Her vengeance

5. days pass by

Adira pov.

It would be easy to say that you will change. But actually doing it would be harder than anything. I honestly wonder if he would do it. Or for how long he would do it. It would be great if he actually kept his promise.

I walked in to the dining room. Papa was helping mama set the table. I smiled. It was so nice to see this. Levi was already sitting on the chair waiting for the meal.

“Adira. Sit down.” Mama said. I raised my eyebrows.

“You don’t need my help?” I asked. She smiled. She was about to say something when papa beat her to it.

“I’ll help.” He said. “I have got to learn all this. Now I have learnt to make omelette without burning my finger. I don’t want to starve to death just because I don’t know how to turn on a stove. I want my death to be more honourable than that.” Papa said and continued to help mama.

I tried to stop myself from chuckling when mama giggled like a school girl at his remark. Imagine anyone dying just because they didn’t know how to turn on a stove. I chuckled inwardly.

I watched their moves. It was certainly good to see them work together. I sure hope papa succeeds in this. Mama certainly looks so much better. She looks happier, livelier and even younger.

It was lovely to see her happy. I just wonder for how long he can keep up with this. Dinner went smoothly and all of us went back to bed.

Days passed by. The school holidays were somehow better than it used to be. With our father trying to turn on a new leaf, everything seemed better. He didn’t shout that often. He didn’t make a fuss over everything.

Usually I loathed staying at home during the school holidays. The days would be long and sorrowful. I would rather go out and avoid my father as much as possible, but I stayed with my mother. I don’t want her to be the one facing it all alone. I love her more than I love myself. If not for her, I would have planned to run away from this place as soon as I finished high school. But no. I cannot do that to my mother. She had always been there for me.

But, this holidays were different. Father truly was trying to change. There were times he did loose his temper, but he had attempted to control it.

One day, we were all in the living room when papa returned from office. He did not look happy. I guess he had a bad day at the office.

Mama looked at him and slowly approached him. She was being cautious. If papa was in a bad mood it could mean he will vent out his anger at her.

He took angry steps towards their room. I watched anxiously at my mother’s retreating back as she followed him.

It didn’t take much time, and his screams could be heard clearly. I bit my lower lip as he threw his anger at her. So much for his tries. I stood up from my seat. Should I barge in their room?

Then, suddenly he stopped. I walked towards their room and listened. Mama was crying. She didn’t say anything but her cries could be heard. I felt bad for her.

“Damn it” I heard papa curse. He suddenly opened the door and halted as he stopped right in front of me. I studied his face. I clearly saw that his anger was completely gone and replaced by something else. Was it remorse? I don’t know. I couldn’t tell what it was.

He quickly walked away. I peeked inside and saw that mama was crying. I went in and hugged her. I knew that all what she needed was a shoulder to cry on.

Jack pov.

I failed. I had it going right for sometime and now I failed. Just one bad day at the office was enough for my efforts to go in vain.

I threw the bottle of soda I was holding in to the river. It fell a short distance away from the shore, causing ripples in the calm water. Small waves caressed the river bank. I looked around. The orange and red clouds indicated that the sun was setting. The day was over. Soon the whole village will be indulged in complete darkness.

In rural areas like ours, street lights were not common. Only some important places are lit during the night. I sighed and turned around to walk home. I kicked a small pebble on the shore as I slowly made way home. What was I going to say? I feel so bad about myself. Having a bad day at work shouldn’t make me loose my temper like that. Alice didn’t deserve that. She was way better than that.

She was the perfect wife. She had always tried to be on my good side, no matter what. She had always tried to please me. Why do I have to have no self control? Why am I so weak? I need to work on this.

What do I say when I get back home? Do I say that I am sorry again? Would she even believe that? And the worst part was, Adira had listened to everything. She had heard and seen all of it.

I was still lost in my thoughts when I reached home. I entered and walked towards the kitchen. Alice most probably would be preparing dinner now.

I was right dinner was prepared. Adira and Alice had already served it in the dining room. They were waiting for me. Adira and Alice went to the kitchen. I frowned. No. I didn’t want things to go back to how it was. During the past few days, I had realised that life was a lot more enjoyable when you have a happy family.

I followed them and held Alice’s hand. She stopped and glared at me. I noticed that her eyes were red and swollen. She must have cried a lot. I felt guilt eat me up. I felt like a failure.

I ran my tongue over my lips. I never thought that I would feel so anxious just to talk with her.

“Alice.... I....” I stammered. Adira looked at us and sighed.

“I will be back. I’ll see where Levi is.” She said and left us alone. I looked at my daughter. She sure was smart. I knew that she had deliberately left us alone.

