MY MOTHER’S CHOICE

Episode 1
A story written by Tracy Nathaniel

Helen, Mrs. Agatha first daughter, sat in the living room, beaming with joy as she scrolled through her phone. Mrs. Agatha walked in, her eyes fixed on Helen with a playful, mocking glint. She settled into the armchair opposite her daughter, their both eyes locked. Helen's giggles subsided as their eyes met, her expression turning slightly self-conscious. “Mother!” She maintained her composure.

"You're always blushing and smiling at your phone," Mrs. Agatha said, her tone laced with curiosity. "Yet, I haven't seen the man behind those messages. No one has come to our door to express interest in you. All this secrecy is it just a fleeting infatuation?"

Helen scratched her head. "Mother, when the time is right, I'll bring him home."

Mrs. Agatha expression turned stern. "And when is that time?"

Just then, Evelyn called from outside, "Mum, someone is here to see you."

Mrs. Agatha rose, her eyes still fixed on Helen. "I'll be right back."

As her mother stepped out, Helen exhaled, relieved. "Thank God she's gone." She stood and slipped into her room.

"Mrs. Agatha wouldn't stop pestering Helen about bringing a suitor home. 'Mum, let Helen be!' Patrick intervened. 'When the guy she's dating is ready, he'll come to seek her hand in marriage.'

Mrs. Agatha snapped, 'Will you shut your mouth? What do you know? Helen isn't getting any younger; she needs to move to a man's house.'

Helen sat silently, watching her mother and brother rant about her getting married. Feeling frustrated, she stood up and walked away from the scene."

Some weeks later, Helen brought Kenneth home. Mrs. Agatha sitting outside, gazed at the couple walking hand-in-hand toward her.

"Helen, why are you and Kenneth holding hands?" Mrs. Agatha asked, her tone firm.

Helen's face radiated joy. "Mother, Kenneth is the man I want to marry."

Mrs. Agatha’s eyes widened. "What? You can't be serious."

"I am, Mother," Helen replied. "Kenneth wants to marry me."

Kenneth stepped forward. "We're not joking, Ma'am. I truly want to marry your daughter."

Mrs. Agatha's expression turned skeptical. "What makes you think you're qualified to marry my daughter?"

She turned to Helen. "Among all the successful men in this city, you choose...him?"

Helen's voice rose. "Mother, what's wrong with Kenneth? He's kind, loving, and—"

"Does he have a good job, a stable future?" Mrs. Agatha interrupted.

Mother, I don't see anything wrong with him," Helen said firmly. "He's perfect for me, and I love him."

"First off, how much do you earn?" Mrs. Agatha asked Kenneth, her tone stern.

Helen intervened, her voice laced with frustration. "Mother, what's going on? You've been pressing me to get married, and now you're rejecting Kenneth just because he's not wealthy?"

Mrs. Agatha stood, her expression resolute. "Yes, I won't let my daughter marry a poor man. I'm going inside. When I come out, I don't want to see him here." She warned, "You won't like my actions if he's still around."

As Mrs. Agatha walked in, Helen shouted, "Mother!"

Kenneth's face fell. "I should leave now, Helen."

Helen grasped his hand. "No, don't go. I'll talk to her."

But Kenneth, already hurt by Mrs. Agatha's words, insisted on leaving. Helen stormed inside, furious.

"Mother, how could you?" Helen asked, frustration etched on her face.

Mrs. Agatha scoffed, "Look at yourself! Don't you have any self-respect? You want to marry a poor man like Kenneth?"

Helen stood firm. "He loves me, and I love him. We can support each other financially. I'm working too."

Mrs. Agatha's expression turned disdainful. "You think your salary can sustain you both?" She hissed, shaking her head, and stormed into her room.

Helen trailed behind, still protesting. "Mother, you have to listen to me!"

TO BE CONTINUE….