“No mom, it’s one of the new students,” he responded, and tried to veer his mother's attention away from the topic. Now, he picked a slice of fruit from the saucer, and threw it into his mouth. However, his tricks did not work. His mother continued, “At first, it was your coach; now it’s a new student. Which will I take?”
Now she looked at him keenly, and waited for his response. When he hesitated, she ignored him, and went straight to her mission.
“Anyway, that is not why I am here. I told you earlier on that I was expecting a visitor, and would like you to meet her. When will it be convenient for you to meet her?”
Now, George was aware of what she was up to. Instantly, he got up to leave. Then, his mother asked, “Where do you think you are going, George?”
“I want to use the convenience,” he lied, and walked towards the convenience. Then, his mother got up at once, and declared, “Give me your response when you are ready,” before she walked out of his room. Now, George was happy that she had left, and returned to his bed.
“I wonder the kind of lady, he would love me to meet,” he grumbled.
Meanwhile, Sarah missed her husband, who had travelled to Saudi Arabia. She felt lonely, and stayed back in the parlor. Soon, Benson joined her, and they chatted freely while waiting for dinner.
At Rose's Shop
George's inability to reason with his mother had delayed her from inviting Rose over to meet him. All the same, Rose never lost hope. She kept the relationship between her and George strictly platonic. Nevertheless, he doubted her stories the more especially, when he spent longer time with her. He observed that no one gave her a call, neither did she call to reach out to anyone.
“She is simply playing hard to get,” he assured himself. That day was not an exception. He had been with her for over three hours that morning, yet, no one called her. Now, the attendant was on an errand, and they were alone in the shop.
“Guess what, George,” she requested.
“What. You are aware that almost every one, including me, is not good at guessing. Just tell me what you want me to hear.”
“I am aware of that, but at least, attempt.”
Now, George looked into her eyes, and smiled happily, then, he said, “Ok, I got it. It’s not a guess. It’s the truth.”
“I see. Let’s hear it then.”
Now, George got up from his seat, and tried to hold her, and declared, “You have made up your mind to marry me.”
Instantly, Rose pushed him away, and warned, “Leave me alone, I have told you that we are just friends.”
Now, George felt unwanted, and sat back in his seat. Then, he demanded, “What do you mean by just friends? Don’t you care how I feel?”
Now, there was silence in the shop. Suddenly, the attendant walked, and George remembered his status as a CEO, and ordered,
“You can wait outside.”
Subsequently, she looked at Rose, and she confirmed with a nod. Then, George continued, “Rose, ever since the day I met you, that was the day you were going for summer internship that I gave you a ride, you have always been on my mind. I have been holding on, and hoping that one day you will change your mind towards me, but …”
Now, Rose was nostalgic, and could not withstand his emotional voice, and halted him, “Kindly stop. I love you, George. I love you with all my heart, but I have given mom my word.”
In a bid to pacify George, she aggravated the old wound, and George barked, “Stop referring to her as your mom. Yes; she looks like your mom, she has been treating you the way your mom treats you, that does not mean that her son will be like her. He may not love you.”
Nevertheless, Rose nodded her head in disapproval, and explained, “My instincts never fail me. I just believe I will love her son when I meet him, and he would love me…”
“Better than me?” George yelled, and stood up. He gave her a final look, and inched towards the door.
“George, kindly wait,” she called out, and ran after him. At that point, they were oblivious of the passersby, who could understand that there was a rift between them. Now, George opened his car, and got in. Meanwhile, she was at the passenger's door already, and opened it at once. She got in and shut the door. George shut his door too, and waited for her to speak. At that point, he was fighting hard to suppress his tears, but Rose could feel his heart beat.
“It's unfortunate, George, that we met after I had given mom my…”
“She is not your mom. Can't you get it?” George barked. To quell his anger, she accepted, “Okay. I mean mother-in-law…”
Now, Rose could not continue when he saw the anger in his eyes. She stopped abruptly, and waited for his first move. They waited in silence, but their heart beats conveyed the messages that were in their hearts. Now, Rose's face was soaked with tears. She had never given love a try, and wondered why things would be that way. Likewise, George was disappointed. He had deliberately abstained from love because of the dangers that it came with, now, he had been badly hit, and he could not blame anyone for it, but himself. Now, it was getting late, and his mother would be worried, especially now that his father was away. He looked at Rose, and saw her tears flowing freely, he was consoled.
'At least she loves me. My first love was not, completely, bad,' he assured himself. Likewise, he held her left hand, and squeezed it softly, before he remarked, “I understand how you feel, Rose.” Then, he moved his face closer to hers, and requested, “Can I have the privilege of kissing you once and for all?” Instantly, Rose pulled backward, and declared, “My first kiss is for my husband and no one else.”
Now, George had had enough, and wished to leave. He fastened his seatbelt, and turned on his ignition. Furthermore, Rose was aware that it was time to leave, so she dried her tears, and asked, “Will you come around tomorrow?”
“May be,” he answered nonchalantly.
“Good night, George,” she greeted, and got off the car without waiting for his response.
A Few Days Later
Rose felt empty after George drove off that day. She was convinced that she truly loved him, but could not help the matters. Although, she would not give in to his request, she wished that he would always come around. She attempted to keep herself busy, by communicating with Mrs. Owens, but that was not enough to take the place of George. That day, she resolved to check on him by giving him a call.
At Mrs. Owens' House
George and Benson returned from work that day, and were resting in George's room. He had been moody for some days, and his mother attributed it to the girl she wished to introduce to him, and ignored him. Apart from Benson, he had not discussed Rose with any member of his family. Suddenly, his phone that was on the center table buzzed. Then, Benson, who was watching the television, was distracted, and he gave him a questioning look. When he did not mind the call, he advised, “Bros pick your call now.” When he noticed his nonchalance towards the call, he looked at the phone, and announced, “It’s Rose.” Then he showed surprise, and inquired, “I hope there is no problem, big brother?”
Nevertheless, George, who was looking pale, nodded his head, and said, “Nothing.”
Now, Benson was curious, and requested, “What’s the matter, bros? You can count on me. I may be young, but I’m old enough to understand the chemistry and physics of love.”
Now, George managed to smile at his joke, and teased, “Chemistry and physics of love! What about the history and geography of love?”
Benson smiled, and claimed. “I equally know that, just tell me. What could be the problem? I thought you were working out fine between you two.”
At that point, George sat up from the bed and rested his back on the headboard of the bed and declared, “She has another man in her life. I was only a mere friend.”
“What!” Benson exclaimed.
“Yes. She is bent on being faithful to the woman she calls her mom.”
Now, Benson was amazed, and asked, “The woman she calls her mom? What do you mean? Is she gay?”.