We weren’t siblings but, it all started when… one day, eleven years ago when … My dad lost his Job.

“You’re fired.”

“Please, Boss, I’ve got a family to feed, give me one last chance.”

“Bob, we can’t afford to pay you anymore. In order to make ‘end’s meet’ , we’ll need to fire you. Sorry about this. Here’s your severance payment..”

“… I see.”

My family and I, We went door knocking along our street, explaining our situation and asking to move in since we could no longer afford rent. House after house, we got rejected at. Things were looking pretty desperate.

“Hey man, Look, I’m Bob and I’ve just been fired at my job and my source of income is gone. I can’t provide rent for my family any longer, would it be possible for my family to move in with yours?.”

“I’ll take a look around and see if we have space.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“So, we have space. I’ll make the preparations over here, you guys just make yourself comfortable here. This is your home now.”

“Really? We can stay here?” Penelope asked.

“Yes you can, And by the way, My name is Chen.”

“Thank you so much, Chen.”

“No worries, Bob. Is it just you and your daughter.?”

“Yeah, my wife had passed away when my daughter was 3.”

“And how old is Penelope now?”

“She’s currently 8 years old.”

“I see. That’s rough man.”

“Yeah. Thank you so much for helping us out again.”

“Don’t worry man, we’re basically Family now.”

“Thanks, Chen.”

“So, We’re tight on space…”

“Oh no.”

“But we can make it work.”

“Oh.”

“I’ll need to make a trip to the warehouse and buy 2 bunk beds.”

“2 bunk beds?”

“Yeah, our rooms are not too big. We’ll be in the same room, our kids will be in the same room, and my wife can sleep in her own room.”

“You have a wife and a Kid?”

“Yeah.”

“Is your wife okay with us moving in?”

“Don’t worry about it, if we can help, we’d be glad to help. It just might be a bit sudden, that’s all. “

“How old is your Kid?”

“His name is Tim, and he’s currently 8 years old too.”

Later that night… Tim walked into his room as Penelope sat on the top bunk bed.

“Who are you? And why are you here and what happened to my bed and what happened to my room?”

“Woah, The Name is Penelope. And uhhh My family just moved in with yours.”

“This is very sudden.”

“I know, but your dad’s pretty awesome. He bought the bunk bed that I’m currently sitting on.”

“Oh thanks, yeah My dad is awesome.”

“Hahaha, what’s your name again?”

“My name is Tim.”

“Tim? I think we’re in the same class at school!”

“No way…”

“I’ve heard the teacher call our your name on the attendance sheet. But there wasn’t a response.”

“Oh I was busy with my dad that day as we had a family reunion.”

“Oh cool, with who?”

“Oh just like my uncle, and his uncle, and my cousin and his cousin, and their families.”

“That’s a lot of people…”

“Actually yeah, that is a lot of people. Haha”

“Haha. Well, Tim, it’s getting late. Why don’t we head to sleep?”

“Okay.”

Eleven years later, Tim and Penelope had become close friends , were basically brother and sister and were attending university together.

Just as Tim and Penelope were walking home together, A bus’s tire popped and the bus came crashing towards Tim and Penelope.

Tim pushed Penelope out of the way but he then ended up getting hit. With his head and body crashing against a nearby wall, Tim fainted. Penelope panicked and called 911.

The next day, Tim had woken up from a light concussion. Penelope had come into the hospital to check in on him.

“Tim, I’m so Glad that you’re alright.”

“Who are you?”

“Tim, I’m Penelope!”

“Sorry, I really don’t remember you.”

“Tim, this isn’t funny.” Said Penelope in tears.”

“How do I know you again?”

“Tim, we grew up together!”

“I don’t remember having a sister.”

“Tim, I’m not your blood sister, but after my family moved in with yours, we basically became siblings. Do you not remember any of that?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Tim!” Exclaimed Penelope as she cried out.