CHAPTER 3
The breeze that blew fresh air was visible in the market as Aunt Clara tried to adjust her snacks from getting dusty, her friend Rita had just stopped by her stall to get some of her snacks that she sold. "Congratulations Clara," Rita, her friend, exclaimed. "Congratulations for what? Did I win the lottery?" She asked as Rita scoffed. "Common, I heard Travis got Married," Rita muttered looking at the fresh and tasty looking snacks. "Why would you congratulate me about that? I mean, that woman gets on my nerves each time I set my eyes on her," Aunt Clara said, fixing her hands on her waist before rolling her eyes. "Don't say that," Rita muttered. "I really don't know what Travis saw in that woman," Aunt Clara muttered furiously."Why say that?" Rita asked. "Travis didn't use his head this time, there are a lot of women out there but he chose to end up with someone as poor as he is," she muttered making Rita scoff. "Don't be like that Clara," Her friend insisted. "Isn't it the truth? Travis is a really handsome man! He could easily get a rich woman if he wanted to,``'' You know Rita, I had always thought that our lives would become better when he marries someone who had the money," Aunt Clara said. "Do you know that woman is pregnant?" Aunt Clara said, picking the yellow lady snacks out of the racks of snacks she sold. "Pregnant? Oh, that good news," Rita said happily. "That's not a good news Rita, it's not been long since they got married and she is already pregnant. That child would only add up to our responsibility, we're going to have another mouth to feed in our house and that is terrible," Aunt Clara explained. "Just forget all of that Clara, I'm sure Travis got everything covered. I guess you should learn to accept her as a family, moreover, I heard she is a nice lady," Rita muttered."I would give it a thought," Aunt Clara said. ***********************"Mother, you must be happy that you would become a grandmother soon and I also can't wait to be an aunt," Emerald muttered happily in the kitchen as they made dinner. "Huh, how can I be happy when we don't even have any money. What are we going to feed that child, especially now that things are quite expensive," Aunt Clara muttered, steering the food, she didn't care that Jessica was present in the kitchen and listening to her harsh words. "But Mother," Emerald said."Soon enough, there would be five of us living in this house. Oh my goodness, hurry up Emerald or dinner might take the whole night if we keep on talking about our added burden." Aunt Clara muttered before adding salt to the food she was making. Jessica sighed before dropping the onions she was peeling. "Aunty, I'm also going to help you in the market and around the house," Jessica let out. "What, you're pregnant and practically you don't have to do that because I don't want my nephew or niece to have any complications during birth," Emerald muttered wisely. "Emerald, thanks for the concern but I promise that I won't be stressed out." Jessica insisted with a smile. "Jessica, would you just listen to Emerald? If your husband finds out, he might get furious with me. It's best that you don't stress," Aunt Clara said, pouring the rice into the hot water. "I won't tell Travis about it, I promise you that I can handle it,'' Jessica said as her eyes began to get watery from the onions she sliced. "Don't say I didn't warn you, you asked for this, and I didn't force you. Okay!" Aunt Clara clarified. *AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS*"Jessica, what's taking the food long to cook?" Aunt Clara muttered, walking towards the cupboard. She wasn't going to get anything from the cupboard, she only wanted to intentionally push Jessica towards the hot pot she was steering."Ouch, my hands." Jessica muttered, painfully the minute her hands hit the hot plate. "Oh, are you okay? What happened to you?" Aunt Clara asked like she hadn't done anything skeptical. Jessica said nothing as a sob escaped her lips, "You burned your hands, I'm so sorry Jessica! I didn't mean to push you towards the Stove when I opened the cupboard," Aunt Clara lied. "Emerald, get the pain reliever so we can treat the burn," Aunt Clara let out. "No need, I would just finish off the cooking before it get burnt," Jessica said. it was late evening and the only sound heard at that time was that of the cricket, Jessica was sitting on her matrimonial bed trying to list some things on the book on her lap when her husband trudged in holding a glass of milk."Here, have some of this milk love! It would make you and our baby stronger." Travis said, handing Jessica a glass of milk he had gotten for her from the kitchen. She pushed her hair behind her ear before collecting the milk from his grip. Travis sat close to her on the bed as he watched his wife sip from the cup of milk in her hand. "Rose, you know what?" Travis asked, placing a hand on Jessica's tummy. "Your father is very excited to see you and your mother and I promise that we are going to love you and take very good care of you," Travis muttered before kissing Jessica's tummy."You see love, I'm very happy that we are having a family together and I know that you grew up without a parent figure in your life but I promise that you won't feel the difference anymore!" 