Chapter 77: The proposal

Dorah was sitting in the living room watching a Korean movie on the television. She had a bowl of popcorn and a large Coke bottle beside her. Since they were on holiday and she had nowhere to go, she settled for watching a movie. "Maybe I should just go to Miranda's house to check on her," she thought, bringing out her phone and sending a message to their friends' group chat. "Who's in for a visit?" she texted. Within seconds, they all started replying. Emma, Prudence, and Dorah agreed to meet at Miranda's house. However, Miranda had not been online. "Oh, finally, leaving this boredom," she said happily. Just as she reached the stairs, she heard the doorbell ring. "Ughhh, who is it now?" she grumbled, walking toward the door. "Welcome, Mum," she said as she opened the door to find her mother standing there. "How's my baby doing?" Agnes asked as she entered and walked to the living room, with Dorah trailing behind her. "I'm good. Just bored," Dorah replied as Agnes sat down. "The girls and I decided to go to Miranda's house, so I'm going to doll myself up," she winked at her mother. "Well, I trust you on that," Agnes chuckled. "I'm coming," Dorah said, turning to leave. "Dorah," Agnes called her back. "Yes, Mum?" she answered and turned to face her. "Can I have a word with you? I mean, can we talk? I have something to tell you," Agnes said. "Okay, Mum. I'm all ears now," Dorah said as she sat beside her. "Uhmm... you remember I told you about Joseph and me being past lovers?" "Yes, Mum." "Well, actually... the thing is... I think I've fallen for him again. Like... I think I still love him," she stuttered. "What?!" "Yeah," Agnes said, fiddling with her fingers. "And I think he loves me too. Well, I... I don't really count it as a big deal, actually. So we've both... like... he proposed to me," Agnes said, showing Dorah her finger. The ring had truly been replaced with a new one. "Again?!" Dorah exclaimed. "Don't act like that. I haven't accepted his proposal. I told him I'd ask you first, and whatever your reply is..." "So, you love him?" Dorah asked, trying to get things straight. "Ye... yes," Agnes hesitated. "I'm sorry, Mum, but you guys can't be together." "Dorah, why?" Agnes said, holding her hands. "I'm sorry," Dorah said, looking away. "Dorah, please, just do this for me. You know, since your father died, I have never found anyone to replace him in my heart. I just want to make myself happy after so many years," Agnes said as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Baby, you said you wanted the best for me. You told me you'd always put the best smile on my face," Agnes said tearfully. "It's okay, Mum. You know I don't like seeing you in tears," Dorah said as she hugged her mother. "Clean your tears. It's okay now," she said, wiping her mother's tears with her thumbs. "You can accept the proposal, but promise me you won't force Jace and me to be siblings." "Why?" "Jace once told me he didn't like being a brother." "Okay, we'll sort that out later." "Okay, Mum," Dorah said as she hugged her mother. "I'll go dress up now. The girls must be waiting for me," Dorah said, standing up. "Okay, baby." Jace and Joseph were inside, discussing Jace's comeback. "So much on my plate. Back to writing songs," Jace said, resting on the couch with a funny expression, making Joseph chuckle. "Well, you have just 10 days. So, you should know how occupied you are," Joseph shrugged. "How am I supposed to compose within 10 days?" "Well, that reminds me of when you were young. You always wrote songs like stories. It was no big deal then. I hope you haven't lost your touch," Joseph winked. "Well, that was then. It's been a long time since I felt that touch," Jace said. "Moreover, Mum was always there for me then," he added. "Well, she's always there, and she'll always be there for you, right in your heart," Joseph said, pointing toward Jace's chest. "Yeah. I need something to drink. Hey, Dad, what would you like?" he asked as he stood up. "Wine would be good. But before that, sit. I have something to tell you," Joseph said, and Jace sat down. "Well, assuming I decided to marry another lady, what would you do?" Joseph asked, staring intensely at Jace, not wanting to miss any emotions he showed. "Assuming or... are you actually about to do it? Dad, just go straight to the point, okay?" Jace said, frowning. "Okay. Agnes and I are dating. Well, just recently, though, and we intend to get married too," he said and exhaled as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "You can't," Jace said, standing up. "Why? Is she not good enough for me? Isn't she a good mother? She can always be there to replace the love of your mother for you. So, what's wrong?" Joseph asked, confused. "No, it's not like that. She's the kind of woman any man would want as a wife. She treats me like her own son, but Dad...." "But what? What's your 'but' all about?" Joseph interrupted. "You really want to know?" Jace asked, biting his lower lip. "Yes, tell me because I don't seem to understand why you're acting like this over me dating Agnes. You're...." "I love Dorah. I love her," Jace half-yelled. Joseph looked at him in surprise. He couldn't believe what his son was telling him. "What's all the noise about?" Grandma, who had just walked in, asked. Jace glanced at Grandma and then turned his gaze back to his father. "Can someone please tell me what's going on here?" Grandma asked, looking between Jace and Joseph. Jace let out a frustrated grunt and stormed off to his room. "Joseph, what's wrong?" Grandma asked, but Joseph's gaze was fixed on the ground.