Rose's thoughts were shattered by a loud horn blast and a man's angry shout: 'What the f*** lady?' She snapped back to reality, realizing the streetlight had turned green and the driver behind her was furious.

    "I'm so sorry," she said softly, though she knew the man was not going to hear it, but she still said it.  Rose quickly started up her car and drove off.

    The warm glow of the dining room enveloped the gathering, filled with laughter and chatter. The aroma of home-cooked meals wafted through the air, making everyone's stomach growl in anticipation. Extended family members exchanged stories, their faces lit up with smiles. Children giggled and played, while the adults shared tales of their week. The table was filled with an assortment of dishes, each one more delicious than the last. It was a night to cherish, surrounded by love, food, and the people who matter most.

    Rose's mom, Helen, approached Fred, who was seated with a few family members. She gently tapped him on the shoulder, signaling him to come.. Fred quickly got up and followed her. When they got to a free corner, she stopped and said, "Is everything okay between you and Rose?" Her face looked so worried while her eyes searched for answers. Fred was surprised by the fact that Helen was asking such a

question because he knew that Rose wouldn't talk about their marriage issues, especially with her family, so how did her mother figure it out? Except Rose did say something to her, he thought to himself. 

    "Well, Mom..." Before Fred could say something, Rose drove in, Helen looked outside and saw her, her face brightened up finally her princess has arrived, she excused herself from Fred and walked away to welcome her daughter, Fred on the other hand was relieved his marital issues were the last thing he wanted to discuss that moment. " Ohh my darling, you look like a goddess" Helen said as soon as Rose got out from the car, she pulled her for a hug, Rose's emotion got a hold on her, she hugged her mom so tightly not letting go, there was so much going on inside of her that she couldn't just figure it out, taking longer than expected Helen knew something was definitely going on with her daughter "Are you okay my princess?" She asked. Rose got hold of herself and pulled away from the hug. "Sure, Mom, I just missed you, can't I hug you as long as I want to, Mom?" She asked, trying to act casual.

    Helen smiled at her, but deep down, she knew something was going on with her, knowing her daughter so well, she wasn't someone who would open up easily about her problem, but she wasn't going to let her daughter dwell in so much misery and silence.

      Rose and Helen walked in hand in hand, the room lit up with greetings and laughter, Helen let Rose have her moment with the family members, they approached her, some complimenting her hair, how much weight she's lost and how beautiful she now looked, Her face was full of smiles, following the issues with her marriage she felt maybe she had lost her beauty or maybe she wasn't so beautiful as before but everyone's words had assured her that she was still the beauty goddess. She's stunning with porcelain skin, bright blue eyes, and a radiant smile that lights up her face. Her features are delicate yet striking, with high cheekbones and soft, flowing hair that frames her face.

    "Ohh my angel...hey allow me through" "Daddy" Rose said her voice now full of life now, George her father hugged her "I can't believe you are now a full grown woman, you use to be so small" he said using his hand to show her how small she once was, Rose chuckled "Can't we not do this in front of everyone" she said as her eyes scanned the room it dropped on Fred who was busy sipping his wine, he smiled at her when their eyes met but Rose away without even smiling at him.

   Helen and Rose's Aunties came out from the kitchen carrying plates of food. There was laughter and chuckles in the room; everyone was excited that the food was finally here.

     Fred walked up to Rose, he gently wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer to himself "You look amazing honey" he said and placed a kiss on her cheek, Rose felt disgusted, he came here without her after leaving close to ten missed calls for him, he didn't return any nor did he even leave a message for her.

    "I'm glad you still remember my wife?" She said softly not wanting anyone to hear them. The anger Rose was feeling inside was nothing compared to the words she was limited to say with so many eyes on them.

    To the family Fred and Rose was the ideal couple, because of how much they both adored each other, they both met in their first year in college and ever since then they loved each other got married everything seems perfect with them but that wasn't true, the constant fighting and misunderstanding, it was taking a huge toll on them maybe on Rose only, she couldn't understand how things went wrong.

