The Family Affair
After a couple of months their sister, Nancy got married. Red happened to invite his girl at the wedding but did not formally introduce her to the family. Nobody knew she was among the circle of the family's friends. In their pleasantries and intimate conversation, Amadeus was excited to tell his plans of leaving abroad.
" When are you leaving ?" Red asked.
" After a month when my documents are ready." He replied. " Is Sarah ready to accept your absence ?"
" At first, she may not accept it but, she will learn and realize that it's for the good of our future. It's really a hard time in this place to earn that much. "
" Who's going to stay with them? Red continued.
" Her sister and a house helper for a kid." He said.
"Do n't you have any plans of getting married.? You're not getting any younger Bro. Your son should see your days" Amadeus asked.
" I know. There's a right time for it. It was so timely that I am too occupied with my business" Red replied.
Amadeus saw a lady in green-checkered polo shirt that was more or less in her forties sitting beside an older woman and two children around 4 and 6 years old.
" Are those your visitors ?" he asked.
" Yes, my client's relatives," Red replied.
" Anyway, just attend to Sarah and friends. I will get to them" he added.
While the party was being enjoyed Amadeus and Sarah caught a chance to get nearer to Nancy and her husband who were having pleasantries with Red's visitors.
" Meet my friends, Sophia, and her sister." Red initiated.
" Nice meeting you? Amadeus smiled and said.
" Great and it looks like you're great, too, Dude," Sophia asked as she looked and smiled.
" I understand you're the younger one who got married and now with a son whom Red was telling me" she continued.
" Yes, it has been two years now" he replied.
" Oh, I see, You're the ones occupying his house in the village ?" she asked.
" Yes, How did you know that ?" Amadeus asked.
" He's been my friend and his client is my cousin who told me about his property. How fortunate you are for having such a great brother, he-he " she sighed.
" He's really a great brother, " he added.
" Why don't we enjoy eating and get some drinks over there?" Red interrupted.
After a couple of months, Amadeus left for Tirana. Life would never be the same again in the comfort of their brother's house when he would be living in the comfort of a Muslim accommodation but under the ordeal of loneliness.
" Life is a struggle and whoever be able to bear it would succeed in life," his colleague said.
" I know but life is also a stage where one should adjust gradually in a changing environment" Amadeus replied.
" We'll make it here. Just relax. " his colleague urged.
" Yes, you're right. We'll both make it here" he replied.
" Are you a family man?" he asked.
" Yes, I have two kids. " Dick said.
" How about you ?" he asked.
" One boy. Fortunately, my wife is a working Mom"
Dick became his close friend in his work. Among others, both had the same likes and dislikes for they had the same kind of profession.
" Our Muslim boss was impressed with the output of our work. He told me to keep it up" Dick said.
Amadeus smiled and was inspired. " Really? That sounds good and would even give us a better working atmosphere here "
" How often do you communicate with your wife? Dick asked.
" I open my email almost daily and we communicate as often as we have time. "
" I also do the same. See the benefits of today 's technology as if we are just walls away. Dick said.
" I see them in Skype and I feel more comfortable and confident, " Amadeus said.
After ten months an emergency call interrupted Amadeus in his work.
" Okay, I will request my boss for an emergency leave now." Amadeus was stunned and his face turned sad.
" What happened ?" Dick asked.
" My Father has died. I must go home"
In the wake of his Father, emotions broke out with relatives and friends' consolation. His eagerness and longing for his loved ones could not be hidden as he spontaneously hugged Sarah and son, Bob that was an expression of consolation, fervent desire and endearment.
" I was just given one week to stay here." He said.
" We should be thankful you were allowed to go home," Sarah said.
" How is it going there ?" she insinuated.
" Well, I really have to be patient and insistent to overcome things. I will make it there. Trust me." He added.
Red approached them while Sophia and her cousin were just behind the other guests.
" How's life Dude? Did you enjoy working abroad?" Red asked
" Yes. But I must be back right away after Dad's burial" he replied.
" Why not just stay and work here? You can earn something and live with your family here if you find a good job. Perhaps you have earned already in Tirana" Red told.
" No. Bro. I want to earn something we could save and invest in a short time"
" But could you cope up with the stress and emotional burden?"
" Of course, I could. I had made it already why not now. We just can't think we're staying in your house indefinitely when we could purchase our own. You might be using your house in the near future and we don't want us to be a burden to you when that time comes" he explained.
" No, it's just okay for me for your family to stay there until such time you can afford already" Red replied.
" I can see that you have guests. The same woman I met before"
" Sophia and her cousin. Yes, their consolation for me." Red said.
" Isn't she going to live within your house in the future?" he asked.
