FOREVER MINE.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jina woke up early the next morning relaxed and cheerful. She's full of energy and enthusiasm. She wears her comfortable slippers and trots to the window to draw the curtains. It was dawn. She peers into space in thought and then said, 

"Jina, you acted foolish last night. What were you thinking? You shouldn't have pushed Richard away. There are many ways to kill a rat. You must act wisely this time; Show affection to Esther, because it pleases everyone." She smirked and walked across the room as if looking for something and then suddenly went to the table near the closet. She reached for her phone and flicked on it with her finger and dialled someone's number.

"Hello, Tony, Jina speaking." 

"Yes, ma." the person on the receiver responded. 

"It's very early, what's the matter?"

"I have a job for you. I will pay you well as long as you follow my orders."

"Ok, ma'am. Should I come right now?"

"No, we shall meet later."

"Alright, ma'am." Jina hung up and placed the phone back on the table and stood holding her waist, chest shaking, her heart glowing with pride. She smiled scornfully and walked out of the room.

One would wonder what kind of magic that toured her over the night. Unlike before, she doesn't bother Esther to wake up and prepare breakfast but goes straight to the kitchen.

She prepares Richard's favourite breakfast meal of milk tea and toasted bread.

 "I hope you will appreciate it, honey," she muttered, forked a little and tasted the salt. 

"Hmmm! Ah, this is tasty! He won't resist it." She said excitedly, put the pan aside and boiled the tea. Her face was glowing. She was a different person despite what had happened the previous day. She baked small cakes for the kids amidst humming lyrically. 

Esther had started enjoying her sleep when Melissa, a known obnoxious sleeper hit her with her arm. Esther leapt to a sitting posture and quickly rubbed her drowsy eyes. She lowered her head and gazed at her company who appeared to be murmuring in her sleep. Looking at her, Esther smiled and laid Mellisa's hand comfortably by her side. It was morning already. She'd slept late and thus woke up late. She got on her feet and walked towards the window slightly drawing the curtain. It was broad daylight already! She was tense. It was late and she'd not prepared breakfast. There was presumably a bunch of work for her to do. "How could I sleep like a log? What will I say if Auntie demands breakfast?" She was perturbed and incensed at her carelessness. She hurried out of the room and passed through the corridor and turned to the right heading to the kitchen. As soon as she approached she heard Jina's voice. She was now singing cheerfully as she attended the tea that was almost boiling. Esther's heart palpitated in fear. She would have to start her day with a scolding. She supposed. She slackened her pace and stood at the entrance trembling. Jina immediately after taking a glimpse of her turns and struts towards her direction. The poor girl lowers her head in apprehension. She would have run away and escaped her wrath but she knew she was at fault and deserves a punishment. "This time you deserve it, Esther. You cannot forget your responsibilities like that she told herself and drew her eyes on Jina's feet as they advanced towards her. Soon the gigantic lady stood close to her. Esther closes her eyes and holds her breath terrified. She anticipated being slapped on the face for that was always Jina's target spot. Surprisingly, Jina stretches her hand to the latter's head. Esther flinched and gasped in terror. To her astonishment, Jina stroked her hair affectionately and said, 

"Good morning dear. I am sorry for the way I have been behaving toward you. It must have been the work of the devil." She spoke in an appealing tone. Esther was alarmed. She couldn't reckon what was happening at the present. That Jina would apologise to her was like a dream. She kept dumb and Jina pursued, "Won't you forgive your auntie dear; bestow her another opportunity to prove to you that she regrets all the pain she has cost you?" She implored. Esther raised her eyes and peeked at her nervously. The latter seemed honest, but her heart couldn't accept that Jina would change into an angel in an instance. Esther's eyes became watery as she reflected on all the horrible things that Jina had done to her in the past. It was like opening an old wound. She was stuck. Being in Jina's presence for longer than usual made her uncomfortable. Jina fixed a stare at her as she waited for her reply. Esther shook with uneasiness. She wanted to run, to escape from her sight but Jina insisted and before she could say anything, the lady went down on her knees and pleaded, "Please Esther! I'm begging you. I promise in the name I hold sacred I will change. I will treat you like my own." She said and her voice shook as if she would break into tears. Esther felt embarrassed. Shortly, Melissa came walking towards the kitchen and halted. The spectacle in her sight was shocking. "Is this mom or her lookalike?" She wondered and advanced. It was an incredible scene for her. She coughed discreetly to attract her attention. Jina twists and looks at her daughter, her eyes filled with apathy. Mellisa strode forward and knitted her eyebrows and asked," Mom, are you Ok? What's going on here- some sort of drama or what?"

"Come here dear," Jina said, gesturing to her side. The latter hesitated. Her mother beckoned her with the signal of her hand and she obeyed. She clutched at her hand and wobbled, "Honey, please tell Esther to forgive me. Sin is to man and to forgive is divine."

 Esther quickly ran to her and mumbled, "Auntie I am not angry at you. I forgave you a long time ago. Ok I know it's always my fault. Sorry, auntie." She said and Jina got up and hugged them both.

"Thank you, Mother Mary, for changing my aunt's heart," Esther muttered and tears stole from her eyes. She was happy and relieved that she was now on good terms with Jina.

  Whether Jina was sincere or it was an act we can't tell. Perhaps the truth of the matter will be exposed in the underlying future.