RIVER-PART II
By Ruth M Garcia-Marmolejos
Truth revealed
Paulie and Ian went to their parent’s house to let them know that everyone was safe and to spend the night with them. Drone and Yamarah went to their cabin and invited River to stay the night.
Marcela was relieved to see her son safe. “I felt so sad watching my Son River suffer the loss of his mother” Ian said. “I wanted very much to tell him that I am his father. When we saw that Yamarah was still alive, I was relieved and glad to see my son happy again. When we get back home, I will tell him.”
“You must wait until Yamarah tells him my son.” Marcella said. “I am sure she will tell him soon. Yamarah will tell him in her own way and River will bear no grudges against you. Now go rest you have a granddaughter to go see.”
“Yes, I am very anxious to see my other son Jon and my granddaughter.” Ian said. “I am sure they are desperate to see me, and my wife will be glad to see me too.”
The following morning, Drone, Yamarah, River, Paulie, and Ian met at the cave entrance, everyone went to Drone’s house. When they arrived there was a welcomed committee. Drone had called Andric and told him that they were arriving in the morning.
Cachita ran to meet Paulie, Ylang ran to meet River, Ian’s family were waiting for him. Everyone hugged each other, even Brutus jumped on Drone.
“Yamarah, I know that you want to go home and finish your honeymoon.” Ian said. “May I speak to you for a moment it is very important.”
“Sure Ian.” Yamarah said. “Let’s go inside where we can talk private. “
Yamarah and Ian went inside the house and Ian said. “I know that you have been through a lot Yamarah, and you may think it is too soon, but when will you tell River that I am his father? You are going to live in the mountains and River will be living near me, I want to have a relationship with my son.”
“You are right.” Yamarah said. “I will come to visit next week, and I will tell River about you. Too much has happened and I need too figure out what I will tell River. I know how hard it is for you to see him and not be able to tell him. It must have been hard on you when you thought that he was loosing me. Thank your for accompanying him in the journey, and all that you have done for us. Now we must go home, I want to finally be in my home.”
Everyone went to their homes. Drone and Yamarah went to finish their honeymoon in their new home in the mountains. Drone took Brutus with him.
River and Yurania Ylang were finally alone. “I missed you so much River.” Yurania Ylang said. “I was very worried about you. Tell me about everything that happened. I know that there is more than Drone told us about the journey.”
“I missed you a lot too my love.” River said. “Drone told everyone about everything that happened in Najikala Island. My mother was pushed over a cliff and miraculously survived. I thought that my world was crushed. Ian and Paulie were very helpful, I thank God we found them and every one is safe.”
“River, where are you from?” Yurania Ylang asked. “You have never mentioned where you’re from, and neither has Paulie.”
River paused for a moment and said.” I am from the village, and so is Paulie. We grew up together in the village.”
“What village?” Yurania Ylang asked. “There are so many villages. I also notice that Paulie and you have never taken me or Cachita to where you grew up“
“I am going to be honest with you.” River said. “But you have to promise not to ask again, or tell anyone about it. Please respect what I am about to tell you.”
“OK, I promise.” Yurania Ylang said. “I am very curious.”
“I am from the other side of a cave, and so are Paulie and his parents, Ian and his parents, Drone and Brutus. My mother was allowed because she was pregnant and had to be saved so she got there by accident before I was born. No one is allowed to enter the cave unless they are from the other side. That is all that I can tell you. If anyone who is not from the other side of the cave were to enter, the cave entrance will disappear and whoever is on the other side will stay there forever and whoever is on this side will stay here forever. Please do not ask me where it is because I am not allowed to say. I also ask you to please never follow me or attempt to follow anyone to get there. I know curiosity will tempt you, but I trust that you will keep our secret just like Andric and Cachita have kept it.”
“I will keep your secret River.” Yurania Ylang said. “Thank you for the information and for trusting me. We will finish our internship in two weeks and we will finally become Surgeons. We will be able to help people regain their eyesight. I am so excited!”
“Yes, we will.” River replied. “River and Cachita will be graduating too. Mother wants me to meet her at the big house. I wonder what she wants to talk about, she sounded serious. I hope nothing else goes wrong. Let‘s get some rest before we start our shift in the morning.”
The following day River and Yurania Ylang proceeded to do their medical work in the hospital. River called Ian and asked if they could meet at the Mall. “Ian I need someone to come with me to buy Yurania Ylang’s engagement ring.” River said. “Would it be too much trouble to ask you? Drone and Mother are honeymooning, Paulie is working, so I thought to ask you.”
Ian was overwhelmed. “Of course I will meet with you.” Ian said. It will be my pleasure and fun. I will pick you up in front of the hospital.”
