Twisted Fate

Maybe it was better if she had died rather than being bedridden. What is she living for, what use is her staying alive means to Ella?

She’s become a burden to her. She can’t help herself and everything is still narrowed down to Ella’s shoulder.

Ella is too young for the responsibility she now bears. What use is her life if it only brings sorrows to her daughter?

This isn’t the life she dreams about. She had never envisioned herself seated in a position and waiting for someone to help her to the restroom.

Or to become a burden on her dear little Ella. She had thought she would be responsible for her daughter and not the other way round.

Not only has she been a burden on her, but she’s become a stigma in her life. Bill said those words to her daughter because of her present predicament.

Ella was raised like a princess. Adorned and loved by herself and her father. She was the centre of their lives and everything they do revolves around her.

But it all came crashing down when Analdo eloped with another woman, a mistress and left them with nothing besides the clothes they have on.

The properties were gone. Her coffee company sold to raise money for her hospital bills back then. Analdo’s fabric company was also gone. He left suddenly and took them unawares.

If that was all, she possibly would have risen up again. It only would have taken time and courage.

But she ended up with her present health condition. What can they do rather than vacate their home to its new owner and rent an apartment.

Ella couldn’t continue with his University program. She had a year to round up, but had to pause. She needed to look after her and ensure she gets her medicine and live happy and alive.

Now Bill, the only man Ella loved, said she was jinxed because of all that surrounds her.

“… are you even hearing me mum?” Ella asked. She expected her mother to comment on all she’s said. But instead, she was quiet and her complexion went Ashen.

She then asked if she was alright and her mother didn’t respond to her. She had asked twice but still her mother doesn’t seem to hear her at all.

She then knew she was lost in thought. Things about her usually bothers her a lot. She wasn’t expecting her to be moody and perhaps carried away in her thoughts, otherwise she wouldn’t have told her the details of her encounter with Bill.

“Isn’t death better than my present life? Why did you keep alive, you should have allowed me to die back then. Why did you struggle to keep me alive?” Sarah started sobbing.

Ella was alarmed.

What had she done? Why did she tell her mother the details of her encounter and break up with Bill?

Oh no!

She didn’t do well. She didn’t consider her mother’s health condition before spewing it all out. Damn!

“Why are you saying this mum? Would you have preferred that I paddle through this period of my life alone, without you?

Do you really think I would have made it this far? Don’t you think you and I are each other’s companions?

You are my source of inspiration mum. What do you think would have happened to me if anything bad had happened to you?

So please, shake that thought off. Everything is going to be fine…” Ella motivated her mother.

“I don’t want to be a burden on you anymore. I don’t want to be the stigma that will dent your future happiness…” Sarah was saying.

Overwhelmed with emotions, she sobbed.

“There isn’t happiness for me without you. My happiness lies in your happiness. My life depended on your happiness mum.

Bill doesn’t deserve me. I didn’t know he was such a liar and a cheat. If I knew that he never loved me, I would have flinged him off a long time ago.

I can’t see the burden you are complaining about. All I see is the best mum in the world. I found that peace and joy in your every word and your unquantifiable love…” Ella said, hugging her mum.

That night, when Ella was alone in her room, she remembered the nightmare she had the previous night.

Bill has broken up with her. Why didn’t he make it known to her all these while they’ve been together.

She had been going about with false hope, thinking that she’s got a boyfriend. If she had known he was going to give her the shock of her life that day, she would have prepared herself and not shed a single tear.

But what made her scared the most was her mother. How can she say she preferred to have died than being a burden on her.

The last negative thing that can ever cross her mind was to think her mother was a burden on her.

She loves her mother so much. She’s willing to go any length to see her happy and healthy. She doesn’t ever want to lose her.

Thank goodness she didn’t say anything about what Alex Foster said that morning. If she had mistakenly done that, her mother would probably have contemplated suicide.

While Ella was lost in her thoughts, Sarah couldn’t sleep. How can she repay Ella for all she’s doing for her.

But if she had really died , perhaps Ella would have moved on with her life and be happy.

She would have accepted her fate that her father was as good as dead to her. Or perhaps, Analdo would have come to find his daughter.

But her being alive does not add value to her life. On the contrary, it makes people despise her more.

The next morning, Ella opened her to a new day. As she still remained under her quilt, she smiled while hugging herself.

The pain of disappointment and heartbreak of the previous day had ended. It all had passed like a midsummer’s night dream.

The dawn of that day has ushered her into a new day with different expectations and opportunities. Yesterday was in the past, that morning was a beautiful day, another opportunity to live free again.

As she stepped out of bed, she knew then that she was henceforth going to take whatever life throws at her to build a castle, a bridge and a pathway to a greater one.

That morning, she ate her breakfast happily, all dressed and ready to be on her way to work when she’s done eating.

She didn’t say a thing about the incident of the previous day. It was as if nothing significant happened with her relationship the previous day.

She ate, smiled and chimed the entire morning. She was vibrant and the sight of it sweetens Sarah’s heart.

She had woken up that morning still having that heaviness of what happened to her daughter the previous day in her heart.

She had pretended to remain in bed until Ella left for work. But her daughter came to tuck her up, so they can have breakfast together.

When Ella got to work, she arrived at the magnificent gate of the Foster corporation the same time as Rosa.

“Hello Rosa,” Ella called, giving her a hug. She smiled at Rosa and the latter did the same. They seemed to bond immediately with so much admiration for each other.

Rosa seemed to feel a little sympathy for Ella. After what Mr Foster said the previous day, she imagined what Ella must have passed through in her twenty two years of age.

She was opportuned to go through her resume and realised she was just a year older than her.

She has her own challenges, especially single handedly raising Rubby. But somehow, she felt her situation was somehow lessened than Ella’s.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As they arrived at the highest floor where their offices were located. Rosa pulled Ella to herself and like a whisper, she said:

“I don’t want you to be upset about everything Mr Foster said. He is not a difficult boss to work with if you just do whatever he says impressively.

And please, don’t say words that sound like you are daring him. He likes submission a lot. And he loves hearing the words “I’m sorry a lot…”

Rosa said some few words of advice to her and right there, they agreed to be friends with each other.

Another thing that Rosa said was that Mr Foster is a womaniser. He changes women like he changes his suits and some of those women come to his office.

But he never gets involved with his employees. Ella should be rest assured about that.

Ella smiled and said okay. She felt the latter part of their chit chat was more of gossip than advice.

***********”””

Alex Foster woke up that morning with a terrible hangover. He had left the hotel after he was done with his girlfriend.

He paid her off and left her behind. He might never have anything to do with her anymore. He was fond of doing that, except Lisa who he couldn’t just dispose of so easily.

He didn’t return to the company but went for other meetings. He went clubbing and returned home with Lisa.

He was drunk and so also was Lisa. Waking up that morning, he felt very uncomfortable.

He got downstairs and told Ms Cooker to get him a sobering soup. He just needed to refresh himself.

He got into the bathroom and a gush of guilt ran down his spine. Why was he feeling this way?

Perhaps because his grandfather wants him to get married. But still, he still felt he hadn’t gotten his answers.

He closed his eyes and tried searching his heart for an answer….