    "Why are you both standing there? Come over here and sit down" Helen said to them. Rose pulled Fred's hand away and walked up to the table. Her brother, David, pulled out a chair for her. "Thank you, David," she said as she sat down. Fred came over as well and sat down next to his wife. Helen's eyes were on both of them, she could notice the distance and the awkwardness going on between them, Fred's eyes got on her and he could feel she was being suspicious, it was unlike them to have to be quiet and he understood the more quiet they were the more her mother becomes suspicious, he came closer to Rose and whispered "Your mother is looking at us, can we please not make things awkward?" He asked, Rose raised her head and took a glance at her mother and she was staring right at them. "What's wrong Rose?" Helen finally asked.......

"Are you going to be able to finish that food? It's big," Helen said, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to her daughter. She doesn't even know why she asked that in the first place. Rose felt relieved. "I'm fine, Mom," she said, gently devouring her food.

    Charles cleared his throat, commanding the room's attention as he raised his glass with a warm smile. "To family, friends, and making memories that'll last a lifetime," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. The room fell silent, glasses paused mid-air, as everyone echoed his sentiment, "Cheers!"

  Rose's younger sister, Isabella, who was seated right next to her, discreetly tapped her arm with her elbow, a mischievous glint in her eye. "How come Fred came with Zoey and not with you? I was surprised how they got here together" she whispered to her. Rose's eyes went wide in surprise, she raised her head and looked at her single cousin sister Zoey, who was seated across the table, giggling with her sister as well. She turned around and looked at Fred, who noticed the way she was staring at him.

    "What?" he said softly, not wanting to attract the already suspicious looks. "How are you doing Zoey"? Rose asked, her gaze not leaving Fred's eyes, and she noticed the discomfort in his eyes. Zoey, on the other hand, was a bit startled. She and Rose have never been the best of sisters; there was something off about Zoey, according to Rose. They never liked each other since they were teens, or you could say Rose never liked her.

"Umm, wow you're asking?" She said, looking really surprised,  " Zoey could count how many words Rose has said to her since childhood. They don't get along well, so Rose just doesn't like her. "Anyways, I'm doing great and you?" Rose nods her head, indicating she was doing well as well. The atmosphere in the exchange was such that some were surprised by the ongoing interactions, while a few found it suspicious, maybe Rose has grown out of the hate. "You came from work?" Rose threw another question. Zoey, who began feeling uneasy about her questions, had no choice but to keep answering, "No, I came from home. Is there a problem?" She asked politely, and Rose shook her head

    "Everything is fine, you look good anyway," she added. Zoey thanked her, and the room went silent again, except for the sound of plates and the clinking of glasses and muted conversations, as everyone's attention returned to their meals, the soft hum of intimacy and warmth filling the room.

   As the evening drew to a close, warm goodbyes were exchanged, accompanied by laughter and the promise of future gatherings. The door closed behind the last guest, and the room fell silent once more, filled with the contented sighs of a joyful evening well-spent. Rose, can you help me out in the kitchen please?" Helen asked, "Sure," Rose said, and followed her to the kitchen. When they got to the kitchen,

    Helen's eyes locked onto Rose's, a serious expression replacing the warm smile from dinner. "We need to talk,"  Helen said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Rose's curiosity was piqued, and she nodded, wondering what was on her mother's mind

     "You know very well that I can tell when you are hiding something from me, Rose, and right from the time you have never trusted me enough to tell me how you feel." Helen's words cut deep, and Rose's eyes welled up with tears. "Mom, that's not fair, How could you say that?"Rose whispered, her voice trembling. She squeezed her mother's hand, searching for understanding. Helen let out a deep breath, she just wanted to help her daughter but she wouldn't do that unless she opened up.....

