WINNING LALA'S HEART

Marrying into a clergy family was all along been Lala's dream. She always admired and wished to get married to one of the Gabera sons.

The Gaberaz had two sons, Heron who was the elder and Derrick as their last son but rumor had it that although both of them were treated equally, Heron was their only son. It was also said that Derrick was their favorite servant's son though no one really knew that truth.

Every time people brought up this story, they would end up urging since no one had ever stepped in the Gabera premises.

They were believed to be dangerous people but no one had ever witnessed their rough.

Could all this be a lie or ? Everyone would wonder except Lala who had no time to entertain rumormongers as she was aware they would leave no stone unturned till she had fallen out of love.

Lala didn't stop on admiring the Gabera sons, she had already crushed on Derrick since Heron was married already.

Was that love anyway? She hoped Derrick could someday feel the same which wasn't the case anyway.

People found it strange because no labourer had ever worked and left the Gabera palace alive. Perhaps they didn't want anyone to spread the bitter truth about them as it was said they were not humans but vampires.

Lala would ignore whatever bad news she heard about those people because her heart had already seen where it belonged,- the Gabera palace!

She knew that people were only bad mouthing them just to tarnish their reputation.

It was coming to down when Meri (Lala's mom) felt like using the washroom room. Everyone was sleeping and she never wanted to interrupt their sleep. Slowly she found her way to the bathroom.

As she was going back, her eyes got distracted by something dazzling on the table in the living room.

"What's that?"she wondered. She remembered she didn't leave anything on the table before going to bed, moreso she was the last person to leave the room.

Feeling a little hesitation and fear, she walked towards the table. Maybe she wanted to check what it really was.

Her heart began functioning faster than usual before she took some steps backwards. She wanted to run away before a strong muscular hand grabbed her hand, followed by that scary voice she never heard, "where do you think you're going. Don't dare make a sound otherwise your whole family would face my rough."

Was he threatening her? She wished she could just disappear.

"W..who are you?"she could hardly compose a simple question.

"Wow. You may look old but you're so smart. I expected this question and that's why I've come well prepared."

Prepared! What was he meaning?

"Here you go madam."he was giving her that dazzling envelope.

"What's this."

"Did you go to school anyway?"

"I did."she hurried to say.

"Good then. Open it and read. It's for you and your family."

"What. A marriage proposal from the Gaberaz! I...I...."

"What?"

Maybe she wanted to turn it down right away but then she realized he still held her hand and she wasn't ready to lose it in the process.

"Wow. This is good news. I will discuss it with the rest of my family members tomorrow and we'll let you know, okay?"she pretended.

"Yes madam but don't think of messing with me or letting my proposal down because I don't think you'll be able to face the consequences. You may take it as a warning or whatever."

"Sir... I..."she was stuttering before she realized he was already gone.

"My daughter will not marry into the Gaberaz no matter what happens. I know my Lala won't agree to their proposal. They're said to be dangerous and today they have shown me their true colors."she was mumbling alone as she shivered in fear in the living room.

All she did was to hide the envelope so that no one would see it. Pretending as if nothing happened, she went back to sleep but Edward (Lala's father)sensed something weird with her breathing ever since she returned to bed

"Is everything okay Meri?"he asked when he noticed that she was shaking terribly too.

"I'm fine. It's just that it's very cold in the living...."she was about to say living room when she remembered she only left for the washroom.

"Living room? I thought you went for..."

"It's nothing. Don't worry at all."

Ignoring her strange sudden behavior, Edward fell asleep again which brought relief to Meri's heart.

All seemed to be well till midday of the next day when Lala accidentally landed on that envelope which her mother had hidden.

"Wow. It's so amazing! A dazzling envelope, I've never seen one."she pointed before opening it. Her smiling face was suddenly filled with excitements as she jumped and bobbed all around the room.

"I can't believe this. Oh my goodness, this is indeed what they call miracle. It means Derrick is in love with me secretly too.

I'm so happy. Uuuuu, I'm in love. Finally.... finally... I'm going to marry my longed crush. Oh my! I really can't believe this.

Thank you Lord, thank you. Today I'm feeling like I'm on cloud nine surely. Oh, this is how it feels when you're Love by someone you love! I'm loving this feeling.

I should've bragged around the neighborhood but unfortunately I can't.

What if they happen to turn me down."

"You look excited, what's the matter dear " Edward asked.

"Yes father. I'm so happy today. I never thought I was like this lucky. You can't believe that my prayers are almost answered."

"I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Father, why didn't you tell me that the Gaberaz brought a marriage proposal for me."

"What!"

"Hey, it's no longer a surprise because I've seen it already. I know you both wanted to surprise me, right?"

"I still don't understand. Marriage proposal from the Gaberaz, your dream, surprise... I think you need to see a doctor."

"I know you're feeling bad that I've ruined your surprise but we can still celebrate this good news, won't we?"

"Where did you get all this that you're talking."he was getting curious.

"Here you go father. I'm sorry I've got it from where you had hidden it