FORBIDDEN AFFECTIONS: ADDICTED TO MY STEPMOM

I couldn’t walk for two hours according to mom and the healers who helped me change the bandage around my stomach. In truth, I was missing Amy too much. I could notice mom felt the same but she never mentioned nor complained. I could tell she did though, especially when I once caught her looking at a baby with her mother in the tribe. Mom probably didn’t want me to feel sad and worried more than I already was so she kept it all to herself…

“I can do it,” I told her once we were on what seemed to be a waterfall that followed the creek near the village. Apparently, it was where the tribesmen went to catch a fish.

We were with some other men earlier but they went hunting in the woods, something they shared they were good at.

“Aki, the doctor said you need two more days to heal,” mom said while caressing my arm before she let go and stood on the side. “Don’t force yourself too much, okay?”

I sighed. “Mom, I’m not a kid anymore. Besides, I know you miss Amy too. And aunt Jonah and the rest…”

She stopped, and probably didn’t want to hear what I just said. But I wanted to let her know I was old enough, mature enough for her to lean on and share her sentiments with.

Mom let out a small breath and nodded. “Yes, you’re right… I miss them. All of them. Especially Amy… But Aki, you’re also my son, my child, right? And right now, I don’t want anything bad happening to you again. Please stop making me worried… I… I’m a mother too.”

I fell silent and felt my heart pounding loud at what mom said. Even while having difficulties herself, she had always thought of other people first. Ever since we came to this place, I haven’t heard a complaint from mom. Not even once did she say she wanted this or that. She was truly amazing. No matter where she went, she would definitely survive with that amazing personality she had.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Mom asked.

I smiled and approached her and looked even more at her beautiful face. “You’re beautiful mom.” Whether it was your face or your heart, both were equally beautiful.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Mom smiled back and began to walk back towards the water. I followed her and since my wound wasn’t fully healed yet, I obeyed her word not letting me hold the fishing equipment the tribesmen gave earlier. I silently sat on one side and watched how she caught a few fish herself. It was another amazing sight I would forever remember.

Soon, mom and I began to talk about stories from our past. Our favorite memories, the things we loved doing back in the city – they all felt more exciting now that we were far from it. And when I thought about how we could do all those things together, my heart couldn’t help but feel even more eager to do them all. We made a list then. Mom and I’s lists of where we would go next once we returned to the city.

I stood up and was about to approach her when Bon and his companions suddenly arrived, all of whom were carrying weapons – sticks with knives and other things that looked dangerous to hold or use. I quickly walked up to mom and stood between her and Bon and his group.

“There are people on the south side near the village. You need to leave,” Bon exclaimed, alarming both me and mom.

We didn’t waste time and immediately left the falls, almost running back to the village. In a few moments, we were already carrying a bag of supplies and bidding goodbye to Nana, the tribal leader who was kind enough to help us.

“Be careful,” she said softly and softly. He looked at me with a small smile. “Aki, take care of the woman you love the most.”

Mom and I were both stunned at what we heard. Surprised, we couldn’t help but look at each other. How Nana was able to find out the truth about us, I also didn’t know… Perhaps mom told her?

Nana faced us, her old age not abling her to see us with clear eyes but nonetheless still holding a gentleness in her voice when she spoke. “Love will persevere to those who work hard. Like a plant, you must nurture the affection you hold to keep it healthy. Only by doing so, the fruit will come and give you the power you need in facing a dark, scary, hungry world.”

She further added with a smile, “Love will win if it is real and pure.”

In those moments I felt strange in the chest. My whole body seemed to come alive from what I heard from Nana. I took mom’s hand and squeezed it slightly. In my mind and heart, I had vowed countless times that I wouldn’t let go of this person. No matter what the future holds whatever happens in the present…

After we said goodbye, we quickly left the tribe. Bon and another of his companions, Norman, offered to be our guides in the forest. We walked away from the tribe and towards what they said was a forest path to the nearest town.

Since it was getting late when we left, darkness overtook us on the way. The moon was already crawling up in the sky and we could hear the sound of insects and other animals in the forest. When I noticed mom looked too tired to walk, I asked Bon and Norman to stop first to rest.

“In about an hour, we’ll reach the town,” Bon said as we all rested under the tree.

Mom and I were still listening to what he had to say about the road and the town we were going to when Norman suddenly stood up and looked at the sky.

At once we looked at what he was looking at and stopped. We all froze as we saw a large smoke and if I am not mistaken it was coming from the village…