Mother sat down on the massive bed in the middle of the vast room. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. "I know how you feel, Christina. I too adored someone." she confessed. She fiddled with the gemstones on her gown; her eyes still closed.
I was surprised by this sudden outburst of my mother's past life. She wouldn't normally tell me stories about her life. I listened more closely. This may be the only time that she is going to open up to her daughter.
"I was in love with this man." her eyes still shut, maybe remembering about her past. "It was before I met your father. He was the most gorgeous man that I have ever seen. He was the perfect man for me; everything that I wanted in a husband came in one package. We were both deeply in love with each other. We loved each other more than life.
"He would always come around my house at night sneaking in my glass balcony door. My parents never approved of him. He worked as a fisherman in the docks; he had a small house near the beach living with his ill father, he smelled like fish every time I saw him, he always wore his dirty ripped shirt and pants; he didn't have any decent clothing. He was poor or as my parents called his kind, a rat. But I didn't care about those things. I didn't care if I smelled like fish every day. All that mattered was our affection for each other.
"Time passed and I heard about my arranged marriage with Edmund, your father. We lovers decided to run away, just the two of us. His father would be taken care by a close friend and I was happy to leave my parents. I would be leaving my old life behind.
"We decided that we will leave after he returns home from his last trip to the sea. He promised me that he would come back for me. Of course, I waited patiently. I always looked out the balcony for his familiar dirty white shirt. I already packed up my bag and hid it inside my closet so no one would know about our plan. For days, I have waited for him, watching the sea from my balcony. But he never came back. I was starting to lose hope; my wedding was already a week away.
"Then one night, when I was asleep. A soft tap came to my glass door. I woke up and unveiled the curtain. My heart stopped for a millisecond in joy. I remember being really happy; until now nothing can compare to that happiness. I quickly dressed up, my hands were shaking in excitement. He even had to help me with my dress. I got my bag from the closet ready to leave my life behind me. He had tied a strong thick rope to the railing to help me down. It was too risky to take the front door. My father had the house guarded; in every corner and space, there was nowhere to hide. We had to sneak really quietly out of our estate. Once outside, we got onto the cart being pulled by a horse. I sat in the old wooden cart and he sat on the horse leading it away.
"We didn't lose anytime. He had the horse in full speed. We didn't get far till horses started chasing us. Men were riding the horses, they were armed; swords, forks, shovels, knives, anything that would cause pain, they had it. Father was one of the men. He was the one leading the group. He pushed the horse up to its fastest speed, but with the cart behind, the horse couldn't excel. It was not too long till they caught up with us, surrounding us. We had no chance of escape.
"'Give me back my daughter, you filthy rat!' my father yelled. My father threatened to kill him if he didn't hand me in.
"I was terrified to lose him so I gave myself in; not wanting to cause any harm to him. I got out of the cart and onto my father's horse. I watched my lover as we descended into the night. I watched in sadness as I saw him crumple in pain. That was the first and last time I saw him cry. Little did I know it was also the last moment I had with him.
"A week later when I got married, news travelled to me." mother stopped taking a long pause. She filled her lungs with air before continuing. "They told me he was dead." another long pause "He killed himself. He didn't want to live without me." she sighed "I was devastated when I left him that night. His face twisted in pain and anger. I was shattered when he died. I was ready to kill myself but Edmund was always there comforting me, supporting me. He cared for me when I couldn't take care of myself.
"That was when I opened my eyes up from my terrible nightmare." as if demonstrating it she opened up her eyes, but not meeting with mine. "My feelings for your father had changed since then. Even though I love Edmund with all my heart, I will never forget the man that made me realize that I could love someone who ever they may be." she finished her story coming back to the present.
It was a shock hearing all of this from my mother. I never knew that she loved someone more deeply than my father. Father and mother love each other so much. Even the way they look at each other, you would know that they have that special connection. An emotional connection that no one can break. They were made for each other. It was kind of hard to think that mother loved someone more than she did with father. It was never a happy ending with them. Though. But she found a new love with my father. She has never forgotten about him until now. Will it be like that with me and Tristyn? Will I be playing the role of my mother or that unnamed man?
"Come on Christina." my mother said standing up from the bed. She straightened up her clothes before walking up to me. "I think they are ready to see you now."