Catalina and Dennis were awake early like every day. They were sitting with the coffee when they heard hounding on the door.
Looking at each other, Dennis went to open the door and Catalina followed him closely, wondering who could arrive so early in the morning in such cold.
A man in his fifties shoved the cold bouquet in Dennis's hand, "The night journey is terrible I say." The man welcomed himself inside with his wife and daughter.
"Lina, could you please make us some coffee? We are freezing." The middle-aged lady said as she removed the jacket and went inside.
Dennis and Catalina looked at each other. The man was Dennis's elder brother who had pressured them to abort Anya's baby. They hadn't spoken to them since then.
Dennis closed the door while Catalina went to make coffee, disliking their guests at the moment.
Dennis had just sat down when his cousin spoke, "Dennis, my friend's son, is working in the top MNC. Their family will be here soon."
Dennis: "..."
"Brother Dennis, we had called you so many times yesterday. Why didn't you answer? Are you two still angry at us?"
"Let the bygones be bygones." The man added while rubbing his hands near the hearth.
Catalina served the family of three with a straight face. She was waiting to kick them out. What does it have anything to do with them if their friend's son was working in the MNC?
Catalina frowned when she discerned as they were looking for Alvin to get a better job and salary. She was about to be a mean host, Dennis held her hand.
"Brother, why is your friend's family coming here?" Dennis was courteous, without revealing his announcement.
One to respond was the lady, "Brother Dennis, they are coming to meet you and Lina. It would have been nice if Anya was here. Anyway, we will meet her some other time."
"Why-"
Dennis' niece stood up and pointed at Anya's room, "Uncle Dennis, The train journey was exhausting. I will rest in Anya's room."
Catalina didn't even get the chance to decline and direct her to the guest room. She looked at Dennis, holding back her irritation.
Dennis again tried to ask, "Why will your friend's family want to meet us?"
Before anybody could react, there was another round of hounding on the door. Dennis and Catalina were dumbfounded looking at Catalina's mother, her sister, and her distant cousin with their families.
They all live in different cities of Narnia. If not flight, they will have to travel for more than six hours to reach the town. They couldn't believe people go to any extent as soon as they get the chance.
Catalina hadn't spoken to her mother for a long time due to Zane's matter. Whereas she had a good relationship with her sister but the distant cousin. They hadn't seen each other in decades.
Dennis had to go out to get milk while Catalina had to get busy herself in the kitchen to make something warm for the uninvited guests.
When the doorbell rang, Catalina opened the door thinking it was Dennis. There was Dennis but some unknown people too.
One family was Dennis's brother's friend. Another family was brought by Catalina's mother.
Dennis and Catalina saw their living hall having no space to accommodate nearly twenty people. Catalina could hold back and ask loudly, "Why are you all here?"
Dennis's brother stood up and patted the back of the man who was in his thirties. "Dennis, he is William Stevens. He is working as a project manager at Omnilert companies. I told them about Anya and her son. They are willing to overlook Anya's mistake and here with a marriage proposal for her."
Dennis and Catalina were bewildered.
Catalina's mother stood up with the support of the cane. "That's enough." She stopped the Owen family and turned to Catalina.
"Lina, this is the Walker family. He is Rolan Walker. He has been working in the department of water and sanitation for twelve years already. He has his apartment in the capital. He has seen Anya and liked her. His family doesn't have a problem with your grandson. They would be a good match."
Dennis and Catalina: "..."
Both watched the two sides argue about who had the better future. They were confused about what was wrong with these people. Anya was addressed as Alvin's wife on the business news channels. Then why would they bring a marriage proposal?
And Catalina agrees Anya shouldn't have gotten pregnant out of wedlock. But who are those people to say they were accepting Zane and Anya? Catalina wanted to ask if they had seen their faces in the mirror.
She looked at the two men, Rolan Walker and Willian Stevens, and scoffed, "They will faint if they see my son-in-law."
Dennis was feeling his head throb hearing the arguments. He couldn't help but chuckle when he heard Catalina.
Everyone fell silent and turned to Anya's room door where Dennis's niece was laughing loudly. "You people were cursing Anya and Zane for staining your families. Now that she got an award, you have no problem with her." She clapped sarcastically at their act.
"Award?" Catalina looked at Dennis, "What award?" As far as she knew Anya got many awards but her name was never leaked due to confidentiality.
Without answering them, Dennis's brother demanded Dennis and Catalina, "Dennis, call your daughter home. I will also see who Anya will choose. A man with a huge belly or a gentleman."
Again they started arguing and shouting at them to call Anya without letting the two talk.
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After two hours,
Anya, Alvin, and Zane were on the way to the Owen house when she got the complete update from the neighboring house owner.
She looked at Alvin whose face was dark like stormy clouds. He was regretting not releasing their pictures to the media.
Zane was excited sitting between them looking at Anya's photo and name under the recipient of the Presidential award.
"Momma, you are the best. This is the most prestigious award. Congratulations." He congratulated her, leaning into her arms.
Anya was still in shock after knowing about the award. She pondered if her name had mistakenly appeared there. She had indeed handled the massive projects that included many people like PSR ships. But it wasn't her alone efforts and she was lucky to get such missions.
She wasn't sure if she was eligible for the award. She would rather suggest Jason for the award who works so hard. She wanted to dial Jason and speak with him but her attention was on Alvin.
They had rushed out in their gymwear and carried groggy Zane to the car and flight in the worry. If she knew the situation, she wouldn't have even visited. She poked Alvin who ignored her, "I didn't know, Alvin." She added
He coldly instructed Rob, "Stop the car."
Anya and Zane: "..."
Alvin got out of the car and instructed Rob, "Take them to the Owen house." Then he turned around and walked away without a word.
Forget the celebration, Alvin hadn't congratulated Anya. Zane rolled the window down and called him out in dissatisfaction, "Chipmunk Monster."
Alvin merely glanced at him and walked away.
Zane sat back and watched his mother sulk, instead of getting excited about the award. He wondered what was wrong with Alvin. How could he leave them halfway?
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