ROSSLYN LAURA

Rosslyn was born in June 1864.She was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs Landau.She had two elder brothers Mark and Lucas;Mark being their firstborn. Her brothers had married and were living in other towns with their wives and children.She was a second year student at High Tech University pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Arts and Music.She loved dancing and listening to music while growing up.You could say music was in her blood.She loved it,each and every bit of it.As a kid she would dance and entertain  her grandmother when they went over to visit her.Her grandmother loved her.She had been named after her; Laura.

Every one called her Rosslyn except for her grandmother who called her by her second name,Laura.

"Laura,grandma wants to see you." One of her brothers would call her while playing.

On arriving she'd find her dancing to one of her old cassettes.Laura Senior was old but could still move her body. Rossyln was always mesmerized by how flexible she was despite her old age, she'd dance like a teenager.

"Come Laura, come dance with your old lady."she'd tell her.

She could not resist the urge to dance.Her grandma would hold her little arms in hers and together they'd dance like two young lovers.They'd be lost in serenity of melodies that they wouldn't notice when everyone else joined in.First her parents,uncles, aunts,then her brothers and cousins.It was one big happy extended family.Everyone loved spending Christmas Eve grandma's.

Everything turned into doom when Laura Senior died,it was early 1874.

Rosslyn was in lower primary.She could not comprehend what death was.Her mother Belle told her that Laura had gone to heaven,a better place.This though didn't satisfy her.She found one of her uncles smoking cigger outside and went on to ask him if he could take her to heaven since she wanted to pay her grandmother a visit.

Her uncle had remained strong even after receiving news concerning Laura's death but Rosslyn's young voice hit a nerve.He burst into tears before rushing to his room where he locked himself for hours.

"That's the first time we've ever seen him cry ."One of her aunts sitting some yards away remarked."He's been stronger than any of us,I wander what Rossyln has said to him."

Later he would narrate the story to them;how She wanted to visit her grandma which left them with more sorrow in their hearts.

Slow gloomy music was playing at her funeral ceremony.When youths from the church Laura used to attend went out to dance Rosslyn had joined them.She wanted to dance and make everyone happy again.She thought  everyone's sorrow was her fault after seeing her uncle  burst into tears earlier that day.A large multitude surrounded the burial ground.She danced but it was different,she wished Laura Senior was there with her, that they'd dance together again.Only if she knew her grandma lay next to her in this white beautiful casket she was dancing next to she'd stop dancing.The dance was gloomy she could not jump or shake vigorously as she used to.She looked numb.

"I can't watch this." Her mother said and left the ceremony only to come back after she was done dancing. Everyone was in tears, everything was gay.There was plenty of food but only few of the family members ate.All were mourning, even  little children could not play,they just stayed by their mothers side.

Grandma's was never the same again.

They grew distant and hardly came together for Christmas Eve like they did when she was alive.

       **************************************

"Rosslyn,we having guests over for dinner, hope you don't mind lending mama a hand in the kitchen." Her mother said as she walked across  living room to the kitchen.

She was home for her mid semester break.

"Am coming,"she was watching television,she switched  channels before joining her.

"Who is coming over?" She asked as she wrapped an apron around her waist.

"Mr. Edward's family,he has business matters to discuss with your father later."

Her heart jumped,"Ooh!"She exclaimed.

Noticing her daughter's change in vibration Belle asked her."What is it dear? It's not the first time we are having them over."

"Nothing mom."

"Okay then,get all ingredients ready."

"I hope Jason doesn't join them."Rossyln thought to herself as she went on cutting ginger.

         ***************************************

Jason was Mr. and Mrs Edward's firstborn.Two years older than Rossyln.They had seen each other quite often since they were family friends. Jason had asked Rosslyn out several times while she was  in Upper primary. Jason had feelings for her but she was too naive to notice.She only went out with him because their families were close.

One day Jason took her to the park.He confessed how he felt since she couldn't see through all hints he was sending. She stood there staring at him then burst out laughing saying. "You sure got me there, it's a prank right?Tell me you are playing."

Jason held both of her palms in his and kissed her tender lips.

"Am not playing,my feelings for you ain't a joke."

"Ooh!"

She was perplexed,a silver shrill ran down her spine.She felt embedded to the ground,she was just a teenager,it was her first kiss, right in the middle of the park.

"Kids nowadays, you all don't have manners "

an old lady said as she passed them.

Now she felt embarrassed,she withdrew from him  and ran to catch a bus home.Jason ran after her but he couldn't catch up with her.He lost her,there was a great crowd.

Later that night Jason called her but she did not answer.Her phone went on beeping.She was lying on her bed thinking about what had happened with Jason.

"Am sorry for kissing you without asking.Hope you ain't mad." Jason couldn't think of what to say 

She read it and left no reply.

Jason was quite persistent, he went on texting.

"I meant everything I said,I do love you"

"How about  I come over tomorrow and we can talk this out"

There was still no reply.