'Travis said, staring at Jessica. She said nothing as her hands moved towards his cheeks before caressing them gently."I'm very lucky because you are the father of my child," Jessica muttered. Travis smiled before giving her hands a gentle squeeze. "Ouch," Jessica let out a girly hum. "What happened to your hand?" Travis asked worriedly as he noticed the burn on his wife's hand. "That's nothing babe. I burned my hand this morning while I was cooking," Jessica said. "You know love, you shouldn't push yourself to do any of the house chores! It's not good for a pregnant woman to stress herself out." Travis said, rubbing the burn softly."But I can still do little household chores and I won't get tired," Jessica said. "Even so, I hate it when you get hurt," Travis said, staring at the burn before kissing it softly. "I don't like to see marks like this one," Travis insisted. "Babe, I want to help Emerald and Aunt Clara around the house! Besides, I won't keep up this way," Jessica said. Travis let out a big sigh when he knew it was a waste of time to keep arguing with his wife. "Well, you should be careful next time. This must not happen again," Travis said, caressing his wife's cheeks before pulling her in for a hug. "Yes, I promise," she said with a huge grin.CHAPTER 4"You shouldn't do that Aunt Jessica, let me help you carry that bucket of water," Emerald muttered, running towards Jessica to help her with the bucket of water she was fetching. "What are you doing there Emerald?" Aunt Clara's voice filled the Air. "I need you in the house right now, how do you expect me to stack up all those snacks and carry them to the market alone? Get over here and help me," Aunt Clara said. "I'm just going to help aunt Jessica with her bucket of water inside the house Mother," Emerald said."You silly child, let her do it. Moreover, she can carry the bucket of water herself. Isn't that right Jessica?" Aunt Clara asked. "Of course," Jessica muttered with a small smile. "Since you heard her already, can you just come inside and help me out? Hurry up Emerald," Aunt Clara mumbled."Just go help her out, I will be fine," Jessica muttered with a smile. The minute Emerald had gone inside the house, Aunt Clara came back outside before pouring some liquid sub
CHAPTER 5"Travis, you mean, you're going to kick me out of the house?" She asked, surprise visible on her face. "So now, I'm at fault here? I was married to your father. I may not be your real mother but I took care of you and treated you like my own son and now you want to treat me this way because of that filthy woman." Aunt Clara said. Emerald walked in with a glass of water to her grip, she was unhappy and felt bad. It was all her fault that her mother and brother were having a big fight. "You brought this upon yourself," Travis muttered out angrily. "Travis please stop," Jessica let out trying to pull him away but he was just too strong. "I'm doing this because I want a much better life than this for you Travis. Instead of you using your brains, you went out and married someone who is as poor as we are. Our lives is supposed to be getting better but it seemed that we are bound to suffer because of that stupid woman you call your wife." Aunt Clara let out. "Get out of this
The city was filled with busy cars and people trying to get on with their various lives and activities. Travis held the full carton of wine to deliver to the wine shop beside the road but an elegant-looking lady who looked frightened, shattered, and unhappy stopped him. "William," she let out before pulling him into a hug. The minute she realized herself, she quickly pulled away. "Sorry about the hug, do you have the strongest wine here?" She apologized after realizing her mistake."We just got some delivery right now Mam," the shop attendant replied instead. "Are those alcoholic wines?" The lady turned before asking Travis yet again. "No, this isn't Alcoholic Ma," Travis said, holding the carton tightly to prevent it from slipping to the ground. "I honestly wanted to have a last taste of something really bitter before dying." The lady said with a small sob escaping her lips. She clenched her chest tightly before walking away.Travis marveled at what kind of a strange lady was that
Jessica has been unconscious in the hospital for two days straight. She was clothed in the hospital uniform and a tube was placed around her nose. Her eyes slowly lit open as she gazed at her surroundings to notice Travis sleeping beside her.She slowly used her hands to caress his hair softly. That little gesture instantly woke him up from his intense nap."Love, you are awake? You and our baby are out of danger. I was scared but the good Lord had granted all my prayers because I don't know what I'm going to do if I lose the both of you," Travis let out with a little sob."I was afraid because I honestly thought I was going to lose both of you," he let out before placing a warm and soft kiss on her hands. "The good lord has its ways, I was saved from harm's way because our family was given a chance to be complete," Jessica let out weakly. "Yes, Jessica, God is truly loving," Travis muttered, caressing his wife's hand."I think I'm better, can we go and visit our daughter right now?
