Family

Damien Pov:

We left Duriel's supposed interesting place in the world an hour later, when he suddenly announced it is time for dinner. I guess it is time to finally meet the family.

My son, look how strong and good looking you are, just like your father. The joy I feel to finally see you up close, the delight to be able to hug you once more, you cannnot comprehend how hard it has been for me not to see my son grow up. You are my most beloved son after all.

My Mother seem genuinely happy to see me as she hug me so tight, as though she mean to fuse our body as one. I might have been moved to tears by this display of affection, but if all those years of hurt and pain had taught me anything, it is that expectations breeds disappointment. I have built a wall so high and frozen. I do not think this mere display of affection from my Mother can thaw it.

I remember I use to love this woman, more than life itself. All my memories of this place is that of my Mother's love. She was so sweet and angelic. She use to be my sole definition of love. imagine the pain I felt to be abandon by her. I really do not think I can forgive her.

Woman will you at least let him have his seat and eat his dinner, or do you intend to break his bone. Even I can sense how uncomfortable he feels. Who can blame him though, I will feel much worse if I were in his shoes. He feels we abandon him after all.

I heard my Father says across the table, I turned to look at him closely, this is the first time since I left home Fifteen years ago that am getting to be in the same room with my Father, the resemblance between us is uncanny, I really do look so much like him.

My Son sorry if I made you uncomfortable, I am just so happy to see you, and hug you again. I know a lot of thing might be unclear to you, we must have confuse you with our nonchalant attitude towards you after you left home. no words can excuse how we were forced to act towards you, just know we did it because we had no choice and because we love you so much.

I just stood there looking like a fool, once again If only I have not build this walls so high. She seem to mean every word she is saying. I cannot wait to hear what they have to say, the story behind their actions. I hope whatever it is, it will be able to make this walls crumble.

Son welcome home. we will have more time to talk later but now let us eat, the dinner is getting cold.my Father said.

Father should we not do some introduction before we start eating, we are getting to meet our long lost big brother afterall. A girl sitting across me with an intense gaze said, I suppose she is my sister. I look across the table and Seven pair of eyes seems to be looking at me, I will have ended up with multiple holes in my body, if they could drill a hole with their eyes.

Brother, I have always been curious about you. My name is Elora, it is really nice to get to meet you after so long, although we have never met you, I hope we could be a family again.

So this is Elora the third child and the only daughter in the family, this is Darrien the Fourth, Derrick the Fifth and Darius the sixth. I think you have now finally meet all the family. I suppose we will get to know each other as time goes by. Now that you have been well introduced to the family, we can now eat our dinner. Duriel said after making the so called introduction of the family.

As Duriel was making the introduction, I noticed Darrien, Derrick and Darius was staring at me with such intensity, I do not know how to feel about it. I suppose no one taught this three courtesy. How could they stare so much, without bothering if their stare is making me uncomfortable. If only they know how petty I am, if they want a staring contest then who I am not to indulge them. So I stared back hard, I guess that caught them unawares as they seem to shift their gaze to the food in front of them and started eating.

What a bunch of strange kids. 

The three did not utter a word throughout the course of the dinner, Elora seems to be a chatterbox though. She kept asking me so many questions all at once, I do not know which to respond to. not until Father told her to stop talking and eat did she started eating. But I can still feel the urge in her to quench her curiosity.

I could not eat much, am basically among Family but they all feel like strangers. This is so uncomfortable. I miss Shira so much, I wish she was able to come here with me. I cannot wait to fall asleep so I could get to see her in my dreams.

Damien you should go freshen up and rest, I suppose you must be tired from the journey here. You should sleep early, Me and your mother will like to talk to talk to you in the morning. You will have to excuse me and your mother for we have to retire to our chambers now. If you are up to it, you can get to know your siblings. My father said while standing from his seat and holding out his hand for my mother to help her get up, they seems to still be in love with each other, I could see his love for her radiating in his eyes.

Damien my son, I will see you tomorrow okay. Rest up and we will see you in the morning. Mother love you so much. Am sorry I could not tell you that for so long, I hope one day you will forgive your mother.

After that she left with my Father, with them holding hands. I stared at their back as they walk away, my gaze follow them till I could see them no more. I really do not know how to feel about all this. Since we started dinner up until now, I had not utter any words, I really do not know what to say or how to react. The way my parent are behaving has really caught me off guard. I really should get a grip.

So brother, how about we sibling get to bond. Do not tell us you are tired from the journey and would like to rest. You must spare us some time so we could get to know each other. Said Elora.

Inasmuch as I would really love to get to know my siblings, am afraid am too tired for family bonding. Tomorrow seem more promising, so if you would excuse me. I said while standing up and leaving for my room.

I could see their shock expression, I guess they never expected for me refuse them so curtly. I know it is not their fault that I was sent away at Five but they could have reached out but they did not. 

What an arrogant jerk, I heard the one named Derrick says, I know he mearnt for me to hear it as he uttered his words loudly but I just acted like I did not hear what he said and continue walking. but just as I was about to cut a corner I heard Duriel spoke to Derrick in a stern tone, I believe that was a slip of tongue, for am sure you will not be so purposefully disrespectful to your elder, now reflect on your actions, I will expect you to do the right thing in the morning.

Am sorry brother, I will make sure to behave more maturedly as I reflect on my actions and my words, and I will make sure to do the right thing in the morning.

They seem to respect Duriel a lot, well he was their big brother while I was away, A wave of emotions swept over me as I walk to my room.