HER WAY HOME

It was Monday morning and the driver was outside the house ready to take me home.

The night before, grandma had explained to me what had happened eighteen years ago.

That didn't mean much.... Because I just needed to hear it from the horse's mouth....my parents.

I couldn't sleep a wink last night. The thought of my parents hiding even more dark secrets from me kept me up all night than my favorite TV series could.

So, I made the decision not to return to grandma's house until I knew the entire truth about my birth and my relationship with Mary.

"Small madam, what else do you want to put in the vehicle?"

It was Bala. Our most trusted chauffeur if I could hype him that much. My dad had wished for me to return from the very first day I left but I guess he couldn't face me. That was the reason he sent Bala in his stead.

"Where's my dad Bala?", I asked.

"He is under the weather", he said.

"What happened to my dad?"

I was starting to get uneasy. Did my dad send Bala because he was actually not feeling fine?

"So tell me Bala what's wrong with my dad?"

"Madam said he's under the weather"

Now I understood. Mom had asked Bala to lie to me. So she lied to me to the very end huh? I only felt bad for my dad. It was obvious mom stopped him from coming to pick me up.

"Small madam, let's go", Bala said.

I turned back and saw grandma. I ran towards her and before I knew it I was shedding uncontrollable tears.

I was so grateful to her that I wished I never had to leave so suddenly.....and on a bad note too.

Last night, she had tried her best to calm me down but all I wanted was for her not to worry.

My grandmother accepted me when my parents deserted me. When they lost faith in me, grandmother did not. She was right there with me through every process. She prayed for me and with me. She once told me that God would make a way for me if truly I was to become an actress. I loved her so much and my heart ached to say goodbye.

"Allyson, now you're returning to your parents like a prodigal son, tell me how the prodigal son approached his father."

This was grandmother's best shot at convincing me to keep calm, by using analogies from the Bible.

"But I'm a daughter grandma"

She smiled. I would miss that smile no doubt. I would miss the originality grandma possesses in general.

"Focus Allyson. How did the prodigal son approach his father?", she continued.

"The prodigal son approached his father in tears and humility", I said.

"Now how should you approach your parents as you return to them today?" Grandma had made her point clear without mincing words.

"In tears and humility grandma" I said.

I couldn't argue any further at that point. I wanted to leave with good memories alone. Those which I could cherish and would be a consolation when I find myself hurting.

"Now go to your parents dear, they await their lost child." Grandma said as she released me from the warmth of her bossom.

I walked slowly towards the parked car. Bala had started the car already. Was he more eager to go meet my parents than I was? I doubt it.

I looked back for the last time but grandma wasn't there. She had gone inside and shut the door. I felt my heart ache as it seemed grandma had shut the doors of her heart against me.

This thought made me despise my parents even more. They were the reason I was leaving grandma on a really short notice. I hoped she wasn't crying or missing me as much as I did.

"Take me home Bala", I said as I entered and shut the door of the car.

Why else was Bala here if not to take me home?

I just said that so I could face reality. I was going home to demand answers from my parents and as a serious business I had to be in my right mind......

My parents' house isn't exactly far from grandma's place. I discovered that over three months ago when I came here not exactly by choice.

I still remember how rain fell heavily on that day. It was quite auspicious. It was a sign that something good was about to happen..... well staying at Grandma's place was a good thing.

Now as I looked up to the heavens, I wasn't sure if it was rain I saw or if tears were still left in my eyes. I hoped it would rain and that it would mean something good was about to happen.

But the bitterness in my heart was not good to begin with.....

So, it started raining. And when I looked out the window, I saw a mother hen running in search of refuge while her chicks lagged behind. She didn't for once stop to see if her chicks were doing okay.

I was reminded of my mom all of a sudden. She didn't call or check on me for over three months that I stayed in Grandma's house.

I guess she had to be the best in playing the silent treatment game. I didn't know if she was still disappointed in me or if she was truly busy and couldn't find time to talk to me. I shouldn't be making excuses for her though.

I left countless messages on all her socials every night but I got no reply to any of them. I even sent dad to her but I only got false replies.

I wasn't okay but did she even look back to check?