Down On Your Knees

HIS WORDS

CHAPTER 9

Three days later...

Samira's first weekend.

"Finally, it's no workday. Hmmm," Samira hummed. She stretched her body in bed until she heard a soft click--the sound of her stretched tendons "Yes!" She giggled and let out a deep breath. 

Samira survived five days of tiresome business schedules and pulled through six days of living with her grandfather in his home. 

His home. Deep inside her, Samira couldn't make herself claim the ownership of the family estate. Her future was still uncertain, she couldn't hold on to something she may be asked to give up later on.

She was still in bed staring blankly at the ceiling when Mabel stepped inside her room with a food tray containing a cup of coffee, and a saucer of crackers with jam. Mabel placed it on her bedside table and then checked on her. The aroma of brew coffee instantly spread inside the room.

A soft curve appeared on Mabel's lips when she saw that Samira was awake.

“Good morning, senorita,” she eagerly waited for her response. Her eyes were beaming brightly like the rays of the morning sun.

Samira smiled at her, the first time she did in six mornings that Mabel was serving her painstakingly with attention to detail. In those six mornings, all the poor girl had received from her were frowns, scowls, and countless irate commands and demands. Despite her cranky attitude, not once Mabel gave her a sour face. She was always smiling, looking at her adoringly as if she was a princess. Well in their home she was really considered a princess.

“Good morning, Mabel.” Samira greeted her back, then she asked, “How old are you?” Her lips tilted upwards, while she looked a Mabel who appeared still a minor in her eyes.

“Senorita, I turned eighteen three months ago,” Mabel fixed her eyes on Samira, clearly expressing that she appreciated her interest to know her better. 

Samira pulled herself up and sat on the bed while her back was against the headboard. She sipped the coffee that Mabel gave her.

While thinking of the age Mabel gave her, various expressions appeared on Samira's face: delight, nonchalance, and then sadness.

“Did you know that I was of the same age when I went to the States?”  Samira shared with Mabel. 

“Really senorita?” Mabel expressed her disbelief and interest at the same time. She heard from other helpers that she was gone for a long time, but did not expect, her age was just 18 then.

“Yes, 18 and a few months. That year, so many incidents took place. I turned 18, lost my parents a month after, discovered I need to marry someone, ran away from my home, settled in a foreign land all by myself, and —“ she paused. 

Samira almost told her that she slept with someone. She had shared so much without realizing it. So many incidents had happened to her that year which left her deep scars.

“Oh?!” Mabel let out a sigh when Samira paused. She wasn’t aware of her past. She was hired four months before Samira arrived.

“That was the year I wished didn’t happen. So many bad memories, but it was all in the past,” she paused again as if burying those memories so it would not bother her again. She breathed out, “I have my future now to think about,” she stated firmly.

“Yes, senorita! You are still blessed than most of us,” Mabel uttered softly but audibly.

Samira looked at her with sudden interest, “Tell me, what was it like with you? Do you have siblings? Are your parents still alive? Are you still studying?” 

“Oh! I came from a poor family senorita. I have two siblings and my parents are still alive. I finished high school but we have no funds for my college. I have to work to help my family. I was fortunate to be hired here,” Mabel relayed, with obvious acceptance of whatever of her status in life.

Samira suddenly felt bad for treating the young lady grossly. However, she couldn't divulge the reason why she had been so hard to serve the past days. She had decided to move ahead with her plans --nothing changed. She would still pursue Andi with hopes that her grandfather would realize that he stood in a way to her happiness.

Her immediate concern was that Andi had been hard to corner for the past two days. It was either he was doing something for her grandfather or he was out to do something for his other clients and had to be out of touch, which lessened their time together. Andi always left her something to do in the office in his absence. 

Samira was left wondering if his absence was due to her. 

That would be a major issue. It clearly indicated his disinterest. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by Mabel. The young helper cleared her throat, "Ehem"

"Yes, Mabel?" her voice remained calm while she ask what seemed to trouble her.

"Senorita, I almost forgot to tell you that your grandfather, would like to have late breakfast with you. He had requested your presence by the south garden, in 30 minutes. Shall I tell him, you will be available to join him?" Mabel spoke in our native tongue. This time her voice was clear, and she was no longer stuttering.

"Yes, I'll be down in a while," I nodded and affirmed. 

Samira thought it was the right time to talk with him. She avoided the past six days mentioning her engagement to him, but she knew the time had to come for that talk. She had been busy with her training and most of the time she was out with her friends. What she had learned from Andi was not sufficient to change her mind, but, subconsciously she was hoping that her grandfather would hear and accept her decision.

