Annabelle's POV:
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1Vg1ACkEu
For the nth time, I looked at the bustling road with sleepy eyes and a bored mind.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9175H0nFJH
“You gotta be kidding me, Anna.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZj3KXMXpF
Ignoring the little boyish voice, I continued.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCmqgxJsa3
“Go away, Jerry, I am not in the mood for a fight,” I said dryly and placed my foot on the stool in front of me.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu3VwEZQbd
“Uh… fine. I'll give you three more toffees if you come for the match,” he got up and came forward with the toffees.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiVnCIydWq
“Nope, I ain't coming… I have a lot of work to be done before closing,” I straightened my posture and stared at the toffees.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbMUnyQHrr
They are super soft and delicious, the best toffees his mom bought from Scotland, but I wasn't in the mood to have them or to play our regular match.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfGYh3rBsK
He scoffed and tugged back the toffees to his pants pocket and took his backpack on the coffee table.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsKMpXePhI
“I'll ask Uncle Jacson to play with us.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuUKbqCgSu
As if he is in town by now.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yf0y6gRry
“Kay,” I muttered.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH61UT8LGBq
The little seven-year-old boy scooted out after mumbling a few inaudible things which I hadn't paid attention to.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxmrstNLmz
It's a usual thing for me, Jerry, and a few of his friends to play cricket and soccer at the ground near our flat.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuhCRohFK8
Mom enters the room wearing a chocolate brown flock.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBQQvEqmcj
“Anna… why did you leave the party without even giving a proper goodbye to Blakes?” She was angry.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbo2jGANAy
Sure, Aunty Aleena has given a vivid description of what happened last night except my collision with the strange lady.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2KlqJ6rmT
“I… uh… it was boring…” I lied.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmTNhZi7y9
She had an expression of not going buy my pathetic lies.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLwtcbOX3X
“Ah, Mom, haven't I told you I am not interested in their fancy party? It was super annoying, after the cake cutting, Jackson left me to drink like a fish and rocked on the floor with chicks… when I felt sleepy I left the mansion and took a cab.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa4H7lif7H
I brilliantly erased the little shower I have given to the kids and the later incident.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6mpd6F9JR
“But still, you could have informed Jackson or Aleena… they panicked once they found out you were missing.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FjxCg51A9
“I tried to find them…” I said plainly and sunk deeper into the cushioned sofa, super comfortable.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0KDAui2VV
She is always a loyal and dedicated friend to Aleena, but I wonder why she missed her anniversary… Wait a minute
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPRenjBnUm
“Where were you till 12 yesterday?” My eyes shot up.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB60uNMEXwp
“Ummm Mrs. Brown's home… haven't I told you there were a few more things to be done?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4XGWJAXCT
“You had work to be done till midnight?” I questioned doubtfully.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu56GKXoBbY
“Kind of… she is so picky thus I was forced to be more creative.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY8krRzoeM
My tiredness and boredom flee out through the window.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpYG09cu7W
I moved forward, straightened my posture, and gazed at my mom, now struggling to have better eye contact.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DjSzWSLYo
“Can I ask you something?” I tried to sound casual.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomanj2K717
“Sure…”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PZbBfBlS5
“Do you have a secret boyfriend?” My question made her off-guard.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuF3voBe02
“What?!”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDJibntnv9
“I know you are lonely, probably done with me and my behavior and would like to have a partner to light up…it's okay mom I am more than happy to see you having a happy life…tell me who is it?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFe4wm40zv
“Anna, you are fu- Uh, my God, I am already done with you, Dad!” She was astonished by my exaggerated statement, which I made to make her spill the truth.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLjXvLFJQD
For the last three months, she would leave the house early, most of the weekends in the morning, and would be back at late nights… saying she had met her old friends or went to Orphanage or some other excuse which won't be questioned by me.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHfyz9ERFo
“Then explain to me why you leave the home early in the morning without a proper explanation?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbixJf1wwpl
“When did you become my Mom, young lady?” She crossed her arms.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkWC4dub84
“Well, the situation demands Mama, so tell me do you have any secret business outside the town?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E0Haw6lbm
“I am glad my daughter is so cool and broad-minded to discuss the love relationship of her Mom, but sweetie nope… I am more than happy with this single life with my doubting child.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDN58vUbmM
“I am not doubting you… just wish to see you happy.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bITs4etLm
“I am happy with this life, sweetie… and I'll be the happiest person in the world if my daughter finally finds her sweetheart.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobnMYh1VjZ
Not again…
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHpZ7NIbcc
“I think we have talked about this earlier.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAMzvbYsdR
“You can't be single forever.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECecGKlMCc
“Well, I can, Mom…”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh3K9q0wzD
I got up, tucked in my check shirt, and straightened my black trousers.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFQzzsaTXN
Now she would point out the poetic phases of Love, romance, and blah which are least pleasing to my ears.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOk8ltggNy
Maybe I have trust issues with men, from my Dad to Jackson, every man I met in my life is selfish and self-centered, they never had empathy for what their partners would feel.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigwtm6Y6yz
Men like Uncle Joseph, completely dedicated to his wife and family, are just rarest of the rare.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUnVBcgurk
“Anna, listen to…”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOtHXPq2rh
“Mom please, if you wish me to be happy and cheerful don't force me to find a partner for myself… I want to be with you Mom… I want to protect and help you… why can't you just let me be a single soul?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CgdJ24hGU
“Mom never said you can't stay with me, sweetie, of course after your marriage you and your husband can live with me, we can go for vacation to Hawaii, Amalfi Coast, and wherever you want… It's a beautiful thing, my girl.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjjv22ZOUR
See… her imagination skill is beyond my imagination.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZHBGrKsNu
“Actually… I have booked two tickets at The National Theatre… the show will begin by 7…”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fAWTn3arF
“You just can't escape from this Anna… I am getting old and sick… I need you to be cherished and protected by someone,” she said in a cracky voice and dashed out of the room without waiting for a reply.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC2pzzIYBm
Evening
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcLCjaM4ZH
“Mom… Mom… okay, I'm sorry… uh please just talk to me!” I tugged her sleeves and said softly.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGl7wzc638
“Tasha…it's getting late… did you ask someone to pick up the kids from the daycare,” she acted like I never existed.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLi13kDB9g
“Tony has just gone to pick the babies, Mom.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZDZ4g2zo7
“I have made oatmeal cereal and supplements for babies… it's inside my purple bag, dear… take it when you are prepared to leave.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8tu5wcUad
“Sure, Mom.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJsdHyNowi
Tasha is like a member of our family, in fact, a substitute for Isabelle. Mom adores her humbleness and intelligence, which I lack mostly.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffW6lwcVH1
She left to the counter area leaving me and Mom alone in the kitchen.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLQ7Fe1SIW
“Uh… come on, Mom… this is too much… okay I'll find a boyfriend and will marry him soon and get babies within one year… happy?” I waited for her reply.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3JGyJrOoS
“When?” She asked, making me dumbfounded.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeOubBXkXV
“Uh… what?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvXR33bC4l
“Your marriage… I need you to find a man by yourself.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwvN9JiLFN
“Three?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UX1itihlu
“Is three months enough for you?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIWYznyUNq
“Three months?! I said three years.” I cried out.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd918JPBXYY
“Anna, I need you to be settled within one year or you need to marry the one I ask you to.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUrzAKGeg9
And that would be her best friend's son Jackson.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcmaW4U3p5
“How is it ever possible for me to find someone within a year?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucghgbrfid
“It is easy to find your soulmate, just be dedicated.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJKu58e4qz
Here we go again. It's impossible to win an argument with your mom.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyNn3zk5YM
“Okay fine, I'll work from tomorrow to find my soulmate…but what if he is out of the country?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu2jm3AKHk
“Don't worry, my girl. God would bring you close no matter where you two live…“
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQS65N7d3H
“Deal, so can we go to the theater now? It's already 6.” I was excited.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrPRVmKqrt
“Sorry Anna, Mom has promised to meet the kids at the orphanage by evening.” She grabbed her black coat from the hanger on the left wall and slipped into it smoothly.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh4K7SwQb4
“You aren't generous to your own child, Mom. It's been weeks since you have spent a sleepover with me and Tasha.”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYyTtwQi1Q
“Sorry sweetie… Mom has to…” She said softly.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gxRgXvNPB
“Fine, don't be late like last time…”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5D5eVpahv
Tasha and the rest of the staff left the bakery. I closed the bakery and switched on the security system and left for the car parking lot.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHbBvbp0KT
“Mom… can I drop you?”
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvjiM61Dtk
“Ummm, it's an orphanage on the right side, Anna, a new one… I'll get a cab.” She insisted.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj4dcMYg0V
“Now I really doubt your explanation…” I said playfully.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSRgPf5e02
She made a pouty face and crossed the path and stood on the right side of the street for a cab.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqgmEbMXMX
Soon I started the engine. Before I could take a turn to the left, I checked Mom through the rearview mirror to see her making a call animatedly from the left side of the street.
279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gYhGEok9O
Sure, Mom is hiding something from me.
ns18.191.37.16da2