" Not really. She got two kids and obscurely separated. How could I?"
" Aside, Mom and Nancy would not be happy for her. They will reject her"
" Why not get one that is worth and most available? There are plenty of qualified and available ones out there as they were introduced to you?" he said.
" Sophia is not my girl. She's just a special friend. The fact is, I just want to help a little as the charity in her difficulties. I knew her through her cousin, my client." He added.
" I am sorry Bro, but I am not so confident with her. She might still be in a marriage bond. Don't you try to pursue your interest in her or you'll be in trouble later." Amadeus exclaimed.
" I know what I am doing. Don't worry Bro. I will take care of my personal affair." Red said.
Amadeus left after a week despite his unwillingness, but he had to pursue his work in order to realize his aspirations in life. Behind their knowledge, Red was frequenting Sophia and her kids in their house that was allegedly acquired by him for the latter.
" How long shall we live like this ?" Sophia asked.
" Why. Aren't you content with this situation?" Red asked.
" I am not. We would not be called family if we're not absolutely tied with each other." She added.
" How could we, when you have kids and your marriage bond is persisting ?" he asked.
" I told you. He has been missing for more than ten years now It means I could get married lawfully. We have been steady for seven years and yet living like this? "
" They won't accept you because you got two kids and married. It's a strict norm of our family that must be observed or else they will ostracize and despise me. They want an ideal girl for me. That would be the serious problem we may face."
Sophia's forehead was crinkled. " I thought you love me and my kids?"
" Yes, but up to the extent only of getting steady and without string attached. Aren't you happy when I support you and your kids?" he asked.
" Yes, but we cannot be like this forever. We are getting old and how about our future?"
" And what else?" he asked with insinuation.
" With whom you're going to leave your property? I hope you don't mind" she blatantly asked.
" It is a different story, Sophia. I will pass it to whoever I would like it to be inherited. It is not for you to ask for it" Red explained.
" This only means you don't ever trust me. And do you mean to say, we cannot be part of your endeavour ? We better part ways if that is the case. This is nothing. We've been together for so long just to hear those kinds of selfish remarks? " She exclaimed.
" No, Sophia. It's not what I am trying to insinuate. I just want to tell you that it is not for us to discuss those things now. My mind is occupied and confused "
" But, when shall we talk about it?!"
" I will think about it. Please don't compel me" He added.
" I am not compelling you to do what's against your free will because it appears that you're fooling me." She exclaimed.
Red was stunned and looked at Sophia's face which turned red in anger and hatred as if she was a frustrated and jilted woman who was deprived of good things in life.
" I tell you Red. You can't just get away from me. I love you that much with my kids."
" Do I not love you? You have been my family and part of my life for so long" He explained.
Red was like a prisoner of Sophia's impelling whims and love. By nature, Red was so kind, forgiving and soft-hearted. Beyond his knowledge, Sophia and her cousin had not a pleasant family background from their remote home town.
" What happened when you asked him of his estate ?" Her aggressive cousin named, Linda asked.
" He was not so decided but, I will make sure he would give us a share " Sophia replied.
" He would not get anywhere. He would still be mine by any means." She added.
" I understand he was being groomed by a young pretty girl in town by his friends." Linda surprisingly whispered.
" What? That's perhaps the reason he cannot decide for me as he is getting cold to me. He is eyeing for someone. Where did you get that information?"
" My friend in the office is his close friend, too. She knows many things in town." Linda added.
" Really? He can't get away from me. We have invested time together just to find out later he is philandering with the other. He promised me that he won't find someone to replace me." She groaned.
Since Red was known to be getting groomed to a pretty young lass, he began to reduce his time with Sophia.
" You are not that so frequent with us these days. Why?" Sophia frankly asked.
" It so happened that I have just been very busy these days" Red answered.
" No. You are busy with another girl! " She exclaimed.
" Who told you that ?" Red surprisingly asked.
" I heard it from a friend who knows something about you" She replied.
" That's a blatant lie! " He exclaimed.
" You can't get away from me Red !" Sophia exclaimed.
Red just kept silent to avoid a heated argument. Sophia turned her back. Red was confused and saddened as he slowly stepped out of Sophia's house and did not show up for days and months. After a month, two husky –moustached men arrived in their ancestral house. They appeared to be brothers of Linda.
" We're looking for Red. Is he there?" asked the first man.
" He is not here. Anything we can do for you? Who are you ? " replied Red's Mom.
" We are his friends and we just like to tell something about him," the other man said.
" He has been out of town for two days now. He said he would be away for a business trip. " She added.
" When is he coming back ?" the man asked.
" He didn't say a word." Red's Mom replied.
The men were supposed to go away when a black-tinted car arrived. Red appeared from the car and immediately noticed them.
