The Central mart was bustling with activity that Sunday afternoon. Henifer brought everyone on a shopping spree, to take their minds off their troubles, and get them out of house for a while.
At the entrance, she stood with her family. Undecided of where to start her shopping. The crowded mart had her heart racing, adrenaline pumping through her veins, reminding her of how long it's been since she last did her own shopping.
"Why don't we divide and conquer. It'll help cover more ground," Jalana suggested.
"Yes," Henifer muttered. "That sounds like a good id..."
Before she completed her statement, Jalana dragged Jacob away to start shopping for the decoration. "Meet you at the paying station when we're done," she uttered without turning back to glance at her mother.
"We'll check out the jewelry stores," Ander informed. He daringly pulled Jasmine along as they took parted with Henifer and the others.
"I guess it's just the three of us heading to the food hall," Henifer turned to Sebastian and Aryanna.
Both of whom had no interest to go and shop for food stuffs. It was their first time in a mall together since they were wed and they wanted to explore all the corners of the mart together, away from the chaperone eyes of their mother.
Henifer sensed their hesitation to her suggestion. She shook her head in disbelief at how quickly everyone deserted her.
"Go on," she shooed them away.
Sebastian intertwined his fingers with Aryanna's and they both scurried off towards a clothing boutique. Henifer took a shopping cart and rolled it down the food hall.
She reached out into her purse and fetched her phone. Of all the children, one felt left out from the fun and that didn't sit well with her.
Her eyes skimmed through her contacts list for Raul's name. She'd gotten his contact from Richard at their last discussion. Henifer wanted to write all the wrongs of the past and set everything right for the children.
Henifer: Good morning, Raul.
She texted him, it only takes a few minutes before he replied to her text.
Raul: Yes, good morning.
Henifer: It's Henifer Leerstrom. I was wondering, are you free right now?
Henifer set her phone aside for a second to pick out a carton of milk, she kept it carefully in the cart before proceeding along.
Buzz! Buzz!
The alert on her phone attracted her attention to the text from Raul Kincade.
Raul: Yes, I'm free. Tell me.
Henifer: I'm at the Central Mart, can you join me for shopping?
Raul: I'll be there in ten.
Henifer: I'll be at the food hall.
Henifer lazily moved around the food hall without putting anything in her cart. Stalling for Raul to come and keep her company as she shopped.
Had someone told her a week back that she be living with Monica's children in her home and taking them out shopping, she would've punched the person in the gut and called them crazy. Henifer surprised herself with her compassion towards Jasmine and her siblings.
Perhaps it came naturally due to the pain she saw in Jasmine's eyes. One which resembled her own, Henifer failed to contemplate how a sixteen years old could hurt so much and act indestructible at the same time. She managed it as her age accorded her the strength and experience to carry the weight of her scars but Jasmine was too young for all she's had to endure.
"I just hope I'm not too late," she prayed.
Once Raul pulled up at the Central Mart, he loosened his tie and found a parking spot. He pulled at the food hall, he stood outside of the building for a few minutes, staring at the bustling activities in the hall.
His heart pounding out of his chest. He had no idea why Henifer reached out to him all of a sudden and what she wanted to say to him. It had been sixteen years since she'd last heard from her, they became estranged and slowly reduced to strangers.
He didn't expect her to call and the longer he stood at the door, the more nervous he grew. "Is she going to scold me over Elisa's behavior at the gala?" Raul pondered.
Raul paces back and forth with his hands in his pockets. Wishing for luck on his side as he faces the woman who's life his mother ruined. The thought of the past had cold sweat trickling down his forehead and spine.
"Raul," Faber calls out to him. "Miss Leerstrom is expecting you."
Raul swallowed nervously, the dreadful moment had come. He loosened his tie some more and ushered Faber to lead the way. Raul took careful slow steps behind, bracing himself for whatever scene Henifer had in store for him.
Blood rushed to his cheeks at the thought of meeting Sebastian in the food hall. Goodness knows the bad blood between them had soured over the years and he too held plenty of bitter feelings towards his so-called brother.
"Is Sebastian with her?" he asked, to be prepared.
"He is here but he went off with his wife to the boutique," Faber reported.
The walk to Henifer was slow and torturous that Raul could barely stand it. The longer they took to reach her, the more worried he became.
"Raul!" Henifer exclaimed taking notice of his arrival. "I've been waiting," she greet him with a warm smile and a sweet hug.
Raul stills, caught off-guard by her kind eyes and soft voice. He lets out a relieved sigh and hugs her back.
"To what do I owe this honor, aunt?"
"Of all the children, I missed you the most," Henifer let out. Fragments of times they used to shop together in the past came flooding back to her. Sebastian and Elisa would run off to the toy section to their fun but Raul, he always stayed by her side, loyal against his wishes to run after Sebastian and Elisa. "I owe you an apology, Raul," Henifer linked their arms and handed the cart to Faber.
They slowly walked down the hall. Raul was confused to the most extreme degree. She had nothing to apologize to him for, if anything, he was the one to apologize for everything she went through. Henifer got cheated by his mother and had her home destroyed, Raul felt guilty for his mother's shameless behaviour.
"You were like a son to me and it wasn't right for me to abandon you the way I did," Henifer spoke up. "I hope that you can give me a chance to make up for my shortcomings and earn your forgiveness," she expressed with a heavy heart.
She was asking for too much, a chance she knew she wouldn't give had she been in his shoes.
Raul rubbed his fingers over her hands, a smile blooming on his lips, he leaned in to her and spoke, "You have nothing to apologize for. I don't blame you for leaving or staying away, you were hurting and I understand."
"You shouldn't have to understand, Raul. You were a child that needed to be spared..."
Raul pressed his finger to Henifer's lips to shush her. "You're here now. That already makes up for everything," he uttered.
Henifer smiled, tears flooding her eyes and wetting her cheeks. She grew to hate him over his mother's actions and loathed the sight of him or the mention of his name for the longest time, and yet he forgave her without hesitation.
She didn't feel worthy of his forgiveness or the trust he had in her. Her actions failed him, he should be upset and offended. It wasn't his job to dispell her worries and comfort him but he did that, to a fault.
"Don't cry, aunt," Raul wiped her tears and soothed her in a sweet voice. "I'm happy you reached out. Thank you for coming back to me," he hugged her and melted into her embrace.
A freeing feeling engulfing his body, unlocking the chains that tied down his mind, body, mind and soul. Raul marvelled at the beauty of having her back, the years had been longer and lonelier without her calm caring voice guiding him.
"Don't ever leave me again, please," he pleaded.
"I won't," Henifer gave him a firm assurance.
"I love you, aunty."
"I love you too, dear," Henifer said. "I'm sorry I let my anger cloud my judgement. I won't let it happen again, not with you."