STUCK IN TIME

(xix) Book 1: Chapter 15- Thank God I Am Not Cinderella

Ayana's POV

I am not quite thrilled with the idea of a homecoming party tonight but I can't put Hamza down. I don't even bother buying a dress rather I let Isra select one from my old dresses for me.

It's Friday but no school today because of the party tonight. Which Is exactly what I want.

I am trying to stay sane but if I tell you how much drama I have seen in just last two hours you will really appreciate me being in less bad mood.

Earlier this morning I  asked dad to give me her pictures before he left in the morning. He happily agreed after thanking me for understanding everything and asked Dora to give me all her stuff he had packed.

I decided to look at those things tomorrow as I need to get myself together for the party tonight and then I'll have the weekend to see everything linked to her. I'll ask dad to tell me more about her. For today I'll just digest this information that the woman I have been calling mom ever since I could recall is not my mom. And the woman who gave birth to me is either dead or somewhere so far away from me. I don't even know what to wish for.

Then I went to mom and the events that followed were shockingly unexpected. I had been expecting her to finally be okay around me as I had assumed that the reason she was cold with me all these years were hidden somewhere in the revelations of last night. Maybe she was comfortable around Emir because he knew the truth.

Walking inside her room I don't even wait for her to acknowledge my presence as I crush her into a hug. "I love you so much mom. Thank you so much for never lettong me feel like a step daughter." I say with a big cheerful smile and get ready for a movie type mother daughter reunion.

I wait for her to hug me back but she awkwardly pushes me away. I feel less embarrassed and more confused. A little hurt too. "It's okay sweetie. You don't have to be so sweet and cheesy. You must know by now that I don't like it."

I frown. "Okay. I won't. But I- you know.. I wanted to talk to you. All these years-" I am cut off in my speech which I had prepared to say to her.

"Don't thank me. I don't expect anything from you so you don't do that either. It's good that you know it now so it will be easier to not over expect." She says with a smile but the smile is pretty fake.

"I get it mom. But I just don't know how to thank you. You took care of us like your own children above all you had been loyal to dad. You love him when he needs it the most and that's the-"

"Sweetie.." she says it like she just abused me, "your dad is the only person I care or love or am loyal to in this house. Maybe I like Emir too. But you two are just my husband's daughters and to please him I had to get along with the both of you. I wanted a place in here, in this house, and I got it through you. So I should actually thank you. Now please excuse me I have plans." She looks at me right in the eye making me flinch. This much cold? She never was before.

I stand frozen over there. Had it been a facade till now? Did she never love me? Was that the reason she never gave me that motherly comfort. She was around only so that dad might like her and not because she had any concerns regarding me or Afifa. My eyes begin to water but I don't let the tears come out. I never do in front of anyone.

"Why? Why do you dislike me?" I couldn't help but ask. My voice comes out too faint that I even I don't recognize it. "Just answer me please. I tried to be a perfect daughter. I get it now that I am not your blood but trust me mom that doesn't bother me. I will always think of you as my real mom because you were the one-"

"Replay your life Ayana. Was I ever like a mom to you?" She asks and I frown. What does that mean?

"Oh sweetie you are just as dumb as your mommy Natalia. Okay let me help you.. do you remember you always used to say in front of your dad and guests that your mom is the best mom in the world and that you love your mom to the moon and back."