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