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597 Words
“I want to introduce my son, Tobbie.”
Tobbie? Her son? This again? What is this? Erik 2.0?
“You have a son?”
Says the first man who wanted to get to know my Aunt. We’re sitting at a table where the organizer assigned my Aunt to sit. Too bad for this event, they never stated that the participant couldn’t bring someone else. But who am I kidding? This is a matchmaking event. Everyone wants to be their best self. They want to find a partner. So obviously they won’t bring an ‘accessory’.
I looked at the woman beside me. Except for one, I guess. She just came here because Grandma forced her to. Grandma traveled somewhere we don’t know where. She left a note saying that if the organizer called her and said that Aunt Alicia never went to the event, she'd never come home ever. So childish and stubborn! Grandma and Aunt Alicia both are.
“Yes. Actually, we are still hoping to find his father.”
Then she acts like she’s very sad.
“Why? What happened to your husband?”
“My husband is a seafarer. One day, the vessel that he was on was hijacked by pirates. All the crew were rescued except for my husband. It’s been 3 years, but I’m still hoping that he’s still out there, alive and also desperate to be with us. I know he is alive even though he was declared dead due to the circumstances. I attended this kind of event, hoping to find someone who has connections that could help me and my son find him. I’m sorry if I made you waste a chance at finding love by occupying a slot at this event.”
I saw a tear fall from her eyes. She wiped it with a handkerchief like she was an aristocrat woman. Why didn’t she become an actress? I think she’ll be famous with the way she’s acting now.
“Act pitiful.”
She whispered. Did I sign up to be an extra to her drama? How much is my talent fee for this one?
“I’ll buy you lots of chocolates.”
She whispered again. And as if a director shouted action, I started acting. What child wouldn’t be tempted by chocolates? No one, so don’t judge me, okay? I think I’m going crazy as well. Now I’m talking to no one! This is what I get from being too exposed to my Aunt’s bad behavior.
“It’s okay, Mom. Someday, we’ll be complete again.”
I even rubbed her back, as if comforting her. She hugged me and made a crying sound.
“Oh, my pitiful son. You don’t deserve this tragedy that befell our family.”
She wiped my face as if I was crying. I’m not that good at acting. I can’t cry out of will.
“I’ll try to help. I’ll ask someone else as well, if they know someone that could help you.”
The man then hastily walked away from our table. We then both giggled quietly. I never thought I’d even help my Aunt deceive someone.
“So you're the woman who my friends had a date with? The one that they all said is crazy? If I heard them right, your name is Alicia, right?”
We both looked at the person who spoke. A man with an amused smile is looking at my Aunt like she’s the most interesting thing he ever looked at.
The next victim? Or is someone finally going to end my Aunt’s charade?
- Writer
