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Happy Sunday 😇🤲😇
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We just couldn't believe Mrs. Williams had just said that to my siblings' faces. Destiny ran back to me and hugged me because she was scared of Henry's mother. Mrs. Williams wasn't hearing any of us, so she stood up and turned her back on us, ready to go up to her room. Anything to get away from my family and me.

"I know they've wronged you mother, but what has that got to do with Hope and me?" Mrs. Williams stopped, upon hearing Henry's voice.

"I'm not ready to talk about this with you," Mrs. Williams's voice was dangerously low.

"Well I am," Henry let go of me and took a few steps closer to his mother. "We are going to have this conversation because this is getting out of hand."

Henry's mother turned to glare at him but he wasn't backing down. "Where's that lovely woman? Where's that woman that took my sisters and me, in? Where is she? Because the woman standing before me, isn't her."

"You don't understand the pain!" Mrs. Williams screamed. "The pain of loving someone that doesn't love you back. Someone that chose another even when he was meant to be yours."

"Then settle the cause with him and his wife. Why do Hope and her siblings, why do I need to suffer for their sins?" Henry calculatingly took another step closer. "If you don't know mother, history repeated itself in my life. I love Hope, whereas someone else was in love with me. How does it feel if you find out that the lady once in love with me, laid a curse on me? We can't fight this, mother."

"And what about me?" Mr. Williams moved to stand in front of his wife. "You are so buried deep in the past that you don't know how much your actions are hurting me. Do I mean nothing to you?"

Mrs. Williams opened her mouth but her husband wasn't done talking. "Does he still have your heart? Don't you want the kids and me in your life? Do you even love me?"

"I do," Mrs. Williams rushed to her husband as she tried clearing his questions. I stood, watching in silence as I felt helpless. "I just can't-"

"Let go of the past?" Henry spoke next. "Why? What's there to not let go? What if everything happened for a reason? What if you both didn't work out because I was meant to be with Hope? Mother, this isn't fair."

I heard shuffling and both my parents stood up. They'd been quiet ever since Mrs. Williams' rampage and now that it looked like she's calmed down for a tiny bit, they wanted to explain things to her.

"Idara, we both were betrothed before we came into this world," My father stated as everyone fell silent We all had eyes on my father, even Henry's mother. If only she wasn't glaring at him. "The possibility of us loving each other wasn't certain. I tried loving you, I did but it didn't work out. The night you introduced Essien to me as your best friend, was the day I fell in love with her. I tried fighting it but no matter how hard I tried, the image of Essien couldn't leave my head."

"Ebong and I knew what we were doing wasn't right. We both knew it wasn't fair to you and so I wanted to end things with him even though I knew it would hurt me." My mother at this point was crying which forced my throat to ache. If Henry's mother wasn't going to forgive us, then I better leave his house with my family. I just couldn't watch my parents in this state.

"But then, I found out I was pregnant with Hope and we thought it'd be best to let you know but...." Mother trailed, looking down at her foot. "You found out before we could even have the chance to explain things to you. Hope and Henry love each other. I know how hurtful you must be but I beg you, give them your blessings. Give my family your blessings and let just my husband and I, carry your curse. We deserve it."

"Deserve what?!" Abasifreke stood up, having enough already. "Abeg, abeg, abeg, um... Mrs. Williams. My mother said you should bless us and bless my sister and your son while letting them alone carry the curse, but we will not agree. It's either you reverse the curse fully or we won't leave this place. Aha, watin sef, watin?! Na by force to love? Besides it's centuries ago. Why are you still carrying the matter on your head like... You're lucky you're my parents' age o."

"Ma, forgive my sister. She's saying the right thing but with the wrong words." Mary held Abasifreke back. But for some reason, Mrs. Williams didn't have her usual glare. Were they unknowingly getting to her?

"I got rejected by this boy named Matthew when I was in Ss2," Mary confessed as everyone looked at her. "I thought he liked me 'cause he was getting close to me but it turned out he was getting close to me because he liked my elder sister, Abasifreke. She eventually rejected him because she didn't like him. Rejection happens daily. I know it hurts but that's life. Yes, we're in the Gen Z era, so it would mean it doesn't hurt, but it does and it's the way we handle things that matters."

"Mummy," Dorcas moved forward. She was the last person I was expecting to speak on this issue. "I know I told you I didn't like Hope but that was because I thought she was a hindrance. But she isn't. I think she came into our lives to settle things between you and her parents unknowingly."

