CHAPTER 12

" I didn't want to come here." Deloise started, " Matter of fact, I was ready to never speak to you again."

Esther observed her daughter speak very calmly and shook inside of her. Unconsciously, she readied her heart for an unknown impact she felt was coming.

" But I couldn't.." Deloise's words triggered a wave of relief, " these past few days I've spent hating you, but last night, I couldn't bear the fact that I left you home alone despite my anger."

Esther's stoic stance cracked at her daughter's words.

" Mummy I don't know why you do not want to support me, I don't know why you are so against the idea of me being an actress, I don't know what your reason forced you to even contemplate disowning me in regards to this issue." Deloise sniffed, " I've been so consumed with thinking these past few days. I thought of a time when you weren't there for me and I came up empty. A time when you didn't love, care and cater to me while being a single parent and- "

Anna couldn't hold back her tears.

" The thought of you contemplating cutting ties with me hurts so much. It made me question everything. I felt thrown away, unneeded, lost and full of anger." Deloise shook with unshed tears as she continued.

Esther sobbed, and for some reason had her hands interlaced and fighting the urge to hold her daughter. Deloise was a mess of emotions but she tried keeping herself together while Anna held her shoulder in support.

" I know that you love me though. I'm convinced deep inside my soul that you love me." She admitted softly, bearing it all. " And if leaving the idea of being an actress behind is the only way to keep you in my life," She paused, and tears rolled down her eyes, " I will do just that. I will stop pursuing a career in acting." She said, Desperately trying to convince herself. " B-because, " she stuttered, and her mother's heartbeat quickened. " Because I love you so much, mum. " Immediately, Deloise was enveloped in a hug, " I choose you ma, I choose you."

That night, the mother and child pair cried themselves to sleep. They converged into Esther's room, and slept in each other's arms, silently and contentedly. None knew what the future had in store, but the pleasure of being in each other's lives was enough for them both.

At least for the while.

****

Deloise and her mother arrived at the mall to shop for her resumption to school; following their reconciliation two days ago, she couldn't reject shopping with her mother in order not to dampen their easy going relationship.

Truth be told, she wasn't excited to shop the things she needed for law school for obvious reasons. But, in her usual fashion, she had to suck it up, and do what made her mother happy.

Even if it meant faking some excitement along the way.

Deloise was dragged around by her mom through the busy mall, getting and ticking things off the list. A seemingly endless list. By the time they were through, the stroller could barely move an inch without tumbling the items piled up.

Esther was glowing, and her happiness, contagious. She hopped around with a smile, buying things written and things she felt like getting. Recently, she felt her life on track: her business was flowing, and her daughter would be off to school in a few days.

Never had she felt a joy so complete, it screamed in her countenance, all of which brought a bittersweet smile to her daughter who had to give things up.

Deloise sometimes wondered if it was worth it, but shunned the thought as soon as it raised its ugly head. The day she reconciled with her mother, she packed up her content creation set, and shut it in a box - never to see the break of light again.

Deloise walked ahead to her mum who engaged in some chit-chat with someone at the counter. Without wasting time, she conveyed the items to the car, and waited comfortably for her mother's appearance.

On the second trip back to the car with the last of the items, Deloise took a while to catch a breather and observed the busy area and the beauty of people in motion. Vigorously pursuing one thing or the other while minding their business.

Content, she relaxed by the car, enjoying a few minutes of solitude. Suddenly, the need to get in touch with herself arose. It was a hard few days and somehow she felt swooped by the string of recent events.

It was only a matter of days before she left for school too! Deloise looked around, studying people around, and feeling the clean air of a not-so-distant river caressing her skin. There, she decided on a walk.

She heard the voice of her mother and some man, watched him get dismissed before her mother came up.

" Have you been waiting a long time, darling."

" Not really," Deloise said, " I was thinking of taking a walk."

The situation felt tricky as they were joined to the hip since their reconciliation.

" Okay. " Esther opened the door and placed her bag in the front seat. " Why are you still there? it's open."

" I asked if I could go on a walk, I'll be back before you know it. I just want to look around a little." She placed the items in the car, threw in a thank you, and took off without waiting for a response.

Esther saw the jogging figure of her daughter and couldn't withhold her smile. The sight of her daughter running left a raw sensation and brought sweet memories of her childhood.

The fact her daughter listened to her brought an inflow of joy she couldn't explain. She finally won, despite her recent troubles and anxiety, everything fell into place, she felt much lighter.

It was clear her daughter was still trying to adjust her idea of a perfect world, and probably even struggling with the decision, but she knew her daughter will scale through. She raised a strong and independent woman after all.

Meanwhile, Deloise was having the time of her life. She carelessly strolled by the roadside and found her way towards a bridge, overlooking a big river. She took in a whiff of fresh water and couldn't be happier.

Being a sucker for natural air and earth, Deloise enjoyed being close to such a beautiful natural setting. Cars drove past and she caught sight of a mega screen display.

Deloise' breath caught at the sight of a stunning lady on the screen. She couldn't help but notice it was a movie premiere and with more attention, she realized it aired in an hour and proceeded to the theaters.