Dinner with Shadows

Carla’s POV.

 I was expecting to see only Granny and Carlos seated at the dining table, but I was shocked to see those whom Carlos had warned me to beware of, seated with them. Aunt Stephanie, Aurora (her daughter” and Uncle Chris (her husband), were seated on the dining, digging into their food.

 “What the hell is going on here? What are they doing here?” I silently thought in agony, as I stood at the entrance of the dining room, with my hand on my forehead. Carlos had told me a lot about the trio and I wasn’t mentally and emotionally okay at that moment, to deal with their dragging, because I knew they were going to.  

 With the way I had thrown shade at Aunt Stephanie at the wedding hall earlier, I knew she would definitely come for me, not only her, but also her grown up daughter and her husband, as Carlos had told me they were birds of the same feather.

 While amid my thoughts, Granny, who had caught a glimpse of me, called out to me and requested I joined them.

 “Carla darling, come, come. Come have your seat here beside me” Granny said, as she gestured for me to come over, with her hand. This called the attention of others to me and I couldn’t help but to notice the disgusting look on Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Chris and Aurora’s faces. Aurora rolled her eyes at the sight of me, before she continued to eat her food.

 Carlos was no different, just that his look wasn’t that of disgust neither hatred but that of anger and shock. I expected that from him as he had warned me not to touch his things but there I was, putting on his clothes. Till I got to where I sat beside Granny, which was in between him and Granny, he kept on throwing annoying glares at me.

 Realizing he wouldn’t stop doing that, I quietly explained the situation that warranted me putting on his clothes to him.

 “I do not have any of my clothes here, that’s why I had to put on yours. Will go get mine tomorrow” I explained but he just ignored me, pretending he didn’t hear me as he continued to eat.

 The maid served me my dish and we all continued to eat in peace, until Aunt Stephanie decided that peace was never an option.

 “Carlos, what exactly did you see in her? Catherine is way more better than her in every way” Aunt Stephanie spilled out in annoyance, dropping her fork loudly on the plate, which made a loud noise. Her gaze was fixed on me, giving me a disdainful glare, but I could care less, as I continued to eat my food.

 “Stephanie, you wouldn’t want to be embarrassed in front of your nephew’s wife, would you? If you don’t want to be, then keep shut and do the thing you are best in doing which is to eat!!!” Granny yelled, slamming her hand on the table, which made me flinch. Everyone remained calm except from me and it seemed like as if they were used to that.

 “Mum, are you really going to do this in front of her? She is not your daughter, I am!!! And I merely stated the truth!!! Catherine is way more better than her in all ramifications” Aunt Stephanie retaliated, yelling.

 “Yes she is but still went ahead to cheat on my grandson with another man? What a perfect woman she was for Carlos!!” Granny said ironically, as she scoffed.

 “Anybody can make a mistake. She is human and so therefore, she is prone to mistakes. What she did doesn’t warrant Carlos to jilt her” she said before facing Carlos “Carlos darling, just forgive Catherine and take her back. You can divorce this disrespectful bitch and start all over with Catherine. Huh?” she said as she pointed in my direction, pleading with Carlos to have a change of heart.  

 Carlos on the other hand, just pretended as if he wasn’t following all that was being said on the dinning table and continued to eat his food.

 “She is prone to mistakes? Anybody can make mistakes? Really? Then, you should be able to forgive your husband if he cheats on you and in the process, have an illegitimate child outside. Won’t you?” Granny queried, her gaze fixed on Aunt Stephanie. Confusion washed over Aunt Stephanie as she didn’t know how to answer granny’s question.

 “What …… What are you saying mum? You know Chris wouldn’t do such” she finally said stammering, forcing a bitter smile on her face.

 “Just what if he does? Huh? What will you do? Will you forgive him and take him back just as you had advised Carlos?” Granny further probed, enjoying how she was putting Aunt’s Stephanie in a tight corner. When she didn’t get any response from Aunt Stephanie, she turned to face Uncle Chris, who seemed tensed and beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.

"What is going on here?" I thought as I played with my spoon and fixed my eyes on Uncle Chris.

 “What do you think Chris? Will your wife forgive you?” Granny asked. The air became stiff and the environment became tensed. Uncle Chris couldn’t speak. His eyes didn’t stay in a place as he continued to look around, as if trying to escape from someone’s gaze. He looked uncomfortable where he was seated. Guilt was written all over him and it was at that moment, I realized something wasn’t right. Suddenly, Uncle Chris got up from his seat and excused himself.

