Revenge

"We talk almost every week and you spring this on me just now?", Mom exclaimed. Her eyes wide with shock, eyebrows raised.

Andrea laughed. "I wanted to see your reaction in person.", she said. "See? I wouldn't have seen this if I told you on the phone.", she added, pointing at my mom's face.

Dad joined in the laughter. "You're right. I haven't seen eyes that big since she heard the latest election results.", he teased.

Dad loves teasing everyone - Me, mom, Yasir. He just gets a kick out of it.

"Well, I'll leave you ladies to your catching up. I know it's gonna be a looong talk. I'll go see what Yasir is up to.", he said.

"So, what happened? How did it happen? Who is he? What is he like?", mom asked one question after another.

"Whoa whoa! One question at a time.", Andrea laughingly said. "First things first - His name is Dean. He's in real estate. That's how we met, actually. He was one of my clients. Then we got to know each other more and more, and as they say, the rest is history!", she concluded.

"But how come you didn't mention him to me when we talk?", mom asked sounding a little hurt at being left out.

"Well, at first I wasn't sure so I didn't say anything yet. I was still trying to sort my feelings out. Then things went too fast and before I knew it, we were engaged!", Andrea explained, flashing the ring to Mom.

Mom was momentarily distracted from her questioning by the beautiful ring. "That is one nice ring!", she said.

"It is, isn't it?", Andrea said, looking at it admiringly. "Want to take a closer look?", she asked.

"Sure.", said mom.

Andrea handed mom the ring. Mom looked at it closely. "Gorgeous, don't you think, Ela?", she said handing me the ring so I too can have a closer look.

I took it and felt so shocked I almost dropped it. I felt anger. My mood ring turned red. I tried to hold on for a little longer so I can see some more.

"Ela?", mom touched my hand. "Are you ok? You look strange.", she asked worriedly.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just remembered something I needed to do. The ring's really beautiful by the way." I tried to smile at both of them.

I excused myself, giving homework as an alibi to go to my room. None of the two ladies gave me a second glance. They were too busy catching up.

What should I do? I wish I can tell somebody but I don't think Yasir will understand things like this just yet. I took my phone and checked if Harriet was online. Fortunately she was.

"Hey Harriet, you busy?, I typed.

"Nope. Just browsing. What's up?", she replied.

"Do you have time to meet up with me?", I asked.

"Sure. Same place?", she answered immediately.

"Yup. See you in 15." I said signing off.

Harriet and I have a favorite small cafe where we hang out. It's between her neighborhood and mine so it's an ideal meeting place for us. It's cozy and serves the best tacos in town.

Harriet was already sitting on "our table"

when I came in. "What's so urgent?", she asked, looking worried.

So I told her everything I saw and felt when I touched Andrea's engagement ring. I explained how I felt anger and saw the man's face. How I got a glimpse of what he was thinking as he held the ring in his hand. He was happy that he was going to get his revenge at last. Revenge for his beloved sister. His sister who was murdered and did not receive justice because Andrea was such a good lawyer, she was able to make a good case for the murderer and he was found not guilty for the case. He spent months of careful planning, and a year putting his plan into action. And now... revenge, sweet revenge was about to be his.

Harriet was silent for a moment after hearing everything. It's like she was still trying to take in the story. Then she asked, "So what do you plan to do?"

"I really don't know. That's why I wanted to talk to you. Maybe you have some suggestions?", I asked, looking at her hopefully.

"Well for starters, let's do a bit of research first..." she answered, her eyes gleaming at the prospect of a mystery.

Harriet and I talked some more about the first step of our plan, ate some tacos, and then headed home.

As I walked home, I knew one thing for certain. This may not be how I wanted to tell her, but Mom needs to know about the ring already. Question is how she will take it. Will she believe me? Will she get upset I didn't tell her immediately? Will she make me give up the ring?

Well, I would soon find out...