The Union 2

“You are in pain, my dear. What is the matter?” Mrs. Owens requested with concern. Then, Rose composed, and explained, “I lost my mother two months ago. She died exactly a year after my father died.”

“My goodness! Was she ill?”

“Yes ma'am. She had sugar disease, and died as a result of improper health care.”

“Oh dear, accept my condolences, my dear,” she sympathized.

“Thank you, ma'am.”

“Permit me to ask what about the other members of your family? I mean your siblings?”

Now, Rose bit her lower lip hard, and allowed her tears to flow freely. 

“I need vanilla sweet,” a mother with a baby requested. Without a second thought, Sarah, who felt disturbed, dismissed her, “Sorry, it's not available.”

The disappointed woman left at once with her baby for another store. Then, she faced Rose, and consoled, “Kindly stop crying. It's not good for your health.”

“Thank you, ma'am. I have a sibling, but she was abducted by people we are yet to discover. I found her body by the roadside a few days after her disappearance.”

Now, Sarah showed anger when she discovered that she must be under attack and resolved to help her get justice.

“Your family must be under attack,” she pointed out.

“I thought as much, ma'am. That is why I relocated to this suburb to enable me to complete my school.”

“School? Are you a student?”

“Yes, ma'am. At the Unity University.”

“I see. How do you cope with your school?” Sarah asked and surveyed her shop again.

“That’s a long story. I had to change to this environment where I can't be traced. Besides, I had to make ends meet to ensure that I fulfill my parents' dream.”

“It’s a pity. You must have gone through a lot. How do you cope with the store and your school?”

“It has not been easy, but I have been coping. I will leave for my summer internship in a couple of days. That is where I have a challenge.”

“I see. So, what happens to the shop when you leave for your internship?” Sarah asked with concern.

“I don’t have any choice than to lock up pending when I return.”

“Or get a sales girl. Otherwise, the perishable goods will go bad while some may expire.”

Now, Rose showed disapproval, and Sarah declared, “I know your fears. The Shop Attendant may not be committed. Am I right?”

“You got it.”

“It's okay. I will help you monitor the shop. Will that make you happy?”

“Yes. Ma’am, you have made my day,” she pointed out with relief. Now, her sorrowful eyes brightened up, and she appreciated, “Thank you so much.”

Mrs. Owens cheered up too, and promised, “Never mind. If you permit me, from now on, you can count on me. I will try as much as possible to fill the vacuum that your late mother left behind.” 

“I can't wait to see that happen. Thank you so much, ma'am.”

“Think nothing about it. I will run along. I will see you again for my mother's flour.”

“It is all right. Goodbye,”

The relieved Sarah walked to the car, and joined her driver. Rose, who could not contain her joy, stood at the door, and waved happily until her car vanished.

“Wow! Fortune had smiled on me after all,” she chuckled.

Three Days Later

Although, she was not familiar with Mrs. Owens, but the fact that there was someone, who understood her plight, was enough for her. She prepared the plantago flour with joy, and care. That day, she took the stuff to her shop, before she left for school. She returned to the store to wait excitedly for her benefactor. Nevertheless, she was already certain of the day of her departure for her internship.

“Aren't she coming again?” She asked herself anxiously after she waited for thirty minutes. Subsequently, she saw her car halt in front of her shop.

“Wow!” She exclaimed. Then, Sarah got out of her car at once while her driver moved to a nice spot, and parked.

“Good evening, ma'am,” she greeted with a broad smile when she got into her shop.

“Good evening, my dear. How was your school today”

“School is fine. And your work?”

“My work is fine,” she responded, and sat in the seat that Rose had offered her. Then, she gave her a searching look, and discerned that her inner joy was visible.

“Welcome, ma'am. I wish to offer you water.”

“Thank you, dear.”

Now, Rose walked into the store and returned with a bottle of water.

“Here it is, ma'am,” she offered respectfully. Nevertheless, Mrs. Owens developed more likeness for her because of her generosity.

“Thank you, Rose.”

“It is my pleasure, ma'am,” she responded, Likewise, Rose sat beside her, and watched her drink her water. Afterward, she called out, “Rose.”

“Yes, ma'am,” she responded and waited for her reason. Then, she advised, “You are free to address me as mom, if it makes you happy.”

Now, Rose was bewildered, and responded with glee, “I got it mom. Thank you for loving me.”

“You are welcome. Permit me to ask, could you please do me a favor?” At that point, Rose's mind wandered to so many negative things, 'I hope she had not found me wanting,' she thought. Then, she responded. “That will be my pleasure. What could be the favor?”

Now, she surveyed her to get her body language, and to her delight, she was composed. Then, she carried on, “Did you say that I reminded you of your late mother?”

“Yes, mom. I'm happy that I'm worthy of your love.”

“Yes. I wish to request that you find me worthy of your love, too.”

Now, Rose was baffled. Mrs. Owens was aware that she loved her, and could not decipher the meaning of her statement. Then, she clarified,

“You are worthy of my love, mom.”

“Good, but I would be happy to have you as my daughter-in-law. I can't afford to be separated from you. Or do you have any man in mind already?”

Now, Sarah was on the edge of her seat. The few seconds that passed before Rose gave her response was too much for her. She feared that her answer might be 'yes', and that would break her heart.

“No, mom. There is no man yet,” she responded sharply. Nevertheless, the satisfied Sarah waited for the response to her request. Then, Rose locked eyes with her for three seconds before she looked down, and responded coldly, “Being your daughter-in-law is my heart's desire, but…”

“What? There is no man yet. So, what is stopping you?”

“My mother's grave is still fresh. I would love to honor her for a year before I think of getting married.”

Now, Sarah breathed freely, and inquired further, “Is that the only challenge? I'm not thinking of disrupting your honor to your late mother.”

“Yes. Thank you, mom.”

“You are welcome. I will give you time to consider my request.”

“I will give it a thought, mom,” she cheered up.

“It is all right. Can I have my stuff?”

“Certainly.”

She walked into the store, and brought the bag of the plantago flour, and announced, “This is it, ma'am.”

“Thank you for this, Rose.”

“Don't mention, mom. Meanwhile, I didn't exhaust the fund you transferred to me. I can wire it back, if…”

“Never mind, my dear. You can keep the difference. By the way, when is your internship coming up?”

“I have two weeks to leave. I will conclude my exams the coming week, and leave the upper week.”

“That is good. What about the store? Have gotten a Shop Attendant?”

“Not at all, but I hope to get one before I travel.”

“That is good.”

They concluded afterward. Thereafter, Rose carried her stuff to her car, and watched her leave.

“Bye, mom. Bye Sir,” she greeted Richard, the driver.

“See you later.”