WE ALSO exchanged glances. It’s like a movie scene playing out. I still can’t believe the woman I’ve been obsessed with for most of my life is standing right in front of me.
“Mom!” said Clyde, introducing the three of us.
Mama Cha said, “Ah! Hello! How are you?” she asked once more.
“How are you, Ma–Ma’am?” I asked. I was about to call her Ma.
“They are my dance choreographers, Mom,” Clyde said, smiling.
“Aah… are they?” she asked, her face expressionless. “Clyde, give them a seat, then give them some food!” she exclaimed, smiling. I caught her eye on my tattooed arm.
I knew she was that. She is a little older now. Her hair went down to her waist with curtain bangs that matched her small face, and she was wearing only anti-radiation glasses, but I knew her face very well. How can I forget the face that became my world? I knew it was her, particularly when she smiled. Her two small dimples under her lower lip and a small mole on her right cheekbone prove she is the only Mama Cha of my life. Her face is still stunning to me. I wanted to hug and kiss her at those times, but I couldn’t because Clyde would see. Her body was a little fuller, and her tats had grown in size because she now had a full sleeve on her right arm, which she didn’t have before. Her skin was still white, and her candy-like scent lingered in the air. She’s the same Mama Cha I used to hang out with. Nothing has changed in her fashion sense. She still enjoys Red Chuck Tay. That’s why Clyde dresses the way she does, and why he’s so cool.
“Ah! Sir, please sit,” she said. “I’ll get you a drink…” she said again as she walked away.
I seemed to breathe easier after she left. “Haaah..”
“Didn’t I tell you, Sir Clint, that my mother is lovely? Hihi!” Clyde smiled.
“Oh yes, Clyde! She’s so lovely!” I smiled too.
Clyde left because the woman behind the counter indicated that his mother was calling him…
And as we settled in…
“Brother! You were stunned, ah!” Nick said quietly.
“Legit Brother! Even I lag!” exclaimed Ben. “But–you’re the same way, then? Just like that? How does it work like that? It’s almost as if you don’t know each other. Have you waited a long time for something like this? It’s as if she doesn’t recognize you Tsk! ” Nick explained.
“It can’t be like that, Clint,” Ben murmured.
“Brothers, we can’t surprise the child by demonstrating our familiarity with his mother. What if I can’t help myself?” I spoke up.
“So, Clint, what are you going to do? It’s pointless for us to come here if we leave like that! You need to talk to Aunt Cha properly! What are you?” Nick replied, rubbing his forehead.
“How can I communicate?” I asked in a low voice.
“Find a way! It’s as if she had never met us.”
“Nick, of course, she’s surprised!” I replied quickly.
“Only Clint! Speak with her now! If you don’t speak to her right now, it will be the first and last time!” Nick exclaimed.
“Nick, no need to worry. I’ll get her here tomorrow! Every day, not just today! I finally know where she is. I’m available at any time!” I answered back.
Both of them simply shook their heads. I wasn’t expecting her to act as if she didn’t know who we were.
But wait…
Mama Cha approached us with a tray of food. “You’ve grown, huh?” she exclaimed.
“Ah! Aunt Cha!” Ben responded immediately.
“Shhh…” Mama Cha reprimanded, giving a sign for quiet.
We remained silent. I have the impression that we are now dealing with a different Chari. I have the impression that the stronger version of her is already in front of me. My heart starts to race as she stays in front of us.
Clyde arrived a split second later. “Let’s let them into the house, Mom.”
“Ah! No, Clyde! We’ll be leaving later; we just came to see you because we know you’re sick,” Ben said.
Mama Cha and I exchanged glances as we stood just in front of the three of us.
“Aah… Is Clyde all right, ma’am?” I only asked to break the silence and reduce the embarrassment.
“Yes, he’s – okay-Sir… He was exhausted because it was a little hot yesterday.” She replied with a smile.
“Sit down, Mom,” Clyde said, moving the bench by my side. “Let’s talk with them for a minute,” he suggested.
“Ah! No, baby! Mom has more to do inside. Ah, go ahead and eat; I’ll be going now, I mean – we’ll be going now,” she said at the same time. “We’ll leave you to eat. Goodbye.”
I immediately rose to my feet.
“Aah..” I felt Ben grab my arm. “Huh?”
I looked at him. He just shook his head. I immediately understood and sat down as well.
Mama, Cha just smiled at us. After that, she and Clyde left. She didn’t let Clyde join us. She took him away, even though I heard Clyde say he’d go with us first.
We were like..
“Is that her?” Nick asked, still brushing his clean-cut hair.
“That’s normal, brother. We haven’t seen each other in a long time! What do you expect?” Ben exclaimed.
I was simply silent. I’m also puzzled as to why she addressed us so coldly.
“That’s it, Clint! Your expectations versus reality! But at least she came back to us. Shit, she’s still damn hot!” Nick stated once more.
“Sometimes, it seems better not to be able to find anyone. That leaves you speechless!” Ben cracked a joke.
“Yeah, our friend was a little uncomfortable earlier,” Nick chuckled.
I took a look at the counter. They’re no longer there.
CHARI’S POV
You must be joking, Lord…
We hadn’t seen each other in a long time.
I’m not sure what my reaction would have been had I seen the three of them earlier. Clint in particular…
He’s matured…
He’s bigger and taller now, but he’s still as handsome as ever, and he’s covered in tattoos! We both have poly tats on the leg, as well as on both sides. I also noticed the one on his arm that resembled a ribbon with my name on it. He still has the same strong impact on me as before.
What Clyde said is true..
He and Clint have a similar appearance, so he was frequently mistaken for his father. Now that he’s older, I can see how much he resembles Clyde. His skin tone remains the same, and his hair has grown longer.
What am I going to do?
Clyde had no idea he was his father. Clyde might get upset with me. It doesn’t appear to be a good fate joke. My son and he reconciled right away through dancing. I noticed too that Clyde was very impressed with Clint, who was an excellent dancer.
Will I stay away from him?
Do they have a father and son connection even after not seeing each other ever since?
Lord..
Is this foresight the case, or is it simply a coincidence?
Clint has a family, and I don’t want to ruin it. That’s why I stayed away and left him completely with Trina, but why- why, Lord?
Is he here – to?
He is here and I have faced him.
I admit I was surprised. I wanted to run, stay away, or hide earlier because- because I don’t know if I was dreaming!
But the Lord is gracious; for years, I prayed to Him that even if he couldn’t be with Clyde and me, He would let him see Clyde.
“Why am I crying? Clyde, Clyde might see me!”
I don’t want him to see me crying.
I’m sure now that Clint sees me, it’s not the last time. He will come back and come back here and force me to talk to him. I know him so well.
I feel…
Clint seems to be returning…
But what about his family?
Is it up to me to make another adjustment?
Whatever the case may be..
Will I play hide and seek with him again?
Will I run again?
June_Thirteen