"I guess we've missed a lot", Larry said as we ventured into the living room. We saw the cake being shared amongst the guests by Nadia.
"Yeah", I replied absent-mindedly. I was feeling tired all of a sudden."You look tired. You should rest." He suggested."Yes. I guess we would call it a night then", I told him and was about to leave them in the living room when he called me back."Daisy, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable.""It's not you. The party preparation has worn me out. I've been awake since the break of dawn."Alright. Continue being strong", he squeezed my hand in assurance and I nodded. He pecked my cheeks.I was about to leave his presence when Nina showed up."Daisy, Larry, where have you two been to?" She eyed Larry, who was with a mischievous smile on his face."I took your daughter on a date", he told her."Is that true, Daisy?" Nina demanded from me.I didn't know if she fell for Larry's jokes or not as herDaisy's POVThe birth of Ellah came unexpectedly...she was born prematurely. And it came as an eye-opener to me that the reality of motherhood was now at my doorstep.It was something I couldn't escape, something I couldn't let go of and the experience of labor was unforgettable.During labor, I remembered the pleasure her father and I both derived from producing her. And I was on the verge of cursing him when Nina burst into the labor room despite the protest from the nurses. She bluntly told them she was my mother and she was Nina Gomez. I felt like crying at that instant.My life took a great unexpected turn. There I was, trying to push out the only precious gift I got from my overnight stand, with a stranger beside me claiming to be my mother.I really felt like her daughter the moment she held my left hand, caressing it and whispering encouraging words to my ears.The anger I felt towards Daniel...or whatever his name is dissolved, when my ba
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 mothe
Daisy's POVLarry wouldn't stop making me laugh with his silly jokes. I wonder why I was laughing that much and I realized it was long ago since I really felt that way...since I felt genuinely happy.I was just 17 but I already feel like I was a grown-up woman of 30 or 40. Is this what motherhood comes with? I asked myself.I was a bit fat during Ellah's pregnancy and even after her birth but I've been so keen on maintaining my shape before Ellah came into the picture.I remembered I had always wanted to add a bit of flesh to my skinny shape right from childhood, because of the mocks ny mates throws at me. But then I was scared. Scared of becoming an old woman. Scared of growing up. Scared of growing too fast. Ellah's birth was making me think, behave and talk like a grown-up. I was wiser than I was the previous year and I was more experienced with the realities of life. I loved that but I couldn't stop the feeling of fear that was buried deep inside of me. I couldn't fathom what brou
Daisy's POVI got an admission into the University of Nevada, two months to Ellah's first birthday. I had always wanted to study English related courses to improve my skills at writing. Even though I had lost hope on ever becoming a great author someday, Nina wouldn't hear that of me. And Larry too.Ever since the incident with him, our relationship with each other has been so casual. Nina noticed the coldness and questioned me. I told her Larry said he likes me and she urged me to let it work.I didn't expect that from her. I thought she was going to support my decision of remaining single, if not for anything but for my daughter. But Nina was against the fact that I rejected him, and my lost interest in writing."I've never seen Larry this serious since I've known him, Dee", she had told me. "Except for when work comes knocking, though."The way she called me Dee reminded me of Maria. She used to called Dee-dee.I was speechless at first.
Nina's POVNo matter how tight my hold was on the people I love, they always find a way to leave, leaving me with the shattered pieces of my broken heart. It's either I push them away thinking I was fulfilling all righteousness or they realize I was not worth it and they leave. The thought of this used to scare me a lotI was scared of losing Daisy and Ellah. I had grown attached to them. I barely missed having Damien around. My love for them was unconditional and it gladdens me whenever I see a smile on their faces, especially that of my innocent pretty Ellah.On Ellah's birthday, I woke up in good spirits. She was more like my granddaughter and sometimes, when I play with Ellah, the images of Debby keeps coming. She was the exact replica of Damien's twin sister, Debby. I did not know if that was why my love for her was immeasurable. I fu*king loved her with everything in me.Ellah was a year older and an epitome of beauty. I was sure her father was a very handsome guy,
Nina's POVFor the very first time in many years, I felt really happy. Genuinely happy is the right word to use. Daisy was doing all she could to see that smile on my face, always.At times when she wasn't convinced with the smile, she would ask, "Mom, are you happy?"I would nod and laugh.She was a joy to hold on to. And my baby Ellah who was beginning to call me granny. It felt strange at first because I felt I was becoming old. But after some time, I got used to it. Daisy was my daughter like we made everyone believe, so that makes Ellah my granddaughter.We go out almost everynight, with Ellah and sometimes Nadia. Daisy wouldn't let me be with my thoughts ever since that night. She was always by my side once she comes back from school. She even told Ellah that granny is unhappy and she should do all she can to make granny happy.I felt blessed.Daisy did something else that added to my happiness and made me feel fulfilled. She went
"Namaste, mom", Damien's voice boomed into the phone."What the hell does that mean, Damien?"I frowned in irritation."It means hello, mom", he chuckled."Is that Chinese?""No, it's Indian.""Really? Your father has started teaching you his language already?""No, Dad doesn't have time for that. I'm now in India, mom. Dad said I should learn on my own or he's going to sell me out", he laughs.He seemed to be in a good mood. He was really enjoying his stay with his father. They were bonding well."You are in India? What happened? What about your school", I asked in one breath."We are on a vacation, mom", he answered."So you decided to go to your dad's place instead of coming to America?"I couldn't help but feel jealous. I missed him badly."Mom, I'm sorry. I'm still trying to get to know dad. I'll come to see you very soon", he said."It's ok. That's what I want. I really want you to get along well with your father. That
Damien's POVI was unhappy when I was asked to go to Shenyang University to study software engineering, unlike my former decision to stay in one of the Universities in America or England. At first, I was mad at mom for not making me have a say in what institution to go to. But then, I realized she was doing that, not because she wanted me far from her but because she wanted me to feel the fatherly love she claimed she had deprived me of.The anger I felt initially was intense. I guess I was mad at her because it was unexpected and it gave me a short time to prepare. I couldn't even say goodbye to anyone, not even Daisy. I fucking missed her. And I've never met any lady like her. She was just so unique and different.The memories of our two nights together were still there. I remember occasionally and smile.Even without seeing her, thinking of her alone arouses me. I tried to let go of her since we were worlds apart, but it was so difficult. The thoughts th