Megyn was startled to see three figures scrambling away from the window, hurrying to settle on the couches. Clearly, they had been peeking through the window the entire time.
Mellissa was brimming with excitement, eager to know where Megyn and Benjamin had gone. Mex, on the other hand, looked visibly disappointed—Benjamin hadn't stayed to play football with him.
Both Mellissa and Mex spoke at once, their voices overlapping in a chaotic chatter that bordered on a shouting match. Everyone seemed desperate for answers.
Amanda, however, simply smiled. She pulled Megyn into a warm bear hug, her joy evident. She didn't miss the sparkling new watch on Megyn's wrist.
"We'll talk later. Go attend to your siblings first," Amanda said gently, heading back to the kitchen to continue preparing dinner.
Megyn, still a little confused herself, wanted to ask Amanda what she might have done wrong—why Benjamin had left without saying a word. But her younger siblings were her first priority.
As was her custom, she hugged them both tightly, then sat with them on the large couch.
"That's a beautiful watch. I love it!" Mex said, admiring it as he touched her wrist. "Where did you buy it? Is it new?"
"A golden watch!" Mellissa added, wide-eyed. "Where did you get the money, Meg?"
With two curious minds firing questions, Megyn gently raised her hand and coughed to gain their attention.
"Alright, my lovelies," she said fondly, caressing their heads, "I promise I'll tell you everything—but only if you let me speak. One question at a time. Which would you like answered first—about Benjamin or the watch?"
They looked at her, then simultaneously pointed to the watch.
"This watch is a gift," she said with a smile. "From a very good friend of mine."
"Benjamin?" Mex asked slyly.
"Yes," she answered.
With a mischievous grin, Mex darted off to the kitchen, calling out, "Megyn has a boyfriend!"
Amanda glanced at him, amused. "Calm down, young man," she said, handing him a warm cup of chocolate milk.
"Amanda?" he said after a moment.
"Yes?"
"Can I tell you a secret?"
"Hmm?"
"Come closer," he whispered. "I love Benjamin because he's my big brother, and he loves Megyn. He bought her a golden watch!" Then he added, whispering conspiratorially, "I'll ask him to buy me a watch too—one with a big leather strap like his."
Amanda chuckled. "You're lucky to have a big brother. I'm happy for you."
Mex grinned, flashing his toothless gaps on his teeth. "Amanda, why didn't he come into the house? Did we scare him? Maybe because we were peeking through the window?"
"No, sweetheart. His aunt called him urgently. He had to leave right away," Amanda explained.
Finishing his cocoa, Mex ran off to the backyard to play football.
Back in the living room, Mellissa remained. She needed confirmation.
"Is it true, Meg?" she asked quietly.
"What's true?" Megyn replied.
"Is Benjamin your boyfriend?"
Megyn hesitated for a second, then nodded. "He took me out for lunch today. He asked me to be his girlfriend... and I said yes."
"You have a boyfriend?" Mellissa gasped.
"Mellissa," Megyn said, noticing her sister's face. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm scared," she said, her voice cracking. "My friend's sister got a boyfriend and left home. She got married and moved far away to the capital. She never comes home anymore…"
"Oh, Mellissa," Megyn said, reaching for a clean handkerchief from her clutch. She gently wiped her sister's tears. "I'm so sorry this upsets you. But I'm not going anywhere—not anytime soon. I'll be here until I finish university and become a doctor. And even when I leave, I'll take you with me. You're my sister. Forever. Okay?"
Mellissa nodded slowly.
"…And Benjamin will remain my boyfriend," Megyn added playfully. They embraced, and Mellissa's face lit up with a broad smile. "And you know what? Boyfriends can become husbands—if things go well. You understand?"
Mellissa nodded again. "I love you, Megyn."
"I love you too. But remember, this is our family information. No neighbors, alright?"
"Understood," Mellissa replied firmly. "I'm off to do my homework."
Mellissa was preparing for her final primary exams, which would determine her placement in secondary school the following year. She was always busy these days.
"Good girl," Megyn called after her.
She then joined Amanda in the kitchen, where the aroma of beef stew and rice filled the air.
"What's for supper?" she asked.
Amanda looked up from the pot and beamed. "This lovely girl. Come, sit down."
Megyn poured herself a cup of cocoa and sat beside Amanda.
"Benjamin loves you," Amanda said, glancing at her with affection. "I saw the way he looked at you—before you left and even when he dropped you off. That man adores you. You glow when he's around."
"I don't know… maybe he just likes me," Megyn murmured.
"You love him, don't you?"
Megyn didn't respond, but Amanda didn't wait.
"You're a lucky girl. He's such a handsome man—and love is beautiful. Don't be shy about it. You're of age and lovely."
"He asked me to be his girlfriend, and I accepted. I love him so much. I just… don't understand why he left without saying anything."
"Oh Megyn," Amanda laughed softly. "You're so naïve. He said everything he needed to—just not with words. We saw it."
"What do you mean?" Megyn asked, now more confused.
"Through the window. We saw it all. Actions speak louder than words, remember? That silence—his gaze, his presence—it said everything. That was love."
Megyn blinked. "Amanda… what did you hear?"
"I can't get enough of you, Princess," Amanda teased, laughing. "Isn't that what he calls you? That was real. He said it with his eyes and heart."
Megyn's eyes widened. "How do you know he calls me that?"
"The song," Amanda said with a knowing look. "He played it over and over again today. It was on a loop. That's what you are to him. His princess. And today, he looked like a man who knew you were his."
Megyn stood up, speechless, and moved toward the simmering pot of stew.
"I love rice and beef stew," she said. "Can I have a taste?"
"Supper will be ready in an hour," Amanda replied. "Go freshen up and come back."
As Megyn proceeded to her room, her mind was filled with thoughts of Benjamin, and their meeting for the next day.
How will it be?