It was difficult to adjust at first.
I took a lot more time to accept that my father had remained and there would be one more mother and a sister. But it was my mother who had come to me with a smile and said, "Rose, darling. Your father is your father. He loves you a lot. Now he has found someone he wants to spend his life with and we should be happy for him. He is happy. Even if he has more children in the future he will still love you the same. You are his firstborn."
I was not convinced but then my father's new wife came to visit. I could not believe why my mother was so friendly to her. Although now as well they are on very friendly terms but it was unreasonable for me then.
"Rose, I know you will not accept me and it is fine. I live with your father and he loves me. I am not here to be your mother, you can call me aunty. I just wish you can accept us even if it is little and stay connected with your father. He loves you a lot."
At my father's new wife's words, I was a little shocked. I and my mother visited their wedding as I stood at the side. But my father proved that he loved me the most. He kissed me on the cheeks before he recited these vows and that made my heart soft.
Maybe all the stepmothers are not cruel and mean. Over the years I have seen her and her daughter treating me and my mother with love and care and we have been doing the same. And yet I could not call her mother so I stuck to calling her Aunty.
"Rose, he is worried and sad." Her voice was soft as if she was struggling to come up with words.
"Is something bothering you?" I asked as I got up and walked towards the window. Although it was late at night I could see the soft lights of the cars moving.
"I don't know if I should say this but… Rose, we all are worried. You have left everything behind and went to live your life alone in an unknown place. You even refused to live in any of the apartments but rented one. You refused to work in your father's or mother's company but have also stopped us from investigating the company that you work for, you haven't given us the company's name…"
Her tone shivered, "We are afraid Rose. Why are you detaching yourself? Is something bothering you? You haven't told anyone about having a boyfriend either …"
"You know that father will investigate him if he knew. You know what he did with Mayla's boyfriend?" I said in a whisper. My father is a suspicious man. When Mayla, my step sister had her boyfriend, he had done a background check on the poor man. On top of it, father was too intimidating, making her boyfriend frightened for life.
'But I feel Andrew can handle him.' A sudden thought emerged in my head, making my eyes widen. I shook my head as I swallowed. Why was I thinking about Andrew again? What was wrong with me.
"I know but rose…. Anyways, your mother had called us all for lunch on Valentine's day. You know she has plans with her boyfriend for dinner. Your father is too nervous. Do have a word with him and tell him from your end. I feel like he might cry in frustration if he does not know who you are dating."
I nodded my head as I smiled, "I will give him a call tomorrow morning. You take care of yourself and your father too. I will see you at lunch."
I kept the phone in sight. My headache was coming back as I pulled my head. Why was it happening to me?
I was planning on pushing my mother back. Maybe tell her some silly reason…"AHHH"
I had to find a way. Should I hire someone? As I was thinking, the past came into my mind. I had tried it before and my parents were too angry. They even threatened to call me back and stay near them if I pulled something out like that again.
"What can I do? Should I make a real one? But where would I get a boyfriend in two days?"
I pouted as I looked outside with a sad gaze. Should I accept Andrew's request?
The suggestion made its way to me but soon I shook my head. How can I do that? That would be so silly to do.
But I might not get caught. Maybe my mother wants me to find love so that she is not embarrassed by loving someone. I knew that she wanted to see me happy before she could settle.
"If that is the case, Andrew's suggestion can be useful." I rubbed my chin. "Maybe we both can help each other and then can pretend to break up. Yes, after everything settles we can just spread the words that we have broken up. Anyways we have to deal with the parents for only Valentine's day."
I nodded as I started seeing the logic in the plan. Maybe my mind had stopped working because it was too late or maybe I was too sleepy, but the idea was making sense in my mind.
Only if I could be more careful and be in my sense I would have known that maybe, just maybe it would never work. But it was too late.
Because when I woke up the next morning I realized what a grave mistake I have made. I have texted Andrew [I am ready to date. Let's meet tomorrow morning.]
I rubbed my eyes as I stood in shock opening the door as I saw the man standing with a smile on his face.
"I have brought some fresh ingredients. Should we have breakfast?" A steady voice said, making my heart shiver.
It was then that I regretted my decision the most.