London, England.
Peter Martins arrived in the premises of Romeo hospital and headed straight to the VIP ward of the cancer patients complex. He needed to see his mother at least this last time before setting out on his journey. He hoped to see his father too if the opportunity was there. His father probably had a lot to say. But death slowly dragged him with them. How long would he be gone from the people he had cherished for years of his life? He wondered as he walked through the wards. What if it took forever? That would mean he was not likely going to return. He shook his head in objection to the thought. In a few minutes , he was already in the VIP ward and headed to the glassy balcony close to his father's ward. He could see his mother seated there. Two seats were made to face each other. She already saw this conversation coming from the moment she told him that truth. He walked onto the balcony.
" Good evening, mother." He greeted her with a smile.
" Good evening, son." Mrs Martins reciprocated the greeting with a smile of relief.
" How about you tell me?" Peter said.
" Tell you what?" Mrs Martins asked as he sat down, facing her directly.
" I mean the reason for your radiating beauty tonight." She tied her hair to a knot at the back. Her blue eyes seemed to be more attractive. Peter too had blue eyes, giving no room of doubt that he had come from the family.
" Are you serious?" Mrs Martins asked.
" Of course, mother. I am being serious right now."
" Now, you really want me to blush . Isn't it?"
" Just wonder what it was like for father to get you." Peter said and smiled.
" How? What do you mean to say?"
" Nothing much. Was only trying to imagine how dad got to win you over."
His mother laughs
" You just keep laughing. That proves my point anyways. "
" I guess you already know the love story of your mother."
" Well, I can't say particularly. I have only heard of dad's love story . Not yours."
" Well, it's the same story. I met him at a friend's birthday party. He walked to me and had a chat with me. "
" No. No. No…" Peter waved his index finger in objection.
" What do you mean by no?" Mrs Martins asked, confused.
" That is not exactly how it happened."
She smiled. " You know the story better than I do?"
" Dad said you did not mix up with people. And that was the more reason he decided to walk up to you. It was a party. A time to have fun. Not—" he was cut short.
" That will do. He could be right about that."
" I know he is." Peter insisted.
" Fine." She threw up her hands in acceptance of defeat. " You know son, " she smiled, " your father was and still is an amazing person. "
Peter said nothing. There was emotion attached to that statement and he spotted it.
" For many years of our legal Union, he has never changed from being the same man that walked up to me on that fateful night party of my friend's birthday. Your dad is truly amazing. Don't you think so?"
Peter nodded in agreement.
" And, one more thing. … you have not told me of your plans for her. "
" Her? " Peter asked.
" Do not give me the look. You know the lady I am talking about. I don't know whether you have two ladies in your life but—"
" Of course, I have two ladies in my life. "
" What?" Mrs Martins asked in surprise.
" Are you surprised?"
" I know a man could have many ladies in his life. But there is always this one woman who is the one. Besides, you never mentioned any other woman that's dear to you."
" That's because you are the second woman."
Mrs Martins bursted into laughter. " You… you can't be serious. "
" You know I am. The two dear women in my life are you and the one I intend to spend the rest of my life with."
" Octavia is a good lady. You have my blessings. "
" Thank you for everything, mother."
" Well, let's say the reason for my happiness tonight is you."
" How so?"
" I am relieved of the burden I have borne for years. We kept on wondering how best to tell you that—"
" That you are not my parents?"
She nodded. A line of tears rolled down each cheek. Peter grabbed her hands.
" Now, listen mother. There are just two people in this world I can call my parents. And that's you and Dad. You are the ones I have always known and will everly know as my parents. The best thing that happened to me is getting into this lovely family. I'm just too lucky to have you because I don't deserve it. Always remember I love you. So mother, never give room to any sort of idea regarding this issue cross your mind again. Okay?" He let her hands be. She nodded in agreement.
" How about you wipe those tears? I don't want to see them again. "
" Thank you, son." She wiped them with her handkerchief. " Tell me. How ready are you?"
" I can't really say. I don't even know if I am ready for this. "
" You will never be able to say how ready you are until the circumstances arise. I believe your conversation with Claire went really well. "
" How did you know that? Was about mentioning it to you."
Mrs Martins smiled.
" You had it all planned out. "
" Yes, I did. I just thought there was no need letting my son go through the rigorous process of trying to figure out how to unlock a safe that did not have much inside it. I didn't think it wise to let you suffer that. If you are ready, you are ready. And if you are unready, you are unready."
" Thank you for that. " He paused. " But mother, are they all true?"
" Do you have any doubts within you?"
" Not really, mother. I just feel all this is mind blowing."
" Of course, son. It is mind blowing. That's why it was difficult to let you know of the truth."
