Three years ago…..
Adira
I've been observing some strange things about my daughter, lately.
Her behaviours and manners suddenly changed back to the old person she used to be.
She barely comes around to see her father and I.
I almost thought we might have done something bad to her that made her prefer not to talk to us.
Most times during our Sunday family dinner, she'll just be quiet. She won't utter a single word and whenever I ask about Jide, boom! She'll dismiss dinner and go to bed angry.
Her father had tried talking whatever the matter might be out with her but she refused to tell.
I felt maybe we were bothering her too much about it.
Come on, it's been two weeks and she's still acting so cold. She get pissed off by any little thing.
She almost slapped my housekeeper the other day just because the old lady was three seconds late to her call.
Some other times, a postman would just arrived at the doorstep with bunch of bouquets and gifts cards. He'll say it's for Sharon.
And looking at things from there, I suspected it would be coming from Jide.
But Sharon would just pick it up and dump it in the refuge bin.
I don't know what has gotten over her. Her attitudes and bad habits was eating my calm nerves up. And if there was actually a problem with her, she'd have talked it out with me or her father instead of being so irrational.
Another time during our family dinner, all three of us sat together, eating in silence. The only person that wasn't here was Sebastian.
He hates together in God's family thing.
He has only attended the family dinner once since this year and that was because I forced him to.
I asked Sharon why she has been acting so weird lately. My husband held my hand on the table, gesturing me not to scare her off.
But it seem like I was off guard again.
I pressed on, knowing fully well how Sharon wanted to dismiss dinner again.
Of course she did.
But I didn't stop there.
I questioned her even more and more until she vanished into her room in a very bad aura.
Although, my husband blamed me for her mood. He couldn't careless going to bed in the same aura as his daughter's. Like father, like daughter.
We even fought all through the night because of Sharon.
"If anything happens to my daughter, I'm going to hold you responsible." He was lashing out, forgetting it was already past 8pm.
"She is also my daughter and I have every f**cking right to talk some senses into her, Felix." I snapped.
He placed his hands on his waist, "Really? And what makes you think she'll ever listen to you by violence?"
"Disciplining my daughter is not violence, Felix." I warned. "Stop making me look like a bad mother."
"You know what? I don't know what to say to you right. I obviously don't. I don't want to say whatever is in my mind right now, because if I do, you'll definitely not like me." He gritted his teeth.
"Well, f**k you and f**k whatever bullshit that's stuck up in your goddamn skull!" I snapped. "I really blamed you for whatever our daughter is going through right now. You spoiled her and pampered her so much that she doesn't even—"
"Mom! Dad! Please stop!"
We turned out heads towards the door to find Sharon standing there, sobbing.
"I don't want you guys fighting because of me. Please, don't." Her voice breaking into tears.
I couldn't careless seeing my baby in such frustration.
"Oh dear…" All my anger dissipated as I went to meet her. "Your father and I were not fighting." I tried to keep up a smile but it failed. "We were just having a simple couple talk. Right, honey?" I look to Felix side but he snubbed me and walked out of the room not saying anything.
"Mom, is dad angry with me?" Sharon asked.
I shook my head vigorously. "No, sweetheart. He is only angry with me. He can never be angry with you. You're his pride. His beloved and better-half. He loves you so much. Come sit." I guided her to sit on the bed. I sat beside her. "You won't believe he had a fight with me all because of you."
She sniffed her nose and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry, mom. I never meant for you and dad to go into a fight because of me."
"Shh…" I pulled her into my embrace, patting her head on my chest. "It's okay. I understand. With whatever you're doing through right now, just know that we've got your back."
She pulled away and I wiped off the tears that kept climbing down her cheeks. "I was willing to tell you about my problems too but I thought it might just bother you."
"You're my daughter and what else am I living for if not listening to all your troubles?" I chuckled softly, hoping I could lighten her mood. "You can tell me everything and anything, sweetheart. Even if it means sneaking on the devil."
She laughed briefly. I got her on that one. "Actually…." She fidgeted with her fingers. "I'm having trouble in my relationship with Jide. I don't know but something happened and it made me feel like we could no longer work out."
"Honey…" I took her hand in mine and she looked at me. "Any relationship without ups and downs is actually not a relationship. You'll definitely face challenges and trials just like you bumped into the room and saw your dad and I in a tragic fight. My love, you won't be surprised to see that we're already back again, sorted things out even without communicating."
"Just like that?" She furrowed.
I nodded. "Yes, just like that."
"But, I don't ever think Jide and I could sort things out ever again." She mumbled. "We've been dating for three good years and he just wrecked it off."
"Did he cheat on you?" I asked and she just looked at me like I stole something meaningful to her.
"No, he didn't. He has never cheated on me before since I've known him."
"Then in that case go and sort out whatever issues you have with him." I said. "You quite remember the story of I and your father. How we were once separated for seven years after our first marriage?"
"Yes, I remembered." She acknowledged. "At that time, I almost had a trauma thinking you two will never bond again."
I smiled, reflecting back on the memories almost made me cry. I kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly. "You know why I first approve your relationship with Jide? Because I see him just like your father. You know, even after your father and I broke up, he never cheated. He waited for us to reconcile."
She pulled away. "Geez, you two almost started co-parenting on me." She whined.
And I laughed. "Of course not. You know your father, he has pride."
"Just like Jide." She said, picking up a point.
"You see what am saying? The attributes are there. They both has similar characteristics. And I found him worthy to be the only man that can tolerate all your tantrums." I poke her nose.
She rests her head on my chest. "Mom, I missed him. I don't know what I'll ever do without him in my life."
"Then you have to go to him."
"No, mom." She whined. "He caused the issue so let him come begging me on his knees. Then, I'll search my heart and forgive him."
"Same childish pride your father and I had. We knew how much we loved each other but because of our egos, we were busy waiting for who to take the first step until I lost my womb in the process. Then he came after me to sort things out." I laughed. Old memories die hard.
Sharon looked at me with concern in her eyes. "But at least you still have Sebastian and I."
"Sure, sweetheart." I cupped her cheek, smiling. "Sure."