INTERLUDE MOTHER

  Orzic sits hunched over his laptop in a crowded café, fingers idly tapping the keyboard. He glances at his watch—again—his restless energy betraying anticipation.

  Dressed in a classic Canadian shirt with matching pants, he looks slightly out of place among the hurried patrons.

  His rough, unkempt hair sticks out in uneven strands, as if he ran his fingers through it one too many times. The hum of conversation and clinking cups surround him, but his focus drifts between the screen and the entrance, waiting.

  He mumbles to himself, “Just how long is she gonna make me wait? … I'll tell her this time…”

  His eyes are focused on the screen, moving rapidly as he types code for his new model. A cup of hot coffee was quietly steaming near his laptop. His fingers gently grab the cup, bringing it to mouth.

  As he sips the coffee, he notices someone hurriedly entering the cafe. Looking closer she turns out to be.

  Kira, wearing a stylish outfit consisting of a white top tucked into high-waisted, light gray skinny jeans. She has layered the look with a fitted burgundy jacket that features a belt detail on the side.

  She pairs the outfit with black high-heeled shoes and carries a beige handbag with a fur accessory. Her long, wavy hair cascades down, and she is accessorized with a delicate necklace and a ring, completing her chic and sophisticated appearance.

  She hurriedly takes a seat opposite to Orzic. Breathing heavily from exhaustion she says “I'm sorry~ took a bit longer than expected.” She smiles at the workaholic Orzic.

  Noticing Kira, Orzic saves his progress and closes the lid of the laptop.

  With a sigh he asks her with his eyebrows raised, “Well it isn't exactly new for me. So why did you ask me to meet here? You do remember, I'm busy working on my project?”

  Kira gulps a glass of water, slaming it on the table. Orzic jerk at that. She takes a deep breath… “Oh that~ it's umm … I just want to meet your family. That's all~ nothing major hahahaha hahaha” she laughs a bit awkwardly.

  Hearing that Orzic stiffens in response, “Wait. Wai wai … wait. Why now? What's the big idea? …” he gets confused and start rambling.

  Kira responds immediately, “Well … you know how it's been a month since we got together~ I just want to visit your parents that's all. Nothing wrong with saying Hi, am I right?”

  Orzic scratches his cheeks thinking back, “Well … the thing is … my father is out on business trip …” But before he could finish.

  Kira interrupts him, “It doesn't matter~ what about your mother and siblings. I could still meet them~” she giggles at Orzic. Orzic's face however darkens at that enthusiasm.

  Kira … oh my Kira. Why don't you just get the damn clue? Leave me alone. No mother business here …

  Orzic looking a bit upset says, “You know what. I'll ask them first … if they are fine then …” he leaves the rest unsaid.

  Kira's face lightens up in smiles, she smirks at him. “Great~ how about next week. I'll drop by~” Giggling she marks the date on her mobile calendar.

  Orzic however leans back on his chair. Feeling exhausted, he muttered “Oh …. What I'll happen now? ….”

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  After spending a few minutes, Orzic and Kira both get up from their seats. Orzic puts his laptop back in his bag and all the gadgets he had set up on the table.

  Kira, looking a bit curious asks, “Why all this? Even when we go out together you still bring these? How about some more being present in the moment~” She is all smiles giggling like a bubbly little girl.

  Orzic doesn't deny it for once, “Well at the very least I'm looking at you when you are talking am I right? That's the most you should expect from me.” casually like it's not that big a deal.

  Kira elbows him to the side, “That's the part where you'd say I'll do it next time sweety~” her expression one of upset. She is disappointed that he isn't entertaining her.

  Orzic rubs, the spot where she elbowed him, “Fine. I'll do it next sweety~” he says just like her.

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  Kira's mood immediately rises up and she pinches his cheeks wiggling it a bit, “That's more like it~ I knew that you had it in you Orzic” Orzic however frowns at her.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  As the destined day arrives, Orzic is restless today. He is walking around like a restless sleep walking person.

