Chapter 2 A Christmas surprise

"Hey Nina" came the voice at the other end, recognizing the voice, I replied with a a lack of emotion "Hey Jason" "did you get my package?" Jason asked. " package? I shrugged, no I didn't " "Okay, a package is on its way to you, there might be a delay, but still, it will arrive eventually". he uttered. As I pondered the mystery of the package, my mind became a whirlwind of possibility, I kept wondering what the content of the package would be, could it be a heartfelt letter or a tender moment? Or perhaps a larger, more substantial package? I kept wondering. The next day, on Christmas morning, I was woken by a buzz at the door. " delivery for Ms. Nina," an unenthusiastic detached voice answered, and a feeling of excitement washed over me, I hurried downstairs and found a middle-aged woman loosely chewing gum, holding a box and leaning against the wall, I signed for the package and took it upstairs. The box is small and surprisingly light, " what could be inside" I thought to myself while shaking it to ascertain the content. As I opened the package, a slender wand of cash slipped out, followed by a note card. The note was scribbled in Jason's familiar handwriting. And the text on the note card reads... "Merry Christmas Nina, "I didn't know what to get you, so I thought I'd give you cash instead." Have a nice celebration, Nina". I stared at the typed note and the cash, speechless, my heart was expanding, and and I felt a tender bruise that throbs with every memory, a lingering soreness that wouldn't fade. I grabbed my phone to call him, curious about why he was still sending me gifts. I have made it clear to him before that I don't want his money or gifts, I'm capable of taking care of myself, what I truly desire is his affection and companionship. I tried calling him twice, but he didn't pick up, and my anger escalated with each unsuccessful attempt, just as I was about to try again, he finally called back. I cut him off before he could even greet me, my voice seething with anger, Jason what is with the constant gift?," I'm not some damsel in distress, I can take care of myself, your gestures are not only unnecessary but also insulting, so please stop sending me gifts". I shouted angrily. He remained silent for so long that I wondered if he was still on the line, 'Hello?' 'Hello?' I prompted, my voice rising in a query. Suddenly, his deep voice rumbled through the phone, like a gentle thunder on a summer day, "I'm here, Nina". your father entrusted me with your care, and I won't let him down, Until you are married, stop being childish and overreacting, I'm only doing what's best for you. He abruptly ended the call. I am utterly consumed by my love for Jason, my every waking thought devoted to who has refused to return my affection, my heart beats solely for him, my soul cries out for his touch and my mind is a maze of longing and despair. Despite his indifference, I can not help but cling to the hope that one day he will see the depth of my devotion and reciprocate my love, my eyes are sunken from sleepless nights spent pining for him, my skin pale from the weight of unrequited love, my smile is a faint echo of its formal radiance, I am like a shipwrecked sailor, lost at sea, clinging to the splintered remains of love. As I held onto hope, a text message from my mother flashed on my phone screen, its arrival punctuated by a soft buzz. I smiled, my heart warming at the thought of her reaching out to me on this Christmas morning, I swiped to open the message, my eyes scanning the words as they appeared on the screen. " Merry Christmas sweetie! Hope your day is filled with love, joy, and your favorite things." I smiled as I read it and quickly reached for my phone to dial her, eager to hear her warm and comforting voice, and wished her a merry Christmas too. As the phone rang, I felt a sense of relief wash over me, grateful for the distraction from the whirlwind of emotions that had been swirling in my mind. When she answered, her cheerful"Hey sweetie!" Was like a balm to my soul, we chatted for a bit, catching up on each other's lives and I found myself relaxing into the familiar rhythm of our conversation. For a brief moment, I forgot about the mystery of Jason's package and the flutter in my chest, losing myself in the simple joy of connecting with my mother. I haven't been in communication with my mom ever since she divorced my dad and began a relationship with her new partner. When my dad passed, she came to take me with her, but I refused, I was angry and hurt, and didn't want to leave my dad's memory behind. I didn't want to start a new life with her and her new partner, I would prefer to be under Jason's guardianship than be in the care of the man who callously dismantled our family unit. " Nina, Fred wants to say hi to you", "Should I pass the phone to him?" " Sorry Mom, I'm afraid I cannot muster the courtesy to greet him." " My feelings towards him are decidedly unfavorable, and I would rather not have any interaction with him whatsoever." " I hope you understand mom?" "Nina, I know you have never been fond of Fred, but he wasn't the reason for my split with your dad." "Then why did you leave Dad for him?" Why did you choose to abandon our family for a man you barely know?" "Why didn't you fight for your relationship with Dad?" I asked with tears streaming down my face, tears shed in sorrow, borne of the anguish and pain I have had to endure, bereft of my mother's loving presence these many years. Especially when I lost my dad. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry," "I sincerely apologize if my actions have caused you any pain or distress," "I asked that you find it in your heart to forgive me, my child," "I promised, I would come around on new years day and explain everything that happened between me and your dad," she spoke with a tremulous voice, the quaver, audible even through the telephone connection, "this is not a conversation suitable for telephone, I wish to discuss it with you in person." She said. I discerned the depth of her sincerity through the reflection of her voice and knew instinctively that I would have to forgive her, I resolved to await her visit on New Year's Day when she would provide me with a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding her divorce with my dad. As the call drew to an end, my mind wandered back to the good old days of my childhood, when my parent's relationship had seemed so robust, so perfectly loving, I couldn't help but wonder, in a state of utter bewilderment, what could have possibly gone awry to cause such a profound dissolution of their union.