The arrival of Eleanore really threw me off because her presence always smell of trouble. It bothers me how Mama Dorcs gave birth to such a villain. Eleanore is that girl that will tell you to stand and you run. We have never agreed on anything and she has always bragged about how she is always the center of attraction and knows very much about the opposite gender,"Minions" As she normally called them.
Once, she has lured me into the woods with her to see one of her so called minions, and later claimed that I was the one that begged her to escort me. I was so angry but I had to forgive her because why not, my faith preach so much about forgiveness but now I know better than to allow her manipulate me again. Most times she used the fact that she is three years older and try to make me succumb to her wishes and in my naivety I indulged her, but not anymore.
"Your Breakfast is ready" Eleanore said from the kitchen door
The echo of her voice jolted me back to reality.
I looked towards her direction and she was already making her way back inside the kitchen.
"Was she expecting that I come get the food myself?" I thought.
"Bring it" I said in a very deep commanding tone and with the look on her face as she turned back I know she was taken by surprise.
"I said you should bring the food to me" I said in a thinner tone filled with so much revenge and resentment.
She made her way towards me with bulging eyes and tight fists, just then Mama Dorcas walked in bearing the platter, clearly oblivious of what was playing out before her. She dropped it and with a smile she told me to enjoy my meal and left.
"Leave my presence" I said sharply to Eleanore. She stood transfixed for a moment and then made her way back to the kitchen in a very sluggish manner.
I let out a deep breath and wiped my sweaty hands down my gown . I honestly was not prepared if she had reacted but I used my authority to make her feel small. The feeling of guilt and shame overwhelmed me at that instant making me loose my appetite again. I know I have such control but I have always been careful not to allow it to get to my head. I believe so much in the teachings on humility and self discipline but I have deviated so much this past months and really I am not proud of myself.
" I really need to stop" I though to my self.
The garden door creaked open and my mother walked in with Leo threading behind her carrying a basket filled with fruits, his shirt clung to his back filled smug with sweat.
My Mother nudged me from the back , "sit upright she said" I nodded and dragged my eyes in time to catch Leo starring at me. Immediately our eyes met he lowered his gaze and headed towards the kitchen.
My Mother joined me to eat and I guess she also wanted to make sure that I ate something because she kept on heaping my plate with food.
Just then I Leo came out of the kitchen, running frantically towards the door leading outside, surprised by his hasty movements I dragged my eyes to the kitchen and just then I saw Eleanore peeping through the door.
"Oh not again" I muttered
"What did you say?" My mother queried.
"Nothing,Just thinking out loud",
I noticed she froze for some seconds and continued "Your Father is going away for some days, he is leaving tomorrow and I will follow suit the next day because I want to make sure everything is well taking care of before leaving.
"Why wait for an extra day?" I blurted out without thinking and regrettably my Mother sensed the excitement in my voice and the glint in my eyes but it was already too late.
Then comes the preaching and trust me this is the longest we have ever spoken since our last fight .
"I know you may think that I don't love you or that I'm being too strict, but trust me my dear daughter, its for your own good and remember people are watching us and I wouldn't like you to make me a laughing stock,anyways I'm just thankful that you already have a suitor....."
" Which you forced down my throat and please Mother don't patronise me because all this you mentioned is just about you, you and you, I think I'm full and I would love to take my leave".
In all honesty I know that I over reacted but then I hate how my mother always turns every situation around and make herself the centre of it all, I remember one time she was called to speak at my convent school valedictory meeting where I was awarded a prize as the best valedictorian,she shifted all attention from me to herself without ever giving me credit for my effort, but anyway I guess I have moved past that as I have other things bothering my mind.The sight of Elleanore lurking and peeping through the door is still tugging at my heart as I made my way to my Father's Bedchamber.
"Father,can I come in?"
" Yes my dear"
"I heard you are leaving tomorrow, what is the occasion and how many days are you staying"
I rattled off.
"One question at a time,my dear, but I already informed your Mother to tell you everything in details or….. oh no, not again he exclaimed, as I didn't give him any answer I presume he read my countenance.
"Your wife…"
"Uuhhhh" he grunted sternly with a glint in his eye.
" Mother, didn't give me the details or rather she deviated" I replied in defence,hoping to dodge another incoming sermon.
"I Hope you know she loves you and she is seriously worried about you?"
"But I am fineee"
"She complained you hardly talk, eat or walk around the house like you use to do and that you now lock yourself inside your room, and I know I am a very busy person but I can tell that is saying the truth, when was the last time we had a conversation ?"
"I'm sorry Father, but I have just been overwhelmed with the whole marriage arrangement and I don't know how to deal with the fact that I am not going to be getting married so soon".
"Oh my dearest Daughter, you should have found a way to tell me how you feel, after this trip, we will talk about it with your Mother".
I nodded happily,at that moment I felt like a heavy burden was lifted off my shoulders. I turned to leave and immediately my Mother bumped into the room with her hands on her waist, I guess she came to report me judging from the way she paused when she saw that I was in the room. I nodded toward her and left.
On reaching the foyer I noticed that the kitchen door was closed which was very uncommon as it is always open. I decided to go to my room as I was already tired and sleepy.