The Prophecy of Hydrangea

THIRTY FOUR *MYSTERY MATE*

I looked at my Brenda as she stood with hands akimbo like a mother trying to correct an erring child.

Her posture almost caused me to laugh, but I had to brace up myself knowing the tragedy that a careless laughter at this point of my Brenda’s most sacred moment would cause. But as much as I try, I wasn’t strong enough to withhold the chuckles that escaped from my lips.

“Seriously Eddy, all this is a little joke to you?” she asked.

She was unimpressed with me disposition. She appeared really disappointed at my composure in all of these.

Maintaining a straight face and not wanting to annoy her any further, I sat up on my bed and signaled on her to come and sit beside me. After thinking about my request for a while, she reluctantly agreed to come sit on the bed.

“I know everything my Brenda, but believe me, I never intended to cause any form of hurt to anyone as a result of my actions,” I assured her.

“So, what’s up with Serene, why treat her like trash knowing all you guys share together” she asked.

“I am sorry if my actions hurt her, believe me, it wasn’t in any way intentional.” I said.

I only wanted to pacify her.

“Don’t you think you should be saying this to her yourself Eddy” she asked.

I hesitated to answer for a while before saying.

“I owe her no apology my Brenda, not even any form of explanations” I said emphatically.

I never intended to hurt my Brenda by my words, but I couldn’t help it. There is no place for emotions within me, I got to do what I got to do.

My Brenda drew closer to me and held my hands in hers and she tried to make me see things from her own perspective.

“She has sacrifice so much for you Eddy, she was by your side through it all, completely ignoring and overlooking every bit of your excesses. She believed in you and never failed to show it”. She said.

I looked at her, I wish she would understand this better. All I have to do is explain to her in the best way possible, hopefully she would.

“And that is the problem my Brenda, she knew it was all a game, she knew I was never committed to anything serious at the time. And now she is playing the pity card, trying to force me into staying with her. She knew exactly what she was getting into from the very start, and moreover, I never promised her anything”

I paused for a while and looked into the eyes of my Brenda, hoping she understands it from my view point and seeing that she was attentive, I continued.

“I couldn’t even promise her anything even if I wanted to, because as you know, I can’t guarantee her anything for it was never in my place to, only the moon goddess can decide such” I stood up and walked towards the door. On getting close to the door, I turned to face my Brenda, my eyes begging her to agree with me.

“You have abandoned everything Eddy, business, social life, friends, family, you name it. Okay, what if she is your mate….”

“Serene is not my mate…” I cut in.

It was after the words have left my lips that I realize how much I had just given out.

She looked at me in shock and I immediately turned my gaze away from hers. There was so much I wanted to say, so much I wanted to share with someone, but I don’t know how to. I fear that I might be condemned and left to bear the cross of my youthful exuberance.

“You know your mate, who is she?” she asked excited.

“The task is a heavy one my Brenda, I feel she won’t even find me worthy to partake in it” I said rather absentmindedly.

“Sometimes I wish I could just relive it all, avoiding all my mistakes and the crazy youthful exuberance it is causing me too much” I continued.

My Brenda looked at me without uttering any word, she was waiting for me to finally pour it all out.

Brenda’s POV

“Serene is not my mate…”

Hearing these words from Eddy was unexpected. On the night of the full moon, Eddy had not gotten a mate. So how was he so sure that Serene was not or would never be the one.

I listened as he poured out his heart to me, the pains he has been bottling inside all along.

“She rejected me my Brenda,” he said.

Upon saying this, he bent down and cried.

I restrained myself from going close to him to console him. I wanted to give him the chance to pour it all out as he sees fit, he deserves to let it all go.

“I wasn’t even given the privilege of been properly rejected, it was as though I never existed” he sobs.

Seeing Eddy this emotional breaks my heart. I wish I could see the lady that dares to treat him this way. I would make sure I give her a piece of my mind and teach her the lessons her mother failed to properly train her on.

I walked up to him and bent down beside him. I patted his back as a sign of my assurance to him.

“Who is she Eddy, who dares to reject you as if you were a nobody?”