After her morning rituals, she changed into a comfortable blush blue day dress, then she made her way to meet her grandfather.

Samira looked for him in the garden located in the southern portion of his mansion, it remained as his favorite spot. Roses and other flowering plants abound in this area. It was the place where the bed of roses, literally could be found.

Don German was seated with ease on the two-seater garden table. The atmosphere was calming to the senses, just the right environment to talk about serious matters.

Samira made her way to him after gazing at his older and weaker form. She felt a strong squizzed inside her chest knowing what was in her mind could break his heart. However, it was regarding her future. How could she allow someone else to decide for her own life? She had stood for it for a long time, giving up was never an option.

"Hi! Grandpa," she kissed his forehead and sat on the opposite chair, facing him.

"Como estas mi unica nieta?" (how are you, my only granddaughter?) he gazed at her with appreciation, complimenting her at the same time, "You are looking lovelier than ever."

He smiled and she did too.

"Thanks, grandpa. I am good but tired from everything you arranged for me to learn and yes, I'm a 25-year-old lovely woman," she giggled. Samira couldn't help the impulse to stress her age. She was no longer a teenage girl, that couldn't speak her mind and stood for her right.

Don German nodded his head, the smile on his face slowly fading, "I see that clearly," he commented in a weak voice.

"So, how's your health?" Samira asked him in a light but serious tone while reaching for bread and a few sausages from the table. 

She sensed the change in his mood although she kept her silence, sadness was visible in her grandfather's eyes.

"I hope the doctors are doing their best to make me as strong as before, but I guess it's beyond them. Your grandpa is getting old, nieta (granddaughter)...and weak, and perhaps few remaining years in this world," he murmured without looking into her eyes. His eyes were everywhere except on Samira.

He didn't bid his time and get straight to the purpose of his invitation to have breakfast together.

Samira found herself trapped even more. 

How could she not give into his grievances? He was so old, and sickly.

But then...

How could he be put her in this situation? How could he commit her life to someone?

Samira's mind was conflicted. It was the reason why she avoided him the past few days. The heart could be a traitor and at this time, it was so close to betraying her.

She was lost for words.

"You see, that was the reason why I wanted you to get married as soon as possible, while I can still witness it," he opened the topic she dreaded. Now she couldn't avoid adding to his worries or worst breaking his heart.

She blinked several times and cleared her throat. She sipped the fresh juice prepared for her before she uttered "Grandpa, at least allow me to decide on who I will marry," she murmured, hoping this time he would understand and reconsider her feelings.

However, Don German was strong-headed, "Can't you trust me in finding the right man for you?" He showed no sign that he would let her choose the man to marry, herself, "I know in time, you'd learn to love Damien." He paused when he saw Samira put down her silverware, but he continued, "The Azure's is a good clan. They are still waiting for us to honor our commitment, that should have happened seven years ago." He reiterated.

"Commitment grandpa? How can my happiness be placed in the middle of it without my agreement? How can you commit to someone my future without my consent?" Samira's voice rose despite her intent to control her emotions and not hurt her grandfather's feelings. 

"I am only thinking about you." He said with an icy-cold tone but his voice remained weak.

"As you can see I can perfectly take care of myself. I had been living a good life for seven long years and look at me, I didn't beg on the sidewalks just so I can eat my meals," Samira stated with conviction.

"Sami--"

"Grandpa, I am begging you this time. I am a 25-year-old woman, not an 18-year-old girl. I am capable of finding someone to marry. I can take care of your business. Don't use it so I can be forced to honor your word." Samira didn't notice that tears had begun to form in her eyes.

Don German was speechless. He minced every single word Samira said. It was like a dagger piercing his heart but he couldn't back off from his word. The Azure's had patiently waited for her, had given her more time than he could possibly imagine, there was no way he would take back his words.

"I couldn't back out from the commitment, Samira."

He called her by her full name, Samira noticed. He only did that to stress something or he was mad. 

"Grandpa please." She begged.

"You will meet them in 10 days, I will leave this matter in their hands, not ours. Meet them and see for yourself why I would like to entrust you to someone like Damien Azure." After he said those words, Don German rose to his seat and made his way away from her.

Samira was left in the garden feeling so defeated. She tried to plead with him but he was so determined. His words, he would never take it back.

She was right, after all, Damien must be the one to decline the marriage to her. Her grandfather would never end this engagement. It all depends on the Azures. 

Could her plan stand a chance?