FOREVER MINE.

Chapter Nineteen

Unexpectedly, Richard clasped at  Jina’s hand and hauled her off heading upstairs.

 In such a situation as this, it is never easy to carry on a conversation, but Mr Wabua couldn’t hold back his feelings of reproach towards Jina. 

“This is unbelievable! I have always known Jina as a woman with a good head on her shoulder but this...” He stopped and hissed. 

Mercy and Melissa came cast down by the situation and stood beside Esther patting her on her shoulder and stroking her hair. 

“Don’t worry, sister, we all are here for you.” Said Mercy in a sad tone as tears lingered in her eyes.

“That’s true Essie, ” concurred Melissa, “You aren’t alone. We shall go through this together.” She wiped Esther’s tears with her hand and hugged her. There was a sound of relief in the latter's heart. She gulped the clogged tears down her throat, lifted her swollen face and smiled.

Mrs Wabua swept them in her hands and giggled. 

“You are three adorable girls. Always treat one another as sisters because that’s what you are, hmh!”

They all nodded in hearty agreement.

It is credibly beguiling how these girls, young as they were, could sensibly attune to Esther; that they treated her with love and affection despite their mother’s brutal behaviour towards her. It’s true what they say; that blood is thicker than water, but could there be another shrouded string of bond that binds them together, a bond that only the forces of nature could disclose? What is hidden will soon come to light? Only time as a plenary will lead us to these discoveries in due course. 

Jina climbed the stairs with hesitancy as though she was a goat being pulled along to be tied on a tether. Seldom had Richard, a man calm as anyone could be, reacted in such a manner towards his wife. It was a matter to ponder especially to Mr Wabua who knew him well. 

They have turned into a mysterious pair, and that in a nick of time. Man can never be predicted.” He muttered wondering how and dwelt in thought.

 Richard calmly settles Jina on the bed to reason with her, but it was obvious he was upset.

“Honey, why are you doing this?”

 He asked calmly, trying as much as to keep centred. Jina turned and gazed at him. The anger she harboured in her heart weighed like a milestone. 

“What have I done, scolding that foolish girl for her carelessness? How will she learn if I don’t point out her mistakes?”

“Can’t you do it in a much better way, calmly? Do you have to create a scene and that too in the presence of visitors? I can’t condone this Jina, I am sorry I can’t.” Jina felt disgruntled. Nothing could pacify her because all she felt was hate and nothing else.

“ She has to leave or I will pack up and leave this house for both of you.”

 Jina thought. In outrage, she sprang up and bumbled around the room champing at the bit. The thought was choking her and she suddenly let it slip out of her mouth.

“ Then you will have to choose between her and me.”

“What? Ha! Ha! Has it come to that?”

“Certainly.”

“And what if I don’t?”

“I will have to choose for you since you aren’t  man enough to do so.”

Richard impulsively slapped her cheek. Her offensive remark was cordially grave that the gentleman could hardly control his emotions.

He had never laid a hand on her even in the many crises in their marriage in the past although he was aware of her temper. Nevertheless, it would be unfair to blame him because he too was human; he's not an emotional cripple who wouldn't feel hurt.

Jina turns and looks at him disdainfully and wobbles, Honey why? Her lips trembled and she was in a sudden outburst of tears. 

"I hope this hard slap was out of earshot or else I don't know how to face everyone downstairs." She thought and bawled out her eyes as she held her sore cheek. Richard peeked at her nervously and bowed his head in remorse and regret. 

"I am deeply sorry!" he croaked and sat on the bed in anguish and regret staring at his defiant hand.

How could I…? It was hard to wish undone, and his mistake denoted the future uncertainties in his marriage. He despised himself for being so weak. Fear suddenly crept over him. What if Jina leaves you, what will happen to you, your children and then Esther? He thought and his knees shook. Jina gasped in tears and trotted towards the window and leaned out, dealing with tears which instead of falling were swayed by wind and vanished. Thereupon, her mind bore hideous thoughts.

" Jina, you must do something. Esther must pay with her life. But you must do it wisely." She clenched her fist in anger and brushed her tears with the clench.

"I would have done my poor sister, Immy, a big favour;  She will no longer have to worry about a worthless child. Esther is better dead than alive." She told herself. All these thoughts wrenched her heart with greater hatred and resentment.

 Out of folly both of them act on impulse but their actions might contribute to the turmoil in the shrouded future.