CATRIONA
Are you saying that my aunt was not making things up because she hated me? Was she telling the truth, Miss Olivier?
Yes, child. Everything she said is true. You’re not part of their family. But your mom and I didn’t want you to find out this way.
If what you’re saying is the truth then why didn’t mom tell me that i was not her biological daughter? Why didn’t she tell me that she adopted me, and on top of that, who is my biological mother? Who are my parents? I would like to know who they are and why they abandoned me. I asked Miss Oliver in so much pain and tears dropping out of my eyes uncontrollably.
Your late mother didn’t know who your parents were. So am I, child. Your mother got you from an old woman in her hometown who had been chased out of the house by her husband because of you. And when your mother asked her who your parents were, she replied saying….
She got you from the street veranda curled up with dried tears on your face. When she tried to speak to you, there were no words coming out of you because at that time you were just three years old. She took you in for two months until her husband got tired of you and told her to get rid of you, or else they’ll divorce. She was in the process of giving you up for adoption and that’s when your mother came in and took you in.
And what about the problem I have? I mean the curse I have? I asked.
What are you talking about, child? You don’t have any curse.
Miss Olivier, you know what I am talking about. You’ve seen it with your eyes all the way from my little age. A lot of people died, Miss Olivier. And they died because of me. And whoever died left a hateful trace toward me from their relatives and the other people. Whenever I go and whatever I do with my life, I don’t succeed. I never succeeded in my life.
Don’t talk like that child. You’re not cursed. you’re wrong about that. That’s not a curse. You just have someone that protects and fights for you from bad people. She said.
And who is that someone, Miss Olivier? I don’t want his or her help. I want whoever it is to stop. Am fade up, miss Olivier. I counseled myself a little and sighed. Do you know where I can find that old woman you talked about? She’s the right person now with the answers I am looking for.
I don’t know the exact address. But what I know is that she lives in the same home town with your mom’s and they were neighbors. The right people to ask about her are your aunt and grandmother. But I am not so sure whether you’ll find her because the last time your mom saw her, she was so old that she couldn’t walk anymore.
I have no choice but to go, Miss Olivier. This is the only chance and the only way I have to find out the real me. I said.
You can’t go there alone, child. You know that that family doesn’t love you. I’m afraid they might do some….
You don’t have to remind me of that, Miss Olivier. I know that they don’t love me. No one loves me in this whole universe. Nooo one, Miss Olivier. I yelled at her and then felt bad for what I just did.
But I love you child. Your brother loves you too. Miss Olivier said.
I’m so sorry, miss Olivier. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I know you love me. It’s… it’s just too much for me right now. I want to remain strong but it seems like I can’t . I’m trying to take in what you and aunt said. But it’s just too much. Miss Olivier rose up from her stool and came to comfort me, but before she could, the entrance door was opened and two muscular men entered along with our aunt following behind.
I want that old lady and that nobody out of my sister’s house. Get them out. Now. She said to the men she came with. Aunt, this is my mom’s house. I said. If you call me your aunt again I will not restrain myself this time from doing something bad I had always wanted to do to you all these years. And I am sure you’ll not like it. She spitted. Okay, I will do what you want but let us spend a night. It’s getting dark to leave the house with my brother. He hasn’t recovered yet.
Girl, you told me earlier that he’s like a son to you. Now as a mother, find a way. Throw them out. She yelled. Okay, okay. We will live. You don’t need to raise your voice. You’ll scare the boy. Miss Oliver exclaimed. Come on child, I’ll get the boy right away.
When Miss Oliver left, I gave my aunt a very long stare.
You disgust me whenever you look at me like that girl. She said.
I’m sorry that my face disgusts you aun….. Miss Olivier came back with my sleepy brother and two big suitcases and a small one. I helped her with the suitcases and then we left the house. Aunt came out as well with her new friends and locked the house. She walked past us without looking back and drove off.
I looked back at my mom’s house which is now locked with tears in my eyes. Miss Olivier, these suitcases… Yes child, they’re mine. I was locked out as well. She said, I know she has no other family now. She’s been so good to us and has been there since day one all these past years. Now it’s my responsibility to find a safe place where I can take them. “But where…? Should I take them to Jayden’s house? NO. That’s not a good idea. Miss Olivier knows him as my colleague. What if she finds out the truth I hid from her… I haunched down helplessly, desperately trying to figure out what to do. Should I call Gabriel for help? I know he can help me and good enough Miss Olivier has never seen him. I used Miss Oliver’s phone and dialed his number which I copied on the piece of paper from Jayden’s phone. It went through but there was no answer. I tried the second time and he picked up on the second ring.
Straight to the point. He said hoarsely. I was a bit stunned and quite for a while not sure what to say because of the tone he used. He’s scary with that kind of tone.
I don’t have time for this kind of shit whoever you are. I’m hanging up. He said. No Gabriel, don’t hang up, it’s me Catriona. I need your help. I said.
“Pumpkin, Is that you?” He asked in a sweet calm tone. Yes. I replied. How did you get my number? He asked. From Jayden’s phone. I called because I didn’t have anyone to call. I need some help from you Mr Gabriel. I said and there was silence.
Whatever pumpkin. He responded. I’m looking for a temporary place for my family. I can’t take them to Jayden’s house because of some reasons I don’t want to tell you now. Especially on the phone. It’s okay, pumpkin. You can come to my house. Where are you now? I will come and pick you up. No Mr Gabriel. Just send me the address and I’ll bring them. Alright then. You sound down. Is something wrong? He asked. I looked up at the sky to control myself from bursting into tears. Pumpkin, are there..? I cleared my throat. I don’t want to talk about it now. I said, hung up the phone and walked to where my people were. Let’s grab a taxi. I will take you somewhere safe for a little while.
When he sent his home address, we hopped in the taxi and to the address where I didn’t see any sign of a house but only to see a giant gate. Are you sure this is the right address? I asked the driver. Before the taxi driver replied to me, the giant gate was opened and a black car came out of it and packed Infront of us. Two vigorous men and one woman came out of it. All tall with no joking faces and came toward the taxi. Who are these people? Both Miss Olivier and the taxi driver asked at the same time. How should I answer them, especially Miss Olivier? Because I also have no idea who they’re. I’m sure Gabriel is the one that sent them. I know them, miss Olivier. I replied awkwardly. One man paid the taxi and the other one took our languages from the trunk and the woman opened the door for us with a slight smile.
You’re welcome Luna. She said.
The other man that paid the taxi came around to the back side of the taxi and carried my sleepy brother into his arms. They drove us in their car and took us through the endless and longest driveway I have never seen, surrounded by trees and water ponds. Finally the house came into view and I almost spelled out the word “OMG” loudly, but I had to pretend Infront of Miss Olivier that I actually knew the place we came to. Miss Oliver’s reaction to the house was priceless. It’s like we came into the hidden city. These mansions are way too big than the normal ones and divided into five but attached together. As long as we got out of the car Miss Olivier pulled me aside. Tell me child, where is this place? It looks like a palace. She asked while looking around the place in wonder. Miss Olivier, let’s get Edirne inside first. And you also need to rest. We will talk about everything tomorrow but for now get some good rest. Child…. Please Miss Olivier. I promise I will tell you everything. Okay child.
We entered through the giant glass door and I was stunned, as well as Miss Olivier, to see a large number of people standing politely in a big open foyer.
We are very pleased and happy to finally see you Luna. They all said in a chorus , all eyes on me with polite smiles.
Miss Olivier turned her eyes on me questionly.
Why are they calling me Luna? Were they expecting someone else other than me? I self asked. Don’t tell me that they misunderstood me with someone else’s name called Luna?