Chapter 24

The day was going well, we had lots of fun. The boat ride, the water race, pictures time, lots to eat and drink. As night approached, we went to get our costumes for the camp fire which my Dad ordered down for everyone. We changed over and matched down to the camp fire ground where other families and couples gathered with their loves ones. We sang and danced around the fire, until it was burning into ash. Almost everyone got tired after the whole activities. Dad suggested we set up our own family fire close to our lodge. The fire was set by my Dad and his two boys, Ohio and Cole. It was an activity day and night for all of us. Ohio was blending perfectly into everything and it seem he was always seen close to my Dad. All of us sat around the fire, my Parents, Cole and Melinda and then me and Ohio. My Dad was talking about his youthful life and some lovely memories that I still remember, he talks about my Mom, who he calls his heartbeat. He talks about my brother Joe who was in a faraway country with his own family. My Dad talks about me and how I was a 'Daddy little girl when I was growing up" he talks about Melinda who always wanted to have her way at all-time, My Dad said that Melinda has a good heart which she hides from everyone. And I'm still trying to see where the good heart is hidden. We were all filled with smile as my Dad speaks. Suddenly Melinda suggested that we should all talk about how we got to meet our spouse or partner. I have already told her before, I wonder why she was bringing it up again. I know Melinda is always mischievous and maybe looking for a way to prove a point but I didn't see where the whole talk will lead to until she suggest that me and Ohio should start first. When I try to speak she hushed. 'No Becca, let the men do the talking. I suggest Ohio, your husband to be do the talking. Let him tell us where he met you and how he proposed to you. My heart went into race because I never saw it coming. I did not inform Ohio what I told Melinda. Ohio asked me to always update him about anything and I did but I never thought this will come up. I try to argue it out but Melinda will not give up, she wanted Ohio to speak and even asked my Dad to endorse it. 'Why not? Is a good topic for the night. Melinda raised a good topic. Ohio should tell us, after Ohio then Cole and I will be the last to say mine. I hope I will be able to remember all the stories. Anyway your mother will help me in every way. So, Ohio…kindly tell us where you met Becca, my Daughter and also the proposal just as Melinda said. Is a family night…we are just having fun. I swallowed hard as Ohio turned to me, I saw his face with the help of the burning fire. He was relaxed and look at peace. But I wasn't at any peace even though I pretend to be. Ohio do not understand that this was another of Melinda's traps and he may fall into her awaiting trap. He looked back at everyone and began to speak. 'Becca works for a company owned by one of my friend and business partner. I joined hands with my friend to keep the company running after I returned fully to the country. I saw Becca many times and there was something about her which I couldn't place. Maybe from her demeanor or the way she compose herself and smile at every greetings. She was not into the eye service thing like many were doing. Even my friend knew that I liked her and confirmed that Becca was a hardworking staff who was selfless too. Well, I later got talking with Becca and confirmed it myself…and to cut the long story short one thing lead to another and here we are. The proposal wasn't something elaborate. It was just within us. I'm not much of a public person and well, she got the ring after all. Sweat broke out of my fore head. While my parents and Cole clapped after Ohio's short speech, Melinda was busy laughing. I guess she felt like she has finally won. Immediately everywhere went silent Melinda began. 'hahahahaha! Either Becca is lying or Ohio is. But one of them must be lying. And I do not believe any of this cooked up stories. I told Mom that there was something fishy and she did not believe me…and here we are. Everyone had a puzzled look on their faces, my Mom tries to hush Melinda but the small witch has not even started yet. She refused to listen and proceed. 'Well! Well… Becca told me that she and Ohio met at the movies and he proposed to her at the airport, during one of his return after his usual business trips. She told me people gathered and cheered at them as Ohio went on one knee to propose. I did not believe that story and neither do I believe that this whole engagement thing is real. Dad, didn't you notice that it was after Becca got to know about my engagement that she came up with her own story of being engaged. How can they meet in two different places? Ohio said he met Becca at her work place and the proposal was not a public one. But Becca said they met during a movie, shared a seat together and the proposal was a public one. who do we believe here…? Ohio turned and looked at me, he breathed deeply. I was already boiling angrily, I did not return the look as I kept staring at the fire. I was not angry with Ohio because I was supposed to update him on everything or any changes but I never told him that Melinda was a real pest. My anger was channeled at Melinda who will not let me be. She tries to take away every of my happy moment. It was actually Jojo that was holding the award of a wicked backstabber but Melinda is beginning to drag such award with Jojo. It was as if they should come from same mother. Melinda did not even listen to my Mom or Dad as they told her it was enough. 'Dad, I'm serious Becca is lying about this whole thing. Is too good to be true. I read psychology in one of my courses in school and I know when things are true. I don't believe any of this, none of it seem real to me and I will expose every of their hidden secret. What if Ohio is a gigolo and Becca hired him to play all this whole engagement drama?… I could not even explain the level of my anger any more as I got up with speed, without any form of regard for anybody there. I flew like a kite and landed Melinda the slap that I have being reserving for her. She tries to get up and fight back I threw a punch at her and it landed on her eyes, she screamed out in terror before falling to the ground. I was about descending on her when some strong arm whisked me away. I kicked and punch at the person to let me go. It was Ohio. I was consumed with anger and was determined to deal with Melinda. I did not care whatever the consequences maybe. I endured enough of her trouble and there is a limit I can take. How can she refer to Ohio as a male prostitute who I paid to play along with me? Ohio dropped me on the ground and dragged me inside. I wanted to go back and give Melinda the beating of her life but I was dragged and I did not stop trying to get away from him. He succeeded and took me into the room, he left me in there, locked me inside and went out with the key. I kicked and scratched for him to open the door but I guess he was back to check on my evil minded sister. He cared for her than me. He should be here with me not out there checking on that small witch to know if she was okay. I looked out of the window and saw he handed an ice block to Melinda which she used to place on her eyes. My Dad was speaking angrily at her, My Mom walked away, leaving her on the ground there. Cole was standing beside her and watching her with no sign of pity. He later went back to sit where he was sitting before. It was only Ohio that was attending to her as my Dad left her to join my Mom. I went to sit on the bed and began to cry. Everything was just unfair. I suffered betrayal from a supposed dear friend and thought that was the worst now my own sister will not let me. Even if Ohio is fake why can't she just leave me alone? She was one of the reasons I decided to go on such journey. She and my Dad who will not let me be. Now my Dad is calm and loving but Melinda developed horn to hunt me. And when I thought my plans are perfected. Melinda is coming hard on me to destroy it. I sat on the bed crying my eyes out. I later heard the door opening, I try to sit right and wipe my face. Ohio stepped in but did not say anything to me. I guess he thought I'm a bad person or a violent lady. If he knows how much I have kept, swallowed and tolerated from people he won't even dares think I'm violent and can't control my anger. And why do whatever he thinks of me bother me so much? Ohio supposed to be angry at Melinda for referring to him as a gigolo which means a hired man prostitute but instead of being angry with Melinda he is helping her even after everyone abandoned her.