Chapter 4 Cover up

• JORDAN'S POV
• I was dazed at Jora's question. Was she eavesdropping on my dad and I's conversation? How did she know that Dad isn't happy that I married her mum?
• I stared at her and forced a smile. Of course I wasn't going to tell her the truth, not because I wanted to lie to her but such a thing as dislike for her mother by her grandfather shouldn't be known to her.
• " How can you say that baby? Your grandfather loves your mum.." I was telling her when she threw my hands off her shoulders.
• She walked a few distance from me and crossed her arms around her chest " You are lying to me daddy. You don't love me anymore right? How can you treat me like a little baby?" Jora reprimanded me.
• I was lost. She knew I was lying and trying to cover up for her grandfather? But isn't she a little girl? How was I supposed to treat her?
• Before I could say anything in defence, I saw my daughter run off, cleaning the tears off her eyes.
• I was moved. I stood up gently and straightened myself. I hate to see her cry, to see tears in those beautiful eyes of hers.
• That's my weakness, I hate to see tears in Rachel's eyes, except when she has those exaggerated laughter she often does to amuse me.
• Same goes for Jora. I went after her and followed her into her bedroom. On the wall was Rachel's picture like it is in my room.
• A lot of kiddies' designs and drawings were in the room. The wall was painted pink, a feminine colour.
• On her little bed lay Jora sobbing. She hugged herself and was sniffling when I approached her.
• " Jora my love" I called her. I walked over to stand in front of her and pulled the seat close to her bed and sat down.
• " Don't talk to me daddy. I hate it when I am being lied to by my father.." Jora declared. She turned her back to me and hugged herself still.
• I sighed softly. Telling her the truth that my dad detest her mother and never approved my marriage with her is like planting an unhealthy seed in the heart of a little girl.
• What good would that bring her or dad? Dad loves her and accepted her as his granddaughter, that's enough for her to know.
• But seeing her like this, I felt like I am responsible for her tears. Looks like I am between a rock and a hard place.
• " Jora dear, you know that a daughter should make her daddy happy. And the only way you can make me happy is to believe whatever I say to you.
• I love you, grandma and grandpa loves you. Your mummy loves you right up there in heaven. This is your family and we all love you.
• I don't want you to fill your head with things that won't bring you any good. Don't think or be concerned about your grandpa's likes and dislikes for your mummy.
• What is important is that she's happy where she is and we are happy here and know someday, we will meet her again. Ok?" I sermonized her.
• I touched her hair, and asked her to turn and face me. She shrugged and I threatened her that I would leave that day if she kept sobbing.
• It worked like magic, it always worked whenever I came around and I wanted her to do something. I will use the same method, and it always worked.
• She turned and glanced at me. " I heard grandpa saying you disobeyed him and married my mummy.." Jora was saying and I interrupted her.
• " It's not good manners for a kid to eavesdrop when adults are talking. Why did you do it?" I frowned at her.
• That was the only way I could cover up that topic. She heard dad yelling at me and saying unpleasant things about her mother.
• I wouldn't be able to defend my dad nor say that dad was joking, lying or referring to someone else. The best thing to do was scold her in the only loophole I found.
• Jora nodded. She seemed to be frightened by my frown. Anyone would. When I frown, it makes people around me calm down.
• I don't know why but I can't explain it either. I stayed with her a few minutes longer and watched her doze off.
• I stood up, covered her with a quilt and kissed her temple before stepping out. As I shut the door, I glanced at her again and smiled faintly.
• If Rachel had been alive, we would have lived together with our daughter. She wouldn't have been living with my parents, nor hear what she heard that evening.
• It was as if I was just getting angry with what my father said. He had allowed his words to affect my daughter and I don't like it.
• It wasn't anything to me again to hear him fuming with displeasure with every decision that I make. He's never approved of my decisions and paths that I take.
• But making it so glaring and obvious that even Jora heard and knew how her grandfather felt about her mother is something that is unacceptable by me.
• I was now going to my room when I heard my mum call me. She said she has been waiting to have a discussion with me but saw me going to Jora's room, she lingered till I came out.
• I squinted, waiting to have a discussion with me? Well, I have to listen to her, whatever makes her wait so long while I was with Jora must be something that bothers her.
• I let her come into my room and I sat by the edge of the bed and mum took the sofa. She looked worried and unhappy.
• I stared at her and wondered. Mum was lively and happy when I arrived earlier in the day. Why the sudden mood swing?
• " Jordan, how have you been doing lately?" Mum asked me, she looked at me with eyes that depict pity. She seemed to want to go teary.
• " I am fine mum. Everything is good" I replied and I saw her sighed audibly, holding her night wear close to herself as if she was catching a cold.
• I asked her if I should turn off the air conditioner in the room and she said no, she's fine.
• I waited, she was quiet for a while and didn't know how to begin her words. I was guessing, what she wants to say, does it have to do with my wife Rachel?