Grace
"I don't know what you are talking about, I cancelled my important business schedule, to come out for this wedding anniversary preparation, and now you are telling me that I am envious of them" I tried to act as oblivious as I could, I could not believe that she had figured out my feelings for her nephew.
" I never said that you were envious, but you just mentioned it and it has confirmed my suspicion" she seemed very calm speaking, she dabbed my wound on my ankle with a cotton bundle satiated with spirit.
"I, I don't know what to say" actually, I had a lot to say.
"I am your mother, I know when something is wrong with you"
" You talk like you were my real mother"
"Hmm…when did you start catching feelings for your cousin. "
"He is not my cousin, I am your adopted child"
"Grace!" she called out my name in fury, she didn't like it when I reminded her that she isn't my real mother, something I had noticed since the day one I had met her. I counted it as love for me as a child but growing up, I see it as desperation to be accepted.
" As we were growing up.." when she heard what I had to say, she heaved a heavy sigh and her mien changed.
" I noticed it while you were growing together with him, I could see the glitter in your eyes whenever you decided to go over to his place, how you would spend hours preparing your dress whenever you heard he was coming over or when you would lean over him and hold his arms, your dad would tease you and call you two a match made in heaven" she shook her head and became quiet. This only made me angry. It was like she was launching a fantod against me all this time.
"Wow !Mother, I should have been the one to have married him, you knew this, why did you let another woman have my man?"
"Grace dear, come out of your obsession, are only experiencing a blinding limerence , how can you not understand this after so many years. I thought you would get over it"
"Now you are calling me obsessed, it baffles me to know that every one sees me in an antagonistic view. I am the villain, right."
" No sweetie, you know that even if the whole world saw you as one, I would never see you in such light"
" If you really love me as you say mother, you would help me bring down, Peace's marriage"
"What!??!?!? Do you know what you are saying" she rushed to close the door.
She did not want grandma to hear of it. The old woman that uses hearing aids, she is joking.
" I know it, I know that you don't like Peace, I see the way you pretend in front of grandma and everyone else. Admit it, you don't like peace, right?"
"Yes,I want to separate her from my Thane"
" He isn't yours, get over it and don't do anything foolish"
" If fighting for my love is foolishness, then let me be foolish, when y father died, she was the last person he saw, who murdered him? Why was she released? She should have been in jail, rotting and perishing for the rest of her life." She became hesitant, I knew I had hit a cord there, I was finally getting the chance to bring her on my side, I could not waste this opportunity to make her see how evil and contemptuous peace is.
Aunt Anita
I was beyond shocked to have confirmed my suspicion, she said something to get me to agree with her to get rid of peace. Even though peace was the last person to see my husband before he was murdered, there was no substantial evidence to keep her in prison, so she was released.
I looked at Grace. I wondered where I went wrong in, what area did I fail to train her up in the lord's way. I love her so much but she doesn't accept it. It pains me whenever I hear grandma criticize her. I want everyone else to acknowledge her. I want her to be excited and optimistic. I wondered if she had cultivated negative thinking from the orphanage or I was the one who failed as a mother.
She didn't tell lies, I dislike peace a bit. I think she is hypocritical and multi faced but that does not mean I harbored evil intentions towards her marriage. I know how it feels to be separated from your love. It isn't an easy feeling. I am living as a widow, adjusting to living life without him.
" Mother, are you with me or against me?"
" I am against you. I don't see any reason to hurt peace and Thane, if you are that desperate to get married: there has been a line of suitors dying to get your approval for your hand in marriage, don't do anything stupid"
She cleared her throat "let's call it a night, don't allow water when you shower to touch your ankle, have a nice night's rest. Good night sweetie" her tone of voice reduced. she said as she left my room . There was bit of disappointment in her tone.
I could not believe it, she wasn't ready to help me. Suddenly, I got inspiration and I knew who to call. Who would help me willingly.
" buzz, buzz, buzz" I waited for the owner of the line I was calling to pick the call from the other end. Then on the fourth 'buzz' he answered.
" Hello, if you are a client, wait till the next morning, I am not a robot"
"Do you remember grace, I am peace's cousin in law"
" okay. Did you not check the time before calling, it is five minutes past midnight"
" I want to…"
"what?!?!"
" How would you like to come to tomorrow's wedding anniversary at peace's side?
"I would, if she invites me."
" I am inviting you, you are welcome. I am sure the couple would love to see you."
" ...… do you have the right to do that"
" of course I do, we are friends aren't we"
" I only met you once, and no we are not friends"
" You are sounding so curt, looks like you don't need my invitation"
"... Thank you but…why are you inviting me?"
" You love peace right?"
" what nonsense?"
"I can help you get what you want."