"Come on,Rosslyn,at least say something."

She watched her phone beep over and over again.

She didn't know what to tell.She had never been attracted to Jason before.

The next day she was still sleeping when her mother woke up her.

"Morning princess,have you forgotten it's Sunday today?"

They'd go to church together as a family,it was a norm.

"No mom, just a few more minutes and I'll be up."

"Girl better wake up, your dad will rush us all when he's done getting ready, you know."

"Okay mom."She said as she stumbled out of her bed.

Everyone was having breakfast when they heard the door bell ring.

"I'll get it."Lucas, their second born said as he rushed towards the door.

"Mom, it's Jason! Come in"Lucas loved Jason since they would play together most of the time.

"Come in dear, your mother said you wanted to go to church with us today.Join us for breakfast."Belle was such a welcoming lady, anyone who visited them was  charmed by their hospitality and would want to stay with them and never leave.

Jason's family wasn't much of a Christian family and his father was barely home on Sundays.

Rosslyn tried not to make eye contact with Jason.Yesterdays incident was still fresh in her mind.She tried brushing it off but it kept flashing through her mind over and over again.She didn't say much at breakfast nor during the day.Jason kept stealing glances her way even when mass was ongoing.

This had gone on for years,Mark knew about it and hated Jason for it.He even threatened to tell their parents if he didn't stop pursuing his sister.

"I don't mind.Go ahead and tell them,I love your sister."They almost fought but Rosslyn came in between them.

"Stop it guys, and please don't tell dad," Rosslyn had told her brother."Jason,you really have to stop too,we can't be together.We are like siblings."

Jason  went off.He knew he couldn't fight Mark since he was way older than.He was quite bold for his age though, always speaking his mind.

Ever since they joined campus Rosslyn and Jason hadn't met.It had been two years.

Their parents still saw each other but they had grown distant due to their different life paths.

All living or studying in different cities.

      **************************************

As they went on preparing dinner,She thought of how it was like growing up.How they would be together on Easter or Halloween.That Saturday at the park became vivid in her mind again.

"I don't like him, he's like my brother.And he is such a spoiled brat,it was never to work with him ."

She often tried convincing herself.

The door bell rung, Edward's family had arrived.

Rosslyn peaked through the kitchen window and saw them come in.First Mr. Edward,his daughter Ivy followed then his wife who was carrying a box of  pizza.

Mr.Landau and his wife Belle ushered them in with hugs and kisses.One could easily mistake them for close relatives.

They walked chatting happily into the living room.

"Phew,thank God he's not with them."Rosslyn sighed on seeing that Jason had not come along.

"Anyway,why am I bothered if he comes or doesn't come,"she went on thinking.

"Ivy,did you leave your brother to carry all those things alone?Why not lend him a hand." It was Jessica, Jason's mom.

Did she hear it right?.She felt like a young-naive teenager all over again.

"Let the girl be Jess, I'll call Rosslyn to help him out,after all they'll soon be engaged."Her mother said before calling her out.

"Engaged?"She thought to herself."Who is getting engaged to who?"

"Rosslyn,lend Jason a hand in carrying some luggage inside."

Her heart was beating so fast that she could hear it beating behind her chest.

"Engaged?"She thought as she walked towards the garage

Jason was there right before her carrying two boxes one in each arm.

"I have been told you need help you carrying those inside."She said stretching her hand to get one of the boxes .

Jason pulled it away from her saying he was okay.She tripped on a stone.Before she knew it they both fell.She ended up landing on top of him.One of the boxes rolled into mud across the walk path, Jason was still holding the other box.For a moment they seemed to have frozen,all they did was stare in each others eyes like two strangers who had just met for the first time.

"Jason!" Ivy came out calling.

They both sprung up wiping themselves off.

"Are you okay ?"She asked picking up the box that had fallen off.

"Just tripped and fell."Jason replied getting it from her.

"They are wondering what's taking both of you long.Dinner is ready."She said  heading back inside.

Rosslyn felt awkward,she went to her room and changed her clothes before joining everyone.

They ate and talked about how each and every member was doing.It was later when they were done when Edward brought up the topic concerning their engagement.Rossyln couldn't believe her ears.Engagement?To Jason?She felt as if she was dreaming.Jason didn't seem shocked,he seemed to have been aware of it all.Neither Ivy seem perplexed either.She knew it.

"It will be good for our families and our company."Edward went on.

Rossyln didn't say a word,she sat and listened as her parents talked with Jason's.She wanted to speak her mind but couldn't bring herself to.It was also tradition that children couldn't interrupt their elders when they were talking, especially their fathers .

"I have a boyfriend back in campus,"she thought,"I promised him we would get married once we graduated."She even promised him that she would remain a virgin until they both got married.She loved him.Everyone in High Tech university talked about how perfect they were as a couple.Now she was engaged to Jason just in the name of business?She wished she had stayed in campus and not come back home.

