FOREVER MINE.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The reconciliation between Esther and Jina mesmerised Mellisa. There was confusion in the recesses of her mind because it seemed strange to her. "What has made mom change so suddenly? This is inconceivable!" She reckoned in her mind. It stands to reason that if Jina was genuine, then she needed an appraisal.

After a relatively long group embrace, Jina released her grip and said, 

"Alright, that's enough, girls. Help me set the table. I am ravenous." She was enthusiastic. She turned and strutted to serve her palatable meal. Esther smiled feeling more relaxed than ever. Mellisa had qualms in her mind. Noticing how much Jina's repentance had thrilled Esther, she was a little bit scared. She would have told her not to read much into what her mother had said but decided to stay quiet and watch the space; Mellisa had a ready wit.

The table was readily set with a lot of flowers on each corner and a big vase of Roses in the middle. These made the table look fancy. She had prepared a heavy breakfast meal as if there was a celebration.  Jina stood ounces further from the table and studied the arrangement. "Perfect!" She reckoned. Mellisa stared at her mom questioningly and inferred, 

"Mom, I wish this would last." She smiled ridiculously.

"Meaning?" Jina asked with a frown and seemed slightly irritated by her remark. 

"That we would stay in this serenity much longer." She smirked and resumed,

" I will go and call the others." She twisted and turned to go, but Jina curtailed her, "No, no, no! I will do it. Stay here with Esther. I will be back in a moment." She said her face aglow and went out. She gazed in the direction and then dismissively retorted,

"Ah! Marvels shall never end." Mellisa's tone was sarcastic. In her opinion, Jina's actions smacked suspicion.

Esther turned and gazed at her. She couldn't discern why Mellisa was acting the way she did. Her attitude wasn't positive at all.

 "Why is she like this? Isn't she happy that aunt has now changed? Hasn't she always wished that she would treat me with respect? Have I been deluding myself?" She was perplexed at these thoughts.

 Mellisa advanced and sat beside her. The same question kept lingering so much in her mind that she could no longer hold it and decided to seek Esther's opinion. She poked her hand and started, 

"Esther, dear,"

"Yes," she paid attention

"Do you believe all that mom said? Um...I feel she's planning something...I don't know. I just spoke my mind." 

Esther reflected on her words. It was true! The transformation was so radical and unbelievable, but Esther would rather perceive it in an optimistic view.

 "Perhaps it's one of those miracles that rarely happen." She thought and then clasped her sister's hand and responded. 

"People change. Let's grant her the benefit of the doubt. I have a feeling that she's making an effort to mend her ways. It would be good for us, don't you think so?"

"Hmm, ok, but be careful." Mellisa implored and propped her elbows on the table and started in space in deep thought.

Jina strode across to the recesses of the back rooms and headed to the guest room. Her face glimmered. She was anxious to see her husband and to apologise to him. 

"He might have spent the whole night sad and miserable. He couldn't have slept comfortably without me by his side, Poor Richard." She thought and felt pity for him.

Julie had left the door on the latch. As soon as Jina reached the entrance, she knocked at the door. For some time, she didn't get a response. Slowly she turned the handle and the door opened.  It was odd! Richard could never leave the door unlocked.

She gaped and mumbled,

"Did he dare forget to lock the door?" She stood at the doorway holding her hands akimbo and stared at her husband. Remorse and self-reproach wrenched her heart. 

"If only I didn't raise smoke, he wouldn't have embraced the coldness the whole night. This won't happen again." She pursed her lips and moved forward and stood near the bed. Richard was sleeping in happy consciousness, his face smiling in his sleep. Jina sat poised on the bed beside him gazing at his handsome face.

With her soft hand, she stroked his hair. Richard woke up but didn't open his eyes. His mind was still dwelling in the fantasy of the night. He perceived that it was Julie caressing him. Seldom had he felt the way he did that night. Julie had helped him explore the hidden secret of bliss sweetness. It was a moment of complete satisfaction.

 He smiled and murmured, 

"Honey, are you still here? I thought I wouldn't see you when I woke up. Thank you so much for…"

"Why wouldn't I be here? You know I cannot hate you even if I wanted to." Jina rejoined. He was interrupted by her voice. 

"Jina…" He thought and rapidly opened his eyes in panic. There was massive guilt in his heart and he felt dreadful. His heart pounded rapidly. He shifted to a sitting posture and gazed at Jina. What he felt was a shame. His heart convicted him of betrayal. He had cheated on his wife right under her nose! Some beads of sweat started forming on his nose. His sin weighed on his mind like a hefty rock. Sorry honey, I am sorry." He thought and his eyes became watery.

 Jina, with an intuition that he was still agitated and angry at her, knelt in front of him and pleaded, "Honey, I'm so ashamed of myself for the way I behaved last night. I have already apologized to Esther. I know you are still upset with me but I promise to change."  Her eyes were misty with tears. She caressed his hand and lowered her face before him. Richard felt a lump in his throat. He was choking with guilt and didn't know what to say. "Should I confess? No, Jina will never forgive me. She will kill me or castrate me as she has always proclaimed." He instantly became palsy. His burden was heavier than the heaviest load, his heart laden with regret.  Jina lifted her face and peeked at him and noticed he looked pale and horrible as If he were sick. She got anxious. Suddenly and unexpectedly he burst out in tears and croaked,

 "What have I done? I am a monster, the worst of all. How could I?  Jina, why didn't you stop me?" Jina drew him closer and he fell in her arms moaning