Chapter Nine

Just then, mom entered the room, interrupting our conversation.

“Why are you two smiling at eachother”, she spoke, her voice tingling with a hint of curiosity.

“Auntie, we have good news”, Nora said as she pulled mom closer to us.

“ What's going on?”she asked with a questioning look on her face.

“You won't believe what just happened”, Nora replied as she tilted her head and gazed at me.

“ Ooh, really, tell me Nora”, she said with a curious expression on her face.

“Me and Emily are going to relocate to the city”.

“Oh…”, she replied with a detached tone.

As I looked at her, my mother’s face was a still pond, reflecting no ripples of concern. My eyes probed the depths of her soul, seeking a glimmer of emotion, but she displayed no visible reaction, revealing no emotional response.

It didn't surprise me that she did not exhibit any visible distress upon hearing the news that i was leaving, i didn't think she would be all torn up about hearing such news but i still hoped.

Despite my rational understanding, a part of me still held onto hope. I knew it was unlikely but I still hoped things would work out between me and my mom.

I didn't blame her for any of the way she has always treated me, her actions were understandable considering the challenges she faced.

The depth of her hurt caused her to feel disconnected from her role as a mother, she was so hurt that she just didnt know how to be a mom anymore. Her heart was a heavy burden,weighing her down and blurring her vision of what it meant to be a mother.

“Emily, is it true?”she asked.

I nodded my head in agreement.

She displayed a nonchalant attitude, seemingly unconcerned before she turned and left the room.

“Emily, i have to report to work next week, therefore we shall have to leave over the weekend”, Nora said.

“ So soon, what of Mia’s studies”, my tone was laced with uncertainty.

“We shall transfer her to a different school in the city, the semester has just started , it won't cause her a lot of inconvenience”, she replied.

My gaze shifted and my expression changed, a flicker of emotion danced across my face, a fleeting glimpse of my inner turmoil.

“What's wrong Emily, why have you suddenly put on a sad face”, Nora asked with a concerned tone.

“ How will I handle Mia’s transfer? I don't have any savings”.

Nora held my hand, “Don't worry , I had saved up some money, we shall use that for now”, she said.

I stared at Nora and felt a deep sense of gratitude for her presence in my life. At that moment, I really felt blessed to have her. The softness of her gaze enveloped me, a warm embrace that filled my heart with thankfulness.

“Thanks so much”, I murmured, barely above a whisper.

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

As the days went by, the day of our departure had finally arrived.

The reality of depature began to sink in as Nora helped me pack my belongings. I struggled to come to terms with the fact that i was leaving everything familiar behind. I couldnt believe the speed at which my life my moving, just days back i was married , and today i am a divorcee, a single mother and relocating.

“It’s okay Emily”, Nora noticed my mind had strayed once again, she came closer and hugged me.

“Where’s Mia”, I asked Nora.

“ She is in the living room with her grandma,”, she replied.

“Am i doing the right thing Nora”,

“ Yes Emily, you are”,

“Then why am i sacred, i feel scared Nora, i feel like i am not prepared enough”, my voice cracked with emotion as i said.

“ It’s okay, its natural to feel that way, but i promise everything will be alright”, Nora replied as she kissed my forehead.

“I have already booked a taxi, they should be on there way here”, she continued.

“Okay”, i replied, my voice lacing with emotion.

In what felt like an instant, the taxi pulled up.

We colected our bags and brought them out to the taxi, Nora went back in to get Mia.

As i stood there, my raced with emotions, each one tangled and knotted in the way that it made it hard to breathe, I thought of the time I left this place for the very first time without a thought of ever coming back, here I was living once again, but this time felt different, this time it felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind.

A lump formed in my throat as I thought about the people I would miss and the places I would never see again, my eyes stung and I blinked hard trying to hold back that tears that threatened to spill over.

The taxi’s horn let out a brief polite beep, a gentle reminder that it was time to go, I took a deep breath trying to steel myself for the journey ahead, but as I turned to pick up my bags, my eyes welled up with tears and I knew I wasn't ready so goodbye just yet.

Nora came along with Mia and mum.

“Bye grandma”, Mia hugged mum.

I gaze at my mum, moved closer and hugged her. As i drew from her , i noticed tears in her eyes which she was trying so hard to hide. i knew that instance that she really cared about me, maybe she just didnt know how to express her self.

Though she wasn’t the perfect mother, she had always been there for me. she may not have been perfect but she was my mom and I loved her for it.

Despite the mistakes she had made, her heart had always been in the right place, I knew she did her best and that's all anyone can ask for. she may not have been the mother she had hoped to be, she was, in her own way enough.

We headed to the taxi, and drove off.