Chapter Eighteen

“Congratulations Emily, you have really worked hard, you deserve all the success in the world, I am really proud of you “, Nora said as she hugged me.

“ Thank you Nora”.

“Congratulations mummy”, Mia said with a sweet innocent voice as she hugged me.

“Thank you sweetheart “, I said as I patted her head.

“ I love you so much mummy, I am really proud of you “, Mia continued.

“Auntie we are all proud of you, Congratulations”, Riley came forward too, and congratulated me as she hugged me.

Mr. Liam stood on the side, with hands in his pockets, staring and smiling. As I turned my gaze to him, my soul whispered a silent “ thank you”, for this precious gift in my life.

Few months after I had started taking care of Riley, Mr. Liam encouraged me to go back to school so that I would be able to get more job opportunities in future. He volunteered to cater for my tuition costs. For the sake of Mia, I accepted his offer. His support and guidance helped me overcome obstacles that I never thought I would be able to.

After a moment of watching from a distance, Mr. Liam came closer, “Congratulations Emily, I am really proud of you”, he said as he stared right at me.

In that moment, I was speechless, my stare conveying all my emotions. I stepped closer and gave him a warm hug. He stood still, his arms at his sides as I hugged him. I felt my heartbeat quicken in his arms, in the silence, I felt his heartbeat quicken too against mine. The sound of his rapid heartbeat vibrated through his chest. I slowly released my grip and took a step back, creating distance.

There was an awkward silence after the hug. “Thank you so much Mr. Liam”, I broke the silence, “I am grateful for your assistance in enabling me to re-enroll in school, I am really thankful for helping me take the first step towards changing my life”, my words laced with heartfelt emotion.

“This was all because of your hard work”, he replied. “ You deserve all the success in this world Emily, You are a really hard working lady and an amazing person. The fact that you managed to take care of your studies along with taking care of Riley as well as being a mother to Mia, describes how strong you are, I really am proud of you”, his words dripped with sincerity, his voice a reflection of his soul.

“Thank you once again”, a faint smile crossed my face as I said.

“This is the beginning of your success, trust me”, he continued.

“ I am grateful for the first encounter which led me to you. Our meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Meeting you was the start of an incredible journey, I will forever be grateful to you”.

“Are you done with the praises Miss”, he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Not yet”, I replied with a teasing glint in my eyes.

“Okay continue”, his voice laced with gentle sarcasm.

“I am glad I saved Riley that day, no, I am glad I lost my way that day”, I threw it out with a low rumbling chuckle

“Okay that's enough Miss praises, can we go now, because we have to get home early, Our food is getting cold”, he said as a gentle simmering amusement crept onto his face.

******************

As soon as we reached home, we gathered around the table for lunch. Our lunch was filled with jokes and laughter.

“Okay girls, I want you to tell me about what you want to be in future, okay”, Liam engaged in a conversation with Riley and Mia.

“Me first, me first”, Riley and Mia argued over who should speak first, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of competing claims, each insisting they should speak first.

“ Stop it girls, both of you shall be given a chance to speak”, Liam said as he gradually smiled. “I have an idea, how about we play a game, who ever wins, goes first”, Playing games with the girls was Liam's favourite pastime.

“Rock , paper, Scissors”, Riley's hand shot out, revealing a winning rock. I go first, I go first “, Riley said excitedly as she jumped up and down.

We all cracked up together, a fit of giggles overtaking us, creating a joyful harmony. “I want to become a doctor”, Riley said excitedly.

“ Oh wow”, we both cheered, “why do you want to become a doctor Riley”, I asked.

“I want to be a doctor so that I can save all the people in this world from dying “, Riley began. “ I also want to become a doctor so that I can find the cure to cancer and save my friend Ciara from dying”, Riley's words took on an emotional turn.

A sudden palpable silence descended upon us, like a heavy fog. “Oh wow, that's great Riley, I am really so proud of you, I hope you become a doctor one day so that you can save your friend Ciara”, I broke the silence.

“ Thank you Auntie”, Riley replied.

Mia, it's your turn now, Mr. Liam said as he turned his gaze and looked at Mia.

“I want to be like my father”, Mia began. My jaw dropped, I felt a sudden shock ran through my veins, leaving me breathless. “My father sacrificed his own happiness so that everyone can be able to live happily..”

We were suddenly interrupted by a phone call. It was the landline, and Miss Rosa smoothly rose from her seat to answer the call.

“Hello”, Miss Rosa said, a deafening silence followed her greeting, she was shocked to speak. The caller's words rendered her momentally mute.

We just stared, waiting for her to snap out of it, we watched her, concerned, as she stood frozen.

“Miss Rosa, who is it? Why are you shocked? a concerned expression crossed Mr. Liam's face as he asked.

“No…no one… ! She Stammered.

"Are you sure", Mr. Liam insisted.

"Yes sir, I am sure", she said as she quickly hung up the call and walked back to her seat.

As soon as she sat down, she grabbed the glass and gulped down the water desperately. Her expression changed dramatically, her face said it all- the call left a visible impact on her. 

“Are you okay Miss Rosa”, Mr. Liam asked as he noticed she seemed off. 

“ Yes… Sir…”, her words trembled as she spoke.