Chapter 18

Paul got home to see Helen packing her things. She had been staying with Paul for some days and had gone to her ex-boyfriend’s place to get her during that time to get her things.

She stopped what she was doing to look at the puzzled Paul. "How was the dinner," she said, pretending not to notice the look on his face.

"It was okay," he said slowly as he sat down on the bed.

Paul didn't say anything for some time, as he waited for her to break the silence and explain what was going on. She did not.

"What are you doing? Are you going somewhere?"

"Not today," she replied. "Tomorrow."

"Why?" Paul asked. "Did I do something wrong?"

Helen smiled.

"Don't be silly," she said. "You didn't do anything."

"So…" Paul said and trailed off.

"Well, I got a call from my dad immediately after you left," she said and paused for some time.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah. Totally. Just that my mom is sick, cancer and she doesn't have long to live, well, that's what the doctors said. She also asked to see me, I have not seen her in a very long time."

"I'm so sorry about that," Paul said, placing his right hand around her shoulder.

"We were never on good terms though and the fact that I have not seen her for years is actually intentional. She really made life hard for me, wanting me to do things a certain way, dress a certain way and if she had her way, I would be marrying this man she wanted me to marry, a man I know nothing about," she said and chuckled. "Who would have thought arranged marriages were still a thing in the twenty first century haha."

"Actually," Paul, who had been smiling, began to say. "There are so many cultures that still practice arranged marriages. Indians actually do it a lot and personally, there was a time when I thought such marriage would be of benefit to me since I couldn't talk to girls to save my life haha. So, you would not have been alone had you had gone through with it."

Helen tapped Paul's head lightly.

"Didn't ask for your opinion," she said smiling. "Also, I was nineteen years old at the time and was in my final year. She also said pursuing further education isn't really necessary since I would need to devote all my time to my kids and husband."

"Oh. Wow!"

"I know right? I knew it had to do with how she was raised and all that got me pissed off, but she was relentless. I guess I have my dad to thank for letting me do whatever I wanted to do. And there is the irony," Helen said.

"What?" Paul asked.

"Women should push women instead of dragging them backwards, that was supposed to be men's job," she said smiling.

"There are good women out there and I'm sure you're one of them," Paul said as he touched her face with his left hand."

"Thank you," Helen said.

"Sure, you're ready to see her again?" Paul asked.

Helen smiled.

"Can't wait for her to begin to talk about why it would be bad if I don't get married soon and give birth early."

"Probably shouldn't be trolling someone on a sick bed," Paul joked.

"Maybe," Helen agreed.

"How many siblings do you have?" Paul asked.

"So rich of you to ask that question now after about 2 weeks of staying together," Helen said with a frown that quickly changed into a smile.

"Answer the question clown," Paul said smiling.

She tapped his head again and with more force this time.

"I'm an only child," she replied.

"Okay," Paul said.

"Hungry?"

"I'm anything but that."

"She fed you well, I see," Helen said.

"She did," Paul replied.

"So, tell me, how was dinner? What did you guys talk about, and do you think the plan will work?"

"Yeah. I think it will. I also plan on bringing my brother in on it," Paul said.

"The same brother you told me about. The one who would do anything to get your dad's validation?" Helen asked apprehensively.

"My dad also found a way to throw shade at him today as usual and I think I can make him see that our dad has been bad to us one way or the other. Besides, I would like to do anything that could make us behave like an actual family you know, to make us care for each other," Paul said.

"Whatever, I really hope you know what you're doing. Besides, you'll need all the help you can get."

"Yeah," Paul said.

"So, when will you resume?" she asked him.

"Definitely not tomorrow. I would like to keep up the appearance that I'm not really happy and eager to be back, but I'll do my best anyway."

"Good thinking."

"I was even thinking maybe next week, but I think that might be a little bit far," Paul said, looking at Helen.

"I actually don't think so, but Wednesday or Thursday might just be okay. It should pass your point across," she replied.

"Anyway, I'm about to have another sibling."

"Your stepmom?" Helen asked.

"Yes. So maybe if things don't go well with Pete, I might have another chance," Paul said, smiling.

"Might not be a boy."

"It's not a boy, it's a girl and it doesn't change my point."

"Wow. Congratulations," Helen said, extending her hands towards Paul.

This time, Paul tapped her head and even though it was light, it was enough to make Helen jump on him as they rolled and fought on the bed playfully.