" If she told the truth, then mother, I think that lady deserves to be called mother by me also. "
" I agree with you. Her sacrifices are those a mother would make for her beloved son."
" So, you don't mind if she shares the same title with you?"
" Motherhood has nothing to do with titles . It's an office that can be run by a few elect called mothers. "
" If you have no problems with that, then , I have nothing to worry about."
" When are you leaving?"
" My flight is tomorrow morning." Peter exhaled.
" So soon? I saw that coming."
" I have to do this. I must quench the curiosity in me."
" You must be careful, son. This is no tour you are going on. I don't just feel alright about this."
" For some unknown reason, I feel really anxious about this move. "
" You think things may go wrong?"
" More like that. It's obvious my parents were killed because of me. Just wondering what the reason behind it could be. From the story I have been told, I am a weapon. "
" I heard so too."
" And do you believe that I am a weapon? "
Mrs Martins said nothing.
" What if I don't return from this?"
" I asked you if you were ready for this journey. "
" I don't even know if I am."
" It appears you are not. It's a necessity. Whether you are ready or not, you must find out the truth behind your past. "
" A past that took the lives of my parents. Why shouldn't I fear that past?"
" It is more reason for you to go deep into that past. You must overcome those fears. That is the only way you can really be free from it. Since you made this decision, you have to face whatever comes with confidence. If not, you may perish sooner than expected. "
" You know, I am not just going to know the truth. It's more like a vengeance move ."
"If you have vengeance at the back of your mind, then you may really stop existing before you know it. Do not forget your parents died for a reason. They were killed for a reason which is you. Whatever you are, I don't know. But you must trail your past slowly to avoid accidents."
" But then, I believe you are aware of where this past will take me to. I am going right into the hands of the ones who took the life of my parents. And you think violence won't ensue?"
" Like I said, face whatever comes with confidence. But never have vengeance at the back of your mind. If not, you will truly end miserably. Your main mission is to understand why you are a weapon. And probably, separate your existence from that of the weapon if possible. "
" I understand everything. I will proceed with caution."
" That's my boy. " She smiled. " So, where will you head first?"
" That will be South Korea."
" Wow! "
" Really wow."
" After South Korea?"
" How am I supposed to have any clue of that? It is one step at a time. "
" I see. So, who are you going to see?"
" Her brother."
" You mean Claire's brother?"
"Yes. The funny thing is that I don't even have any idea what this man looks like. "
" The semblance between him and Claire can help you. Even at that, you need more information."
" Yeah. She said she will give me more details later. "
" Better that way. Before my only son loses his way in an unknown land ."
" Oh. That is not even possible. "
" You know, I am happy for you. This isn't a totally bad idea. "
" Why do you say so?"
" You will go round the world and meet new environments filled with new people. "
" That's not a lie though. I love that part of it. Meanwhile, what of dad? Has he regained consciousness?"
" Regained consciousness? And you still sit here with me. He is still in there with the doctors. "
" That man is going through a lot. And I don't like it. "
" I know. And that makes me mad all the time. I just want all this to be over. If he will die as it appears, let him die peacefully without the stress. It just hurts knowing my husband will be leaving me soon."
" Hey. Come here. " Stood up and went to her. " It's alright, mother. "
" I just wish to go with him."
" And leave me here? You can't say that. Obviously, you know dad wouldn't want to leave us. And his wish would surely be for me to take very good care of you. Cry no more. At least, his death is not a sudden one. You will have enough time to say goodbye. Just be cheerful."
" I have heard all you said. I'm alright now. "
" Happy to hear that. Always remember that I will be there for you."
" Make sure you return." She said as she stood weakly.
" I promise you that."
" One more thing…. I have a favor to ask of you."
" Anything for you, mother."
" That's a relief. I wish to see you get married to Octavia before—"
" Before what? You are not dying anytime soon. So, don't even think of it. I won't let you. In fact, I can't get married."
" What?"
" If you promise to remain here, then I will do that for you. Come on. You have to see my children."
" I will do as you have said. "
" The moment I return, I will get married to Octavia."
" Have you told her of your departure?"
" Not yet. It came too sudden."
" Then you have to leave right now. She has to know. "
" I will go straight to her from here. "
" Be sure to return. Your inheritance is waiting. Why not take charge before leaving?"
Peter smiles. " No. If I return, then I am worthy of it all. The night is wrapping quickly. I have to go now."
" Alright son. It just feels like you are leaving me. "
" No. I am not. I will be as quick as possible. Let's call this a goodbye chat. " He hugged her, gave her a kiss on the forehead and bid farewell. In the next few minutes, he was leaving Romeo hospital. After Octavia, he will rest a little.
"Tomorrow will be long. " He muttered in his car.