The Anniversary Celebration

Nia and Ermias have been planning on how and where to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. Nia has suggested they travel to Paris and have their anniversary, well celebrated, just the two of them, but she claims Ermias has not been listening to her suggestion. She had thought that maybe celebrating it in a different country other than theirs would help fix more of the problems they are currently facing. She was saying all this in the presence of her family, pretending to be happy. Perhaps she meant it this time around who knows. Ermias sees it to be meaningful to celebrate the anniversary here, together with the rest of the family. He claims this wedding anniversary is very important to them as it is to mark an incredible years of being together. Even though there is nothing like such a thing as an incredible marriage, they would have to cover up their miserable lives in the presence of their families.

Leo was excited about what his sister had said, of them traveling to another country for their anniversary. He abruptly asked if they had decided and planned to have a baby. He has begun to be excited of becoming an uncle, and he is not at fault for thinking so. Afterall, his sister has been married for the past five years and it was high time to bring forth the binding creature between partners. Nia was surprised by the question posed out by her brother and she stared at him with a total surprising expression. He saw absolutely nothing wrong with what he had asked, and did not expect anyone to scold him or rubbish his question. Even his father and mother were all taken by a surprise by his question. It is already expected that Ermias would want to answer the question diligently, but they are all aware of what to expect from him.

"Without asking for your opinion? How can such a thing happen", Ermias answered him sarcastically.

"And I have already convinced Nia that she is going to be a wonderful mother, at last", he added.

Both Nia's and Ermia's father looked at each other while they looked away from their children. Her mother, being excited about what Ermias had said, turned and asked Nia if she was pregnant and had decided not to inform anyone about it. She looked at her mother without being surprised and answered her diligently. Her mother had always been the brain behind Nia ending up with the man she openly rejects, yet due to her selfish ambitions, she was ready to put on the line the life of her children so she could live lavishly as she has always done.

"No, mother. We are enough for each other, at least for now", Nia answered her.

"It is obvious you two are just not enough. Living here with the family should not be what you should be doing as at this moment", Ermias's father said.

"It is true we could not have a world of twosome father, but we try to get lost in between the crowd anyways. Nia likes this house and so far, as she wants us to live here, I have absolutely no problem with that. Moreover, this house would be the perfect house to raise our beautiful children soon, with the family and at the same time escaping the crowd. Isn't that what we need, Nia, or you would like some twins", Ermias said.

Nia's mother being persistent in anything she does, stood up again saying that if Nia is hiding her pregnancy away from her then… Nia did not allow her to complete her statement when she hurriedly and angrily said to her that she was not pregnant or whatsoever, so she should consider that when she speaks. Ermias's father interjected by saying that he could not wait any longer, just as her mother cannot wait any longer. He continued to say to her that he needs to have a grandchild that he can play and take care of when he duly retires from the company, and just as he wants his grandchildren is the same way that Ermias needs a son he can trust, and probably take over the company from him when the time arrives.

Leo has always known that he is the reason why his sister is engaged in this marriage. He has always regretted getting too attached with Ermias and none of this would be happening if not for what he had done. He stares at Ermias and his sister with a weird look and Ermias quickly asked when he saw him staring at them with that scary face.

"What are you thinking about, Leo", Ermias asked

"I was thinking of the gift to get you both for your anniversary. I owe my life to this marriage. Moreover, whatever I buy you two will always not be enough", Leo answered.

Nia saw how terrible and broken her brother was due to the marriage, she then told him that they owe their marriage happiness to him. She would never want to see her brother broken or bothered for anything. Even though it is obvious she is not a happy woman in the marriage, it would be better for her to be the one going through the hardships of life other than her brother to go through it. If she had been able to sacrifice her life for him, then there is nothing she wouldn't do for him.

It is obvious that no one is happy about the marriage, with the exception of Ermias himself, his father and Nia's mother, but Ermias is determined to do whatever it takes to keep Nia to himself. He had also pronounced that if he does not have her, then no one else will.

"Leo, what about going to the track to race. It had been a while since the last time we raced. Let's go so I give you a hard time a little bit, just as I've always done", Ermias said to Leo.

Leo, being excited about it, without any hesitation, accepted his offer. Leo has softened a bit and is rather more excited about the whole thing. He had forgotten what had happened to him five years ago and still has some trust in Ermias. Although his sister had always warned him about the corny behavior of Ermias, he barely listens and decided to try Ermias in all situations. Ermias's father teases Leo that maybe Ermias is trying to lure him, so he cashes out on him if he loses the race. Leo said he hopes that will not be the case as he tries getting up to go prepare for the race. Nia then requested to be excused because she had to go to the shop and attend to some work. They all stood up and took their leave one after the other. Nia's father requested Ermias's father to spare him a few minutes of his time because he would like to discuss something with him. Ermias's father agreed as they went walked straight to his office for their man-to-man conversation. Nia's mother had shown her concern about their race, advising her son not to get into any car for any sort of race. Leo said to her that it is a controlled track while Ermias also assures her of her son's safety since he will be there with him.

Nia's father had taken Ermias's father into his home office as he looked very upset. It was not clear why he was that upset.

"I hope everything is okay, father-in-law", Ermias's father mocked jokingly.

"You like it right? You are happy and pleased with all that is happening right?", Nia's father asked.

"Of course, if only you know how much I like this", Ermias's father replied.

"For crying out loud what do you want, I don't understand. Our children are happy, we are healthy, joyful and rich, what is it that bothers you again", Ermias's father complained.

Nia's father has been concerned about the welfare of his daughter since the marriage took place. He believes Ermias does not make his daughter happy but rather makes her sad with every opportunity he gets. He complains as he showed Ermias's father about the article that had been published about is son going about with is mistress, disregarding his marriage with Nia. Just from the way Ermias's father speaks, it is easily concluded that Ermias got his arrogant attitude from his father. Everyone would have expected him to show some level of compassion and concern as far as the article is concerned, but he implied that it was made-up news written by a nondescript impertinent person who only takes opportunity of any situations he or she sees. Nia's father was more surprised to hear something like that from someone who claims to be a family to them. He further stated that Ermias upsets Nia almost all the time and does not value their marriage. He takes his marriage and his wife for granted and would not loosen up a bit, at least for the sake of their marriage. He again showed his concerns about Ermias not giving a break to his rakish tours, and even if he is not willing to have a break on it, he should do it respectfully and take his marriage into consideration.

"A man gets confused from time to time. The most important thing is that he returns to his wife at the end of the day", Ermias father said.

"My son is not going to live according to public, but rather the public is going to live according to my child's opinion, all of you, everybody. Don't overshadow these children's marriage. Behave to your son-in-law as expected of you. You owe whatever you have in your possessions to him, even this house that you live in. so behave accordingly", Ermias's father threatened him and left.