Ian never thought that his son was going to ask him to help buy an engagement ring. “I know that once River learns that I am his father we will get along just fine.” Ian whispered to himself. “I also know that Jon will accept him too. I will throw a big engagement party for River and Yurania Ylang, if they will allow me.”
Ian picked River up in front of the hospital, and they went to the mall. Both men went into the most expensive jewelry store and picked out a beautiful ring with a big solitaire diamond. “Yurania Ylang will love the ring.” Ian said. “Are you sure you have the right size?”
“Yes, I am sure it is the right size ring.” River said. “I took one of her rings and measured it. I am going to propose before our graduation. I promised Ylang that we would get married after we finished our internship and graduated. I also want to build a house for us.”
“That is fantastic son.” Ian said. “If you allow me, I can help build the house for you. We can make the plans together. Just let me know how many rooms and everything that you want. I am sure that Paulie will be happy to help, after all, he is the Architect.”
“That is a good ideas Ian.” River said. “First I will propose to Ylang then she can also give us an idea of how she wants the house. I already have the land. Drone gave it to me so I can build the house. Drone wanted me to take the big house, but I rather build my own. Paulie and Cachita can take the big house. Cachita and Andric have lived there all their lives. I better get back to the hospital, my shift begins soon, and I don’t want to be late. I also want to take Ylang for dinner. Would you like to join us Ian?”
“Thank you for the Invitation River.” Ian said. “But I best get back to my wife, I do not want her to feel neglected. Think I will take her to dinner too. Let me buy some flowers for her. Rose has been very patient with me after going on the journey with you.
“Ian, I want to thank you again for going with us to rescue mother and all that you have done for me.” River said . “You have been very helpful. I have to go and apologize to your wife for taking so much of your time,”
“It is OK River, my wife understand more than you know.” Ian said. “River, may I ask a personal question?”
“Go ahead and ask.” River replied.
“Has your mother ever told you anything about your father? Have you ever wondered where your father is? Do you resent your father for not being with you?”
“Mother never spoke about my father.” River said. “All I know is that there was a big storm that washed the village where mother lived. I figure that maybe my father drowned in the storm. I really have not thought about my father. Mother will tell me about my father when she is ready. I do not resent my father, because I do not know why he has not been in my life. Drone has been like a father to me; he saved my life and helped me to get my eyesight back. Mother will be in the big house in the weekend, she said she has something very important to tell me. Mother is very mysterious.”
Ian left River in front of the hospital, and went home to his wife. River met with Yurania Ylang and they went out to dinner.
The following Saturday Yamarah and Drone were waiting for River at the big house. Yamarah had also invited Ian, Marcella, and Nano.
River arrived with Yurania Ylang. “River, I would like to speak to you in private.” Yamarah said. “Let’s go into the Study and talk.”
Yamarah went into the Study; Yamarah closed the door and asked River to sit down. “It is time that I told you about your father.” Yamarah said. “Please just listen and when I am finished you can ask me whatever you wan to know.”
River sat down and Yamarah sat down next to him. “You may remember the story I had told about a storm washing out my parent’s home and the village that they lived in. A voice called to me from the cave and I was saved. Now I shall tell you the entire story and what had happened. When I was a very young girl, before the storm, I met a young man. We thought that we had fallen in love and in a moment of passion we made love. The young man left and I was devastated. I could not believe that he would leave me. I did not think for a moment that the young man was inexperienced. Months later I found out that I was pregnant. My father was very angry with me and I left. When the storm got bad and the flood started, I was almost swept away but lucky for me I was saved. Years later, your father appeared unexpectedly, he did not remember me; he did not know that he had a son. Had he known, he would have come back to take care of us. He spoke to me and explained that he was young, inexperienced and had never made love to any woman. He did not understand the consequences of having sex. The moment that he found out, he wanted to tell you that he is your father. I did not know how you were going to react, so I asked him to let me tell you before you met him. He wanted me to tell you before the wedding, but I asked him to wait. Your father is a good man, and I hope you forgive him for not being there for you when you were growing up. I hope you forgive me for waiting this long to tell you.”
River was quiet, he did not say anything, and He just stared at his mother. Finally River said. “My father is alive? Where is my father, who is he? Why did you not let me know sooner? I am freaking out!”
“Your father is waiting for you in the living room.” Yamarah said.
River walked out of the study and into the living room. “Are you my father Drone? River asked. “Is that why you have been helping me?”
Everyone just stared at River; Ian was surprised to hear his son think that Drone was his father.
What will happen when River finds out who his real father is? Will River accept Ian as his father?
Find out in Chapter 9.
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