For the first time, Rafael didn’t like it when he saw Valerie’s name flashing on his phone screen, “Hey!”

“Rafael. Just wanted to keep a check on you. You know how much I care about you, sweetheart.”

He hummed into the phone as if he was too busy with his work.

“In the past two years, I kept tabs on you and didn’t stop asking about your well-being. Whether we were together or not.” She made her voice a little husky and Rafael found it odd when he felt like she was faking it.

What is happening to me? Is this how husband and wife should behave when a third person tries to cause a drift in their relationship?

“But why would you do that, Valerie, when I was always with you?” he asked her, keeping his tone casual.

She hesitated for a bit, “Of course, Raf. Tha … that’s what… I mean… yes… ha-ha. How… how can I forget that… I was with you all the time.”

He plastered the smile for her sake and invented a lie, “Yeah. All the time. Except when I went for those two days to a Therapy program right after two months of our wedding. Remember?”

She giggled again, “Yeah, yeah. How I missed you for those two days.”

“OK, love. My executives are here, and I need to carry on this meeting. Don’t worry. I’ll not stress my eyes.”

“I love you, Rafael. Just remember … that … I don’t want you to lose your eyes ever again.” She said softly and Rafael felt hurt…betrayed.

“I love you too. Don’t worry, Valerie. Just remember… Hakuna Matata.”

“What!” she laughed on the other side, “what does it mean?”

“Nothing, Valerie. Nothing. It’s just a cute dialogue of a movie.” He disconnected the phone and tossed it on the desk before meeting the gaze of his best friend Joseph.

***

Rafael signed some papers and moved the file to his assistant, “Take it, Liam. And ask the builders to follow the contract deadlines so that we can start hiring the new staff for our new offices in Kanderton.”

Liam nodded and picked up the file. Just recently he had found that Kanderton was a developing city and had a very good scope for their business.

“I feel like you are part of some movie,” Joseph said munching some crisps when Liam left, “maybe a suspense thriller.”

They were seated in Rafael’s office of Sinclair Industries after such a long time.

“You are saying that Marissa made a claim that she was the one who spent these past two years with you. On the other hand, your mom didn’t get you to meet anyone. Why do you think she did that?”

“Maybe because my psychiatrist suggested it. According to him I might have felt left out.” Rafael shrugged and took a sip of his coffee.

“And why would a psychiatrist suggest something so outrageous, Rafael? Instead of helping you mingle among other people, he is suggesting you give up your social life. Strange.”

Rafael stood up and loosened the tie around his neck.

“I need to find out about Dr. Sophia and Marissa. Something is telling me, they both are together. Sophia knows something about this whole drama that’s the reason she flew away.”

“By the way,” Joseph also got to his feet, “why are you so adamant in finding these women? Let them live their life and you stay happy with yours.”

Rafael was looking out the glass door observing the city lights. He didn’t give any reaction to Joseph’s questions.

He didn’t move when he felt his friend’s hand on his shoulder, “Don’t keep it inside you. Tell me. Why are you looking for them?” And for the first time, Rafael felt this sudden urge to cry.

“B…Because if… if Marissa is telling the truth, then… then … I think… those kids… those twins are mine.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Joseph went still for a moment, “Goodness!” he whispered, and Rafael nodded with a sarcastic smirk.

“Did you talk to your mom or Valerie about it?” Rafael shook his head at his friend’s query,

“No, I didn’t. Asking these questions might mean alerting them. Valerie is not the same anymore.”

“Why? Weren’t you dating her before the accident? How can you say that?”

Because whenever I suck those kissable lips, they no more give me the taste of strawberries. I crave that taste.

He didn’t say it out loud but something in his expression made Joseph feel sorry for him.

“She doesn’t remember Hakuna Matata… a phrase from Lion King. I just lied to her that I went to a therapy program right after two months of our marriage. She went along with it but… I never went to any therapy program… in fact… in fact, I always stayed home after getting blind.”

He explained to his friend and for a few minutes, heavy silence hung in the room.

“Joseph. Help me.” This time there was pleading in his voice, “Help me in finding out Marissa and her kids. I might be wrong, but I need to confirm before taking the next step.”

