Ch. 9: Trouble in Paradise
Risa absently flipped through a magazine with one hand, the small book resting on her raised knee. Her other hand was draped cross Reina’s shoulders, the girl sleeping with her head nestled in the crook of her lover’s neck. The older girl let out a sigh, craning her neck down to look at the yankii, feeling tears drying on the collar of her shirt from the girl’s previous bought of crying. Wet tracks were still visible on her youthful features and her eyes were red and swollen.
Risa hated to see her lover like this, but there was nothing she could do except hold her and kiss away those tears. She felt helpless to assuage her sadness, especially since she knew the only cure would be for Reina’s family to make positive contact with the girl. The little yankii sorely missed them and was so afraid to talk to them, fearing more rejection and possibly some abuse, that she wouldn’t even go over there to gather her clothes and things.
Attention falling completely away from her magazine, the bean stared down at her girlfriend, studying her pretty face, slim frame and borrowed pajama wearing form. She was so intense in her study, she didn’t even notice her father had walked into the room until he cleared his throat, “Risa.” he said after she’d jumped in surprise, “It’s time for bed.”
“I- Dad,” Risa pleaded, “Can’t Reina just stay with me tonight?” When he solemnly shook his head, the bean furrowed her eyebrows, “Please, dad, she’s already asleep and she’s really not feeling good, she needs me.”
“No, now wake her up.” His tone brooked no arguments and Risa became incensed at his lack of consideration for them.
“Come on dad, that’s not fair.” she complained quietly, still aware of the sleeping figure on her side.
“Life’s not fair, now wake her.” He said flatly and Risa’s eyes burned with anger.
“What if it was mom? What would you do then?” she shot at him, trying to make him see things from her point of view.
“Your mother and I are married.” He replied without a pause.
“Oh so the stipulations of us sharing a bed are marriage?” The pissed off bean parried, voice beginning to raise.
“Yes, once you two are married, you can do whatever you like.” Her father nodded and Risa scoffed.
“Right, so you mean marriage, which may never happen between same sex couples in this country in my lifetime and isn’t even recognized if it happens in other countries, is the only way we can ever share a bed?” Her voice rose sharply at the end of her question, before lowering to an angry whisper, “She’s already sleeping, dad, it’s not like I’m going to wake her up to do the naughty with her later.” His face turned red, a vein popping out on his forehead in his outrage, but before he could launch into whatever he was going to say, another voice spoke up.
“Risa,” Reina said quietly, sitting up and rubbing her face, “It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry, “The bean said apologetically, her anger disappearing in an instance, replaced by her previous worry over her lover, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“I know.” The yankii nodded, smiling weakly, “You shouldn’t argue with your father, it must be hard enough for him to have someone intent on courting his daughter staying in the same house. You don’t need to make things harder by talking back.” She climbed out of bed and leaned down to plant a kiss on top of Risa’s head, “Good night.” she murmured, smiling lovingly at the older girl. Then she turned to her father and bowed to him, “I’m sorry for causing trouble. Thank you for letting me stay here.” Then she left the room.
A tense atmosphere was left behind and Risa, anger deflated by her lover’s attitude, stared at her father in defeat. He, taken aback by Reina’s gratitude, could only stare back. Finally, after a long moment of silence, Risa rolled over to turn her back to him and pull the blankets over herself.
Topic: The Life and Times of Reina and Risa (Ch. 20 7/9) Final (Read 38267 times)