" They are looking for you," His Mom told him.
" Okay, Mom. You may get inside and I will talk to them." Red said.
His Mom went in and the two unidentified men started asking him. The two husky men introduced themselves as brothers of Linda whom Red did not know.
" You are Red ?" asked a man.
" Yes, why?" Red replied.
" Sophia is our cousin. You should get back to her if you still want a peaceful life"
" We cannot prolong our conversation. I guess you know what we mean" He insinuated.
" Don't forget the support" the man added.
Red did not say more and the men went away. Red was bothered about the ill- threat of the two husky men. It disturbed him and thought about the security of his loved ones, so after a few days he showed up to Sophia's home.
" I told you, you can't get away from me," Sophia said sarcastically.
" You cannot own my hard-earned possessions, Sophia nor am I afraid of those men you sent to me!" He exclaimed.
" Don't you ever distract nor give me trouble. I want to be alone." He asked.
" Why? Because you have found another girl?" No, you can't just do that to me" She grinned.
" Do you think I am afraid of you? I have plenty of friends in authority who could help me fight your men. I know they're not your brothers. You paid for them to scare me. You are forcing me, Sophia " He exclaimed
" Then, show me your friends in authority." She asked.
" Because of what you did I have lost my trust in you. You have just shown your true color. Much better because I realize now that you're blatantly after my possessions !" He exclaimed.
Immediately, Red went away in anger. However, the thought of disturbing his immediate loved ones haunted him day and night. He had no choice to live a peaceful life, but a troubled life with anxiety and sleepless night. But Red had a second thought. He went back to Sophia.
" Let me talk about our relationship again," Red asked.
" Who is destroying our relationship? Isn't you?" Sophia said calmly but sarcastic.
" What I mean is that your accusation that I had a new girl is a blatant lie. It's not true. I was just a way for a business trip. I cannot do it to you. You know that." Red humbly explained.
Sophia slowly stepped toward him with a bright face as she smiled and hugged him. " Who is accusing you? Not me because I don't want to damage our relationship. I just wanted to be sure that you are still with me. Now that you are back, it means we are still on" She whispered as her face turned lighter.
Reconciliation was the only escape Red could think to avoid the consequences. Nancy and her Mom concealed their knowledge about Red's affair with an unwanted woman.
" I learned from a friend that Red bought a car for Sophia lately." Her Mom whispered.
"Really? I didn't know that." Nancy replied with a surprise.
" Why not check he really did? Her Mom continued.
" How could I when I don't even know where she lives? " Mom explained.
" Just check it out with my reliable source. I will tell you who in a moment." Her Mom said.
Her Mom got the phone and dialed the number from the note holder.
" Ben, will you please come over and we'll tell you something important"
" Okay, Mom I will get there in five minutes," Ben said.
After a few minutes..
" Ben, please try to check the location of the house and see if there really is a car." Mom asked.
" Be careful that no one knows you when you stalk on them" Nancy reminded.
" I will do that Mom," Ben said.
" Please don't forget the important and reliable info about them" Nancy added.
After two days Ben went back.
" I have confirmed. The info is positive.
He gave her a brand new car. Red is financially supporting them and those were also affirmed by my reliable source, too. Sophia and her cousin are from a remote county of Buscony from the North that was known in the past for sorcery" He explained.
Nancy was moved and scared. " Could she be doing something wrong with Red for that matter?"
" It was an old tale in that place. There are real places in this world that could have its tales and myths that were passed on to generations, so it doesn't follow" Mom said.
" But who knows they're the remnants of the old folks that did the same evil old tale" Nancy insinuated
"What I have gathered and told you are reliable as it is happening" Ben confirmed.
" Do you think they're practicing the same thing as in witchcraft? Nancy asked reluctantly.
" I can't confirm their activity on that aspect. Sophia has two kids and has been staying almost all the days of her life in the house growing her kids. How could she do that thing when she is just waiting for Red's support" Ben explained.
Nancy pondered about the questionable reputation of Sophia.
" Why not check on her cousin, named Linda who 's always lobbying with Red as being a business colleague. I believe she knows something about Red's finances. She could probably link him to Sophia for many matters" she explained.
" That would be better so we can get the fact on what's happening with Red. Why does he adore Sophia so much when there is a qualified pretty young girl being groomed for him?" Her Mom said.
" I will try to check on that but, I cannot assure you that it will be very easy to do that. It may take some time and I will relay info as I get them" Ben said.
" We don't care about the time you'll do it. What is important is that you can be able to do it and relay something o us. Red may be in trouble avoiding that woman. " Mom said.
" Don't worry about the compensation Ben. We will pay your services for this job" said Mom.