He wasn’t able to get Marissa’s teary voice out of his mind before she left. She knew about Hakuna Matata, and she already predicted that he would regret it once she was gone.

Rafael closed his eyes.

I need to find you, strawberry. I need to find you, my sugar. Where have you gone?

***

“I’m so happy that you made it here in time,” Marissa held Sophia’s hand while sitting beside her on the couch.

“Me too. The first time he entered in my office, I knew he was having doubts.” Sophia again touched the iced water glass to her lips.

She didn’t take the risk of going home and left for Kanderton straight from her office. Thankfully her trusted cleaning lady got the documents delivered to her office. It was not wise to stay there anymore.

Rafael’s men might be keeping an eye on her every move.

“How is your pregnancy?” Sophia gave a little pat to her friend’s belly, “How are the babies?”

“They are good. It’s just the morning sickness that’s bothering me. Otherwise, it’s quite smooth.” Marissa started fidgeting her fingers in nervousness.

“What’s the matter? You seem upset.” Marissa nodded her head trying to control her quivering lips, “I was trying for college admissions. Before getting married to Rafael I was planning to start my MBA.”

“Then? I think one is supposed to take the entrance test.” Marissa nodded and gave her a shaky grin,

“I know. I’m getting to that part. I gave the test and today I got to know…”

“For God’s sake, Marissa. Speak up! My heart is sinking.”

“I got to know that…” she exhaled a long breath, “that I have failed the test.” Marissa couldn’t take it anymore and started crying.

“Hey! Girl!” Sophia at once moved closer to her friend and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Sophia. I was such an intelligent girl before I got married to him. I left everything for his happiness. And now I have nothing in my hands.”

“Who said you are no longer an intelligent girl?” Both the girls jumped up when Grandpa Flint’s voice got to their ears.

“Don’t ever talk like that. You are NOT empty-handed. Ok?” Grandpa Flint said sternly, “You have kids, silly girl. Once they are here, see how your world will change for good.”

“But Grandpa. My initial plan was to do an MBA to land in a big multinational. How will I raise my kids without a good job? I wanted to give the best life to my kids.” She said brokenly.

They were Rafael’s kids and deserved a lavish lifestyle as Sinclair’s heirs.

“Marissa. Look up!” Grandpa Flint placed his coffee cup aside and took the chair to sit opposite her, “Listen, girl. Who the hell told you that you can only give a good lifestyle to your kids by achieving an MBA degree?”

“Then what else should I do?” Marissa accepted the napkin from Sophia and wiped her nose, “The only thing I might be doing is waitressing. That’s what I can do best, I guess.”

“Can you put some positive thoughts in that head of yours, girl?” Grandpa Flint snubbed her like a gentle father who couldn’t let his daughter think of herself as someone small.

Marissa kept crying and could feel Sophia rubbing her hand on her back to console her.

“Marissa. Listen to me,” Flint held the hands of the crying girl, “Maybe that’s what fate wants you to do. Why work under someone when you can start your own business.”

“Business?” Marissa quit crying and eyed the old man as if he had lost his mind, “What business? I don’t even have any money for investment.”

“The business idea I have in mind might not need a huge investment.” Marissa didn’t say anything and kept looking at Flint’s wrinkled face.

“All these days, I have been eating the food you are cooking for me in this kitchen,” Flint pointed towards the stove where the chicken broth was simmering on a very low flame, “Start a food business.”

“What!”

“What!” this time Sophia also screamed along with Marissa.

“Food business?”

“Yeah. Food business. You have got taste in your hands, silly. Has anyone ever told you, your hands have got this magic?”

Marissa had quit crying.

“I have seen you preparing food with so much love… and so much passion. For you, it’s like therapy. Make that therapy your career.”

Sophia started nodding her head, “Grandpa Flint is right. Start a food business, Marissa. Who knows, in the future, you might be doing successful catering in all the top organizations. Maybe… someday, when that university invites you to cater to their guests you can just show them your middle finger.”

For the first time, Marissa found her first smile, “Oh God, Sophia! Flint! You two are something,” she said with a giggle.

Sophia threw her hand around her neck and squeezed her to her side, “Let’s conquer the world, Marissa Aaron. Along with my nieces, let’s show the world who we are. It’s time to shine!”