RIGHT ON TIME

chapter 36

Righteous drove with the kind of speed that only an insane or intoxicated person would attempt. 

And truly, she was intoxicated, but not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. She was rather intoxicated with joy. A joy that she could not explain or appropriately put to words right now. 

Nearly colliding with her garage wall, she pivoted just in time and successfully steered the car into the garage. 

Barely turning off her car engine, she immediately opened her driver's side door, came out, slammed it shut and bounced into her house. 

Rushing towards her daughter who was seated on a couch, listening to a television program in the living room, Righteous pulled her up and gave her a crushing hug. 

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Ease off, Mum. You are almost crushing my windpipe!" Ayanate croaked out, eyes wide, barely breathing.  

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Forgive me." Righteous immediately released her daughter. 

"It's just that I'm so happy, baby. I'm just so happy right now, I feel like I've just been given the world on a platter of gold," Righteous cried excitedly and subconsciously gave her daughter another crushing embrace which Ayanate reciprocated with equal fervor. 

Ayanate was both surprised and ecstatic at her mother's display of joy. She rarely saw her mother show off such a high level of positive emotions. Without knowing the cause of it, she was happy for her mother. When was the last time her mother expressed such joy?

Indeed, if she could guess correctly, she would say that the last time her mother had been so happy like this was her wedding day and the day she gave birth to her and her brother. 

Righteous broke loose from the embrace, sat down on a two-seater couch and patted the space beside her. 

"Come and sit down here with me, honey. I've got great news to share with you." 

Ayanate did as instructed, curious but smiling. 

"I have good news to share."  

"Really?" Ayanate chirped animatedly. 

"Awww, yes o, and I know you'll also be excited about it when I finish telling you." 

"Okay, you are killing me with the suspense." 

"Please, my dear, don't use such a word again." 

Ayanate's eyebrows cocked up. "Which word exactly?" 

"Don't say, 'kill' again, please." 

"Mum," Ayanate chuckled in relief, "I didn't mean it literally. I was only using it as a figure of speech." 

"Yes, I know, but it's still the word of your mouth." 

"Okay, I'm sorry. I hear you. I'll not use it again." 

"That's better, my dear."  

"Thanks, Mum. So, can you go ahead, please? The suspense is- uh... Let me just hear it." 

Righteous reached for the television remote control and pressed the power button, effectively turning off the television and shutting off the program. 

"I'm also going to tell your brother about it. God is definitely answering our prayers," Mrs Righteous gushed.  

Ayanate had not seen this kind of extreme happiness from her mother in a long while. This was what she and her brother had been praying for, that their mother would accept the joy of the Lord and make it her strength instead of always being antsy and irritable. It was finally happening as they prayed and believed. Ayanate could only observe in awe.