Love you,Mom

Chapter:7: Realization.

Allen's POV

Newton Saint Loe; a village located between Bath and Bristol. That's where we were headed now by train.

After my prom, it was going smoothly between me and Mom. It was winter break. Suddenly one day she proposed we go on a vacation. Of course, I didn't mind. A vacation sounded marvellous. It would be a break from reality. But all my dreams shattered when I asked her where we were going.

"We are going to visit your grandpa and grandma in New Saint Loe."

"What? We are going there?"

"Yeah. Why? Is something wrong?"

"No.It's just..never mind."

My grandparents' house wasn't a problem. I remember going there once or twice before everything fell apart. As long as I can remember, I loved it there. But now, I don't want to see them. Grandpa seemed to love me. Grandma, well you can say she's a bit grumpy.

"We're here." Mom gently nudged me from my thoughts.

"Already?"

"Yeah, sweetie, it's not that far." 

Maybe I prefered far, as it would take more time to reach and give me more time to make myself ready.

My grandparents' was like a cottage. A one you would want to spend a vacation, but living permanently would make you bored. There was a medium porch in front of the cottage. In the middle of the porch, a thin hint of a now dusty road can be seen leading to the house.

I followed mom who had our travelling bag in her hand. I quickly  went and took it from her. There were no people there to welcome us. Did they know we were coming?

"Mom, did you tell them we were coming?"

"I did."

"But there's no one..."

"They are all probably inside."

She gently knocked on the door. I prayed to see the friendly face of my grandpa instead of the grumpy one of my grandma.

The door opened to reveal the face of an elderly woman, not my grandma.

"Oh, hello Mrs.Knef."

"Hmm, hello. It's nice to see you again. How are you?"

"Fine." Mom smiled a little. She looked beautiful when smiling. But how long are we gonna stand here? Aren't they gonna invite us in?

"Come in. Come in." A voice chirped from behind Mrs.Knef. I entered the house followed by mom. The living room had a fire place, a set of sofa and a tea table. Other than that, there were a cupboard. Typical. No decorations. Both the walls and the floor was white.

"Oh my, Allen you've grown up so much." My grandpa started.

"Yeah. Maybe I can beat you this time." I remember playing chess with my grandpa which I always loosed.

"Nah. You're never gonna beat this strong, handsome man."

"Strong and handsome? Who? You?"

"Of course. I'm more handsome than your boyfriend."

"I don't have a boyfriend."

"Come on, don't be shy. You can tell me, you know."

"Let them sit first." My grandma joined in. But she didn't look friendly nor happy.

"Alright, alright. Allen, Emily, have a seat."

I took a seat beside mom, while grandpa sat beside grandma.

"Mrs.Knef, bring some tea and snacks."

"I don't drink tea." I voluntarily said.

"The tea is for everyone here, Allen." My grandma said in a grim voice. Was she always like this or does she not like me? Probably the first one.

Even though most of the people think that everyone in England likes Tea, that it's a 'tradition'. They are wrong. Great people like me don't like tea and prefer coffee.

Of course my grandma won't understand that. I sighed.

"So, why the sudden visit?" Her attention shifted from me to mom.

"I..just wanted to..we just wanted to see you guys."

"After this many years? Do you really care about us? Well if you did, then you would've listened to me the day I told you he was a mistake. You would've listened to me and start your life afresh." 

"M-Mother, how could I? I had Allen." 

"Didn't I tell you we would take care of her? Or did you not trust us?"

"I-I wanted Allen to have her mother." She was at the verge of crying. That's when I snapped.

"Listen, grandma, Mom did this for me. She sacrificed her happiness for me. She worked hard and soul to raise me, while you were out here, blaming her rather than supporting her."

My grandma gave me a surprised look. Grandpa looked like he was in deep thought. While mom, she looked at me like at me like she had never did before. 

She looked at me with appreciation. She looked at me as if she was proud to raise me, she was glad to have me.

While I wondered what right I had to tell grandma all of that when I also blamed my mother?

Even though all my life I have hated her, or pretend to. I still love her. And now I'm not the same foolish girl. Now I realize her sacrifices and now I'm not ashamed to be her daughter rather I'm proud to be Emily Leandre's only daughter. Though I'm ashamed of blaming her. Sometimes I still blame her, but I will get over it one day.

I gave my grandma a tight smile. My grand father genuinely smiles at me.

My grandma say nothing me and just sips her tea. "You must be tired now. Take some rest. Mrs.Knef will show you your room." I nod at my grandpa.

Mrs.knef leads me to my room which is on second floor. After placing my luggage there she leaves with a Curt nod. As soon as she leaves I lie on my bed with a thump. The whole room is white. Everything is white except the wooden table where a picture of my mom is placed. I take the picture in my had and hug it close to my chest.

"Sorry for not understanding you before mom" I mumble before sleep takes over me.