Redemption

IV

"I noticed that you're earning more money than before. Is there anything you're not telling me?" Inessa asked her son. She is sitting across the small dining table having steak as their lunch.

"What's important is that we don't starve anymore not even be homeless." He replied.

She just nod her head and continued her meal. She knows deep inside her that something is going on.

A knock was heard on the door. She stood up and opened it.

"Nikolai!"

"Good afternoon, am I late for lunch?" and they both laughed. Her son just rolled his eyes. She noticed that this young man always wear a suit, looking so presentable and neat all the times.

"Surely from a rich family" she thinks.

She grabbed a plate and utensils for him to join for lunch. He seem to be a goofy gentleman and she's glad to see her son having a friend. She hates to see her son alone. Always tell him to have some friends but he is uncontrollable, he always disagree. He said, he doesn't need one.

"This steak is the best steak I had ever tasted!"
"Haha--you must be joking" she laughed.
"There are no lies, aunt Inessa. It is really the best!". Nikolai praising the steak with his eyes closed. He was honest but he's trying to exaggerate which made her laugh even more. Her son staring to both of them, speechless, and rolled his eyes again.

After having lunch, Dimitri and Nikolai said 'goodbye' to her and together they left. In her eyes, he is already like a son to her and seeing both of them like 'brothers'.

Now she is alone again, she continued to clean and arrange the dining set. She is so excited for the next six days. It is her son's birthday and she couldn't wait!

After chores and all, Dimitri is not yet home. So she decided to make a list of ingredients she needs to buy for his birthday. She's
planning to cook something special.

As she was listing down the ingredients, a memory came across her mind.

A memory of her husband. Dimitri's father.

Tears fell down on her face. She was trying so hard to stop but dear Lord, she can't take it anymore.

She cries secretly almost everyday. Silently crying for the pain she has been thru and keeping it inside her until now. He is still inside her heart and mind.

"Oh Ivan, how can I forget you?" she whispered to herself and cried more.

She closed her eyes and prayed. Asking God for guidance and to help her in her journey. She is a devoted believer of god. A Russian Orthodox Christian she is.

She couldn't speak out 'bout what she feels to her son when it's all about his father. He hates him so much.

No, he despise him.