"Being strapped had molded me to be strong and independent." I sat on the couch, feeling my legs grow weak. "But how does it feel if your family was soaked in poverty because of a curse? Ma'am, I'm pleading with you, forgive my parents."

Everyone stared at Mrs. Williams since she hadn't spoken a word since we started cornering her. But then, Olamide got to her mother's side and held her hands. "Do you love your present family? Or you want something different?"

And with that, Mrs. Williams broke down into heavy sobs. Everyone watched as she hugged Olamide while crying her eyes out. Her husband kept patting her back soothingly but that had little to no effect on her. Olamide helped her mother as she directed her to the couch so she could have her seat.

We waited patiently till Mrs. Williams could regain herself and when she did, she looked up at me and my parents.

"You hurt me, Ebong and Essien. But I can tell Henry and Hope love each other." Mrs. Williams started but stopped to suck in the air. "I was moved by jealousy and anger. Jealous that you chose my friend over me and angry that I got betrayed by the two persons I cherished the most."

Mrs. Williams took her husband's hands and held them in hers. "I love my husband, I love him more than anything in this world." She turned to Henry, Olamide, and Dorcas. "And I love my children. They are the reasons I smile and know that I'm not alone."

"I'm still hurt by you both," She turned back to my parents. "But I feel ashamed that these beautiful children you have with you, have to suffer because of me. I'm sorry."

I could've heard a pin drop if there was one. Did Henry's mum just apologize? How was that possible?

"We should be the ones feeling sorry for cursing you so much pain, Idara." Mother stated, but Mrs. Williams shook her head and wiped her tears.

"Maybe it all happened for a reason. I got a handsome husband and beautiful kids that are very successful." Mrs. Williams sighed, looking at her lap. Soon her eyes landed on my father. "I should stop holding on to the past."

"I bless you Ebong. You'll grow in riches and favour and I bless you Essien, you're both free from whatever curse I'd laid on you that day." My siblings jumped when they heard the sound of thunder from the outside like it was about to rain. "And I bless your children. They'll all succeed in life and be fruitful."

"Hope, come here." Mrs. Williams gestured for me to go to her, which I did. She gestured for Henry, which he did too. "Kneel please."

Henry and I stared at each other and eventually, knelt before his mother. She looked at her son and me, then suck in another breath as tears streamed down her eyes to her cheeks.

"I'm sorry I've caused you pain all your life, Hope. I'm so sorry." She held my cheeks and looked at me with a loving gaze. "You are perfect for my son, and I give you both my blessings."

It felt like a heavy load had been lifted off of our shoulders as Henry and I, stared at each other. We were free to love, free to do whatever without the fear of his mother. My family was free, free to live without a curse hovering over us.

"Thank you so much ma," I held her hands as I tried hard not to cry but failed miserably. "You don't know what you've done for me, your son, and my family."

"And for me too," Mrs. Williams said softly. "I feel lighter knowing I've forgiven those that wronged me."

We all watched as she got up to slowly move to my parents. She stared at my mother and I could see the tears roaming down their cheeks. "I miss my best friend,"

Mother wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand as she sniffed. "And I miss you."

"You both look good," I leaned my head on Henry's shoulder as he held me securely in his arms while watching our parents. "I'm sorry for being blinded with rage to ever see that."

"You're a strong woman for forgiving," Father placed his hands on Mrs. Williams' shoulders while Mr. Williams walked to stand beside his wife. "And we're thankful for that."

Henry's mum eyes roamed to meet my siblings and I saw Abasifreke looking at the opposite side out of guilt, probably by the words she'd said to his mum.

"Can I get an introduction?" She asked, looking at Abasifreke. "I'm aware Hope's firstborn. So, who's next?"

We all turned to look at Abasifreke and I hoped she wouldn't burst into tears knowing how with her solid image, she was still the one easily driven to tears.

"I'm um... Abasifreke Prince and I'm nineteen." She said, finally meeting Mrs. Williams' eyes. "And I'm sorry if my words offended you."

"You made me see reasons," Henry's mum gave my sister a knowing smile. "There's nothing to be sorry about."

"I'm Mary Prince, and I'm eighteen." I noticed Dorcas and Olamide share a look as there was little to no gap between Abasifreke and Mary.

"I'm Jeffery Prince," Jeffery lifted his hands at a far end.

"And I'm Gloria Prince," Gloria echoed, away from Jeffery.

"We're both sixteen and we're twins." They said at the same time while smiling at Henry's mum. "We're in Ss3."

