Stitches

Chapter 1

   It's been seven years since I last saw him; I told myself as I scanned through our pictures. Thankfully I, had two lovely kids as product of our love bound marriage, or so I thought at the time. "Did he ever love me ?"I breathed out as I put the pictures away.
"Momma ,momma....."the kids called pulling me back to the present. Paranoid with fear of losing them, I quickly rushed to their room and the sight before me was both adoring and horrifying at the same time. How is it even possible for him to do this ,I th ought as I burst into laughter. Lo and behold Ethan was dressed in Alira's dress and heels, with his face covered in excellent makeup do, catch the irony .Ethana was doubled up in laughter and I couldn't help but join her. Ethan took one good look at himself and smiled. That was the beginning of a beautiful day .We went shopping, did series of other activities as well and finally had dinner about 5pm and decided to call it a day . By the time we got home, the twins were asleep in the backseat. Exhausted myself, I carried the twins into their room. The time read 9pm, and still there was no sign of Alira ."Where could she be?''. Groaning ,I took a quick shower and graced the bed with my body.
Wow!! Four weeks already and no sign of Alira .Suddenly she appears and is acting real funny. She has never really been happy since my kids came around; I have no idea why but now she's just too caring and attentive. I feel uneasy but I don't want to think it's anything bad.
"It's better to find out what's going on myself'' .I finally decided as I headed towards the laundry room where she currently was. Upon sight, she raised her head and smiled at me but I could tell the smile didn't reach her eyes. I frowned while she raised a brow questionly.

What's wrong"? she asked still searching my face.
"Why don't you answer the question I was about to ask, what's going on Ali"?
"I'm fine thank you" she replied but looked away. I could tell something was wrong especially when she refused to meet my gaze. I rolled my eyes in frustration and hollard at her.
"Girl, you disappear for weeks and even before ,hardly do I see you.Suddenly, you appear exhibiting a different side of you I never knew existed and you expect me to be quiet about it?"
"Ummm.......look I really didn't want to tell you this but you keep pushing me..."
"Just spill the beans already"
"Could you please let me finish " she snapped
"Fine" I replied with the same tenacity .
"As I was saying, I really didn't want to tell you but you keep pushing me so here it comes."
To my utmost horror she burst out crying. Stunned, I waited for a few minutes before walking over to hug her .All the while, assuring her all was well and that if she didn't want to tell me it was alright at the same time putting myself down just in case she needed me. With a tear stained face, she revealed the news which got me dumbfounded for a few moments at the same time furious at her for keeping it away from me.
"Be strong "I told myself several times as I held my best friend in my arms." "She needs you". I kept telling myself though I was in turmoil about how this happened to my bestfriend.
Later in the day, Alira and the kids went to the Arena to play. As I made my way toward the kitchen, I received a call from Macarena or Mami as I prefer to call her my mother-in-law .
'Buenos dias, como estas ? " this would definitely be about the twins.
"Estoy bien, gracias. " Macarena replied and asked if I was good too.
"Never better. You want the kids I guess" I smiled shaking my head . Very predictable.
"Of course ,I need my grandchildren around, this place is boring without them" she yelled. I know she comes off as a rude person but she is actually very fun and way to hyper to be a grandma.
"Geez ,no need to yell, anything else?"
"Yes, bring them this Friday " That's was not the agreement. This woman can argue all day ,I don't feel like going down that road today .
"Cuídate,te amor Mami" I hang up and sighed. A feeling of dread washed over me ,I panicked. Under normal circumstances, this bad feeling doesn't creep on me . I snapped out of this trance and scolded myself for overreacting . I pushed the feeling aside. Soon, the three days was up and we found ourselves on our way to Mami's place. "What's wrong with me?" I frowned deeply when the bad gut feeling intensified. I quickly replaced the frown when her face came in sight.
"Aabbuueellaa........." the twins screamed as they hurriedly got out into her arms. I couldn't help but feel a bit insecure though I had left the kids with her a couple of times. As I followed the them inside ,I noticed a car had been stalling mine. Finally, it parked then a young woman stepped out and entered her house. I then released the breathe I didn't know I was holding. That subdued my fears.
" Want something to drink ?'she asked as I entered the kitchen.
' Sí, gracias" I took the drink and sat facing her . I begun to feel heat crawling up my skin, I know that look and where this conversation we were about to begin was headed.
" Where are the kids ?" I asked avoiding those eyes.

Watching tv" she replied. We sat in silence for a while before she broke it .
" Eugene's coming home" My heart screamed for joy but my face looked unaffected by the news. " When should I leave ?"
" Don't, you can't avoid him forever. It's been seven good years. Today, he will meet them and still think they are for a friend". I panicked.
" Don't tell him." I whispered . She shook her head repeatedly. " He deserves to know, Intimidada "
" They will be a burden to him" .Deep down I knew that wasn't true, it's the guilt that was eating me up that caused me to utter such words .
" Estas equivocada (you wrong)" I sighed knowing she was right. Silence enveloped us again. I announced my intention to leave .
" For seven years, I lied to my son. I wont anymore. " she told me as I stood up. I gave her a long look and marched straight to the hall to give my kids goodbye kisses. I returned to kiss her but she moved away. I quickly blinked back the tears threatening to fall and left. Little did I know this was the last time I would see her safe and sound.
After a long day at the gym, I decided to head home. I stopped by a vendor to get a drink. While at it, Alira called to inform me she had just left the dentist with Ethana. "kiss her for me" I tucked the phone away , then, grabbed my drink. It's been four days since the kids left but it seems like a thousand years. To top it all, the gut feeling is stronger than ever so I decided to take a quick shower then head over not caring that Eugene may be there.I miss them terribly especially Ethan and his sass. It's as if he's not but 18. Ethana's reactions to him is priceless. As if on cue, Mami called but was speaking to me in a croaked voice almost as if she was dying...
" Kyra know.....that....I.love ...you , but forgive me...your son..." just then the line went dead. I jumped into my car and sped off to her house." My son...my son. why would she call me that...."all these thoughts flooded my head. The sight I was greeted with will forever be etched in my mind.
------------------------------------------
Dont forget to vote and comment ❤