CATRIONA
I stood at the entrance of our house thinking of the right words I will use with my aunt who’s inside now. When I got a call from Miss Olivier that they were discharged from the hospital I was happy but then discouraged when she told me that our aunt came. I opened the door inside and spotted her sitting next to my brother. I rushed to my brother to give him a hug but she stopped me from doing so.
Stay where you are. Don’t touch him because he’s from the hospital, and we don’t know where you’ve been all this time. I expected that tone.
I’m clean aunt, I said and then remembered that I didn’t shower after having a long sex with Jayden. Okay aunt, I will take a quick shower and come.
You don’t need to do that. I didn’t come here for you. Am here to take my nephew with me. She said,
Aunt, what do you mean by saying that you’re here to take us? Didn’t you hear what I said? I came for my nephew. She said, We are not going anywhere with you aunt. We can take care of ourselves. I can take care of my brother.
Then where were you when he got hospitalized. Ever since I came I never saw you in the hospital. Is that how to take care of him?
Aunt, I was the one that took him to the hospital. I was the one that paid the hospital bills. You also don’t have the right to say anything about him. He’s my brother and like a son, because I raised him without your help, aunt. You and grandma never showed up ever since our mom died. You and your mom turned your backs from me when I needed you the most. Will you answer me when I ask you why you and your mother did so? Will you, aunt? If taking us is what you came for, then we are not going anywhere. We were doing fine even without you in our lives.
A nobody like you has no right to talk when other people talk. You raised him yes, do you want a hand of applause? But that is not the issue here. Take it that you were doing my late sister a favor for raising you.
Aunt! Please don’t like that. I raised him because he’s my brother, and I love him so much.
He’s not your brother. So stop saying my brother, my brother. He’s not related to you. ” Aunt!! I shouted her name. She stood up and slapped me. Don’t you ever shout at me like that. “Big sister.” I looked down to my brother who had started crying. It’s okay baby. Don’t cry. Miss Olivier came and took him with her. She gave me a sad look and then went with Edirne.
Now I think it’s time for you to know that you are a nobody. You and my late sister are not related. Not even by blood. That boy you say you raised is not your brother. We are not your family. Aunt please stop. This is not the right time for jokes. Do I sound unreal to you? I’m not joking, girl. Go and ask that old lady you call your grandmother. Aunt I know you don’t like me and you never did but today you went too far. Yes I don’t like you and I never will. You’re bad luck. Ever since my sister brought you in. Her happiness ended. Don’t you ever wonder why Edirne’s father left her when he knew she was pregnant with his son. It’s because of you. He left because of you. Even our mother went to the extent of threatening her by disowning her if she doesn’t send you to where she got you from, but she didn’t care because she didn’t want to let you go. She sacrificed her happiness because of a nobody thing like you.
Do you think I will believe in your lies? I’m my Mom’s daughter. I’m my brother’s sister too. Aunt, I am my…. she cut me off with a slap that made me stumble down. Don’t you ever call me your aunt. Am not. Even if you see me in another life, pretend that you don’t know me. Okay. She said and walked past me. She stopped and turned around. And another thing I would like to advise you girl. Don’t you ever fall in love because you will only be the uncured curse to whoever poor man and his family. And I hope you stay like that, “ALONE” with your complicated cursed life, until God takes you. When she finished whatever she wanted to say and left, I recalled the small arguments I heard my mom having with my brother’s father. I remember one day I was watching an animated movie, and that’s when I heard them.
Alın if you want a happy family with me and our unborn son, you have to get rid of that girl. You know what happened to me because of her. I almost died. And you still don’t want to get rid of her. You brought that to yourself Eric. It’s not her fault that you almost died. She’s innocent to whatever happened to you Eric. You’re the one who started it. Alın, do you love me? I love you so much Eric. I love you too Alin, but the decision is for you to make now. It’s me that’s leaving, or it’s that girl. Eric please don’t complicate things. Alın, me , or her…? Eric please…. Me, or her…? Choose now. I love you so much Eric, but I can’t let her go. She’s too young. I’m the only one she has. Okay, now I get it. I hope you stay happy with the one you chose, and my son of course.
When he opened the door he walked to where i was sitting and turned off the tv in rage. He smirked and slammed the door out. I saw my mom crying and I tried to go over to her but she closed the door on me. I’m fine baby, mummy wants to be alone. Go and watch TV.
Was that argument about me? Am I really not my mom’s daughter? {She’s young. I’m the only one she has}. That statement! Was mom talking about me. I heard Miss Olivier arguing with my aunt plus my brother’s loud cries. I got up from the floor and went over to them. If you touch him I’ll call the police. Miss Olivier said while hiding Edirne behind her. Alright, you won this time. But when I come back, I will make your life a living hell. You will regret the day you helped this nobody. Ooh, I heard that your family abandoned you too, that they even sold your house behind your back. What is she talking about Miss Olivier? I asked her. Now just sit and watch what I will do to you old woman. My aunt said and when she made contact with me, she hardly pushed me and my belly made contact with the baseboard of the window. Big sister… My brother ran to me and we hugged. It’s okay now baby. Don’t worry. Your big sister is fine.
I looked up to miss Olivier who was facing the wall and it seemed like she’s crying in silence. Me and my brother went in silence too and hugged her from behind. It’s okay Miss Olivier, and am very sorry for all the troubles I caused you. Don’t be sorry child….
Big sister, I want to take a nap. Okay baby, I will take you to your room.
When I made sure that my brother was asleep, I sauntered out and silently closed the door. I spotted Miss Olivier in the kitchen. It breaks my heart when someone talks bad about her. She lost weight. Whatever she’s cooking started burning but still her mind was not here. I barreled inside and closed the stove.
I’m sorry for that child. What’s wrong with me today?
Miss Olivier, I am not hungry if you want to cook for me. Let’s have a sit and talk please. We sat in the kitchen’s small stools and looked at each other with pity in our eyes. ” Are you okay?” We both asked at the same time and awkwardly laughed at ourselves.
Miss Oliver, was my aunt said true, that your family sold the house? And please be honest with me. I wanted to keep it from you but it’s no longer a secret. Yes they sold the house. They knew I wasn’t there so they used that advantage. And it’s because of me again. No child, do say that. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you’d blame yourself. I know very well what that house means to you. If i didn’t ask you to stay with my brother in the… Catriona, stop it. If you say another word, I’ll feel very bad. But still… enough child. She said on the verge of tears. I hugged her again. I promise, I will get that house back in your hands.
After some time of hugging, I broke it and sat back on my stool. Miss Olivier, I am very aware that you heard the argument that was going on with my aunt.
Yes child, I heard everything.
Very good then. She said you know something. I want to know the truth. Please be honest with me, Miss Olivier. If you know something I don’t, please tell me. Even if it’s good or bad, I am ready to listen. Am I really not my mom’s daughter?
I think this is the right time for you to know everything about yourself. She heaved a sigh… It’s true child, the woman you grew up knowing as your mom, is actually not your mom. You were adopted.