CHAPTER 29

"Fuck!! If he was the one knocking at her door, then she was literally doomed".

Gosh what should I do? She asked thin air and got no response , scared of opening the door she started at it in concentration as though trying to discipere who was at the other side without opening the door.

The knock sounded again and this time , it was louder jumping in fright Catherine gingerly opened the door while closing her eyes and praying for the best.

The door opened wide to reveal ayra and Alice staring in shock at their mom's closed eyes, Alice and ayra looked at each other then at their mom.

"What's wrong with her?"ayra mouthed at Alice and Alice shrugged her shoulders in reply.

Alice snapped her manicured fingers across her mom's face" Hey mom!! What's wrong with you? "She screamed into her ears.

Catherine opened her eyes with start, first she wasn't aware her eyes were closed all along on opening the door, but seeing it was Alice and ayra she jumped on them hugging them , with a grateful relieved smile on her face tsk she almost had a heart attack for nothing.

The two sisters made no attempts to embrace their mom back, in fact they stared at her strangely as though a little knot was missing in her brains.

"I missed you guys, c'mon on in I prepared dinner how was school today?" She questioned oblivious of their creased foreheads.

"Mom you didn't answer my question".

"Uh? "

"I asked if you are alright" Alice repeated sitting down elegantly on the mint green couch.

"Of course, I'm fine I - I have never been fine as I am now, don't I look okay?" She asked looking herself up, down and staring back at her daughters.

"You look okay quite alright, but you are not acting right".

"Ayra what do you mean by your statement".

"Firstly you opened the door with your eyes closed " Alice started off.

"Ehrm, I - I was practicing uh - practicing yoga yes yoga for old age "she said hoping they would believe her and let the subject drop.

"You hugged us!! "Ayra seconded "mom you never embrace us after coming back from school, sometimes you hug Alice but me you never do that and at the same time!!".

"Yeah I totally agree with ayra, she is right for the first time in ages" Alice muttered folding her hands across her bossom and staring pointedly at Catherine.

Ayra ignored the little thump her heart did, at hearing Alice 's word that she agreed with her, though Alice words were subtly offensive her heart concentrated on the part, she said she agreed with her. It made her feel mushy inside, for the first time it seemed they were in union.

Catherine stared from one daughter to another, appalled at their words. This proves she is a bad mom she thought to herself, and it irked her so much anytime ayra compared her love for her over Alice, She didn't realize she was never hugging her bundles of joy daily, what kind of mom am I? She questioned herself, resolving in her heart to make amends she smiled brightly at the prospect of a new beginning .

"Well you guys are super right, I just realized my shortcomings so from now on. I will give you two hugs before and after school "she declared proudly.

"Ewwwwwww" the sister duo muttered simultaneously. "Omg mom that's so gross we are grown ups now, you can't do that."

"Language Alice" Catherine warned her eyes glittering. "Girls what's with the negative replies, I thought you would like it, wait didn't it feel nice when I embraced you earlier? "

"Well" ayra scratched beneath her ears like she always do when she was unsure of what to say. It sure felt nice to be cocooned in her mom's arms plus she smelt like different flowers so it added to the magic.

"It felt nice mom she said but that's not you .you ain't mushy and all loving that was dad's personality "she added softly.

Catherine 's eyes teared up, but she struggled to hold her emotions the last thing she wanted was to cry in front of them. But it was so unfair, granted she wasn't a perfect parent like Philip their dad, but by God she was damn trying her best and all they do is compare her with her late husband.

If anything she was here with them still trying to figure it all out, she never had an inkling that she would be a single mom but life happened and she was doing her best. Why can't I be enough for them?? A notification beeped on Alice 's phone, interrupting her flow of thoughts, she turned to the sink to gather her emotions but turned right back at Alice 's shrill voice shouting.

"Alice what's wrong? Why the hell are you shouting?"

Ayra merely covered her ear buds knowing her sister, she wouldn't talk until she was done shouting to her satisfaction.

"Mom that's a wrong question, you should be asking me what's right? "

"Your boyfriend is taking you out of the country as a birthday gift? "Ayra guessed.

"Uh no baby sis, that's way over the top but now you mentioned it it's a great idea" she said her eyes widening making her look more beautiful "I will hint it to him after all I deserve a vacation".

"So why were you shouting? And it better be a good reason young lady" Catherine warned reverting back to her strict personality.

"Oh mom it's a great one, okay omg am so excited" .

"Say it already "ayra muttered irritated.

"Guess who's gonna perform at my birthday party? "She looked from her mom to ayra and seeing their blank faces she supplied the answer.

"Oliver Rodrigo!!. "

"Omgggg she's everything and more, I don't believe this" . Ayra said in disbelief.

"Better believe it, baby sis cus is true she added with a smirk.

"Wait hold up, where did you get the money to hire Oliver, how did you even contact her?"

"Exactly, good question ayra "Catherine supported.

"Spoilsport you are just jealous, you have never had a super pop star perform at your birthday that's the reason you want to spoil mine".

"No no that's not true at all Alice, I'm just curious I - I am happy for you".

Whatever she picked up her backpack and walked excitedly to her room "I can't wait to tell my friends and the look in their faces would be epic" .

"Come down for dinner in five minutes, I have important news" Catherine shouted at her retreating back.

Ayra dejectedly walked to her room, and puff there goes the little union between her and Alice. Why did she have to open her big mouth and talk? She berated herself.