I sat on the porch, gently rocking back and forth in the old, creaky wooden chair. The soft breeze brushed against my face, and the distant chirping of birds provided a peaceful harmony. But my mind was far from serene. I was alone with the twins, my husband having gone to visit our eldest son. He was entangled in the whims of a child, a son who wanted nothing more than new toys. Meanwhile, Mother Tanna resided within the protective walls of our home.My thoughts couldn't help but drift to the peculiar occurrences that had taken place in the past few days. The nurse, who had been coming in and out of our room frequently, had left me on edge. I noticed an unease settle within me every time she passed through the threshold, an unsettling feeling that something was amiss.What troubled me most was the nurse's refusal to reveal her face. She would always keep her face hidden, as if shielding herself from my gaze. Her every interaction seemed shrouded in secrecy, and her avoidance of eye c
I stepped back into the sterile hospital room, reality crashing around me like a tidal wave. The familiar scent of antiseptic assaulted my senses, triggering a cascade of memories that threatened to drown me. But I couldn't let myself be consumed by nostalgia, not now, not when danger lurked in the darkness.As I watched Mother Tanna, confusion etched across her gentle face, I felt my hands instinctively start to pack our things. The urgency radiated through my veins, setting my heart racing like a wild stallion. Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead, mingling with the saltiness of my fear."Why are you doing this, dear?" Mother Tanna questioned, her voice tinged with both concern and curiosity. Her eyes lingered on my frantic movements, searching for answers that were far too complicated to put into words.I paused, my chest heaving, struggling to regain control of my rattled nerves. In that heart-stopping moment, I realized the weight of my revelations threatened to shatter the p
••Theron••I woke up to a stillness that hung heavy in the air, suffocating me. But it wasn't the physical emptiness of the room that weighed me down; it was the crushing reality of my loss that wrapped around my heart like a vice. Athara, my beloved wife, was gone. The tragedy that had befallen us felt like a cruel joke, a nightmare I couldn't bear to accept.I rubbed my eyes, hoping to rid myself of the haunting images that plagued my mind. The fire, the inferno that consumed the hospital, had stolen away everything I held dear. I couldn't accept it. This had to be a terrible dream. I longed to jolt awake and find Athara lying peacefully beside me, her gentle breaths soothing my soul.I looked on the other side of the bed and all I saw was her image. She was always sleeping peacefully until morning beside me but now she was not with me anymore and all I have in me was her memories and image of her I kept on painting in my head."Love, Athara, I wish I could see you and hug you anytim
Exactly three years had passed since Athara's untimely departure, and today, I woke up with a heavy heart as I couldn't help but miss her. As the warm morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, I slowly rose from the bed, my thoughts consumed by the memories we had shared. "Good morning, my love," I whispered looking at her portrait inside our room.Our twins had just turned three, and it pained me to know that they would never have the chance to know their incredible mother.Untangling myself from the sheets, I made my way downstairs, the empty spaces in the house haunting me. As I stepped into the kitchen, I was greeted by the sound of joyful laughter. Turning the corner, I found my three sons, Triumph, Wisdom, and Athro, waiting for me with wide smiles on their faces. Athro, the eldest, had just celebrated his eighth birthday and was attending school now."Good morning, papa!" they chorused, their energy contagious even on such a somber day."Good morning, my little warriors,
The holiday season was approaching, and the air crackled with anticipation and excitement. My heart yearned to bring a glimmer of joy to my twin sons, the youthful energy that had once filled our home with laughter and play. It was with this intention that I stepped into the bustling mall, hoping to find the perfect gifts that would ignite their imaginations and bring a smile to their faces.Everyone was looking at me. I might be familiar to them or some of them know who I am."Is that him? Theron Duffins?""Yes. He's really successful but his wife died because of a fire accident in South Carolina.""Well, I am willing to be a mom of his kids, if he permits!" I sighed and pretended I didn't hear them. As I strolled past the colorful displays and shelves filled with toys of all sizes, my heart was heavy with the memories that accompanied this territory. I always imagined being with her in every moment like this, selecting toys for our boys and walking around while we talked about lif
The heaviness in my heart lingered long after Athara's burial, and the lack of communication from my cousin Herod only added to my growing unease. I couldn't help but feel a sense of worry, unsettled by his silence during such a challenging time. It seemed as though he had vanished into thin air, leaving me with unanswered questions and a gnawing anxiety that wouldn't subside.However, my concerns were soon alleviated when, quite unexpectedly, Herod answered one of my emails. Relief washed over me as the words on the screen brought a glimmer of hope. It seemed as though we were finally going to reconnect and share the weight of our grief.Eager to catch up, we set up a time for a long-overdue conversation. The anticipation of hearing his voice after all these months was almost overwhelming. As the agreed-upon time approached, I found myself nervously pacing the room, my fingers tapping incessantly against the armrest of the couch.Finally, the familiar ringtone echoed through the room
Loneliness has wrapped its cold arms around me, encasing me in a shroud of desolation. No longer do the comforting smiles of friends and family warm my heart; their belief in my sanity seems to have eroded like the sands beneath a crashing wave. I find myself lost in a sea of doubt, desperately clutching at the fragile tendrils of hope that refuse to leave me.It was in the bustling halls of the mall that I first laid eyes upon her. Amidst the throng of strangers, my heart recognized her, my beloved Athara. Her radiant smile and flowing auburn locks cascading over her shoulders remained vivid in my memory, etched there from the countless nights spent together. How could I have imagined her as anything but?But the world around me disputes my version of reality. They say she is gone, her soul severed from this earthly realm and thrust into a realm beyond our reach. They claim to have buried her, whispering hushed condolences and offering sympathetic glances. Yet, my heart fights agains
The day of Herod and his wife Eliana's welcome party has arrived. I'm excited to see that cousin of mine again and meet his wife. Eliana's luck with my cousin Herod was indeed incomparable, apart from being rich, he is handsome and very loving. That's why I was afraid that he would win my wife's heart because Athara might see in him what I couldn't give her in those days and that was love without holding back. "Papa, are you going to uncle's party? Tell him that I miss him and ask him about the gift that I asked for from him.""Yes, son. Stay with your grandma and listen to her. Do not bring your siblings outside, alright?""Yes, papa."As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the city, I stood in front of the mirror, admiring my new elegant suit that hung perfectly on my frame. I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building up within me - tonight was the night of the welcome home party for my cousin Herod and his wife Eliana. I had been eagerly looking forwa