The small dining table was set with a simple breakfast spread, but the atmosphere was far from appetizing. Vanessa, Tanisha, and their mother sat in silence, the only sound being the clinking of their spoons on the plates.
Vanessa’s gloomy mood hung over the table like a heavy cloud, affecting their breakfast.
Tanisha sighed in frustration and couldn’t bear the awkwardness any longer. “Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” she asked, glaring at Vanessa, her voice laced with frustration. “Why is it so quiet and depressing in here?”
Her mother, ignoring Tanisha’s complaint, tried to intervene. “Let’s just enjoy our breakfast. We have a busy day ahead at the bakery.”
But Tanisha wouldn’t let it drop. “No, seriously, Vanessa, what’s wrong? You’re bringing everyone down with your mood.”
Vanessa sighed, pushing her food around her plate. “Nothing, Tanisha. Just leave it alone, okay?”
Their mother, who also sensed Vanessa’s dull mood, could tell that Vanessa was disappointed that she couldn’t get the ring off her hand.
“You should not be burdened about the ring.” Clara said to Vanessa, trying to help her cheer up.
Vanessa had no intention of making her mother worried, but she couldn’t help but feel burdened about the ring. On her, the ring felt like a plague, and she was tired of having it on.
“I’m sure the whole town had forgotten about the story behind the ring. You should also forget.” Tanisha added as she dug into her food.
“It is not easy for me to forget about the ring and the controversies surrounding it. I can’t just help but think about how everything turned out to be.” Vanessa said as she poked her food with no intention of eating.
“Just give it time, you will forget about it. The more time you spend away from Darryl, the more you forget about him,” Tanisha said to her.
When she considered coming back to her mother, Vanessa’s intention was to take a break from the humiliation Darryl brought on her, not from Darryl himself. She and Darryl had a lot to discuss their contract marriage and how to fix the problem they had, but things turned out badly when she discovered that her mother had a history with Darryl’s father and her half-sister Tanisha was also Darryl’s half-sister.
“Do you want to go back to your life in the city?” Her mother asked, interrupting her thoughts.
“Do I even have a life waiting for me in the city?” She muttered sadly. Truly, she had a simple life, a good job, a best friend and freedom to do whatever she wanted, but everything had changed, and she had no idea what awaited her in the city.
“You can go back to work and continue to live your simple and boring life ” Tanisha replied.
“I work with Darryl and since I have to stay away from Darryl, I can’t go back to work.” Vanessa sighed.
“What a romance!” Tanisha teased with a broad grin on her lips.
“You have your whole life twisted around Darryl. Even I, his half-sister, didn’t get half of the attention you have gotten for yourself.” Tanisha said, causing Vanessa to frown.
“I wouldn’t even have gotten involved with him if I knew you were related to him. Now I see the resemblance, you all have the same foul character. It’s icky.” Vanessa countered Tanisha.
Tanisha’s giggles filled the room, “how can you say that about your husband? That’s awful.” She said after her giggles seized.
“He is not my husband,” Vanessa snapped.
“Coming from someone who has a ring locked around her finger.” Tanisha retorted.
“I don’t blame you. Actually, I blame myself for letting you on my life. I should not have mentioned a thing to you because you are incapable of experiencing human feelings.” Vanessa insulted her sister.
“I understand your pain, but I can’t relate to it. You should be mad at the man who locked a ring around your finger. He is the one who is incapable of experiencing human feelings.”
“Enough!” Their mother screamed in her lungs as she slammed her hands on the table. She had remained quiet, observing their silly exchange, waiting for them to get back to their senses. But as her silence prolonged, their exchange continued, and it was getting on her nerves, irritating her.
“Are you ladies out of your minds? What are you? A teenager? You girls are grown up for crying out loud too. Couldn’t you be sensible for once? I’ve had enough of these childish attitudes and I can no longer tolerate it.” She yelled at them, lashing out at them.
“If you will excuse me, I would like to stop at the flower field before heading to the bakery shop.” Vanessa said as she got out of her chair.
“Vanessa,” her mother called before she had the chance to walk out of the dining room.
She paused as she heard her mother call her name, fixing her gaze on her mother, anticipating what she had to say.
“Whatever your decision is, I will always support you. You don’t have to worry about me or my history with Darryl’s father. Think about it thoroughly and follow what your heart wants.” Her mother said solemnly, her eyes agreeing with her words as she spoke.
At that moment, words failed Vanessa as she saw the affectionate look her mother had on her face. Taking a deep breath, she nodded her head in response before leaving the house.
Vanessa’s mind drifted away as her feet carried her along the path leading to the flower feeding. Her mind lingered on her mother’s words, and she couldn’t help but think about it over and over.
A part of her felt guilty that despite all she did to stay away from Darryl, her mind still drew to him. More reasons why she wanted to take off the ring by all means. What exactly does she want? The question weighed her down every time.
Despite the glowing sun, Vanessa’s heart remained shrouded in shadow as she strolled to the field. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she would be betraying herself and her mother if she ever considered her feelings for Darryl.
Feelings or infatuation? She asked herself as she had a rethink. She had never accepted that she had feelings for Darryl.
At first, she thought she was wrong about her feelings, but as they began to get along at the office, she had seen a better side of him. Perhaps she agreed to his stupid scheme because of her infatuation.
What would she do now? How will she navigate the whole thing? Where does Darryl stand in h life? The fact that he is expecting a child with Tania frustrated her more as she was not ready to come between Tania and Darryl.
As she walked, the flowers seemed to blur together, their beauty lost on her, as she struggled to reconcile her emotions.