FATED BOND

When I got back from the office with Nina, after having explained every file I had worked on during Stella’s absence and even those I wasn’t done with; it really took much of my time, more than I had expected.

I had to rush the explanations of the last two files when I saw Nina already waiting for me. I was more than exhausted by the time we got home. I kissed Ellah goodnight when I entered her nursery as Nadia was dressing her up for bed. I thanked Nadia and went into my room.

I grudgingly took a shower and before I knew it, I slept off without taking dinner.

****

I woke up late the next day, feeling lazy to get out of bed when Nina walked in to inform me about Ellah’s ill health. That information brought back my strength from wherever it flew to in the first place and I rushed to my baby’s room, leaving Nina still standing in my room.

My baby was sick and peevish all through the night and I slept soundly like a log of wood. What sort of a mother am I? I asked myself as I stared at Ellah’s oval and sleeping face.

Nina came into Ellah’s nursery as I kept staring at her and scolding myself inwardly. Nina added that Nadia was up all through the night because of Ellah and I felt bad for pushing my responsibility of being a mother on the poor girl.

“I would have taken her to the hospital if only Nadia had informed me earlier. I was also exhausted from yesterday’s work and I didnt even hear her cries.”

“When did Nadia inform you?”

“Just this morning, around 5 am when Damien called to tell me how displeased he was at me for not calling him as promised.”

“You two fought?” I questioned with concern, raising my brows.

“Don’t mind him. I promised to call him yesterday once I get back from work but I couldn’t.”

“Oh!” I murmured.

“Yeah. He went to visit his sisters today so he has been expecting my call all morning”, she explained.

“All morning?”

“Yea. They are 10 hours ahead of America.”

“Ok. I was actually confused when you said all morning”, I turned as I let go of my folded arms. “I really need to take up my responsibility as a mother”, I frowned. “I feel bad about Nadia’s sleepless night.”

“Don’t be hard on yourself. Nadia is more like your sister and Ellah is also her daughter.”

“Coupled with her own job” I threw my hands up in demonstration. “I’ll take it up from here. She has done more than enough already.”

“Ellah is a strong girl, remember? And you need to be in school as well. Nadia will still be the one to take care of her while you

are in school.”

“Yeah, I know. More reason why I need to take it up now. My conscience won’t let me be”, I moved out of the room and Nina followed.

“Damien was with his nanny all through his childhood. He survived it. I’m sure Ellah will too.”

“Uhm”, I sighed and raised my head up to see Larry blocking my way with a huge grin on his face.

“See who we have here?” Nina eyed him from behind.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Where have you been all these while? I haven’t been seeing you in the office recently”, she finished and stood in front of him, waiting for an explanation.

“I went home to see my mama”, he answered, still smiling.

“Someone misses his mama”, Nina chuckled. “Why are you dressed up like this? Going on a date?” Nina questioned as we both moved towards the kitchen.

“Cat got your tongue, Daisy?” He said instead of replying to Nina.

“Oh, My God!” I rubbed my hand over my face in embarrassment. “Forgive my manners. I didn’t even realize we hadn’t greeted each other. I was too shocked to see you”, I responded.

“It shows how much you missed me”, he grinned and I felt ashamed. I didn’t miss him, I realized. I didn’t even know he was not in town. It wasn’t my fault anyway, I almost muttered out loud.

The past few days have been so hectic for me. Nina was launching another book and more than 3 publishing companies sent her an offer to publish her book with them.

“I’m sorry”, I apologized. Nadia came out of the kitchen and I rushed to embrace her.

“Thank you, sis”, she smiled.

“You haven’t answered my question, Larry. Are you going on a date?” Nina asked again.

“Yep. With Daisy”, he answered with a mischievous smile.

“What?” I said out of shock.

“Yeah.”

“I can’t,” I said sharply. I saw the look of hurt on his face.

“Ellah isn’t feeling too well”, I used my baby as an excuse. I could see the satisfactory smile on Nina’s face.

Larry shrugged in response. “I’m already dressed.”

“Go have fun, Daisy. Ellah would be fine”, Nina remarked.

“Mom, I was about to come to help Nadia in the kitchen so she could go get some sleep. I deprived her…”

“Come on, Daisy. I ain’t complaining. I’m done cooking already. I’ll go take a shower now and go to bed”, Nadia commented.

“And I will look after Ellah”, Nina uttered.

“So get out of here, baby girl. You are too uptight. Larry, take care of my baby”, Nina finished and dragged Nadia upstairs, leaving me alone with Larry.

“Are you coming with me now or I’ll have to kidnap you?” Larry chuckled.

“Let me go take a shower, I’ll be back in a jiffy”, I said and walked upstairs, without waiting for a reply. I didn’t know how I was feeling at first.

I knew I wasn’t excited about the date like some teenagers would feel when they are going on a first date with a guy.

All I knew was that a part of me was scared. Sacred of what exactly? I couldn’t figure that out.