CHAPTER 26
Nina's POV
For the very first time in many years, I felt really happy. Genuinely happy is the right word to use. Daisy was doing all she could to see that smile on my face, always.
At times when she wasn't convinced with the smile, she would ask, "Mom, are you happy?"
I would nod and laugh.
She was a joy to hold on to. And my baby Ellah who was beginning to call me granny. It felt strange at first because I felt I was becoming old. But after some time, I got used to it. Daisy was my daughter like we made everyone believe, so that makes Ellah my granddaughter.
We go out almost every night, with Ellah and sometimes Nadia. Daisy wouldn't let me be with my thoughts ever since that night. She was always by my side once she came back from school. She even told Ellah that granny is unhappy and she should do all she can to make granny happy.
I felt blessed.
Daisy did something else that added to my happiness and made me feel fulfilled. She went back on her words and picked up her writing tools once again. I guess Larry's relocation was indeed a blessing because I saw Daisy the night after Larry's departure, in the little study I gave her, typing away on her laptop. I felt proud of her.
I had always wanted Damien to be a writer like me but the silly boy was interested in engineering, just like his father. Damien doesn't even read my books and that was why I gave up.
Seeing my so-called daughter, Daisy, picking up the interest again made me genuinely happy. She was a strong woman indeed. She took the rejection badly and she still was able to stand back on her feet, stronger than ever before.
Her 19th birthday was around the corner and I was hoping she would be able to launch her first book on her 20th birthday. I was ready to help her achieve her dreams. Seeing her happy made me happy too and making her achieve her dreams was just like achieving my dreams. I was indeed blessed.
"Mom", Daisy called, coming into my room with Ellah.
Ellah was giggling and the moment she saw me, she freed herself from her mother's grip and ran to my side. My arms were already wide open to welcome her.
"Morning, Daisy", I greeted her.
"Good morning, mom", she pecked my forehead.
"No school today?"I asked her.
"It's Saturday, mom."
"Oh! You are not going out with Sidney too?"
"Mom", she exclaimed and I laughed. "I'm staying home with you. I've been so busy this past few days because of my exams."
"Uhm, I understand dear."
"Mom", she called again and I could sense the hesitation in her voice. She was finding it hard to voice out what was on her mind.
"What's the matter?"I placed Ellah on my bed when she began to doze off in my arms. The girl was used to sleeping immediately after her morning bath. I was already making plans for her to start creche the next month.
"Mom, Sidney asked me out", she admitted.
I could see the worry on her face. She wasn't happy and I could figure out why. I thought she liked him too with the way she always talks about him.
"Aren't you glad? Don't you like him too?"
"I like him, but not in a romantic way", she replied. I could see how confused she was.
"Don't give me that shit, Daisy. It's been almost a year since Larry left. What is wrong with you?"
"You want to remain a spinster for the rest of your life?" I almost shouted at her.
I did not want her to end up like me. My life without a man was miserable, not just any man but my Amar.
Love keeps us going. I really want her to find true love someday and be happy. Why is she making things more difficult for herself? I was sure her so-called first love had completely forgotten about her. I was sure he doesn't even remember if she exists, just like she had been doubting if he truly exists too.
Daisy covered her face in her palms and I felt bad for shouting at her. Then I spoke slowly and softly, with a tone of apology.
"It's ok, darling. Tell me what the problem is. We'll sort it out. You don't need to feel bad because you don't like him. There has to be a reason for that. So please talk to me."
"Mom, I'm just worried,"she confessed.
"Worried?" My brows were raised.
"Yes", she raised her head to look me in the eyes. I could see the sadness there. She had been dedicating her time and effort to seeing me happy but I wasn't paying attention to her to know if she was also happy, deep down.
"About Ellah?"I questioned. She shook her head.
"I didn't inform him that I am a single mother."
"It doesn't matter, Daisy. You can decide not to tell him. Having Ellah doesn't stop you from going into a relationship with another man who isn't her father. Just like Larry, Larry knew about it and he went ahead to ask you out "
"They aren't the same, mom."
"I know. My point is you don't need to tell him. He doesn't need to know."
"What if he ends up knowing someday?"
"Then you tell him. It's not a big deal. That shouldn't define your relationship with him."
She sighed sadly and her eyes fell on Ellah who was sleeping soundly on my bed.
"Leave Ellah out of your love life, Daisy,"I told her.
She nodded. "Ok, mom. Thank you."
I grinned mischievously. "So are you ready to accept him now?"
"No, mom", I rolled my eyes at her.
"What the hell is stopping you again?"
"He's willing to wait till I'm ready for a relationship", she told me.
"What the hell is that? You aren't ready at 19? Oh! Ok, sure you will be ready when you are my age."
"Come on, mom", she embraced me and I hit her on the arm playfully.
"Ouch, that hurts like hell."
"What's up with your book? Almost done?"
"How do you know?"
"I have my ways", I grinned.
"Mom, you've been spying on me?"
"No, I haven't."
"Anyways, I saw Nicolas on my way to the University yesterday and he asked of you", she informed me with a sly smile.
"Why was he asking me again? I thought I told him we are done?"
"Mom, I think he is in love with you", she told me.
"Love indeed. I don't like him", I asserted.
"Why?"
"Because....."
"Sex with him wasn't great?"She cut in and laughed. I hit her again as my face turned red in embarrassment.
"It wasn't. It was nothing to write home about. It was nothing compared to my Amar's touches", I said dreamily, taking myself back to the night, which was almost 23 years ago.
"Mom.....", Daisy said.
I was about to reply to her when my phone rang. It was Damien. I looked up at her and showed her the name on my phone screen before picking the call.
She stood up quietly, carried Ellah who was still sleeping on my large bed, and excused me.