Dark Princess

Mama

"Yes dear. I suppose. Why emang? What say?"

"Mmm. It's kind of weird. I finally called someone mama. But my tongue is muddy. Don't know why." He hugged me tighter and kissed me.

"But I'm glad to hear this change. Didn't expect that you'd trigger this first. You're terrific. And yes, call me mama. You didn't? I have a mother-in-law I can count on. She is a mom who takes good care of you. Who thinks of everything for your good. Even when she's not okay, she still thinks about you. It's time to make peace. Call her mama. Okay?" Everything he said made sense. I processed the idea well.

"What about her husband? Should I call papa like he said?"

"Why not? He has done his best to accompany his mother as a good husband, and tried to translate the figure of a father who should be as long as you are here. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had a complete pair of mama and papa and cared for us well? So calling papa should be saying?"

"But I still feel weird…"

"Still angry at my mom?" I thought for a moment and nodded.

"A little bit…"

"OKAY. Its alright. Take your time baby, let go of that anger slowly. Try to focus on what he's done to keep you safe. You know all the reasons why he did what he did, right?"

"Mmm.." I nodded.

"You didn't? When I called my mom yesterday on my way here, when I asked her permission to be allowed to accompany you for the rest of the week, she laughed. But I know what laughter means. And my mom honestly said that she was sad. According to my mom, you should have opened up more to her, not to me. Know Jade, she loves you so much. He did everything for you, baby. My mother was a wise man. Whatever he has done to you, all he can think of is your safety. You should also know that when he made that tough decision, he was heartbroken too. Real bad. To the point of having therapy to a mental hospital. Can't we appreciate his efforts? Hmm…?" I suppose. After all, he did everything for both of us. Don't want to, I have to try, right?

"When he took you from that palace, he risked his own life because he loved the baby he once let go. It all happens because of the power of a mother's love. It's not easy to get through those times. Still hate her?"

"But I still couldn't accept the fact that he left me alone in the church garden. I hate him for that. The fear he gave me back then is still there today." My tears broke.

"I understand. Okay. Let's use the time. There is nothing to rush. Whatever your state of heart and your feelings are now, that's okay, baby. Doesn't matter. We still have plenty of time." He rubbed my back gently. But then we heard a rumbling stomach sound, he must have been very hungry. And we laughed.

"I took a shower first. I'm going to go to the dinner table" She kissed my forehead - - I liked it - then got up and went into the bathroom. I prepared a pair of clothes that he would wear after taking a shower, I took them from his suitcase. I put it on the bed.

"Valene, it's mama.." Mama? Yeah, she said she was a mom. Continues to? He walked over to me. I felt a very foreign feeling enveloping my entire existence. She is my mama? Tears started to flow down my cheeks. I realized, what I felt was warmth. I have never felt such warmth in my life before. This woman is my mother. He came closer to me and hugged me tightly.

"Valene, this is my dear mother. Mama..." Does he want to hear those words from me?

"Mommy…?" I muttered. She was crying harder.

"Yes, it's mama..." And hugged me tighter.

"Mama.." I whispered many times. I never thought that I would be able to say that word. A huge burden that hit my chest, felt loose, I felt relieved and peaceful. And his embrace was warm. We hugged for a while and then finally took off the hug. We look each other in the eyes. I really want to feel his love for me.

"Thank you for coming back baby.Mama waited a long time.." I still can't say anything because I don't know what to say. But I think I did well. I did something that should have been done. Accept, forgive and embrace her. She wiped my cheek from the rest of the tears, and I imitated her, wiping the tears on her cheek.

"But I'd rather be called Jade.." I said. Valene's name gives me goosebumps, it makes me recall scenes that are in my memory.

"Yes, Jade. Sorry, this is Jade. We forget that name. Mama thanks for getting better. Keep like. Okay?" Should I say the same? He did well, even though it was very difficult. Looks like I should.

"Thank you too ma, for getting through it all and getting better. Thank you ma.." This time, I hugged him. I can finally understand the way he thinks and acts. That way, shouldn't I be grateful? This weak woman, risking her life to take me out of that hell palace. Then he went through his own hell. How could I have realized it now? We spent a few more moments spilling all our feelings in an embrace.

We gathered at the dinner table for dinner, without a word. Earnest tried to say a few words and we managed to answer as he wished. I really didn't know what to say and decided to let time help me find a way to talk freely. Maybe not now. Mama pays attention by occasionally putting some food down

on plate. I couldn't help it and my tears just flowed. The warmth I got back then was enough to melt all the frozen chunks of ice in my heart, the water constantly falling through my eyes. I ate everything he put on my plate.

And my mom came home that night. He let me spend the rest of the week with Earnest. He will visit again as scheduled, on Monday. Earnest hugged me, tried to calm me down but I still didn't stop crying. She was busy wiping my tears, rubbing my back and showering me with kisses. It was hard to stop the crying, for more than an hour. Then I fell asleep.

I woke up early in the morning, and was shocked to see myself in the mirror in the bathroom. My face is swollen, my eyes are swollen! I can't perform this bad when Earnest is around! I quickly headed to the corner of the room. There was a special small refrigerator to put the ingredients for skincare, I took the mask

face and eyes. Then I lay myself on the bed, but took a long distance from Earnest. I wish I could finish this ritual before she wakes up. She must see me in beauty. As it should be. I hope he's still jet leg to keep building for a long time. I lay my body against the ceiling.