Stay with me

Chapter VI

“Laura!” I said as I turned off the shower “Laura, darling!”
“I’m right here” she responded standing behind the door.
“someone’s at the door, could you check who it is?”
She ran towards the door feeling excited to welcome a guest as we never had one, she opened the door and saw a woman with a girl in her twenties. They asked about my name and only then when Laura allowed them to come in, she knew that it was my mother and was happy how my sister reacted when she saw her. She led them to the living room, and they sat together until I got dressed to join my beloved family. She served them some traditional sweets and tea, having open-ended conversations. When I showed up, I was still shy to meet my mother, and my sister as well, after a whole year without seeing them. I greeted my mother, and I was impressed how my sister came too, I wasn’t expecting her. Laura was glad for me to see my family again, but she was kind of surprised how I didn’t hug them tight, she definitely knew there was something behind that, plus Laura never knew about my relationship with my family. Anyway, Laura and my sister seemed to become friends from their very first meeting as they had endless talking about several things including Laura and I’s story. Her and my sister went all around the house, while my mother and I stayed in the living room talking about important things, especially how my life was going with Laura in it. She was worried about me, but I reassured her how of a good girl Laura was made of. I showed my mother around as well, when the two girls were sitting in the bedroom. My sister could not leave Laura alone, she was obsessed, she found Laura the right match for me and the best sister-in-law she would ever befriend. When my mother and I went to walk in the garden, Laura came in a sudden asking me about going out with my sister and she would always get my permission to stay aware of where she is to feel assured. My mother was impressed of how well-mannered Laura was and could never stop smiling to her. My mother began to see her as her own child seing this small family connected. With her request I could make a better plan for all of us. regarding my family’s arrival, I found that after lunch it would be fascinating to spend the first day together to do several things. My opinion sounded good for everyone, and they all agreed. Laura’s love language suspended in front of my mother, she wanted to keep it so simple and respectful. Since there was no shopping until after Lunch, my sister enjoyed doing makeup to Laura; she always dreamt of having a younger sister to do things like these with. When it was time to go out, everybody was taking a nap, as they had lunch few moments ago, they felt all lazy to leave home. They all wanted to stay and leave it till tomorrow. For the whole day talk and laughter never left their room until we called them for dinner, they were just like one piece, always together; at the table, watching movies, listening to music, dancing, to the point that I almost got jealous of my sister. We spent a wonderful week together indoors as well as outdoors; Laura and I showed my mother and sister the most important parts of the city we were in, and took them to the finest cafes and restaurants. The historical places seemed boring to my sister, in contrast my mother took a lot of photos there and bought several souvenirs from local shops. The day before leaving, my sister asked me if she could take Laura with her for few weeks trying to mess up with me, but I could never let it happen.
“But I might take her next time “she added.
“Where I’m supposed to live if you confiscate my home?” I asked.
“aww” she said, “I’m not taking your home anywhere, you can keep her, but for sure I’ll come to visit”.
Laura left my sister’s hand as she walked her to the door, then Laura and I farewelled my family and booked a cab to take them to the airport. The girl and I went inside after enjoying good vibes with my family. We truly wished if they could stay longer but my mother had some affairs to do, while my sister had to get back to continue her studies.
Days later, specifically on new year, the girl and I went to attend a showroom where Laura paintings were to be exhibited. The place contained twenty masterpieces chosen by the ministry of art. As she told me, she spent hours on that picked painting and it shows clearly why they liked it. The audience, me included, were all sitting in the back of the room, the artists or participants were inquired to sit in the front to honour them and show them sincere appreciation to their hard work. The presenter called on the first participant, put on an honouring medal on his neck then gave him a certificate bringing him a look of pride on his face. All other participants went through the same procedures, but when Laura’s role came, I felt a huge excitement and pride when she left her chair and stood on the stage walking towards the trophy man who unlike the others offered her a speech and two certificates; one of honour to have been accepted to become a member of the Association of post-impressionist artists (APIA) and another a prize of 80.000 Kram. I applauded hard for her and everyone else did, she was the winner of that competition. As the responsible declared silence to listen to Laura’s speech, every present person stayed quiet, and they were all listening with attention to her words.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen” she started “I want to thank everyone for coming tonight, my achievement wouldn’t have been this good without my supportive partner over there who has stayed late nights with me to get this work done, I couldn’t have done it without you. I love you”.
The spectators clapped for the second time and went all around Laura to take pictures with her. She has quit the place not only with what she possessed but also hearts of tens of people that night.
“Well done lady, proud of you” I stated.
“Thank you”
That celebration at the room wasn’t enough for me, I found it boring, only food was given and drinks, nothing of amusement. In order to encourage her to achieve more, I took her to her favourite cafe with my request to the waiter of making her evening special. The cafe played classical music and insisted that me and Laura to make it to the dance floor, creating a romantic souvenir for us. Following this, we took the celebration home, we bought a cake and a drink, the house became melodic with calm music all the night until when the lights turned off.