Annabelle's POV:
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9acdH5zPtD
For the nth time, I looked at the bustling road with sleepy eyes and a bored mind.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5lbQ3HV6F
“You gotta be kidding me, Anna.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02KpHwGsG1
Ignoring the little boyish voice, I continued.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIasCGeKxd
“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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy74cQFspt9
“Uh… fine. I'll give you three more toffees if you come for the match,” he got up and came forward with the toffees.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr4NuCrwmW
“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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloFLsaJqlZ
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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUUDeWdBEB
He scoffed and tugged back the toffees to his pants pocket and took his backpack on the coffee table.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImI0BdjE2W
“I'll ask Uncle Jacson to play with us.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXXAUxaXUD
As if he is in town by now.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6THWsAAXx
“Kay,” I muttered.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGYRa9mR1d
The little seven-year-old boy scooted out after mumbling a few inaudible things which I hadn't paid attention to.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZgczWgRMN
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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTNkzzxXtW
Mom enters the room wearing a chocolate brown flock.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHohKXGCUJ1
“Anna… why did you leave the party without even giving a proper goodbye to Blakes?” She was angry.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyjh0LVx6B
Sure, Aunty Aleena has given a vivid description of what happened last night except my collision with the strange lady.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaGUCgkYEo
“I… uh… it was boring…” I lied.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNLQbnAx09
She had an expression of not going buy my pathetic lies.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGqjwx1dZh
“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.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQuQKhAEFL
I brilliantly erased the little shower I have given to the kids and the later incident.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTEWXTfVSL
“But still, you could have informed Jackson or Aleena… they panicked once they found out you were missing.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHWmZ6e6eq
“I tried to find them…” I said plainly and sunk deeper into the cushioned sofa, super comfortable.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44qo5lXb4W
She is always a loyal and dedicated friend to Aleena, but I wonder why she missed her anniversary… Wait a minute
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTnaoMCgzn
“Where were you till 12 yesterday?” My eyes shot up.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsKqBBBmfg
“Ummm Mrs. Brown's home… haven't I told you there were a few more things to be done?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnqNavSmr3
“You had work to be done till midnight?” I questioned doubtfully.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqFBxjOKbb
“Kind of… she is so picky thus I was forced to be more creative.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GmSZCBE5y
My tiredness and boredom flee out through the window.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk74vVKx2Q
I moved forward, straightened my posture, and gazed at my mom, now struggling to have better eye contact.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBRgVfzEUs
“Can I ask you something?” I tried to sound casual.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd10A9xrsA
“Sure…”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBDx3Zlhhi
“Do you have a secret boyfriend?” My question made her off-guard.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnl4dTNoDU
“What?!”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyX6Ur52nE
“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?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNdRySLsDq
“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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZkq6PiShk
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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0XM2WsNu3
“Then explain to me why you leave the home early in the morning without a proper explanation?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBroeQp3Xe
“When did you become my Mom, young lady?” She crossed her arms.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fCAauB0YL
“Well, the situation demands Mama, so tell me do you have any secret business outside the town?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuWJ4fmycJ
“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.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYQJFuOnbK
“I am not doubting you… just wish to see you happy.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIQNnS0ncS
“I am happy with this life, sweetie… and I'll be the happiest person in the world if my daughter finally finds her sweetheart.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQELcyMFn15
Not again…
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkmUWCE1fq
“I think we have talked about this earlier.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlgfBsFOQw
“You can't be single forever.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwVZUUCLSc
“Well, I can, Mom…”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8pekrSKSF
I got up, tucked in my check shirt, and straightened my black trousers.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN0mjCedlv
Now she would point out the poetic phases of Love, romance, and blah which are least pleasing to my ears.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvncjhQggu
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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMyXh5c1ZH
Men like Uncle Joseph, completely dedicated to his wife and family, are just rarest of the rare.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNMfrieKeZ
“Anna, listen to…”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CEdDzbksA
“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?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvTmrpefIq
“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.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvmWis7PJQ
See… her imagination skill is beyond my imagination.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqU29vHS98
“Actually… I have booked two tickets at The National Theatre… the show will begin by 7…”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s0x0DU7Sd
“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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIipfKN6Ngq
Evening
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WbJOIFcrw
“Mom… Mom… okay, I'm sorry… uh please just talk to me!” I tugged her sleeves and said softly.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY09yMuyTlx
“Tasha…it's getting late… did you ask someone to pick up the kids from the daycare,” she acted like I never existed.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiqzWK7A6o
“Tony has just gone to pick the babies, Mom.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HNiGWhBLU
“I have made oatmeal cereal and supplements for babies… it's inside my purple bag, dear… take it when you are prepared to leave.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYooh6XtzCs
“Sure, Mom.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFqf7M0dbX
Tasha is like a member of our family, in fact, a substitute for Isabelle. Mom adores her humbleness and intelligence, which I lack mostly.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rbz9MGaBq
She left to the counter area leaving me and Mom alone in the kitchen.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeODILU4I2
“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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvXqnhIUoE
“When?” She asked, making me dumbfounded.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNL0KEtrx3
“Uh… what?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0nPWN85O0
“Your marriage… I need you to find a man by yourself.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUps6LKpg2x
“Three?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhRrhDQcyp
“Is three months enough for you?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ1F1qpdWo
“Three months?! I said three years.” I cried out.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVRYCDRbRr
“Anna, I need you to be settled within one year or you need to marry the one I ask you to.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLIg8tD3Hm
And that would be her best friend's son Jackson.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5Jv27oOaD
“How is it ever possible for me to find someone within a year?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZQlcwAYxX
“It is easy to find your soulmate, just be dedicated.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTgvUIaiI2
Here we go again. It's impossible to win an argument with your mom.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWpDKJMEW0
“Okay fine, I'll work from tomorrow to find my soulmate…but what if he is out of the country?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ka5uoaGgN
“Don't worry, my girl. God would bring you close no matter where you two live…“
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspj9C7FE20
“Deal, so can we go to the theater now? It's already 6.” I was excited.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwGaJ8cGez
“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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJLFRNPOx3
“You aren't generous to your own child, Mom. It's been weeks since you have spent a sleepover with me and Tasha.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1bCi8CJ2d
“Sorry sweetie… Mom has to…” She said softly.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBfPCsqxAJ
“Fine, don't be late like last time…”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8bjLPQASe
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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOer0nB915t
“Mom… can I drop you?”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9ZrxdONbZ
“Ummm, it's an orphanage on the right side, Anna, a new one… I'll get a cab.” She insisted.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquqirTWiTo
“Now I really doubt your explanation…” I said playfully.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRQ7uwkJkR
She made a pouty face and crossed the path and stood on the right side of the street for a cab.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbAudF5lRf
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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL02b17vRL
Sure, Mom is hiding something from me.
ns 15.158.61.38da2