"I'm Jessica Prince," Jessica said proudly, resting both hands on her bony hips. "I'm fifteen, also in Ss3."

"How do your parents cope?" Henry leaned to ask me. I chuckled at that while remembering how life was growing up.

"We just managed," I shrugged, not sure if there was any word I could use.

"I'm Faith Prince and that's my twin, Wisdom." She said, pointing at her brother. "Though we are both thirteen years, I came out before him."

That was true. Between Jeffery and Gloria, Jeffery was older by three minutes while Faith was older than Wisdom by fifteen seconds.

"I'm A-Afanide Prince and I'm e-eleven years o-old," He said trying to sound impressive, then pointed at Betty and Destiny. "And that's B-Betty and Destiny and they are both n-nine and five years old r-r-r-respec-pec-"

"Respectively," I butt in, helping Afanide with big words.

Mrs. Williams squatted as she stared at Afanide, Betty, and Destiny. She bit her lower lips as she pulled them into a hug. "I'm sorry. I'm usually not this mean, I just-"

"It's alright ma," Betty reached her hands out and wiped Mrs. Williams's face. It was too cute that I had to hide my face on Henry's broad chest. He chuckled deeply and I could feel it vibrate in his chest.

Mrs. Williams got up and moved over to my mother. "And this?"

It was obvious that my mum was pregnant. As a woman, Mrs. Williams could tell. My mother stared at her tummy and sighed. "I haven't thought of a name yet. Every one of my kids has a special meaning to their name. Abasifreke means God never forgets, Mary, means beloved, Jeffery means God's peace, Gloria means glory, Jessica means God's behold, Mbuotidem, but she loves referring herself to Faith; which is the meaning of her name. Ifiok, but he prefers bearing the meaning of his name; Wisdom. Afanide means brave root, Elizabeth means oath of God, and Destiny means fate. As for this child, I also won't rush. I've got five more months to think"

"They all have beautiful names," Olamide stepped forward with Dorcas. "You did them well."

"Do you regret it?" I could sense the guilt in Dorcas' voice. "Regret having them?"

My eyes moved to my parents and so did my siblings. My parents didn't speak and I gulped. Henry's grip on my shoulders tightened as I looked down to my feet.

"No," I looked up to meet my mum looking at me with tear-filled eyes. "They might be a result of a curse, but they are my blessings."

I didn't know when it happened, but I found myself moving to my mother and hugging her as the tears fell freely from my eyes. We'd suffered enough, I'd suffered enough, and knowing neither of my parents regretted our existence was the biggest gift anyone could ask for.

My little hug with my mum turned into a full family hug, and I didn't know how long we stayed in that position.

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I sat with Henry on the balcony, my hands in his and head resting comfortably on his shoulder. We'd left our family as they decided to do some catching up. The sky was getting dark because it was nearing nighttime. It was very beautiful knowing how the day was a success.

"So we're free to love?" I asked, as it still sounded too good to be true.

Henry let out a closed mouth breathy chuckle. "Are you scared something eventful would happen again?"

"You never can tell," I stared at a distance. "It's always drama with you."

Henry laughed, pulling me to sit upright so he could look at my face. "So, no drama in your life before you met me?"

I blinked, thinking about how my life was before I met Henry. "Before I met you, I was only worried about keeping the slay queen's reputation. At least then, I had two best friends."

For the first time, Henry pouted. Yes, it was playfully but he pouted nonetheless. "So you'd want to go back in time?"

I stared at him in disbelief. How on earth did he end up with such a conclusion? Who'd want to leave a fortune just to go back to being strapped? The only thing I'd love to go back in time for is to tell my past naive self to steer clear of Christy and to not laugh at Baby's dream."

"And what about yelling at me at the Supermarket just because I didn't give you a selfie?" Henry asked, reaching for my chin and tracing his thumb on my lower lips.

"Well, I..." I bit my lower lips as I became nervous for some reason. This got Henry to chuckle deeply, as his dark eyes landed on mine.

"You?" He questioned with a raised brow, knowing how breathless he'd made me.

"I..." I trialed, but Henry wasn't helping. He had leaned tracing kisses on my collarbone, as he let me take my time with my fumbled words. "I won't change any of my encounters with you, that's what brought me to you. Brought me to love you."

Henry stopped with his feathering kisses as he searched my eyes for something I do not know of. And when he seemed like he'd find it, Henry moved closer to whisper. "And I love you."

And he kissed me.

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Word count: 2857

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-Eddy