 “Sorry Granny, I need to use the gent” he said, hurrying out of the dining room. As he walked away, Granny cleared her throat, after which she said “Let’s continue with our food”. After saying this and everyone continued to eat, I couldn’t help but to notice the satisfying smile that curled up Granny’s lips, as she looked at Aunt Stephanie, who was unaware of her gaze.

"This journey is going to be an interesting one" I silently thought as I smiled.

 Few minutes later, Uncle Chris came back and everything went back to how it was before Aunt Stephanie decided to stir up trouble. When I had thought the storm was over, Aurora started hers.

 “Carlos, have you heard from Charlotte recently?” Aurora asked,

 “Why do you ask and why should I be in touch with my ex when I am married?” Carlos asked with a stern voice, not casting a glance at her. Immediately I heard the word “ex”, I knew where Aurora was heading to.

"What a family!! Will this whole drama ever stop?" I thought as I rolled my eyes. getting tired of all the dramas.

 “She is still in love with you. If you can’t accept Catherine back, why don’t you just go for Charlotte instead of her? At least, Charlotte has a name for herself, what does she have apart from throwing herself at men? She is not even ashamed. How can a woman jump into a man’s arms barely 48 hours that her daughter died? She is not even that beautiful. So disgusting!!” she said as she rolled her eyes.

 I had been keeping up with their insults but that was the last straw.

 “How could she bring my daughter into this?” I had thought, as I held onto the baggy trouser that I was wearing tightly, trying to suppress my anger but I just couldn’t.

 I have to retaliate. I have to let them know they shouldn’t pass their boundaries and take caution when dealing with me. With that in mind, I clenched my fist and tried to get up to my feet, ready to unleash my anger and frustration on them but before I could, Carlos gripped my hand, pressing me tightly on my seat.

 “She is not that beautiful?” Carlos finally spoke as he scoffed.

 “This coming from someone who looks like  a monkey and barely has a man to call her own” Carlos said, his voice firm and rage burning in his eyes. Aurora and her parents’ mouths were wide agape, shocked that such statements could come out of Carlos’ mouth. I giggled softly upon hearing this, although surprised that Carlos was that outspoken and could throw shades when needed.

 “At least, she has a man to call her own, what do you have? What do you have in your name? You and your parents have been living off granny’s money your whole life. If not, why will you all be living under granny’s roof? If not that granny isn’t allowing me to leave, I wouldn’t be here living with you guys” he said, with pride in his voice and granny didn’t help matter as she burst out laughing.

 “I heard your singer boyfriend jilted you recently. Before you sit there and criticize “MY” wife, try to get a man to call your own first. Afterwards, she might take your criticism into consideration” he said, with a little emphasis on the word “MY’, which got me confused. I stared at him, trying to read him mind but I just couldn’t.

 “Also, henceforth, no one has the right to criticize or scold my woman apart from me. She has every right as you all in this house and you must accord her the respect she deserves. This is a warning. You won’t get one the next time this occurs” he threatened, his voice cold and fierce, which almost made me shiver under his hold.

 “Granny, we would love to leave now” he said as he looked at Granny, who nodded her head, before he turned to me and said “Let’s go”. With that, we stood up, his hold still on mine and we made our way up the stairs.

 As we walked away, I could hear Aurora throwing a tantrum, asking Granny if she wouldn’t say anything, with Granny replying her that she got what she deserved.

 As soon as we got to our room, he let go of my hand.

“I apologized for all that happened just now and I am sorry I didn’t tell you we all live together” he apologized, with sincerity and a little bit of concern in his eyes.

 “It’s fine” I managed to say, although I was hurt.

 “I need to do some things in my study room. I will be back soon” he said as he walked out of the room, into his study room.

 As soon as he left, my mind trailed back to what my aunt, Charles and Aurora had said about my daughter. I just couldn’t keep it off my head. I tried not to feel concerned about it but I couldn’t.  

 “Am I really a bad mother? I am just trying to get the revenge she deserved on her behalf” I had thought. It’s not as if I wasn’t hurt by her death, I was but people are failing to see that. Realization of the fact that I wouldn’t see my daughter again drawn on me once again.

 My mind trailed back to everything that happened and tears began to roll down my eyes. I was proving to be strong but I wasn’t. I realized my life had become shambles since my mother died, taking me back to the memory lane, of how everything started.