The past few weeks with Tiara have been incredible. We had grown closer, sharing more about our lives and dreams. Every moment with her felt like a breath of fresh air, a distraction from the chaos that often surrounded me. We studied together, laughed together, and even managed to sneak in a few dates despite the looming exams. She had a way of making everything seem more manageable, more bearable.
Exams were drawing closer, and the stress was mounting. I was determined to get good grades, not just for myself but also to apply for a scholarship. My father could afford to pay for my education, but the thought of being indebted to him made my skin crawl. Paul had been a constant source of disappointment, his neglect and absence leaving deep scars. I didn't want to give him any more power over my future than he already had.
One afternoon, just before the final exams, there was an unexpected visitor at our house. Joanna, my father's ex-wife and Janet's mother, had come to visit. She hadn't been around for a while, having gone on vacation with her new family to the Maldives. Janet had taken her absence hard, feeling abandoned despite the invitation Joanna had extended for us to join her. Janet had declined, and ever since, she had been ignoring Joanna, acting out childishly.
When Joanna walked in, I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. I had always been fond of her; she had a way of making me feel seen and cared for. Her smile was warm as she stepped into the house, carrying a couple of gift bags.
"Hey, kids!" Joanna greeted with enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with affection.
Janet, however, shot her a frosty glance and turned to go upstairs. "Janet, wait-" Joanna began, but Janet ignored her, leaving the room without a word.
I stepped forward, hugging Joanna tightly. "It's so good to see you, Aunty Joanna. We've missed you."
She hugged me back, her warmth comforting. "I've missed you too, Jason. It's been too long."
We moved to the living room, and Joanna handed me one of the gift bags. "I brought some things for you and Janet. Just a little something from my trip."
I took the bag, feeling a bit awkward but grateful. "Thanks, Aunty Joanna."
We sat down, and as we began talking, I couldn't help but apologize for Janet's behavior. "I'm sorry about Janet. She's just... dealing with a lot right now."
Joanna smiled gently, brushing off my apology. "It's okay, Jason. I love you and Janet so much, I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you kid as much as I want to be"
"It's okay, I understand Aunty Joanna, you've been a great mother to me and Janet, we love you so much too, Janet is just been childish, but she'll come around" I explained
We settled into the living room, and Joanna looked around, taking in the familiar surroundings. "It's strange being back here," she said softly. "So much has changed."
I nodded, feeling a pang of sadness. "Yeah, a lot has. How was your vacation?"
"It was wonderful," Joanna said, her face lighting up. "We visited some beautiful places. I wish you and Janet had come along."
I shrugged, trying to keep my tone light. "Maybe next time."
Joanna looked at me thoughtfully. "You seem happy, Jason. Is everything going well? Are you and Sharon back together?"
I recoiled at the mention of Sharon. "Hell no!" I blurted out, then quickly apologized. "Sorry, I just... no, we're not."
Joanna chuckled, shaking her head. "So, there's someone else, then?"
A smile crept onto my face as I thought about Tiara. "Yeah, there is. Her name is Tiara. She's amazing. I think you'd really like her."
Joanna's eyes lit up. "I'd love to meet her someday."
