THOUGH Paschal was still mourning over Joey's death and her family still despised him, he never left a day without going to visit them as long as his promise to Joey was involved. "I love you Joey" he said affirmably to himself.
Meeting her family every now and then wasn't easy.
Her mother nagging at him, Max swearing to kill him, Chloe rather minding her business-- it was war,but he still persevered.
Pom pom. Paschal knocked briskly at their door. After pushing himself to come to their house he decided deliberately to knock on the door rather than ringing the bell.
The door opened slightly and it was Wilson. "Hey" he said letting him in "ready for another round of insults?" He added as Paschal let a grin on.
"Oh please I'm tired of this" after a pause Mariam continued "aren't you?" She asked Paschal.
"Ma'am I've told you before. I just need a yes or no from you" he replied her.
"And I've said no uncountable times"
"Are you okay and satisfied with the way you're living with your family?" He asked. Honestly, he was beginning to get tired.
Mariam sighed; "yes I am"
Just then Max walked in and cut Paschal shut; "just go".
Surprisingly, Paschal turned and left. He was tired. Tired of trying and failing. Tired of receiving abuses from her family. Tired of seeing their disgust--
He wasn't going to that house again,he told himself doubtfully.
On getting home,he pulled down the house,for no reason in this world, shattering everything his hands took.
Why me?! Why me Joey?! Why me?!!
And then it dawned on him, he met Joey for a purpose, and yes, that purpose he must grant.
After much weeping, he decided apprehensively that wether Mrs Mariam and her family liked it or not,they are his responsibilities. Starting now. He shook his head and saw a frame of Joey scattered on the floor and swore.
Back in the Davidson's house just after Paschal had left Chloe shook her head saying; "he's a good man mum" Mariam sighed and was about to leave the parlour when Wilson spoke up. "No, ma'am, seriously is Paschal not a good man?"
"I am not going to answer any silly question,face your duty in this house!" She thundered but,Wilson still continued; "despite how you all attack him in this house,he's still persistent"
"None of your business" Max reminded him.
"Seriously! Seriously Max?! Seriously ma'am?! Geez what's this?! Can't you guys pity this man? Which of you in his shoes will have the slightest guts to come back to this house?, seeing that you have a fat chance in being the one pointed guilty--"
"WILSON!" Mariam thundered.
"Mom--" Chloe interrupted "I'm tired of staying in this house. If you don't allow Paschal take care of us" she swallowed and continued saying; "I'll leave".
That touched everybody in the parlour.
"I'm not listening to whatever y'all saying. I remain the head of this family and, and, I'm not letting that scoundrel--"
"Scoundrel?" Wilson asked her, raising a brow.
"Do you really wanna see that boy as the head of this family?" She asked rhetorically.
"Give him a chance ma'am,that was Joey's wish" Wilson said and Mariam rose a brow.
"So, I see you've been getting along with him, that's where all these are coming from" she said.
Wilson couldn't bare it any longer, Chloe came forward, noticing his mood and approached him holding his hand, smiling.
Mariam looked unto Max who turned his face away. "Max-" she called on to him. "They're right mum. Even dad's letter said it. I have no choice".
The following day came very breezy and bright but the sun wasn't yet out. If nobody hadn't listened to the weather report for today,they'd have been persuaded that it was going to rain today. It was really a wonderful weather.
After thinking over the issue, on wether to go to Joey's family and put them straight or go first to work,he decided if he had to do this,he had to do it now.
It didn't bother him to knock as he threw the door wide open, seeing Mariam. Mariam? He sighed. It could have been Max or Wilson but Mariam?,no. He couldn't stand the courage to yell at Mariam as she looked straight at him.
But, he had made a choice.
"Look ma'am,I'm not here..."
"It's okay Paschal" she interrupted with a smile.
Paschal was truly stunned. What was going on? And behold, Chloe, Max and the rest of the house came out with luggage boxes.
"We're coming with you Paschal"Chloe chanted delightfully as Paschal hugged her warmly. He was more than happy.
"Where's the car? Oh no. We aren't walking all the way with this stuff" Mariam mused.
Everybody chanted, chuckled and giggled out aloud.
Paschal showed them the way as they walked to his Mercedes parked outside.
He's gonna keep his promise to Joey and he won't fail Mrs Mariam.
THE END