  “Oh … oh …. Just how long akh …” he bites on his tongue. “Ahh … that hurts. Since when am I this … shit” he curses himself.

  As he was thinking, a subtle sound echoes in the marble tiles of someone walking towards him.

  Orzic lifts his head to find Kira all dolled up like he met her that day in the cafe. With a hand over his mouth he says, “Better late than ever I guess. But you should work on your punctuality Kira.”

  Kira giggles, “I knew it~ I was expecting you would say that~” she smiles at him.

  Orzic is upset at her enthusiasm, “Whatever. Just met them. Talk whatever you want I guess.” Then he guides her inside.

  Kira's mouth hung open the moment she stepped inside, “I was expecting a normal home or some struggling family. But this~ you never told me that you were rich. Orzic~” she is in awe of Orzic's lifestyle.

  But Orzic has one thing to say, “Say whatever you want, even all this money can't buy me a mother anyway…” then he clicks his tongue in irritation.

  What the hell? Why am I thinking about her? I should… I should only focus on Kira… yeah Kira is more important than that woman who ran away from us…

  Kira just heard something she can't ignore, “Wai … wai wai … wait what? What happened to your mother again? Tell me Orzic, it seems very important~” Kira repeatedly asks him.

  Orzic turns his gaze away and says, “Well. Ask my father. I don't even want to think about that woman” and leads her to his father.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Orzic's father stands on the balcony, his palms resting firmly on the railing as he leans forward, gazing into the distance.

  His posture is tense yet composed, as if lost in deep contemplation.

  The gentle breeze ruffles his hair and clothes, adding a sense of movement to his stillness. Above him, the sky is blanketed with thick clouds, casting a muted, somber light over the scene.

  The air feels heavy, the world quiet, as if mirroring the weight of his thoughts.

  Suddenly a deep voice interrupts him, “Father! This is my girlfriend, her name is Kira. And Kira this is my father, his name is Noah”

  Noah turns back as his gaze lands on his son Orzic escorting his girlfriend towards him.

  Noah smiles at her, “So you are my daughter in law huh? You seem like a good person. Orzic! Make sure to treasure her Okay.” He advises his son.

  Orzic in a bad mood says, “Well. Kira is interested to learn about mother. So take this burden off my hands Father.” Then he casually walks away.

  Noah sighs at his son, “Orzic. Don't go. Come back here.” But he has already gone into the hall, as he stares at the photo of his mother on the display of the big screen TV.

  There on the TV, it displays a photo of a woman with blonde hair, straightened smooth flowing hair. Her crimson eyes, reflection of her deep passion. She is wearing modern clothes. She has light makeup with a red lipstick covering her lips. A stylish handbag dangles over her side.

  She is smiling on a beach with his father and 12 year old Orzic on either side. She hugs them both, showing a moment from the past.

  Noah, left with no choice in the matter, starts speaking. “Where do I even start? It goes something like this …”

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Noah's family was just like any other filled with daily banter and teasing. Orzic growing up in such a loving family was the best child they could've hoped for. Orzic for his part has proved it time and time again with his achievements.

  But all was not great, under the surface a problem was bubbling and one day it threatened to open which left the family in a confused state.

  Noah just came back from work, he immediately starts walking towards his bedroom.

  His thoughts were, “Well I just arrived early today. This is the best moment to surprise my love~ hehehe” he giggles in delight as he imagines his wife's reaction.

  But as he got near the bedroom, subtle sounds of sensual pleasures could be heard.

  Noah stops for second. Thinking about what this means…

  Wait … wai wai wait. This can't be real. I must be dreaming… that's right I must be … my wife would never….

  He runs in a hurry to check what happened and there she is … his wife having the time of her life with a man who is not him.

