“You surprise me all the time, Niva. Also you give me fucking hard time by doing this. Can’t you for once, think of your mother that how a lady in her late forties would handle this big an empire? Wolves all around and so is bitching.” Hopeless Agnes said waving hands in the air while standing at the tall window and stared at lush lawn of 1900’s opulent British mansion.

Agnes Densmore had seen enough Autumns and Springs while becoming this strong, straight-headed single business woman and protective mother. She fell for love quite often but never for a relationship. Men came and gone at her will and so were relationships. She could not imagine herself being left by some men and hence she ended relationship maturely, and at times prematurely too. Niva, her only child was the fruit of later one. When she found out about her pregnancy, all she did was just a call to Harry and said, “You are hearing me for the last time.” And before he could respond to her, she ended not only the call but also the relationship, prematurely. Niva was not the case of a lazy night but an urge of motherhood.

“Mother.” She said and it sound like a symphony. “It is not about me. I desire so deep down in my heart to give you something worthwhile. Something that you can cherish till your last breath” She said and stood inches behind her in elegant peach gown.

Niva Agnes Densmore – she preferred being called and recognise by this way! Yes, she was born with a silver spoon and witnessed only Springs but her head has always been on her shoulder. Her impeccable manners, distinctive appeal and elegant dressing would flatter any Prince from any castle. Niva has been observing her mother all her life and sensed a missing block in her life. She has all the genes of Agnes that made her an elegant twenty one year young girl but some of Harry’s too that gave a sensible and emotional touch to her nature.

“I have you, Niv. And I will cherish you. Why you want to me to make a hard choice? Irony is even you are not sure where this would lead us to!” She turned back and argued looking straight into Niva’s eyes.

“You do not have a choice, mother” Niva mumbled. And besides, I might not know where this would lead us but I am sure that things will be cosier on other side.” She continued to sprinkle her charm over her mother.

“Niva.” She came closer and cupped her face. “I always have had choices and I always will have. Who could know this better than you?” She said.

“Yes, you always had and will have choices. But you never had to choose between your daughter and something else, had you?” Niva said and hold her mother’s wrist. “Be assured, I will never leave you or love you less regardless your decision. You have to choose between your choice and my choice. See, you have a choice again!.” She said with a smile and spark in the eyes.

“Niva..”

“Mother.” She interrupted her. “It’s a beautiful weather and a weekend too. Have a stroll outside in the garden and think about it for a couple of days. I am sure we shall be packing backpacks then.” Confidence in her voice was growing than ever. She said and left her mother speechless.

“Niva..” Agnes thought for a moment and called her just when she was about the leave the room. “Niva, I know I have not been best of me recently and you have been there whenever I needed you. This comfort is making me venerable. I never felt this weak before. For the world outside I am still the same strong-head-stubborn Agnes Densmore. It is only you who have exposure to this other side of me. You must know, that this place or whatever you are asking me to be at, should not break me further. I detest that version of me and you must not be in two minds in this.” She said with immense patiences and grace.

“Mother, would you feel any better if I tell you that I also have never been to this way, would it? Keeping you with me is the strength I have always believed it. I cannot do this alone. I feel somewhere, deep down in my heart that we should do this. I doubt that but if you are feeling weak lately thing we get on other side might just break you or it won’t, I don’t know about that, I just don’t. But I know is, it will be something to hold on to. Something that we both have missed all along.” She said with confidence and grief at the same time.

“Oh girl. I thought you grow up in front of me but it seems I have missed much of that, Niva, much of that.” Agnes hugged her and told her. A tear rolled down from her eye, a rare sight.

“Let’s do this, mother” She mumbled.

“I love you, Niva.” She said and left Niva and the room.