SARAYA’S POV.
I ran and ran until I felt like I was running out of breath and needed a moment to catch my breath.
So many thoughts has been running through my head since I came from the hospital and the caregiver took charge.
I should be sleeping because I had barely slept a wink during my stay at the hospital but on getting home, I feel like I couldn’t breath hence the decision to run.
My body was aching, my eyes were heavy but my mind won’t rest. I decided it was time to go home.
On getting home, I headed to my room to take a shower.
I was dressing up when I heard a knock on the door. “Who is it?”
“Your grandmother.”
I froze. “This isn’t good.” I told myself. She rarely comes to my room and when she does, it usually not pleasant. “Come in.” I answered, a part of me wondering why she didn’t barge in like she would have done.
My grandmother walked in. “I was here earlier but you were not in.”
“I went for a walk, didn’t know you wanted to see me.” I replied.
“Sir, I came to see you over something very important.” She began. I tried searching her eyes to get a hint but I couldn’t ai I sat down, waiting for her spill the beans.
“What is this about, ma’am?”
She looked straight into my eyes. “Why does it feel like you can’t wait for me to say what I’ve got and get off your face?”
She wasn’t far from the truth but I wasn’t going to admit it either. I shook my head. “That’s not true, I’m just surprised you came to see me.”
“That’s because I came with a bigger surprise.”
“Well, I’m not surprised at that, you’ve only come to my room only when big things happens.”
She gave a small chuckle and nodded. “You’re right about that.” She took a pause. “Have you considered stepping down from your position instead of being impeached?”
My heart raced so much, despite anticipating such moves from my grandmother and Ian. “Why should I do that?”
“Saraya, you should leave when the ovation is at its loudest.”
“You mean for your favourite grandchild to take over?” I asked, utterly bittered.
“Saraya,” she took another pause like she was being careful with her words. “I’m saying this for your sake. Ian won’t stop until he gets what he wants and you still have a lot of things to learn.”
I scoffed. “Ian won’t stop because you have his back and whatever things I have to learn, I will learn them without conceding defeat to Ian.” I spat. “Impeach? Y’all can try all you want.”
“The one who will suffer is your father when he gets to know you’ve been impeached. Why not step down and start from the scratch?” She asked. “Resigning is better than being impeached. The dent of being impeached would stay with you for life.”
My resolve shook at the mention of my father. “Would he rather have a daughter that was impeached or a daughter that gave up honourably.”
“I know what you’re thinking but I can help you start afresh.” She offered.
“I doubt you would do that.” I replied. “But let you ask you a question grandma?” I said looking at her deep in the eyes. “Who are you really worried about?” I asked and I saw her face faltered. “Is it Ian, my father of me?”
“I’m worried about all of you.”
“Then let me rephrase my question, who do you worry about the most?” I asked again.
Her lips parted as though she was about to answer, but no words came out. The silence between us felt heavy, like the room itself was holding its breath.
She sighed and I saw a flash of something in her eyes, it was guilt.
“You know the answer to that,” she finally said, her voice quiet but steady.
I gave a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “Of course, I do. It’s Ian. It’s always been Ian. And that’s the real problem here, isn’t it? You can’t bear to see him lose because it would mean acknowledging that he isn’t the perfect grandson you’ve always imagined him to be.”
Her gaze hardened. “That’s enough, Saraya.”
“No, it’s not enough,” I snapped, my voice rising. “You’ve always played favorites, Grandma. Ian can do no wrong in your eyes, and I’m just… what? The mistake you’re forced to tolerate because you can’t erase me?”
“I never mentioned a name and do you really think this is easy for me?” she shot back, her tone teary. “You think I enjoy all the messes going on in this family? This isn’t about favoritism. This is about survival. Yours and this family’s.”
“Survival?” I repeated incredulously. “You mean control. Ian’s control. Your control. Everything you and Ian have done has been about keeping me on my toes, about making sure I surrender to the power structure you’ve built around him.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” she said, but there was a tremor in her voice that told me I’d struck a nerve.
“Am I?” I challenged, stepping closer to her. “Because from where I’m standing, it seems like you’re more afraid of what happens if Ian doesn’t win than you are of me being impeached. So tell me, Grandma, what is it you’re really afraid of?”
She looked away, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. For a moment, I thought she might lash out, but instead, she turned toward the door. “I’ve said what I came to say,” she murmured. “Just remember, every decision has its consequences.”
“And so does every lie,” I shot back as she reached for the doorknob. “But don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll survive. With or without your approval.”
She paused, her back to me, and for a fleeting second, I thought she might turn around and say something hurtful to me. But she didn’t. The door closed softly behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I sank onto my bed, my mind racing. I hated that she’d mentioned my father. I hated even more that a part of me feared she was right and stepping down might be the safer choice. But every fiber of my being rebelled against the idea of giving Ian the satisfaction of watching me walk away.