  Noah drops to the floor. He sits motionless, his shoulders heavy with an invisible weight. His eyes, hollow and distant, stare at nothing in particular as a single tear escapes, carving a silent path down his cheek. His breath is unsteady, caught somewhere between a sigh and a sob, as if he's too exhausted to cry but too broken to hold it in. His hands, trembling slightly, clench into fists before loosening again, lost in the storm of his emotions. The room around him feels still, almost suffocating, as if the very air has absorbed his sorrow.

  His wife who just noticed his arrival got stunned into silence as well. Her partner in crime, he basically runs off the moment he witnessed Noah breaking down in tears.

  Noah's wife only had a few words for him, “Too bad~ It was just getting to the good part.” Then she dresses up, totally ignoring Noah who's breaking down.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  After a day Noah slam his palms on the table. His wife is sitting across him working on paper in their home.

  “Why? … What did I do to deserve this? Do you remember you confessed to me~ you wanted to marry me. We even have a kid who is 12 years old. What's the meaning of your actions … why did you betrayed me? Why did you betrayed our son? Answer me” he shouts his frustrations boiling red hot.

  The atmosphere in the room immediately turn heavy, Noah's wife shifts her gaze from the paper and she silently stares him.

  In few minutes. The tension becomes so thick that you could cut it with knife. She smiles at him, “To be honest I wasn't interested at first … But overtime his passion overwhelmed me. I couldn't fight back, unlike a workaholic like you. He needed me, he saught after me. Not for days. Not for weeks. But for years.” then her tone drops warping into an icy one as she stands pushing her chair backwards.

  Then she continues, “What have you done for me? You gave me all these money. The best lifestyle i could ask for. Yet you forgot to give your wife one thing that should've been her rightfully hers. You forgot to LOVE HER … Noah, do you ever understand what mistakes you've made~” she shouts, firing back at him.

  Noah takes a step back, his boots clicking hard on the marble stone used in place of titles. “That's… that's… I … I did love you …”

  Then she interupts him by shouting back, “If that was enough why would I seek another guy Noah!!!! Get it through that big brain of yours … our relationship is done.” Then she hands him a set of papers, “These are our divorce papers. Sign them. I've already signed it. If you won't, I'll legally take action.”

  Noah with his hands querving gets the papers and reads them. A bead of sweat trickles down from his forehead. He argues back, “What about Orzic? Don't you remember how much he loves you. What about him? If he heard this … he'll be devastated …” before he could finish a loud bang of glass shattering is heard.

  The sounds of boots clicking hard against the floor can be heard. Noah turns his gaze towards the door which is partially open, “Oh shit. Orzic … my sweet child …” he drops the papers running after Orzic.

  Noah's wife however sighs, “It's not like I never loved you Noah, you just failed to appreciate me that's all there is to it.”

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Noah finished his past, “That's everything I can tell you. If you want to know more… ask Orzic I guess.”

  She stood in stunned silence, her breath caught in her throat as the weight of the past sinks in. Her eyes glisten, wide with sorrow, before a single tear breaks free, trailing down her cheek. In one hand, she clutches a kerchief, gripping it tightly as if it’s the only thing grounding her. The other hand trembles uncontrollably, slight but undeniable, a physical echo of the storm within. Her lips part, but no words come—only the raw, aching stillness of a heart shattered by the cruelty of fate.

  Noah calls out to her again, “Miss Kira. Please be kind to my son, Orzic. He was already abandoned once. If you did …. He might possibly not recover.” Then he brings his hands together as if requesting her. “Please keep my Orzic … my sweet child … safe and happy. That's all I wish for everyday.”

  Kira wipes her tears, with a resolute gaze she declares “Yes. Whatever may come our way. I swear to stay by his side … until the day he proved that he didn't need me~” her eyes were quietly burning with determined passion.

  Noah smiles, “Well. Unlike his father. My son seems to have found a good person. I'm really proud.” Then he turns back, admiring nature's beauty all over again.

  Left alone Kira walks over to Orzic, in hope of reassuring him that she will stay by his side.