Rose knew she was caught between her sanity and personality, she was not the kind of person who openly talks about her problems waiting for a solution she knew she was capable of handling her own problems but this time around it felt as though this one was beyond her, and she might have to say something eventually

While Helen stood there waiting for a response, she could tell Rose was contemplating it;  she decided to give her the time if it meant she was going to tell her what was going on.

    "I don't know what's going on Mom, Fred..." The tears that had been dancing in her eyes began to roll down her cheeks. Helen pulled her for her hug; she was frightened, maybe the issue was more serious than she thought.

    If you keep shaking a bottle of soda and keep it tightly closed, the moment you make a mistake and slightly open it, it's going to burst. Just like a bottle of soda, when we bottle up emotions, thoughts, or stress, it can lead to a buildup of pressure, especially the kind that keeps shaking our strength and will. If we're not careful, a small trigger or mistake can cause a sudden release, like the glass bursting.

    Rose has been trying hard to bottle up her emotions consoling herself with the thought that it was normal in every marriage and it wasn't meant to be perfect but in all honesty, she was just scared that if she looked at things from a different angle she might not be able to control her thoughts thereby causing more harm to herself

  "Ohh my darling, what's wrong dear? See I knew something was going on with you my love, why are you hell bent to going through things alone, your dad and I are always here for you and you know that" Helen said, she pulled away from the hug and held her daughter's hand, Rose couldn't look her mother in the eyes, she felt ashamed to tell her that the marriage they felt were perfect and all that, it wasn't.

   Rose wiped her tears "Fred and I have been fighting a lot lately, it's been a long while since she stayed close to a month without having a misunderstanding mom and at this point I don't know what to do, we can't seem to just talk about it and move pass it" she said, it was good in a way, Rose felt the pain off her chest, now she's spoken to someone who she knows what nothing but the best for her, the pain feels lighter.

    Helen smiled at her "Who told you that your marriage was the perfect and ideal one? How can a marriage that consists of two imperfect people be perfect? My dear, the goal is not perfection at all, you both love each other and you care for each other, and as long as you both are two different people who would do things differently and it might not sit well with your partner and that's life for you, whatever it is you are going through believe me it going to pass eventually, your father and I weren't so perfect at all but we managed to raise all of you with love and peace, that's the goal, to always ensure love and peace in our home" she advised.

   Rose lets out a deep breath, the relief was so invisible in her face and she said " Thank you so much mom, honestly I don't know what to think about all of this and I'm glad I told you all about it, I feel good if not better Mom thank you" Helen smiled as well, it felt good to see her girl in a better shape "You two are only sneaking around" A masculine voice came from the kitchen door, Rose quickly wiped her tears, they both turned to see Charles standing there holding a glass of wine

   "I can't believe you two are still sneaking away like you used to, anyway Rose, your husband has been waiting for you and it's almost getting late," he said and he approached them  "Alright Dad, Mom it was so good seeing you today," Rose said and hugged both of them

   "We love you Rose, and don't you ever forget that" Charles said and kissed her forehead, she waved them goodbye and made her way to the Sitting room, she found Fred and David having a great time, as soon as he saw her he turned and said "Ohh honey you are here, come here" he reached for her hand and pulled her closer, making her sit on his laps "Your brother and I are planning a fishing trip, it's been long a did something like that?" Fred said.

  " Fishing trip?" Rose asked,  and Fred nodded his head, Rose smiled and said nothing else. David stood up and stretched himself, arching his back and extending his arms overhead. "Well, it's been a great evening, but I really need to get myself to my bed with my wife," he said and pulled his wife by the waist, the room was filled with laughter. Just then, Fred stood up as well. "I think you are right, brother," he said, and they all made their way to the door. They all waved goodbye, got into the car, and drove off.

   Rose and Fred were driving home, and he kept stealing glances at her, He knew she had something on her mind, but surprisingly, she was quiet. "Are you okay, Rose?" He finally broke the silence