I Bought Her

Sevag’s pov     My name is Sevag and I am 38 years old. I am a Lebanese -Armenian living in Lebanon, with my old and paralyzed mother.    I don’t know where and how to start.    I had no father, and my mother was my only family. From day one, I saw my mother on the wheelchair and mrs. Garine was the one who helped and cared for her. We lived with mr. Zadigian and his family. Mr. Zadigian was a very kind man, his wife hated me and my mother, but his son Vrej was my best friend, his daughter Meghety was so lovely girl and his youngest son Zaven was a little brother to me. I grew up with them, went to school with them. Mr. Zadigian never separated me from his children.  Although I never knew the reason why, he loved me so much.   My mother lived on a wheelchair, she couldn’t move, walk or even talk. She only saw and her looks were so warm, she talked to me with her eyes, she loved me with her tears. I knew my mother loved me so much.   I never questioned about my father, because there was no one to ask, mom was the only one to answer and she was quiet, so I never bothered her with my questions.    When I was 21, mr. Zadigian called me to his office. When I entered his luxurious office, I saw Vrej was sitting there too. By the way, Vrej, Meghety and I were almost  the same age. Vrej and Meghety were twins.   I was a little worried and surprised for being in mr. Zadigian’s office. The room was quiet, but my heart was pounding of fear.  I thought, maybe mr. Zadigian wanted to tell me to leave their house, because my mother and I used to live in the mansion’s guesthouse. He cared for my education and my mother’s health. But what if he decided to put us out because I was 21 already?   I stood up by the door quietly waiting for mr. Zadigian to speak. “Sit down son, relax.” :- he spoke calmly.   I sat facing Vrej. I looked at Vrej with questioning eyes, but even Vrej didn’t know what his father was going to say. He said  I don’t know by moving his lips but quietly.   Mr.Zadigian:-“So, sons, I’m sorry I made you wait. I had some business to take care.” Sevag:-“ it is ok, I am curious to know.” Mr. Zadigian:-“Ohhh, Sevag you are always in hurry son. So I have an offer to you both.” Vrej and I looked at each other in a surprise.  Then mr. Zadigian continued:-“ I want to send you both to continue you educations in Europe. One of you will go to Germany and the other to England. Then when you’re back, I will hand you my companies and all my businesses to you both.” Vrej:-“ What about my brother, Zaven?” Mr.Zadigian:-“Don’t worry son, I have other plans for Zaven. You take care of my companies and businesses and Zaven will take care of other things, of course with you both, but in a different way.” Sevag:-“What about living abroad?” Mr.Zadigian:-“Son, you are old enough to live abroad, and of course, I will take care of everything you both need, you are my future and I am responsible for that.”   I had many questions in my mind, but I couldn’t ask mr. Zadigian. Why did he care for me whole my life, from eating, clothes, education, health, my mother, house and everything. I knew there was something but I couldn’t question.  Mom couldn’t answer.   I left the office to my mother. I told her what mr. Zadigian told me, her eyes filled with tears, and she started crying. She was trying to talk, to move, but she couldn’t, and that killed me. She was terrified.    2 weeks later…   Mr. Zadigian:-“Sevag, I want you to pack your bag, don’t worry about your mother, she will be taken care of as usual. Mrs. Garine will be with her. You are going to Germany tomorrow.”   What? Tomorrow? “Ok mr. Zadigian.”:- I said confused.   I went to my house, kneeled before my mother, she looked down at me, I held her hands between my hands and a tear dropped with the words I spoke:-“ mother, I am leaving to Germany tomorrow, I will continue my education there, I don’t know for how long I will be gone, but don’t worry, mr. Zadigian will take care of us both.”   For the first time in 21 years, I saw my mother crave to move and speak. I saw her eyes sparkle. For the first time, I didn’t understand what my mother wanted to tell me. I tried my best to calm her down, but that seemed impossible after the seizure she was passing through. Mrs. Garine ran into her room and asked me to leave the room immediately.    I was crying outside her room, hearing her cries, and scream my name “ee-a”, yes…that was my name, and I loved her call me ee-a.   I left to my room to pack my belongings. I put some clothes and my ipad, some books and stuff. My suitcase was done when I noticed the photo beside my bed. The only photo that, I see my mother smiling and holding me between her arms. I grabbed the photo and placed it in my back pack, I checked for my passport, my wallet and my tickets.    I was ready.   It was 11:00pm when I went into my mother’s bedroom to check on her. She was sleeping. I watched her innocent face and caressed her. I smelled her hair, inhaled it into my lungs. I went into my mother’s bed, hugged her and slept.   I woke up at 4:18am like crazy. Mrs. Garine was covering me.  “Don’t worry son, I will take a good care of your mom when you’re abroad. You know you can trust me.” She said smiling. “I know, I know. I just… huffff. Whatever. Good night.”I said and left to my room.   My flight was at 8:30am and I had to be at the airport at 6:00am. I couldn’t sleep.  I took a shower and got dressed.  I went to the kitchen had a cup of cappuccino, and a biscuit.  I went to my mother’s room, kissed her forehead and said my goodbye. She was a sleeping angel, but I had to leave.   When I finished I went outside my house towards the mini van which was supposed to take me to the airport. After waiting for 10 mins, I saw Vrej coming out the mansion. Roupen following him with Vrej’s suitcase. Roupen is one of the trustworthy  guards who helps in the business.    “Good morning Sevag.”:- said Vrej. “Good morning Vrej, I didn’t know you also are flying today.” I said surprised. “Yes, today I’m going to England.”:- he rolled his eyes in discomfort. “I don’t want to leave.” “This is the best for us brother, I guess.”:- I said.     Mr. Zadigian appeared and he said:-“ goodbye sons.”waving at us.   Roupen opened the door for Vrej. I was still waiting for my turn when Hovig opened the door for me.   “Aren’t we going with them in the same car?”:-I asked confused. “No Sevag, we are going with a different car. I am coming with you, I will be in Germany with you, I will be your guard and your friend.”:-he smiled.   Hovig was an adult man in his 40’s. He had a good experience in life, and he loved me as a son. I also loved him a lot. I became happy to hear that he was going to be with me in Germany, helping me with everything.   We reached the airport together. Roupen helped Vrej and Hovig helped me.  I hugged Vrej and he hugged me in return.  “Brother, keep in touch, ok?”-:he said. “Sure brother.”:-I said smiling.   We both waved and entered the line waiting for our turns.