Niki told me Christmas was Emma's favorite time of the year, and I wanted to make her feel special all the more now.
Last time she agreed to live with me, in my family home, was under immense pressure and extraordinary circumstances. This time I wanted to do it right, and in a place that will belong to both of us. After looking at the house and dreaming my future all long, I headed back home, as my heart swelled with contentment and peace.
Stop smiling. She will see right through you. How will you keep it a secret for twenty-three more days? My inner self chided me before I parked my car and walked through the driveway. I calmed myself before entering the house.
The moment I entered the living room, my jaw almost dropped to the floor. Emma was sitting in one of the couches right at the center with two suitcases neatly placed by her side. I don't know why, but I felt a knot in my stomach.
"I know I talked about travelling the world with you, but I didn't expect you to pack for it already." I laughed nervously, unsure of what the hell was happening here.
"Jake, you are back." Emma stood up, her eyes inflicting sadness and pain.
"Yes, I am back, and I am scared. What's with your luggage? Are we going somewhere?"
She was staring at a point on the floor, and I could sense her uneven breathing. Her silence gave me a hundred stabs, and I didn't know what to do or say anymore.
"Say something, Emma. What happened?"
"Jake, it's me who is going, not us." She whispered after a long pause.
"What? Where?" I suddenly could feel the heat emanating from my body. My temples were sweating, and I never felt this shocked in my life before. Her body language said a lot more than her words. Her shoulders were drooping, and her legs were wobbling, she felt weak in her knees, and her aura had guilt written all over it. My eyes were piercing hers as she was constantly trying to dodge eye contact with her head down staring at the floor.
"Emma... just tell me what happened? Did someone say something to you? Did I hurt you in any manner? Where are you going?" I held her from her shoulders, insisting her to look at me.
"I am going back to my parent's house, Jake. Dad will soon be here to pick me up."
"But why? Oh my god! Is everything alright with your family? Is there some emergency?"
"Jake, No. It's not that. I need to tell you something. Come, please sit." She took my hand and gestured me to sit down.
My throat lost all its moisture, and I was suddenly feeling breathless. Emma cupped my face and looked straight in my eyes, and what I saw in her eyes in return made me confident that I won't be able to stop her today. She was restless yet determined.
"Jake, what I am about to tell you is going to be painful to hear, and I regret being the one to reveal this to you. But you need to know. You deserve to know."
There was dead silence as Emma paused for a bit, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before she continued, "You remember a week back, my accident in the study? When I fell and broke your dad's photo frame?"
"Yes...I remember... you got it fixed later." I murmured in confusion, not sure of where this was heading.
"Jake, all this while you have been running out, hunting for answers and seeking revenge for your father's death. You have been entangling the web of lies and deception of people around you." She gulped before continuing, " but ironically, the truth was right here, inside your house, sitting tight and hiding behind your favorite memory of him."
"What are you trying to say, Emma? I don't understand." I suddenly had a horrible feeling.
"When I opened the old photo frame, I found this envelope behind your picture." She handed me a small white envelope with trembling hands. The envelope had my name written on it, and within seconds I recognized the handwriting.
It was from my father.
I instantly grabbed it from her, and hastily opened it, only to feel stabbed in my heart.
"Mom? And... Ben?" I whispered choking on my words.5
"Yes, it's an old picture of them it seems. I ... I am sorry Jake, but... your mom had an affair, she was cheating on your father." She shuddered as she held my hand tightly in hers.
I was appalled beyond words. I was numb and for a second wished that maybe all this was some sick joke.
My world spiraled, and my words failed me. It was one of those moments when the realization hits you, and you see that you quite didn't know everything about your life. All this while, you were living a lie, and all your beliefs and opinions seem worthless.
"I am sorry Jake; I didn't tell you sooner but I wanted to be sure. One picture does not mean anything right, so I umm.... please don't hate me, Jake."
"You what Emma? Please just say it...!" I yelled, throwing my hands in the air.
"I took the liberty of investigating further, and I found this..."
I could see her gulping, tears rolling down her cheeks and her lips trembling like a leaf, as she handed me another envelope.
"These are some audio recordings and a file of interest. I did not dare to hear it, so I am going to leave it with you now."
I took the envelope from her. I opened the file first. I couldn't contain