My eyes travelled towards my wife who was still glaring at me. My mouth ran dry. Was she angry with me?

“Alice....” I tried again. I knew I was looking pathetic. But I don’t care anymore. This is my wife. And I no longer care what the society says, I want to keep her happy.

“umm.... Please. Give me one more chance. I... I was wrong. I shouldn’t have shouted like that. I... Just had a bad day...” I tried explain myself but I trailed off when Alice suddenly wrapped her arms around me.

She held me with all her might. It took a moment for me to come out of my shock and hug her back. Did she forgive me?

“Jack.” She whispered. “I am glad you actually said that. But don’t do this again. My heart shatters in to pieces each time you shout at me.” She said in a soft voice as she kept her face buried in my chest.

I felt even worse. I certainly didn’t deserve this angel. I made her look at me and cupped her face, which was now wet with tears. I glanced deeply in to her dark eyes and wiped away her tears with my thumb.

“I am so sorry Alice. I made you cry again.” I said. I was being honest. I really was sorry. I must have better self control.

“I will try again. And this time, I will try harder.” I promised. I sure will try my best.

Adira pov.

Ridiculous. That is exactly what it is. Mama forgives him too easily. I hate it. I sat at the dinner table as they chatted away as if nothing had happened. How could they pretend that nothing happened? I sure am goin to talk about this with mama.

Papa left to watch the news and I stayed back to help mama clean up.

She hummed as she wiped the table and went to do the dishes. I followed her and started to dry the washed plates.

“Mama. What did papa say?” I asked.

She smiled. “He was sorry and he will try harder.” She answered.

I looked at her. She kept smiling and washing the dishes one by one. Her gaze was fixed on the running water. She looked as if nothing had happened.

“And you forgave him? Just like that?” I asked as I stared at her.

She sighed and closed the tap before facing me. “Adira, there are some things you won’t understand yet. He is your father, my husband. And everyone will make mistakes. You just have to forgive people and hope for the best. I sure want to live with the people who matter to me. To live a happy life you have to forgive the people you love.” She said smiling at me. She dried her hands and cupped my face before placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

I made eye contact with her. “But mama. Do you really love him?” I asked as I studied her face. Was she truly doing this out of love? How could anyone love some one who is so cold?

She suddenly went silent. Her smiled faded and her expression quickly changed to a more serious one. I could see that she didn’t have an answer to that question. She looked away from me and walked out of the kitchen as quickly as she could.

I watched her walk away. My mother is so used to make sacrifices for her family, it has become a norm for her. I shook my head. I wish my mama could have all the happiness in the whole world. She certainly deserved it.

Days passed by. Papa seemed to be trying once again. Mama also looked happy. As long as mama is happy with him, I don’t mind.

Our high school started and life continued. As the months passed by, I noticed that there good and bad days. But each time mama would forgive him saying that people did deserve to be forgiven. Just because he tries it meant a lot to her.

Perhaps I would never understand how their relationship works.

Three years passed by, and somehow, our connection with papa had gotten better. At least he did seem to be trying to be a better person. Every day he would come to fetch us from school and each day he would ask us about our day. He would made sure that I also shared my day with him. Day by Day I got more and more comfortable with him. After all he was my father. And mama was right. Everyone makes mistakes. Right?

We graduated from high school. It was not a surprise that me and Levi were among the best students in our school. It had always been like that. Levi was over excited to finish school so that he could now specialise in business and perhaps start his own business soon.

But for me, it was a day I dreaded. Finishing high school meant that now most probably I will have to get married. I had looked at my achievements record sadly. A tear slowly rolled down my cheek. It was not fair. I want to study more. I want to have a carrier. And I want to be able to get married to someone I want. Not to someone I am forced to.

“Adira. Come to the living room quick.” Levi said urgently as he popped in to my room.

“What happened?” I asked. I knew from his tone something was going on.

Then I saw my mother hurry in my room. She started to brush my hair and fix my dress.

“Mama. What is going on?” I demanded.

She held my hands and looked at my face. “Adira....” she said. She looked as if she was excited. “come. You will know.” She said and lead me outside.

I followed her. I trusted her enough that I believed it would be something good. After all she was super excited to lead me out.

When I entered the living room, papa was speaking with a stranger who I had recognised as a proud man who had a lot of money compared to most of the families living in the village. I don't know what he did to have so much money, he just did.

I looked at them and then at my mama in confusion. Why did she bring me here? I furrowed my eyebrows at her. But before I could ask anything, papa cleared his throat.

“Adira. This is Charles. He is here to ask for your hand in marriage.” He said casually and I felt as if my world had stopped revolving.