Mother’s Love – Episode 11

MOTHER’S LOVE – Episode 11

A story by Jochrine Kunda

 

I went to dad’s study and found him busy with paperwork that he didn’t even notice that I was in, I watched him for a while then left and went to the cinema room and watched Monica who also didn’t acknowledge my presence coz she was carried away by her favourite cartoons then I left her and went to pack my bag and prepare for the following day. A home that was filled with happiness and laughter was replaced by gloominess and I was glad that I was in a boarding school, I prepared myself something to eat and went to bed then I called Austin and told him that we’d leave early and I’d fetch him. I got up the following morning and did my hygiene process then I wore a white and pink flower printed jumpsuit, pink ankle boots, tied my newly braided hair in a messy bun and applied light make up, I went to the kitchen where I made myself breakfast and no one was awake including the girls then I washed my bowl and wheeled my suitcase out. I took a taxi which drove me to Austin’s house and I had to wait for him to get prepared then went to the bus station, I felt free because being in that house wasn’t helping me at all.
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Concentrating in class became a challenge for me as I’d find myself thinking of what happened back home and I couldn’t help but blame dad, I remember when I had just returned from classes and took a walk to clear my mind off things and sat on a bench starring at nothing in particular until I felt a hand on my shoulder and it was Austin who was standing behind me
Me: you scared me
Austin: I’m sorry, Uncle’s here to see you
Me: I don’t want to see him because each time he comes here he always begs me to accept that woman and he doesn’t know that it’s affecting me negatively, I left that problem home so why does he have to follow me even here? let him go back coz I’m not seeing him
He tried pleading with me but I didn’t near him out until he gave up and I found myself crying on his shoulder.
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The year was coming to an end and we wrote our exams which I enjoyed but I hated the fact that I was going back home, dad gave me my space and stopped coming to school which I appreciated a lot and it had helped in the few months. When we wrote our final paper I packed my bags and took a tour around the school, all the memories flowed and I knew I’d miss the place that I could call home then I returned to my room and we went to the parking area to wait for dad who I doubted to show up but he did. He pulled both Austin and I for a hug then took our bags and went to the car “maybe dad has thought things through and let go of that woman” I thought positively, we talked about random things as he drove and I couldn’t wait to hold Monica was in my arms….we dropped Austin at his house and the car was filled with silence until dad asked about my stay at school
Did he really care or he just wanted to break the ice but I was glad he brought that up instead of Florence because she was all we talked about with him, we got home and Monica was still at school so I unpacked my bags and told myself that I wouldn’t let the house be gloomy like it was before I left so I played some music and danced along as I cleaned my bedroom. Monica walked in when I was almost done and she jumped on me excitedly, I was glad to see her and we did some catch up then she said something that dropped my mood instantly
Monica: sis, dad and Florence are getting married in two weeks
I coughed so hard that I felt myself running out of breath
Monica: are you okay?
Me: yes, don’t worry
I heard my stomach rumble and remembered that I had skipped my lunch so I went to the kitchen and made myself something light as I awaited supper. “So dad’s visit pleading with me to accept her was simply because he was bringing her in soon, they’ve still been together for the seven months I was away?” I thought to myself. I was not going to ask him about it coz he’d tell me if he really wanted me to know, I snapped out of my thoughts when the girls startled me and we began our chit chats on things we missed out….

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***WEDDING DAY***
The house seemed busier than usual when I woke up, people were moving up and down while others turned the house upside down creating what i saw as a mess but they said they were re- arranging the house since Florence wanted a new start
**nx what guts she’s got**
I didn’t let them do their job easily then went to look for Monica who I was told that she spent the night at Florence’s house for the preparation, she had built some relationship with her son Kelvin who was just her age. I had my breakfast and was going to my bedroom to take my bath when I saw dad talking to Austin’s father who was his best man and what they talked about caught my attention until they parted ways then I walked up to dad
Me: dad, you’re looking good where are you going to?
**I knew exactly where he was going so I just teased him**
Dad: really Lucy
Me: yeah
Dad: and you aren’t prepared yet
Me: for?
**I had become serious then**
Dad: the wedding of course
Me: I won’t be able to come coz I’ll be visiting mom, go shopping and change my weave then I’m headed to Austin’s where I’ll be spending the night
Dad: I know you don’t like Florence but please try to show her some love on this day coz it means a lot to her
Me: that’s a waste, I could use that time to do something sensible
Dad: you should even be grateful that I’m bringing Florence in because she’s got a good heart and will give you the motherly love you deserve
Me: I don’t think so
Dad: WHETHER YOU DO OR DON’T ISN’T IMPORTANT NOW SO GO AND CHANGE WE’RE LEAVING SOON
I was about to answer him when I saw Austin’s father leave dad’s study without the bag he had and I smiled widely at dad
Me: I’ll attend
**He breathed out loud**
Dad: thank you
I watched him walk away then hurried to his study and opened uncle’s bag, my eyes shone brightly as l set my eyes on what I was searching for and I went out. I took a bath and decided to ruin the dress code which was white for family members so I put on a long, black skirt that touched my toes, black wedge sneakers and a black oversized T-shirt that had a picture of Rick Ross, an American rapper printed on it. I called Austin telling him that I would attend and he said he’d also be there since uncle wouldn’t let him miss and I knew that we’d cause havoc if we both attended. I stepped out of my bedroom and ignored the stares then went to get a taxi since dad had already left with his best man….I got to the venue and people started throwing daggers at me when I just stepped my foot out of the car, the looks were just too much that I almost regretted my decision but I knew that I’d be fine once I found my partner in crime. I noticed that it was Florence’s family and friends mostly who I cleared heard gossiping about me so I went to the room where the food was and at the cake and other dishes that were prepared then I heard my favourite voice speak behind me
Voice: umwana wamucinshi (a decent child)
It was Austin and I ran in his arms, he started eating and said he couldn’t wait for the bride to arrive since he’d never seen her then one woman started scolding him and he looked at her like he doubted her mental well being, I couldn’t hold back my laughter when he looked at me. He led me away and met his mother with Mrs Mutale who both questioned my dressing but I lied saying I was showing respect to Florence…the ceremony began and we all went to occupy our seats, Austin and I sat at the back. Florence walked in and her relations admired her looks which bored me to the core, the smile on her face irritated the living daylights out of me. The priest said his thing when she got to dad who was waiting for her at the far end of the aisle and it was time to exchange rings but they couldn’t be found leaving everyone in shock and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw Florence panic
Austin: I know that smile
Me: yeah
Austin: so?
I hid them inside the pocket of bum shorts I wore inside my skirt and he looked at me surprised
Austin: give them back
He whispered
Me: Never
I got up and he was on my tail….

To be continued…