I asked him in a tone that suggested I was ready to take on such ass***e immediately.

He looked at me and smiled, his expression suddenly devoid of sadness. I was amazed at how he was able to go from broken to lively in such a swift moment at the mere reference to 'her'. He must truly love her, and if that is so, then why was it this complicated.

No lady in this pack has ever said no to Eddy, they all dream of being his mate someday. So who was this lady that dares to neglect him. Who has the power to resist his charm.

“I deserve it Brenda, every bit of it. Even I too would have rejected me as a mate”. He said.

He was sad once again.

“You are not a terrible person Eddy, don’t talk that low about yourself or I would never forgive you”.

I gave him a strict warning.

“I only wish to turn back the hands of the clock Brenda, and you know there are so much I need to correct”. He said, looking like a child that is desperately seeking for the approval of the mother.

“I was just too young, I felt it all revolves around me, I thought the whole world was at my feet and never for once did I realize that I was hurting someone that would be my whole world someday. I was so foolish that I never thought of the implications of anything” he sobs.

I know Eddy made some careless decisions at a point in his life, but he has really gone through so much. And I still believe he deserves much better than this.

It’s already cruel enough to reject him, but it is quite inhuman to completely ignore him without a proper rejection even if he is the devil himself, he should be treated with some decency.

I held him on his shoulder in an attempt to sooth him.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself Eddy. Let it not be that while you are here eating up yourself, regretting and trying to relive the past, you end up doing more harm to the present and even damaging the future?" I said.

I was hoping my words make some sense to him.

Eddy’s POV

“Thanks my Brenda, maybe I have been childish over all of these, I have let go and to do things the right way from this moment onward.” I said and wiped my face.

“Yes Eddy, you’ve been a shadow of yourself, I hate seeing you this way” She replied.

Of course I have been a shadow of myself all along, I am not promising anything, I would only see what I can do. I thought within me.

“And my Brenda”

“Yes Eddy”

“About the finding of a mate thing, please I would want that to be kept between the both of us”. I pleaded.

“Of course” she smiled.

“So are you ready to see Serene now?” she added.

“I will meet her downstairs, let me find something to put on.” I said.

“That would be great, see you downstairs then.”

She opened the door and went out.

**********************************

“Hey Eddy”

Serene said as I walked into the sitting room.

She was full of smiles on seeing me, even though I can’t help but notice how she has emaciated. I can’t forgive myself for all she was going through because of me.

“Eddy aren’t you going to respond to Serene”. My father said.

I turned and saw him sitting on a couch. I never knew he was around, but with his appearance, it’s obvious he was just coming back from where he went to.

“Hello Serene, sorry I kept you waiting” I responded.

My father stood up and went inside.

“That’s nothing Eddy, your family actually kept me company”. Serene said.

“I will go straight to the point Serene” I said.

I do not want anything to prevent me from doing exactly what I had intended to do.

I could see the surprise registered on her face as a result of my mean approach. Even Consty and my Brenda appeared shocked too. I didn’t allow myself to be taken by emotions. Instead, I went straight to the point.

“We are not an item Serene, there is absolutely no need trying to hang around”.

I looked at her to make sure my words registered in her. I could see disappointment written all over my Brenda’s face. I wish it would all go her way, but we all have to face reality.

“I know you have been a great friend, in fact absolutely the best. But I wouldn’t want to lead you on any longer Serene. One day, hopefully in the next full moon you would find your mate and I wouldn’t want to be a hindrance to your union Serene”.

“But you don’t have a mate yet Eddy, what if it’s the both of us…” she said in a shaky voice.

“There isn’t any need for us to try to preempt the moon goddess, we have to wait until then.” I interrupted her.

I turned to my Brenda, she appeared to be more relaxed now and I am glad she finally understands. Consty still appeared uneasy though but I figured been real is a better solution.

“Whatever feelings that you harbor for me got to stop Serene. Please do put an end to it”. I said frankly.

Without waiting to get any response from her, I walked back upstairs. I could hear Consty trying to talk to her but whatever he was telling her, got to make her wake up and face reality because I am done talking to her about this.