"The Interview"

"This is Jane Marker, reporting from PEN news live. We have with us, the current Olympics long jumper superstar, Jack Owel, " she exclaimed. 

"Thank you so much for this opportunity, " I smiled at her. 

"Your fans have been insisting on knowing some details in your life, so could you tell us a little about yourself?"

"Uhmm, as you all know, my name is Jack Owel. I am the only child of Dr. Owel, the well known psychologist. Well, I was a foster kid before my dad took me in. My biological dad died when I was three years old, leaving my mom and I behind. After two years of the death of my dad, my mom died in a car accident and they reported that they couldn't find her body. I wept so badly. None of my relatives took me in so I was enrolled in a orphanage home by the community leader. I was there for about a year until Dr. Owel came and adopted me as his son.

Ten years later, I ran into someone that looked exactly like my mom at the supermarket. I was shocked and at the same time speechless that I rushed into her and gave her a tight hug. Surprisingly, she pushed me so hard that I smashed my buttocks on the floor. I guess she was shocked that I hugged her that way or she didn't recognize me. 

"Mom it's me, your world," I effused. 

"Oh stop that, I thought you've grown. Well, I'm not your mom. I'll say I was your mom but no more. I got tired of you and needed to discard you, which I did. You need to get that into your skull. Your mom is dead. " she left. 

Tears rolled down my eyes profusely. I'll never forget those words. When I got home, I narrated the incident to my dad. He told me not to take the words of my mom seriously and I shouldn't ponder on them so that I don't get hurt. So I had to forget about her for that moment and focus on reality.

"Wow, what a life!", Jane said , "so how did you get this far, despite everything that has happened to you? "

"Well, I'll give all the praise and honor to God Almighty. He has never left me even when things were not going well for me. I'll also give a shout out to my super dad. He has been there for me since day one. I never felt lonely nor depressed. He always encouraged me and I'm a super star right now because of him. I love you so much dad." I smiled at the camera

"Going back to what you said, would you say that your mom meant all she said to you ten years ago? "

"At first when I heard of her death, I just couldn't believe it. I felt that she just left for a little while and will be back for me. I waited at the orphanage for her, but she didn't come. No wonder people say expectations lead to disappointment. When I saw her ten years ago, I was happy seeing my desire come alive but I got a shocking response from her which really turned things around for me. It usually seems like a horror movie each time I recall all she said to me. So, I guess she meant every word. "

"I will say that you never want to meet her again, but if eventually you do meet her,how will you react? " Jane questioned

"Well, I never want to see her ever in my life. I don't want to be a burden nor a pest to her. Though there are a lot of questions running through my mind, just like knowing why she did what she did. I'll be so pissed off if she shows up. "

As the interview was still on, an elderly woman in her early 60's dashed into the studio, interrupting the interview as she wailed and screamed, 

" Please forgive me. "

She kept on saying those words till she fell at my feet. I was a bit confused that I tried to raise her but she went on and on.

"Ahh Madam, I thought we made it clear to you that you can't be here" Jane uttered

"What's going on? " I inquired

"Well, I met her outside the studio insisting on seeing you. She said that she's a fan of yours and needs your autograph. I then told her that I'll help her get one from you but she can't come into the studio. I don't really get why she is apologizing to you, though. "

"Madam, what is the problem? ", I was puzzled

"My world!! My world!! I'm so sorry my world", she burst out in tears.

Immediately, I was speechless and I slowly took two steps backward. 

"It's only my mom that calls me that... Why is this woman calling me that?... " I soliloquized 

She moved closer to me and said,

"I am deeply sorry for leaving. "

No, this had obviously turned from an interview to something else. Jane gave a signal to the security to let the woman go. 

"I know I owe you an explanation, " she started.

"But please I beg you, listen to me," she cried as she drew me back as I tried leaving the studio. 

"From the very day I left you, I've been living with the guilt. When I saw you at the supermarket, I was embarrassed at myself. I saw how good looking you were and I couldnt take you with me because you'll just suffer with me. I didn't have enough on me to take care of you, that's why I said those words to you. 

I wanted to see you so badly to make things straight, that's why I lied about getting an autograph. Back then, I left you to get a living for us. I was deprived of your dad's properties after he died by his younger brother and kinsmen. Taking you along was going to pull me down, so I faked my death. I heard you were sent to an orphanage home and I wanted to go get you back but things didn't go as planned... "

"But why?...." I cut her off.

"Why did you come back now? You can't just show up all of the sudden claiming to be mum. My mum is dead." I stomped out of the studio weeping bitterly. 

When I got home, my dad gave me a hug and said it was gonna be alright. He saw everything on the television because it all happened live during the interview. 

My mom kept on visiting the house until she was let in by my dad. She thanked him for all he had done in my life. My dad sent for me, as I got to the living room and saw her, I demanded to know what she came for. 

She got on her knees and began to apologize to me. 

"I am sorry my world. I'm sorry for leaving you behind. I know I don't have the right to be called your mom anymore, all I need is your forgiveness. " she wept profusely. 

I just couldn't bear it anymore! I burst out in tears, gave her a tight hug and said, 

"I have missed you mom."