DYLAN'S POV
"Oh, I am sorry. I wasn't aware," the woman slowly picked up the cooler bag and handed it over to Tessa.
"Of course you wouldn't be aware!" Anisha said. "What can you know about a child who you did not even want to touch…not even to look at? You hated me that much, and now you want to act good and motherly by bringing me some butternut? I have a mother already; and she knows what to bring me. She raised me. She loves me. She knows me."
"I am sorry, Anisha," Amelia said.
One could tell from her facial expression and tone of voice that she was greatly remorseful for what had happened in her life. She must have really hated herself for doing what she did. By just looking at her, I could tell that she had been crying a lot lately; for her eyes were red and swollen. Her whole face, actually, was swollen. She was clean, yes, but one could tell that she had not much time for self care. Her hair looked unkempt, and the clothes she wore were full of creases, as if she had never ironed them. Looking at her, I could tell that indeed Anisha looked like her. The long black hair, the eyes…their eyes really looked alike. And the way she spoke; the voices sounded very much similar. Yes, I still thought a DNA was necessary; to confirm 100% that she was the mother; but part of my heart had already believed that Amelia was indeed Anisha's mother.
She walked slowly out of the room, with Tessa following closely behind her.
I thought Anisha had been too harsh with her mother and step-sister, and I was still debating on whether to talk to her about it or to keep it in, when she burst into loud pitiful sobs. The moment the door closed, she let it all out; the pain that she had held in while the two women were in the room.
"I am too hurt; Dylan I am too hurt!" I just hugged her very close to me and comforted her.
"Give yourself some time."
"Why does she have to pretend to love me? Bringing me some food here…I hate that food of hers! I don't want any of her gifts! She never loved me…..I don't know how to handle the pain," she cried in great sobs.
"You may need some professional help, my dear. I will arrange for that. Try to be strong and take everything one pace at a time." I kissed her and wiped off the tears.
"She is not my mother…my mother is Ms Meyerton!" Anisha cried even more.
Her tears seemed like a stream running free, as they soaked the front of my shirt. I did not mind, being the one to comfort her was my honour. I just held her close to me, and I assured her I was there for her.
As if he was a master of bad timing, Carter walked in at that very moment. He held a bouquet of about five or six blue calla lilies. It infuriated me to realise that he too knew Anisha's favourite flowers. Anisha continued to cry while I hugged her tighter.
"Shh, it will be fine," I assured her.
Carter looked across the room before his eyes landed on the huge bouquet that I had ordered for Anisha. He frowned in disdain, and seemed seriously annoyed. He looked at me and asked,
"Why is she crying?"
"Would you mind giving us a moment?" I asked him in a cold tone.
Carter stood rooted to his spot, staring at Anisha. He nodded, put his flowers next to mine and then walked out. Anisha seemed to be going through her pain all over again. She cried like I had never seen anyone cry that much before. At first I continued wiping off the tears, until I just concentrated on hugging her and allowed the tears to flow. She was heaving in great sobs, not saying anything but gasping for air as she cried out her heart.
After a long while, she calmed down and she lay on her back, looking very sad. Chris called me again, for he was out, after having brought back some more fresh strawberries. I asked him to come in, and when he walked in, Carter followed him.
"You're still here?" I asked Carter, failing to hide my annoyance.
"Of course. I came here to see Anisha. Anisha and I were together at the home. You might not know it, but I know her way better than you do. We grew up together, literally."
When I saw that Carter was aiming at irritating me, I decided not to play along. I just answered, "that's nice."
Anisha's hand was in mine, and she just smiled a little at Carter.
"Are you feeling better?" Carter asked.
"I'm fine," Anisha responded with a voice devoid of any emotion.
Carter walked around the room slowly and then said,
"It seems like doctor de Milo knows quite a bit about you as well. Who would have known that he too would get you blue calla lilies."
"What do you mean, Carter?" It was Anisha who asked.
"Nothing….I was just saying…it seems like you two share a strong bond?" he asked rather than stated.
"We do." Anisha responded.
To that, Carter swirled to face Anisha, for he had been facing the other side. Shock was written on his face, and he said,
"I don't mean to be rude, but doctor de Milo; you and I are both men. You know that what I am about to say is the truth. I'm sorry to bring it up in front of Anisha…but we both know; don't we…we both know that men like you want nothing to do with girls like Anisha. Am I lying? You can get any woman you want, yet here you are...going after Anisha? I can't sit back and leave you to do that. You are just attracted by her beauty; otherwise you hardly want anything more from her except for using her. You know what I am talking about, doctor de Milo. Anisha is important to me. I would be hurt to see a man destroying her life." He stopped abruptly, as if he had run out of words to say.
"Are you done?" I asked him.
In my heart, I was feeling great anger for this guy Carter. From where had he emerged, and did he really need to be at the hospital at that time? He seemed a bit shocked by my response. Judging from the way he seemed startled and his expression, he was expecting more from me. He would have loved a verbal fight. I told myself I was not going to give him that. He looked at Anisha and the latter also seemed irritated by him, leading Carter to say..
"Don't let his money fool you. I'm sorry to appear like a bad person, but in the end you will see that I am the good guy."
"Thank you for looking out for me, Carter. I am a big girl. I can take care of myself. Can you excuse us now?" she said in a low voice.
Carter looked at me and then asked, in a hopeful voice, "please may I see you outside? Just a moment?"
I stood up and followed him out, more out of curiosity than anything else.
"Please don't hurt her. I …I mean, she means a lot to me." he whispered.
"Do all the girls from Olga mean a lot to you?" I asked him.
"Huh?" his eyes widened. "Anisha …I taught her to play the piano and the violin. So no; she can't be like any other Olga girl to me."
"Well, thanks for teaching her. She's mine now."
"It's not like you have married her…I mean, you can't act like her husband yet. As long as you haven't married her, every man has a chance with her." Hurt could be detected in his voice.
I really did not have time and energy for people like Carter. When it came to my relationship with Anisha, I already had my own mother to deal with; and the Carters of this life really had no space at all. I just turned to leave. It occurred to me that, judging from how beautiful Anisha was, it was possible that many boys from Olga had crushed on her; and I would be lucky to not meet another Carter. I already hated that possibility.
I turned to walk away and my phone rang. It was my mother. Why was this all happening? I really did not have the energy for another bout of insults, but still I answered the call. Her very familiar authoritative voice boomed from the other end of the line, her command leaving no trace of negotiations or questions. She just uttered her statement and disengaged the call, without waiting to hear anything I had to say:
"Dylan de Milo; if you are still interested in being the CEO of the de Milo Children's Hospital, and if you still consider me as your parent; your mother who carried and raised you; and if you still value your family as you should, then within the next four hours maximum, you will land at the Southrain airport; and at 1900hrs; you shall report to me at the Clear Opal Manor!"