

Isabella's mother approached Nerissa, concern is now showing on her face. She couldn't help but wonder if Nerissa's lack of enthusiasm stemmed from the memory of her own birthday just a month ago, when there had been no special food or celebration due to their family's sudden financial difficulties.

"Nerissa... It's your sister's birthday. Aren't you going to join us to celebrate this?" she tried to ask softly. Nerissa just sighed and shrugged her shoulder as she turned her back at the dining table.

"I'm still want to take some nap. Just a happy birthday to you, Isabella," she whispered in an annoyed voice as she closed her bedroom door with a slam.

With a quiet sigh, Isabella's mother hesitated for a moment, before deciding to let Nerissa be, thinking that maybe, later Nerissa will also join them. And so, the celebration continued, leaving the worried they have because of how Nerissa act towards them.

~

"Psh! How unfair, they want me to feel happy for that celebration of their daughter's birthday while they didn't even bothered preparing like that for my birthday last month?" she muttered.

Isabella's mother is about to follow Nerissa but Isabella stopped her by putting her hand's on her mother's shoulder.

"Mom, just let her. Maybe Nerissa's just tired and really want to take some nap, after all we did gardening earlier." Her mother looked at her Dad worriedly.

"Hun, Isabella's right. Nerissa must be tired. For sure later, she'll also join us here." He reassured his wife. She just nods and continue their celebration. But then Nerissa didn't really show up again, until now that they are already cleaning the dishes.

"Darling, can you go at your room and talk to Nerissa? I am just worried that she might feel bad or upset," her mother asked with worry in her eyes. Isabella nodded and headed towards her room but as she opened the door she saw Nerissa started packing her things. She immediately closed the door behind her afraid that her parents might see it and worried more for Nerissa.

"What are you doing, Nerissa? Why are you packing your things?" she asked softly as she took a sit beside her.

"Why you are even pretending that you are concerned? Maybe you are even going to celebrate more when I am not here anymore?" Isabella's surprised face was enough proof that she didn't expect that from Nerissa. It's been a year since she came into her family, since that day, she never treated Nerissa like other people, she always act as if she has known her forever and treat her so nicely, because Nerissa also made her dream to have a sibling came true.

"What? Why are you thinking like that, Nerissa?" Isabella's voice trembled a little.

"You are important to me, to us. You are like my own sister. I am not even thinking that you came from an orphanage, that you are just my parents' adopted child."

Nerissa's gaze wavered, her hands momentarily freezing in the midst of packing. She turned to face Isabella.

"Really? But do I need to say sorry if I tell you that I feel like an outcast in this family? Isabella, even if you tried to deny, there's an unfairness happening here. You are their real child, and I'm just a random adopted girl."

Isabella's heart clenched at Nerissa's words. She couldn't think how her sister had come to believe such painful thoughts. She placed her arm around Nerissa's shoulders, pulling her closer. Instead of getting mad at Nerissa for what she's saying, she chose to understand her again.

"Of course not, Nerissa! Mom and Dad love you genuinely. Please, don't think like that," Isabella pointed out.

"Actually... I have a surprise for you too." Nerissa's eyes change into curiosity.

"A surprise? For me?" Isabella nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Yes, for you. But before that, I want you to know that I never, for a second, considered you anything less than my sister. To me, blood does not define family. So, whatever you are planning just don't go for it, alright?" Nerissa just simply stared at her..

"Now, about the surprise. Close your eyes first."

Nerissa hesitated for a moment before closing her eyes. She could hear Isabella moving around the room, the rustle of paper, and the faint sound of something being set down on the bed.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now," Isabella announced. Nerissa slowly opened her eyes and saw a box covered with aesthetic paper.

"And what's that?" she asked as she reached for the gift.

"Open it," Isabella replied with a smirk.

Nerissa did so, unfolding the paper to reveal the present. Inside is a brand new phone she always wanted to buy, but failed to.

"I know that you want to buy that phone. So, I bought it for you. Like what I promised you last month, I'll still follow my gift for you." Nerissa blinked her eyes in disbelief, she didn't expect Isabella to do this.

"Thank you!" Nerissa said, and Isabella can't help but smile, but it also slowly faded because of what Nerissa say next.

"Even though... it's not surprising. Mom and Dad gives you money, so you can really have any thing you ever want or wish. She then stood up and not continue packing her things.

"Mm, are you still gonna say something Isabella? I still want to take a nap." She yawned while she sat on the edge of her bed, staring lazily at Isabella, whom stand immediately.

"Oh, o-okay! I am glad that you didn't continue what you are planning. F-For sure, if you do, Mom and Dad will be so upset and sad." Nerissa just nodded without saying anything. After Isabella left her bedroom, she went downstairs where her father and mother are, still cleaning some remaining dishes.

"Did you talk to her? What did she said?" her mother asked curiously as she finished washing the last dish. Isabella can't looked directly at her parents' eyes. She knows that they really treat Nerissa as their own, and if they figure out what Nerissa did planned lately, for sure they will get her.

"Ahm, nothing Mom! She said her apologies, because she's just really feel tired and can't join us." she lied.