Chapter 2

I sat down and watched him move around like he was looking for what I wanted. I knew that he couldn't get it right. Donald looked at me for some seconds then he looked at the fish that were neatly arranged on the flat tray.

Knowing fully well that he couldn't get it, he returned to plead with me that I should come and get the one I wanted but I insisted that he must be the one to get it for me.

After much deliberation between us, Donald decided to go and collect the one that was right in front of him. Guess what? He didn't get what I wanted. When he came to sit close to me he said

" You don't have to be annoyed with what I gave you, I might not know what you like today but I know that one day, I will get to know it.

Secondly, you don't pass a final judgment on someone because he failed a test that you have given to them unknowingly".

His last words made me scared. What! How come did he know what was in my mind? Could it be that Ryan told him or was he just saying it because of saying sake? All these questions I  asked myself but I couldn't get an answer to any until I stepped into my father's house that same evening.

"Hi kid sister, Ryan greeted me but I didn't give him a response. He noticed that I ignored him so he stood up and hurriedly walked behind me before I could go into my room.

" What is it, Nora? He asked me again. This time, I responded to his question harshly

"Everything is wrong! I shouted at the top of my voice,

"What is wrong? He asked in a low and cool voice

"Why did you tell Donald what I told you? How can you betray your sister? Why did you...

"Hold it there Nora. I didn't do anything of what you're thinking, what makes you think that I can betray you? Besides, what are you talking about? I haven't made a sense of all that you're accusing me of.

I was still very angry but I have to finish what I have started. I looked at him again and then I roared like an angry lion " who told Donald the signs I was watching out for?

Nora? Ryan called. I didn't tell him anything. I haven't seen him since he visited us some days ago, the last time he came here was the time that you were also here with us. Did you hear me tell him anything of such?

I don't even have a phone to reach out to him. Where the hell did you get that from? Nora, if there's one thing I will never do to you is to hurt you, you're the only family I have left in this world.

Before our father died, he told me to look after you, and I promised him that I will do that. I will never and can never betray you. Ryan said as he let go of my hands and walked away.

Immediately, I felt cold. I felt that I have betrayed my brother's trust, I felt that I have hurt his feelings. I could hear him sneeze even as he walked away; that means that he was about to shed tears.

I couldn't go after him at that moment, I only went into my room and cried out my eyes. Maybe Donald was meant to be mine since Ned isn't showing up any longer.

Maybe this is the first sign that I have to believe, Nobody except Ned knew what I wanted, but today, Donald has proved to know it.

The next time we went out, he was able to give me the fish I liked. I applauded him for that but what got me amazed was the moment he brought out a ring to propose to me.

It was a sunny day, but everywhere became cool in the evening. He started a conversation that led to the proposal that evening. Although I was expecting it and I wasn't prepared for it that evening.

All of a sudden, Donald went on his knees amid our conversation and said " I'm deeply in love with you and I want you in my life forever. I do, do you?

Shocked beyond what to say, I smiled at him but was undecided yet. The moment he saw me smile, he pushed the ring into my finger. And all of a sudden, rain started falling.

The signs I was watching out for are now a reality before me. It was almost impossible to see that it rains during the dry season. As we got soaked in the rain, I got assured that nature and everything in it were in agreement that he should come into my life.

"May this rain take away the memories of Ned I have Cherished for more than two years, may this unusual rain usher me and Donald into an unusual happiness that will last from now till eternity"? Amen. I muttered to myself.

My together forever journey started the following month. Since my father has gone to the land beyond and my mother hasn't shown up again, Ryan made the whole preparations so fast that to an extent I suspected him for every move he made.

As helpless as I was, there was nothing I could do even if I suspected him. The day finally came; 22nd of March, 2018. I will forever remember this date even after death.

My wedding gown was the best of the best because it was imported from Italy. The designs on it were fabulous and the sight of it drew more attention to me. At exactly 10am I was outside the church, waiting for the priest to give the order that will usher me in.

I took my first three steps in happiness, and as I took the fourth step, I heard my name. The voice sounds so familiar that I was tempted to look at who the caller was, but I couldn't. I marched in without a second thought about who the caller might be.

As I got to the altar, the priest walked forward and read out the wedding vows from his pamphlet. I listened carefully to every word that he uttered and In a few minutes, we were declared husband and wife.

So I became Mrs. Donald Einstein. A three-week honeymoon was declared for the both of us. At first, I was happy that I will be leaving my hometown for Italy but immediately after we got to Italy, everything about me changed.

This wasn't the Nora I used to know. I had feelings of guilt, shame, and betrayal. Although I lived with my husband for 3 weeks it wasn't as fun as I planned it to be.

On the day of our departure, my husband felt sick that we couldn't travel that day, he had to make arrangements so that our flight can be rescheduled for the next two days.

However, I couldn't sit and watch my husband in that pitiable condition. I had to invite a nurse to attend to him so that his recovery will be quick.

When the nurse entered our room, she dipped her hand into her bag to bring out her glasses but it wasn't there. She looked around the room to see if she has carelessly dropped it on the floor but yet, she couldn't find it. Then, she handed her car keys to me and said

" Please help me check my car if you would see my glasses there.

