" Auntie what will you do it you find out uncle or Charlie has hidden something really important from you? Will you get angry?"
" Of course I'll. But I'll confront them too. I'll ask the reason why they did that. If the reason makes me think that they have done the right thing ,I'll forgive them. Everyone must have their own reasons right? We have the right to get angry and they have the right to make themselves clear. We should give them a chance not just thinking about our perspective."
Aurora nodded.
" Do you like Charlie Aurora?"
Aurora looked at her. She was perplexed as to what should be her answer.
" I don't know auntie." she mumbled.
Mrs. Zaffino nodded. " I don't want to meddle into your matters. But I'll say one thing for you. If you find it hard to realize what you really feel and you think it would be better if you had your mom with you then just give me a call. Think me as your mom from now. I know I can never fill up her space and I don't want to either. But if you want a mother figure beside you, you always have me by your side but remember that. Even if fate doesn't bring you and Charlie together I want you to give me the place of a mother figure in your life Aurora. I don't want you to feel empty or low just because your mom is not here."
Aurora got tears in her eyes hearing those words. Mrs. Zaffino hugged her.
" Crying doesn't suit a beautiful girl like you. Don't cry."
Aurora nodded and they broke the hug. Mrs. Zaffino kept combing her hair with her fingers to make her fall asleep.
" Auntie."
" Yes."
" Nothing." Aurora said sighing.
" You want to ask something about Charlie?"
" How do you know?" Aurora asked being surprised.
Mrs. Zaffino chuckled. " Moms can guess what their children want to say even before they say something."
" He loves me right?"
" More than you can ever think of."
" But I'm not good enough for him. I hurt him always by my words. He will have life risks with me. We both will be leaders. There is a huge chance of clash among two groups then. Moreover I'm afraid. Afraid if getting left alone by him. I have trust issues."
" Have you ever told him all of these?"
" No. I want him to stay away auntie."
" I don't know why but I don't like you calling me auntie."
" Should I call you Mrs. Zaffino then?" Aurora asked fastly thinking she may have offended her.
" Of course not."
" Then what should I call you?"
" How about mumma?" Aurora looked at her in hesitation.
" You don't have to if you don't want Aurora." Mrs. Zaffino said with a reassuring smile.
" I'm not sure still. I'll think about it." Aurora mumbled looking down.
Mrs. Zaffino smiled. " I will be glad if you call me that. About keeping Charlie away, I don't think you can do that."
" Why?"
" He is very stubborn. He has decided to win you and no power can stop him and make him stay away from you." Aurora kept quiet hearing that.
" But I can suggest you one thing Aurora."
" What is it?"
" First make things clear to yourself. Do you really don't have any feelings for him? Before thinking about the consequences think about both of you. Do you really think you can stay without him? Don't you feel any sparkle towards him? Don't lie to yourself. If you have feelings then discuss everything with Charlie and make solution of your problems. That's what lovers do. If you don't have any feelings then talk him directly about it. I know my son well. He will never force you after that. But don't keep hanging in the middle. It'll hurt both of you."
Aurora sighed.
" I know you have a lot of things to sort out. But I also know that you are wise enough to prioritize the important once. Now it's up to you dear."
" I'll think about it." Aurora said.
They kept talking about Auroras and Charlie's childhood. Mrs. Zaffino told Aurora their love story. Aurora also got to know more about Charlie. Both of them fall asleep while talking like that.
Next morning as usual Aurora woke up first. She looked at Mrs. Zaffino and smiled. She is a real sweetheart she thought. She got freshed without making any noise and went down. She saw Antonia doing something on her laptop in the living room. She went to kitchen to make herself coffee without talking to her sister.
Antonia sighed seeing that and again concentrated on her work. She was struggling with her hand as she is not used to use her left hand all the time. Aurora was that after coming out of the kitchen. She put coffee for Antonia in front of her.
" Don't put pressure. It will worsen the condition of the nerves." Aurora said taking the laptop from Antonia's lap.
" Thanks for the coffee. I needed it but was too lazy to make myself one."
" It's okay. I'm glad that you didn't go to the kitchen or else it would become a mess." Aurora said calmly. Antonia kept looking at her sister.
" Did you just insult me?"
" I thought you got hurt in your hand. Did you get hit in your head too that you are asking whether it's an insult or not? Of course it is. Why are you awake so early?"
Antonia sighed. This girl doesn't lose any chance to leave her speechless.
" Not for any particular reason. I just woke up early maybe because I slept early."
" You are a terrible liar. You didn't even sleep last night."
" Ho-how do you know?" Antonia asked being confused.
" You were outside the office room when I was talking to dad. I saw you when getting out."
" I'm sorry. I shouldn't have listened."
" I don't care. You are in family so you should know its history."
" Are you still angry?" Antonia asked with fear.
" What do you think?" Aurora asked staring at Antonia intensely.
Antonia looked down in shame. " Can you please forgive me this time? I didn't realize I would hurt you like that. I just wanted to save you not to repay you believe me."
Aurora chuckled sadly. " You know Antonia I have realized something yesterday. I have to stay safe from my closed ones too because they hurt me way more than an enemy can ever do." saying that Aurora stood up and found Mr. Mariano standing there.