Rosa perceived that Lanre was also sobbing. She glanced at him and saw his tears. She doesn’t know who to console at the moment.
Theresa’s sobbing was loud but Lanre’s was quiet, but he was also sobbing. Should she leave Theresa and go to Lanre or just remain with the sister and leave the brother alone?
“It’s ok Lanre. Am sure your mum is happy and her soul watching you right now will not be happy that you visited her for the first time and cannot support your sister” Rosa consoled.
She was talking to Lanre but was holding Theresa. That’s her final decision. She would hold the sister but keep consoling the brother as well.
Seeing Lanre wasn’t saying anything again, Theresa Mo continued. “Just yesterday, your bestie Aunt Lulu made us know each other and told us that we both are the fruits of your womb.
He is Lanre. I have known him for a while but didn’t know he is your son just as I am your daughter. My dad told me he was dead and hence I didn’t search for him.
We love you mum despite the cold hands of death snatching you away from us. When death took you away, it took our most cherished asset away.
We know you are watching over us from up above. But we would never stop loving you all our lives…”Theresa went on talking for a long time.
By this time, Lanre has calmed himself a little. He looked at Theresa Mo and she beckoned to him to say what he wanted to say.
“I wish you didn’t have to die because of me. I would have preferred that I died indeed and you lived. You would have made Theresa’s life more beautiful and have more kids that would wipe off the memories of you having a son like me.
But I had no ability to control all that happened in our lives. But I found my sister. She had always been around me for a few years now but I couldn’t recognise her until Aunt Lulu told us who we are to each other.
Thank you for giving me life. I might not have spent my childhood with you, but henceforth, I will live my life in loving memory of you. I love you mum” Lanre concluded and beckoned Rosa to come over.
She did and he said “I don’t know if Theresa had told you she’s engaged to a great guy but I am telling you anyway. And honestly, Theresa’s fiance is someone you would definitely love.
This is Rosa, my girlfriend and I am thinking of getting engaged to her any moment from now. Every progress I made in my life, I will always come back to tell you” Lanre said.
There was silence and Lanre wanted to drop the flower when Rosa stopped him. “It’s nice meeting you, ‘my would have been’ mother-in-law.
Thank you for Lanre. I met your daughter Theresa way back in high school and Lanre a few months ago. But these two people are wonderful to be with.
They have a heart full of gold and I can conclude that they are a replica of who you are. Lanre is a treasure that I cherish so much and Theresa is an asset that I would never want to part away with..”
Rosa concluded and hooked her hand around Lanre as they dropped their flower. Theresa also dropped her flower and they felt a cold wind blow across them.
Theresa and Rosa’s hair were flying in the air and Lanre perceived it was their mother giving them a sign that she’s happy to see them.
“I feel mum is happy to see us visit her” Lanre said , turning and glancing at Theresa. “I feel the same way too,”Theresa replied.
The three of them remained standing until the wind subsided. Theresa blew kisses to her mum’s picture and Lanre bowed.
They left feeling happy and fulfilled. Lanre felt his heavy heart become light and an unexplainable satisfaction filled his heart.
He concluded that his mother had looked forward to seeing him visit her. And today that he did in Company of his sister, her soul seemed to feel at peace after many years.
“Someone came to see mum and left a flower recently”Theresa Mo said, considering how fresh that flower on the tomb is.
“It’s Aunt Lulu. She said she came to see her yesterday” Lanre replied, smiling now. “Oh, so it’s aunt” Theresa Mo repeated but it was more of a statement than a question.
They got another flower from the car and went to Zongtian’s graveyard. His tomb still looks more recent than that of Xiaoxi.
They spent a few minutes there as well and Theresa told her dad that he had always said he’s son was dead. He wished he was still alive and today she brought his son to him.
When they dropped the flowers, they both touched their father’s picture on his tomb. Lanre saw that truly there was a semblance between him and his dad.
It was a memorable experience. They left the graveside and went back to their car. Lanre wasn’t feeling burdened anymore.
He talked and smiled. He told Theresa he would always visit them henceforth without informing her sometimes. He might feel like spending a few hours with his mother in particular.
Rosa said he shouldn’t forget to bring her along at least. Lanre said she could visit them on her own as well after all he’s introduced her to them already.
They have known her now and her visit wasn’t going to be strange to them. The three of them laughed as if the people he talked about were alive and could communicate with her when she comes.
As they got to their cars and wanted to leave, Lanre kissed Theresa’s temple before letting her go.
Theresa was the first to drive off. Lanre didn’t leave but started kissing Rosa sweetly on her lips. He seemed to have forgotten that she was going to work.
Rosa pulled off forcefully. “We both are going to work” Rosa reminded him and he chuckled aloud.
He started the car. “What do you want to tell me?” Rosa asked, turning to glance at him briefly.