All Because Of One Man

   "Mom, what happened? You suddenly turned quiet?"

Mitchell asked concernedly. She had her two hands on my shoulders while staring at my reflection in the mirror.

 "Will I ever have the courage to tell them that Zain is alive? They will hate me for life if they get to hear of it. I will never be already for this conversation no matter how tough I think I am"

I thought sadly.

  "Mom, if it's about dad, I am sorry. I will never speak of him again. I have noticed that whenever we talk about him, you become sad. I promise, I will never say anything or ask for his pictures like I always do or even think of him."

  She was so upset even though she was trying to hide it. She took her hands off me but continued to study my face intently like she was trying to read my thoughts. I knew that it was pointless but I had to try to explain the truth and that will be someday

   What kind of mother am I? If I had to tell them that their father is dead, I should be able to provide his pictures for them to know what he really looks like. It was the right thing to do but no? What did I do, I told them he is dead and still could not give them the privilege to know what he looks like. You know why? I was afraid that someday somehow they will run into Zain and my secret will be out in the open.

   None of them will be able to understand that I did what I did to keep all three of them alive. Zain will hate me more than he already did and my kids? They will hate me for life. All because of one man, who decided to take his revenge on me, playing on my happiness and that of my kids' fate.

  I have to stop being selfish and do the right thing. 

  I sighed and took her hands,"No my dear. You are so right to talk about him."

I stood up, releasing my grip on her. I pulled the down drawer and took out a picture. I need to show her who he is. If they ever run into him and the truth let out, I will be glad it did, by then I might have taken care of Harrison.

 "This is your dad, Mitchell?"

Her eyes grew wide after seeing the picture. She was stunned speechless as she slowly stepped back. She placed a hand over her mouth. I have never seen her this shocked. 

  "I can't believe this mom, he looks so handsome"

She exclaimed, unbelievably. I was relieved. I had thought she was going to be mad but it looks like she has not realized that this picture is the person I was painting earlier.

  "Is that the man mom is going on a date with?"

We both turned towards Michael. He was already in his pajamas. At that moment he looked more of Zain than dad. 

"Has he always got his look or my eyes are deceiving me?"

I questioned myself.

  "Michael, you won't believe it."

Mitch said excitedly

"Believe what?"

He asked, curious, walking towards us

"Look! This is what dad looks like and I can't believe he has been with us the whole time."

She replied smiling. I was confused by her end statement. 

  "What does she mean by that he has been with us?"

I thought worriedly.

  "Let me see"

Mitchell handed the picture to him and he stared at it. I was speechless to watch him not react. His expression was blank and I became instantly worried, more than I was.

  "Alright, He is cute but what has his picture got to do with mom's dinner date? Is she not supposed to be on her way by now?"

The question was directed to no one. I could not even get to answer him. His indifference towards the situation is giving me a bad feeling and I couldn't stop looking anxiously at him, hoping for any sign, which would help me understand what's happening in his mind. Why is he not reacting to the fact that I shown him their dad's picture for the first time?

  "Why are you being an ass, Michael?" 

Mitchell asked, twisting her face.

  "To think you look like him, I am now jealous"

Mitchell added.

I looked back to Mitchell when I understood the meaning of her statement earlier.