Chapter Ninety Eight

Jean brought down the broth from the stove. She wanted to cook something for me.

"Smells nice right?" She said with a smile on her face

"I want to eat already" I whined

"We have to wait for Jade," she said in a sing-song voice and I rolled my eyes.

"He is taking so much time. I listened to the sound of the doorbell but I couldn't hear anything.

"He'll be here soon" on cue, the doorbell rang and I ran to it. Jade was standing in the doorway with a box of chocolate and wine.

"You're late" I crossed arms and glared at him

"I brought gifts for you," he said with a wide smile and grabbed the chocolates from his hands.

"Dinner is ready" I left him standing there and showed Jean the chocolates


"Ooooh.....chocolates" she squealed like a baby

"Hello Jean," Jade said and she went over to meet him while I carried the chocolate into the kitchen. I opened the box and put one into my mouth. It melted in my mouth and I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling.

"Arya.....come on"

They were pouring wine already. I took a cup and we just sat in the living room. Jean and Jade laughed loudly as they watched a Romcom tv. I was barely paying any attention to the movie. My mind wandered and no matter how hard I tried to stop myself from asking, I just couldn't.

"How is he?" I asked suddenly and they turned to me. Their laughter died.

"Arya......" Jean moved over to me.

She thinks stopping me from talking about him will make things easier.


"I just want to know. Tell me how he is.....please" he looked at Jean for a second before answering me.

"He is okay"

"Has he asked about me?"

I knew for a fact that Mar knows Jade comes to see me and a part of me was hoping that he asked but by the look on Jade's face, I already knew what his answer was going to be.

"He did not" I nodded

"It's fine. I didn't expect him to"

"Let's have dinner" I stood up ignoring their pitiful looks and sat at the table. They joined me and dinner was silent. I was stupid to ask that question. I ruined the dinner.

Everyone was happy and I just had to ask that stupid question. Of course, he would not care. I was a siren. The very thing that murdered his sister. The thing he hates the most.

"I'm sorry for ruining dinner," I said

"Stop that Arya. You didn't ruin dinner"

"I did. I was asking stupid questions"

"If I was in your place, I would want to cry but you've shown how strong you are over the past few days and I admire that a lot. " Jean said

"I wouldn't even want to know. But for now, I think you should try not to think about him" she said and I smiled stiffly

Jean didn't know how hard it was for me and I was trying my best. But to get them off my back, I concurred.

"I'll try not to"

"Let's play some games to lighten up the mood"

"I'm in" Jade shouted from the living room and I chuckled.

"He was listening to our conversation" I chuckled

"What game can we play?"

"We have wine so we can play never have I ever or truth and dare, " Jade said excitedly.

"I'm in" Jean shouted

"Me too," I said. I heard the sound of the phone ringing "I'll be right back" I called out and entered the bedroom. A strange number flashed on the screen, I was skeptical at first to pick it up. After it rang again I decided to pick it up.

"Hello"

"Arie," the voice called.

I was shocked to hear that name. Only mother Pamela called me that name and she didn't have a phone. The orphanage general call phone had been bad for ages and that's one of the reasons I haven't been in communication with her. I was so curious to find out.

"Mother Pamela," I shouted.

"Hello, my sweet girl. How are you?"

"I'm a good mother and you? Do you feel sick? Is everything alright? How did you get a phone and my number?"

"You ask too many questions. I'm not sick at all my dear. I'm as healthy as a horse. You gave me your number the last time you came and as for the phone I still don't have one. I'm using a general call line by the street here. It was newly opened."

"That's good to hear and the kids? How are they faring?"

"They are all good. They are eager for your next visit, but tell me honestly. Are you really okay?"

"Of course mother. I told you that already"

"I know it's just......you know what, never mind" I frowned. It was clear something was bothering her. She was itching to ask me something.

"Tell me mother" I heard her heave a sigh.

"Are you fighting with anybody?"

"What? No......no of course not. You know I don't like trouble"

"Well yes but I......"

"Tell me, mother. What is the matter?"

"The man that came here looking for you before"

Mar went to the village

"He came there?"

"No. No. I saw him in the village, I asked him about you but he stormed off without sparing me a glance. He looked angry at my question"

"We have no issue mother. Maybe he was simply in a bad mood when you saw him"

"Arya.....Arya" I heard Jean call my name from outside

"I'm coming" I called back

"Are you busy?" mother asked me

"No. I have friends in the house"

"Okay then. Let me not stop you from having fun. I'll talk to you later"

"Okay, mother. I love you. Give a kiss to all your kids for me"

"I'll do that," she said with a light chuckle.

"I love you too my dear Arie" I heard voices in the background and she hung up. I dropped the phone in the bedside drawer. Why was Mar in the village? Did he go to look for me there?

"We'll start without you" Jade shouted and I stood up.

Talking to my mother Pamela and knowing she was fine made me happy.