Chapter 65: Chapter 65

Chapter 65 I will miss you, Ella

Grandma, Brian and Ella were seated to a mouth-watering dish at the dining table. Ella had informed grandma about her resignation from the farm because of her wedding which was due to take place in two days, and upon Brian’s advice grandma had hosted a dinner to bid her farewell.

They ate quietly and Ella was forced to commend the cook that prepared the food.

“This is sumptuous,” she muttered, yet masticating with a rare appetite. “Who prepared this?” she paused to ask.

Grandma stole a glance at Brian and her wrinkled jaw dragged in delightsome smile.

Brian stared at her before a huge smile possessed his oval face as he continued munching his meal.

“Your Brian did,” grandma replied, opening her mouth to the peppery barbecue that was approaching it.

“I thought as much. Brian; the magical finger behind the pot. He is the best thing that has ever happened to the girl folk,” Ella eulogized Brian and admired the dimples that sank in Brian’s cheeks the moment smiles curled up at the corner of his lips.

“But I didn’t prepare it alone,” Brian remarked and threw his gaze at little Khally who was playing keenly with some dolls at the ball room. He had in his heart an unusual soft spot for Khally; the likes common among father and only child- and whenever he set his eyes upon him, huge achievement graced his chest; being that Khally was born through his gifted hands; he expected to watch Khally grow before his eyes and to nurture him into the man, perhaps, his late father would have loved him to be. Although he wasn’t on talking terms with his late father, he had strong feelings that the hero wanted his children to be the best and envy of other kid; and indeed he sacrificed his best for their betterment; evident in his drowning in the river so they could live.

“So what about your other children?” grandma asked and with prompt assumption she inquired, “Will they remain with your mother-in-law?”

Ella blinked thoughtfully, “No,” she said, “after our wedding I will bring them over, “My fiancée says he can take care of us and besides I want to raise them myself.”

Brian shook his head to what she was saying as though his shaking of head would convince grandma the more.

“I would advise you leave them with your mother-in-law. She would give them the best care and upbringing. Oldies like us are angel’s stool when it comes to upbringing,” grandma suggested.

Brian stretched his hand to the jug and poured juice afresh for everyone. As he poured the juice his attention was drawn to Khally who was jumping in the sofa. “Don’t do that Khally you will get hurt!” he blared his warning and there was no stopping Khally, who kept bouncing on the sofa like an uncontrollable ball.

Grandma and Ella gathered their gaze on Khally before the discussion continued.

“I would have loved to but you know you grandmas know how to raise children to ruin. My grandma was a child spoiler. She raised me and today I can’t cook without everyone having a runny stomach after eating my poison, unlike Brian,”

When she mentioned him, he became a smiler and pitched his glare on her bust and spell-bound face; he was going to miss all of that. To an extent she had been his lust and nothing more; yes all the hours he had seen her nakedness and how he fought back the urge that built up in his spine. He had always taken her as the sister he never had.

“And I know my mother-in-law is the same,” Ella continued, “Thank you,” she said to Brian as he fetched her a cup of juice. She rolled her eyes at him; and thought of her lies suffused her conscience; she had lied to Brian that moment she kissed him; she had been waiting for the destined time she would engulf those lips of his in a magnetic kiss. She knew Brian would never consent to her charms and demand for his heart-felt love was a task too much for her mortal self to attain. Deep inside her heart, she wanted Brian in her life and wished men with the personality of Brian would come her way since she couldn’t charm him. She thought she would end up with the well-mannered, gentle, neck-twisting Brian who helped her put to bed of handsome Khally. Each moment she recalled Brian, peeping into her parted legs, helping out in pushing the baby through and having a clear and crisp view of her vagina, she often felt more attached to him. Countless nights she had fantasized having the man that saw her nakedness in birth and not in bed, as her husband. Brian was the mirror of perfection she looked into and the outcome had been in the opposite direction- Brian not nursing feeling for her; otherwise he would have poured out his heart to her after helping her put to bed. He had sacrificed his money, heart, time and prowess to her and Khally and that very kiss she gave him was her concise way of saying; “We are still together even though I am married to the billionaire.”

“How much do you know about your fiancée?” grandma asked and Brian dropped his cutlery to pay attention.

Ella cleared her throat, “Eh- I don’t really know much of him. No woman knows much about a man. But I do know he loves me so much.”

Grandma breathed hard, “You got to be careful. Men will tell you all sorts in bed and walk away once you are dead. I have been a victim of love at first sight. Initially it was awesome and there was no stopping me but later it became sour, so sour that it dawned on me that it was my eternal fate. When it comes to falling in love I wish one could have the mythical power to foresee the love that would favor us.” She paused, stared at Ella in one thoughtful moment, held her hands and said, “Ella you are like my daughter. When the marriage becomes tough, stay back and fight the good fight of love and happiness. Don’t give up your marriage for anything. When it becomes tougher, you can keep your distance but keep fighting until you redeem your marriage.”

Brian shook his head at the fountain of knowledge from grandma; all along he had been pondering about Kate and imagining what it would look like if he redeemed the love he had for her; if he fought the good fight. He snorted out of frustration and listened on.

“My doors are always open. Feel free to confide in me and solicit for our help whenever you need it, since your mother utterly disowned you,” grandma said concisely.

Just then Ella’s eyes were welled up with tears and she started sobbing and jerking.

“Oh no, no,” Brian came over to pat her on the shoulder.

“Behold little Khally is laughing at you,” Brian said and their gaze shifted to Khally – and indeed he was laughing at his crying mother.

They all embraced one another at once, and Ella got loosed from grandma’s hug and hugged Brian for what seemed to be eternal; as for her wailing there was no stopping her.

“I will miss you, Ella,” Brian groaned, and fought back his tears.

The journey just begun!