The Honeymoon Game

The honeymoon

I would have loved to tell Dainna that I wasn't as excited as she was about us meeting. I would have gone further to tell her that she was not my favorite person, not especially after snatching my place in my mother's life. How rude I might intend to sound, it was never enough to vex Dianna. She would rather laugh it off as a simple talk, leaving me even more mad at her.

I still don't understand how she manages to always be happy. No matter what is said or done to her. The only time I have seen Dianna angry, was the one time she ordered pizza and it got eaten by my cat. She was so pissed at the small animal that I thought she would kill it.

Eventually, the cat was found dead a week later in the basement. Not like I believe Dianna to be capable of hurting a fly, yet I had taken it out on her. I accused her of murdering the poor thing because it ate her pizza. I watched with satisfaction as she cried from my accusation. We were seventeen then. And six years after, I have never seen her cry again no matter what I do.

You'd probably be thinking by now that I am a sadist, hell no! There are times when I am really happy. Like the times when our voices as an organization influences the government decision in the right way and saves life. Those are things that require excitement, not some time wasted on shopping.

If my dad was to be alive, he would be so proud of me. He would never choose Dianna and her chubby ass over me. He was my favorite person in the whole wide world and when he died fighting for the justice of the helpless, I decided to follow in his footsteps.

“Here you are, I've been looking for you.” Lily called from behind. “You left in a hurry and didn't return to the meeting so I decided to check if you are good.” She handed me my file jacket.

“Yeah, sure. I'm okay. I needed to take a call, it was urgent.” I told her, wishing I hadn't added the last line, because that was a lie, there had been nothing urgent about that call.

“Alright. I will see you tomorrow then. I need to leave early to catch the bus, Jedan would be waiting already,” she said, turning around to leave.

“Hold on, I could drop you off,” I volunteered without thinking.

Oh Lord! Why did I say that? I love my quiet ride, just me, listening to my music and meditating. What if she is like Dianna and insists on talking throughout the ride. I hope I do not regret this.

“Are you for real? Oh my! Thank you so much. Jaden hates riding in the bus, he would be so grateful that you are doing this.” She smiled widely.

“Umm... you're welcome. I will grab my bag and meet you at the garage.” I excused myself, heading to my office.

~~~

Something about humans that I might never understand is why we set alarm clocks and get mad at them for ringing. I particularly hate being disturbed while sleeping for any reason at all.

I did a study on myself and discovered I could sleep for fifteen hours in a day if not disturbed. So to avoid a sleeping disaster like that, especially when I have to be at work or have important things to do, I rely on an alarm clock to wake me up from what can be considered a semi-death.

Doesn't change the fact that my alarm clock is the worst item I ever purchased with my money. The shrill sound of the clock woke me up at exactly 1pm. Slapping it out of my nightstand in annoyance, I dragged myself out of my comfy bed.

My phone beeped with a text from my mum. 'See you in thirty minutes, don't forget.' The text read. I sighed, flinging the phone on my bed and heading for the bathroom. If I didn't promise to do this, I would have still had enough time to enjoy my nap.

Well this is me and I do whatever I promise I will do. It's called keeping to your word, but for me, I think it's a flaw. I find myself always promising to do things that would disrupt my happiness.

Tell me why I had promised Jaden yesterday that I would help pick him up from school every Friday, so he doesn't take the bus. The kid was so adorable sitting beside Lily at my passenger seat, with his dimpled cheeks, just like Dianna.

I couldn't bring myself to completely say no when he asked if I could pick him up on Monday, so instead, I had promised him every Friday. The broad smile on his face and that of his mum Lily, was worth it anyways.

Now I have to be committed to picking up a five years old, adorable kid from school every Friday, simply because I promised. That would also mean driving Lily from work, down to her son's school. Good thing is, she isn't a talkative like you know who.

So the ride had been absolutely quiet, except for the few times she sang along with the voice from the car radio, which I do not mind at all. Infact, I probably like her more for enjoying my kind of music and knowing the lyrics. I also admire her strength as a single mum.

I picked out a simple, black, bootcut pant from my closet and a white turtle neck top. You want to know what else I like aside from enjoying undisturbed sleep? That should be dressing simple, yet coming out classic.

I knew exactly where to meet my mum and cousin, I didn't need her sending an address. It used to be our favorite shopping mall while my dad was alive. Although some renovations and changes have been made, it seems to remain my mum's favorite shopping place.

If only she didn't bring Dianna to discreet what was supposed to be our family rituals, I might have complimented her decision to keep shopping here.

I parked outside the towering building, taking a few minutes to reminisce on good old times. Back then, coming to the mall meant I was about to be rewarded for a good deed. Maybe for coming first in class, or for asking a question at church, or for hitting a lead role in school plays.

It could be for very little reasons also, like doing extra chores, taking out the trash can before being told, or for trying out a new cooking recipe and getting it right. My dad loved cooking and good meals, so at the age of ten, I could bake pancakes, sandwiches and make tacos.

I was better a cook than my mum and it was because of my dad, man was an all round package. Now that I think of it, I can't remember any imperfection attached to my dad, he was simply good at everything I can think of. His memories could live with me for a lifetime, I wonder why my mum would think of marrying someone else.

“Coz! Is that you!” I heard Dianna scream in her usual high pitched tune.

I had lost track of time just sitting there and thinking, that I hadn't seen them coming. My mum was in front, while Dianna trailed behind her, struggling to match her pace. I turned off the car, stepping out in time to meet them. I had to prepare myself mentally for all the talks that comes with these two.

“My darling little baby girl. Come here love and give mummy a hug.” She spread out her arms.

I stood still, my feet refusing to move. She came close and wrapped her arms around me. Peppering my face with kisses, like I was a lost child that had only just been found. The fragrance of her perfume fluttered through my nostrils.

I dug my nose into her neck, relaxing in the comfort of her embrace. Despite our lax relationship, I knew she was all I had and that hug was all I needed at the moment.

“Common, let's get started.” Mum patted my back.

Chapter Four

Back to present

Lily and Jaden also needed me and it seemed more important than watching two aged people take vows that they might not even keep. Jason was having a fever and I had to drive them to the hospital. But that is obviously some explanation that my mum would not care about, and so when she asked why I wasn't here for the church services, I had simply told her I had work to do.

And you needed to see how infuriated she was with my response. “Fiona, you choose work over me!” She yelled, not even minding that the guests were watching.

“I didn't choose work over you Ma. I just had to be late to get stuff sorted.” I tried explaining.

“You always have stuff to sort. Fiona, you're growing cold! At first I thought it was just to the world but now, it includes family and that's not fair. Louis' son is an attorney, yet he was here for his dad. You know what work Dianna had to do today? Yet she was here, standing beside me and having my back!” She went on.

“Maybe you should go on and adopt her to become your biological daughter,” I answered.

“What did you say to me?”