The Sauna
“Urgh. You’re so talented, Miss. Keep rubbing that spot, yes. I don’t know why I didn’t find you sooner.
Elaine frowned at her mother and aunt's cringy acts. They were currently at the Sauna and for the likes of her, she was trying to bear the groans and moans from Bianca and her sisters. They’d woken her up early that day for the day’s activity. According to them, every woman had to participate as it was the family’s tradition.
She’d reluctantly changed her clothes and followed them to the place. The elders and her sister in laws seemed to be enjoying the place but not her.
“You’re not doing this properly. What kind of hands do you even have,” Diana groaned, swatting the hand of the massage therapist off her and calling for another.
“Elaine, why are you stiff? Bianca averted her gaze toward her, frowning. “You’re not enjoying this?”
“No mother.”
“Then what on earth do you even enjoy? You were as stiff in the yoga session.”
“It’s too hot here. I’m not comfortable.”
“You’re not pregnant like Ria so stop trying. It’s just a massage.” Right. No one knew she was currently pregnant. Ria didn’t get into the sauna. She was pregnant and had to take care of her baby. Ever since everyone found out that their dear Ria was pregnant, lord, they’d been doting on her.
“I’m not used to it,” she retaliated.
“You come here every year. Besides, have you seen yourself in the mirror recently? You’re gaining weight. If you don’t do these exercises, in a few months, you’ll be detestable to look at.”
Elaine bit her lips. This was the same woman who said to Xavier that she was looking very healthy and well taken care of. These days, the truth is not recognizable, really.
“Bianca, that was harsh,” Benita hit her sister lightly on her arms. “Her husband isn’t complaining.”
“And who said he won’t? There is something about men that you all don’t know. They never say anything until it’s dire. Like their father, look how he left. Without a single word. They won’t say.”
The place suddenly became even more suffocating to her and she could feel a bile rise in her throat from her mother’s words. The temperature in the room increased, causing her view to be blurry and a pounding headache to hit her.
“Still, not everyone is Sauna friendly,” Irene added.
“That is not the case. We do this year after year. She’s just acting because Ria is outside.”
Elaine closed her eyes, her fist clenching at her side as she tried not to listen to their words. When she opened them again, she saw Emily’s judging eyes on her. That was it, she needed to leave the place else she might end up collapsing.
Swatting the therapist’s hands off her and not caring if she was too harsh, Elaine sat on the table, grabbed her dress, and threw it on.
“Where are you going?” Biana glared at her.
“I’ll wait for y’all outside.”
Without letting another second pass by, she stormed out of the room, pushing the door open, and rushing to the restroom, her eyes hazy, her legs trembling.
If she hadn’t left there in time, she might have collapsed due to the temperature in the room. She splashed water on her face and only stopped after her sight became clear again.
Just then, the door of the restroom pushed open and Ria strode in, properly dressed in her blue two-piece. Elaine looked her over. “You’re not doing any exercise?” She asked.
“I’m pregnant and those pregnancy-friendly exercises are not for me.”
Ria washed her hands and started redoing her makeup. “You, weren’t having a massage with Mom and everyone?”
“It wasn’t for me either.”
Ria chuckled. “Don’t tell me you got nauseous and decided to leave there?”
Elaine clamped her mouth shut. But that was exactly what happened, right?
“You’re not pregnant, girl. I get that you’re trying to get the privilege that I get but chill, you’re doing too much trying to be me.”
“Trying to be you? I’d rather die.”
“If you want tips, you know you can just ask.”
“Shut it, Ria. I left because I wanted to. No one is trying to be you, trust me.”
Applying a final touch of her lip gloss to her lips, Ria patted her lips together twice before turning to smile at her. “Anyway, we’re been waited for, let’s leave.”
Elaine shook her head and walked out of the restroom, followed by Ria. Luckily, when they got out, everyone was out of the massage room, dressed properly and ready to leave. Elaine let out a sigh of relief.
She could barely spend another minute in the suffocating place. She watched as they held Ria carefully, dabbing handkerchiefs to her forehead and neck, wiping her sweat off, and leading her outside the building.
“Elaine, hurry up, we don’t have much time,” Diana yelled.
She increased her steps, making her way to the women who stood, waiting for the cabs that would take them all back to the Rock mansion. The day’s activities weren’t over. From what she heard earlier. After the men are done with their exercise at the gym, they will all go for a swim.
She wondered how her dear husband was coping with her cousins. She’s warned him before. He would have to endure their ill characters. They weren’t people one would enjoy spending the day with.
Finally, the cabs stopped in front of them and before she could choose which of the cars to enter, she was pushed into one with two of her cousin- in-laws.
“Oh, we’re in the same car,” Diana giggled. “Thankfully it’s you.”
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