            *********************************

The guests were gone,her mother was cleaning up dishes,her father was checking out the boxes that had been brought, inside them were new products which were to be launched.

"Mom,why didn't anyone tell me about this engagement, everyone else seemed to know about it except for me?"She spoke while helping her mother clean up.

"What's the big deal dear,you and Jason grew up together,our families know each other pretty well, who would be better than him dear?" her mother spoke in a low tone .

"Larry, you know him mom,it will break his heart if he finds out am engaged."

"That campus kid, better not speak of him, you know when Edward talks business he means business. Don't know what would  happen to him if they found out."

"Mom,I don't want to get married because of business affairs.I want a happy home filled with love,just like you and dad."

"It's for our companies sake dear.Edward is our top shareholder,if he pulls out our company will go bankrupt."

"I still don't get how my marriage to his son has anything to do with the company mom.Mark is already working there anyway."

"You'll get to know all details after your wedding  dear."Belle said as she dried her hands and walked out.

Rosslyn sighed, she'd talk to Jason and they wouldn't have to get married, he'd understand,she hoped.

      

      ***************************************

Rosslyn couldn't sleep,she tossed from side to side.She thought of her family as well as Larry,what now?She had spoken to him on the phone later that night and couldn't help but think of all dates they had gone together.Larry was tall, fairly dark with long well trimmed hair.He was mature.He was part of student's council in High Tech , students loved him.Rosslyn couldn't afford losing him to anyone.He was the ideal man for her.

Jason was a spoilt brat, that's what she thought of him.His mother still treated him like a toddler.He seemed to have everything in the whole universe.His mother could go to any extremes for him.Rosslyn couldn't bear the thought of spending her life with such a man.

      ***************************************

The next day, Rossyln set off for Jason's home. She found him cleaning his new Ferrari Testarossa.

"Look who is here,my future wife."Jason spoke as she approached him.He was drunk, you could tell from his voice tone.

"Drunk this early." Rossyln thought feeling more disgusted at the thought of their marriage.

"Jason,we need to talk."

"Sure thing wifey, look at destiny baby, you can't run from  it."

"Stop with that wifey bullshit Jason,we not getting married."

"Don't tell me you still resist me even after all this years,"Jason was holding her right hand firmly in his as he spoke "why Rosslyn,tell me."

"Ouch,it hurts.Let go of my hand."

"Am sorry." He said gently releasing her.

"Oh,I didn't know you came to see us Rosslyn."It was Jess.She said walking towards them.She went on to kiss her on both cheeks and asked them to join everyone for breakfast.

"Later mum,I don't wanna have breakfast right now "Jason said.

"It's your favorite son, bacon and fried eggs."

"Okay mum,after you guys."

It has been months since Rosslyn was last at Edwards's place. Their mansion was quite large,well furnished inside.Ivy rose to great Rosslyn when she saw her walk in.Mr. Edward was seated on a coach lost in his thoughts.He did not notice them walk in.

"Honey, Rosslyn came to visit us."

He snapped out of his thoughts when his wife spoke.

"Rosslyn,hello dear,how are you?"He went on to ask her how everyone else was.

Rosslyn was thinking about how spending her life with this family would be a disaster.

She saw faults in them, faults she had not seen before her engagement  to Jason was mentioned.

She wanted to go back home,she questioned herself why she had come to them "I should have stayed home"

Everyone was seated ready for breakfast.Jason came in and sat next to Rosslyn.

"Darling, don't they just look perfect."Mrs Edward spoke to her husband,she already considered Jason and Rosslyn a couple.

"Rosslyn, you said you wanted to talk to me.How about we go upstairs to my room."

Jason told Rosslyn after they were all done with breakfast.It was only them left at the dining table.

"Let's talk here,"

Jason shrugged and left for his room."If you want to talk i'll be in my room."

"So full of himself "Rosslyn thought as she watched him walk upstairs.

She wanted to shout  and tell him that she was going home but couldn't.She wasn't the kind that talked out loud,she followed him hastily trying to catch up with him.

Jason's room was big and spacious,a large bed seated at it's center.Right next to it was a shelf with books and magazines on sports and lifestyle.Right above his bed was a large portrait of a black naked woman,she had long hair which seemed to be blown by some massive wind.One couldn't denied the fact that she was indeed beautiful,a piece of art crafted precisely.Away from his bed was a table and two seats.On the table were three bottles of champagne and several wine glasses.One of the bottles had been popped open.A large window was on the sides room letting in rays of light.From it one could see Halu city at far.Across the room was a large television and a guitar next to it.There was soft music playing.The room was filled with a fresh cologne's scent.

Jason was pouring champagne in two glasses when she walked in.It was not the first time she was in his room,they had been here with her brothers.It decorated and painted different though.

"Here,"Jason said as he handed her one of the glasses. "Don't say no I already poured it."He said noticing that she wanted to  turn him down.

"To us?"Jason said smiling meekly.

"Jason,"

"Drink it first then I promise to listen to anything you have to say."