"You know what buddy? I hesitated a lot before seeing you, you have earned a lot from the city and I had no one to turn to right now but you. I thought maybe I could borrow some money from you because my wife would soon be due to give birth next week." Travis asked his friend. "The money you are asking for is a lot right now. I don't have that with me since we are renovating our house, I'm truly sorry," His friend said firmly, you could see the disappointment that instantly displayed on Travis's face. What was he going to do now?"it's alright, thanks anyway I would just go now," Travis said with a little smile but his friend was quick to stop him. "Wait, there is an opening from where I work in the city. The pay is really good, do you want me to recommend you? However, you have to be based in the city if you must take such a job. Can you handle being away from your family?" His friend asked him but Travis stood frozen at his friend's question."I would get back to you," he muttered
"We do many deliveries here Travis, the boss is here." Travis's friend Manuel said heading towards the man with a walking stick. He seemed to be in his early sixties. "Manuel?" The man called out."Yes boss," Manuel replied as they trudged towards him."Good morning sir," Travis greeted. "Morning, Manuel is an excellent worker here and he told me that I can always rely on you so don't disappoint me." Mr. Roman let out. "I can assure you, sir, that I would do my best," Travis said, pinching his hands, that was exactly what he does when he gets nervous. "Good, you're in charge of him Manuel, and teach him what he has to do," Mr.Roman instructed as Manuel helped him down the Factory steps. "Mr.Roman is a really nice man but don't just make him angry," Manuel warned."I would do my best here Manuel and you won't be sorry for securing this opportunity for me, you know how grateful I'm that you brought me here." Travis let out thankfully making his friend nod. "Oh, by the way. What exa
The workers at the wine Factory where Jessica worked alongside Emerald had been Summoned by their boss. Their boss Mrs. Mary had something important to them but she was yet to show up. After twenty more minutes, she was standing in front of them dressed elegantly. "I would apologize for keeping you under the sun but I have something important to say to all of you. I want to introduce you all to the new supervisor around the wine factory. She would be in charge of everything here whenever I'm not around. So, you must obey what she says at all times.""She would check and inspect all progress around the wine factory." Mrs. Mary finally let out as a lady dressed averagely trudged in. One could mistake her for a market seller instead of a supervisor at a huge factory like this. "This is Clara," Mrs. Mary let out, making Jessica stunned. Not only Jessica but Emerald too."She is going to be the supervisor around here and would be in charge of operating the wine factory. So, anything an
It's been three days since aunt Clara started working as the supervisor at the factory and Jessica had been through more than hell with her. "Clara, where can I find Jessica," Mrs. Mary asked, trudging inside the Wine factory where a hundred of workers were busy extracting wine. "Jessica, the boss wants to see you," aunt Clara let out, making Jessica nod before leaving what she was doing to head toward her boss. ."I think you should continue with what you were doing," Mrs. Mary told aunt Clara who nodded but still hangs around to eavesdrop on their conversation. "You asked for me Madame," Jessica muttered. "Jessica, I'm happy with the outcome of your work here at the factory, the grapes and strawberries are well stacked and the wines are being extracted just flawlessly. Whatever that you may be doing! Please continue to do so." Mrs. Mary praised as a wide grin appeared on Jessica's face. "Yes madam, you have given me this job and it's only right that I do my work well," Jessica l