" There's no problem about that ma'am. I told her as I hurriedly walked away.

Climbing down the stairs seems like an unending journey. " I guess that's why the nurse asked me to get her glasses for her. After walking sluggishly for about ten minutes, I got to where her car was parked, opened the car, and searched for the keys with my eyes until I found it. I quickly put it inside my pocket so that I can shut the door but just then a pamphlet flew from the car.

I bent down to pick it up and glance through the contents before I keep it. The heading reads; " Nora's Wine". I read through and discovered that it was a launching event of the wine.

It looks amazing to see that my name was on a pamphlet, I smiled broadly as if I was the owner of the brand. I peeped through the glasses to see if there were other pamphlets in the car so that I could keep the one in my hand. When I checked there were others, so I decided to take this one.

I got to my room upstairs to give the nurse her glasses, so that I can read the contents of "Nora's wine".

I sat on the chair that was adjacent to the bed that my husband lay for me to examine him as the doctor also did.

When what she was doing became boring to me, I decided to read the contents of the pamphlet. I hadn't read up to the last sentence of it when my eyes became watery. I don't know if I should allow the tears to flow or if I should hide them because of the presence of those that were in the room.

I pretended to develop a sudden cough which I used as an excuse to leave the room.

" Mr. Ned will be officially laughing his wine "Nora's wine this weekend". These few words continued to ring in my head as tears flowed ceaselessly from my eyes.

Is Ned alive or could it be that this is another Ned, if it is another Ned, why did he decide to use my name as the brand name of the wine? I have to find out who this Ned is. I told myself as I wiped my tears with the edge of my shirt.

Two days later, we traveled back home. The first person I went to visit was my elder brother, I just wanted to say hi to him. The main reason I went there was to see Aunt Lucy. Thank goodness that he wasn't at home, I guess he would be at one of his gambling spots again.

I passed by my father's grave to say hi to him too and to let him know what I have been up to lately, as I narrated my story to an unseen creature whose presence I was sure of, tears flowed again but I didn't mind because I was with my dad.

Thirty minutes later, I was at Aunt Lucy's home. Nothing has changed about her. She was the same as she was some years ago, immediately she saw me coming to her apartment, she rushed down to embrace me.

" How have you been my child? She asked me.

" I have been fine grandma, how have you been? I asked in return.

" I have been fine but incomplete without your presence in the plantation, your brother doesn't pay me again but before your father died, I promised him that I will work for him till I get off age.

" That's amazing mum, thank you so much for your kind gesture. Mum, please I want us to talk before my brother returns.

Ned's grandmother looked at my face again, she saw that I was worried and at the same time serious about what I was saying. She held me by my right hand and then we walked in.

To cut the long story short, I told her what happened during my honeymoon and how I saw the pamphlet. " Mum, I want you to tell me the truth, is Ned still alive? I asked amid tears.

She looked at me for some seconds and drew me closer into her arms. " To be sincere with you my dear child, I haven't heard from him since the incident that took him away occurred but I have the feeling that he hasn't died. I know that my son will come back for me even if it takes tens of years for him to return.

Aunt Lucy didn't say what I wanted to hear, it seems she wasn't sure if he was still alive or dead. I decided not to raise the topic again, and after some series of discussions, I took my leave.

It was just a day to the weekend, and I have already known the venue for the launching of the wine. The problem I had was the excuse I will tell my husband so that he can permit me to leave. After much deliberation, I decided to take the risk of leaving without telling him.

The following day is the day I have long waited for, I ensured that I got everything ready that my husband will need for that day before I left with the excuse that I was visiting my brother at the plantation. Immediately I got out of the gate that looked like that of a prison, I turned off my phone.

Straightway to the bus station to book a ticket, not minding the outcome of what I am doing. After a couple of minutes, I arrived at the event center.

The decorations were superb, and those around were people of a high class. I went to where the mask was, collected mine, wore it, and entered the hall.

Amazing! I almost screamed. I didn't know anyone that I will hang out with so I just stood on a table with my hands on top of it. Anyone that passes by could notice my shiny ring. The ring on my finger made most men walk past me.

It was only a well-built man that dared to approach me.

" Good evening beautiful lady. He greeted.

" Good evening sir, I responded.

" Are you alone? He asked me again

" Yes sir, I responded again.

" How about that, is it fake or real? He asked as he pointed to my ring.

" It's real, I answered back with a faint smile

" Then where is he? He asked me as he looked around and tried to come closer.

I noticed he was coming closer to me, I quickly took two steps backward and said " he's at home. I replied but I maintained my Space. I tried to look at him if he was the guy that usually comes around to disturb me, but he wasn't the one. 

" Don't you think you have another intention? How can you come here alone and everyone has someone with them? I can sense that you have a plan.

" Please sir, I mean no disrespect for you. Can you just go away and stop questioning me? How can you just walk up to me and start asking me all sorts of questions.

" Go away? Why will a married woman come to search for the lover that she has betrayed? He asked me and walked away in haste.

Ned! I muttered.