The Tale of Robinson Luther

Chapter 2 (The Maniks)

It was a black Tuesday for the Maniks family, everyone both young and old were very bitter and cried painfully. Diego's death will strongly affect their lives. It was a shocking and tragedy news for the Freedonias and the World at large. Before his death he was a philantropist who contributed immensely to the various needs of the world. It was rumored that he once helped the Freedonian government financially.

His death at that time affected the economical and political stability of the world for quite sometime. This was largely due to the vast number of companies owned and linked to the Maniks. The drug business also was halted due to the scarcity of products ,The great drug Lord is dead. They will be a huge void to be filled by anyone that is to take over the empire. On his death the lives of the Maniks will never be the same.His presence did unified the family. He married two wives;Clara and Alejandra. Clara Manik,a tall beautiful but soft hearted woman was married to Diego out of love.

Clara was a very special woman but her fragile,soft and weak mentality was not a feature for one that is to be welcomed into the Manik family let alone be the first wife. Her mother inlaw, Diego's mother opposed they marriage due to these traits which she referred to as "weakness". According to her any Manik's spouse is meant to be strong for their children and husband. It comes with a very huge responsibility and for her Clara won't be able to carry that burden. She knew that Clara will be a good wife for Diego but her fear was that she won't be able to trive in the family drug business.

"Mother please allow us to be,I love her besides everyone is strong in their own way" these were the pleading words of Diego that later soften her mother's stance but now,on his death,it was inevitable that she was going to wean from her husband and stand for her children and the family at large.

At first it wasn't really easy going for Clara,she have to accept her fate but his husband's death really exposed how weak and how much she depended on him. She was four months pregnant on her husband death,it was a very difficult time but she adjusted and in a way found strength and purpose in her four children;Robben,Gabriella,de Angelo,mavin and Adriana (the one still in womb) in their order of succession.

On delivery she had a very painful labor that nearly took her life. Robben was at a time when the delivery seems unfeasible, to choose between her mother or the child but luckily for him, just on the dire minutes,her mother miraculously gave birth to a girl, Adriana. It remained one of the "what if" for Robben,it was indeed one of the most tensed moment of his life.

Robben on the other hand knew that his life would never be the same. Robben lost his father at the very young age of fourteen,at the peak of his juvenile life. Robben was a tall, handsome,delightful and a proud boy. He a popular figure in Maclay high school,I mean why not? a boy that possess flair, charming attributes and to crown it all was an intelligent and charismatic lad. Robben was equipped with lot of admirable attributes except his over ambitious persona hence could do anything to get whatever he wants. His father had always admonished him on the consequences of being over zealous and ambitious.

Alejandra was Diego second wife who he married out of pressure from his family. She was the daughter of Lord Fernando,a very powerful and close associate of the Maniks . She was married to Diego as a sign of good faith between the two families.

Alejandra is a very gorgeous figure that had an hourglass figure. Her blue eyes were very catchy and seductive. She indeed was a princess. Alejandra is quite ambitious and she can make use of everything in her disposal to get people do her bidding. She is the mother of three,two girls and a boy; Javier,Luna and Bianca in that order. Although she was the second wife,she found favor in the eye of her mother inlaw due to her strong willed and deceptive personality. She was everything she hoped to see on Clara. Alejandra always reminded her of her very young self.

Alejandra only son, Javier is an easy going boy,he was Diego's favorite. He was the least ambitious being among the Maniks. He was a fine, sweet gentle boy. Alejandra did not appreciate these traits that Javier possess. She saw it as a "defect" hence she always wished she had more sons. Javier was made to understand by her mother that his soft deposition will not make him fit of being called a Manik.

"Hey bro,what are you thinking"Domenico quried reaching out his hand on Rob's shoulder. Rob startled"Hey man,are you alright"Domenico asked again,this time more concerningly. "Yeah!, Yeah!,iam okay"Rob answered trying to get hold of himself."Where are you coming from?" Rob trying to change the topic"from the shopping mall"Domenico replied rasing up what he bought."Man you look gloomy and shabby,have u been taking your night sleep?, you know, you should take it on yourself"he advised while crossing the other side of the road.

Rob was relieved when Domenico left,he wasn't ready for all his many questions. He knew that being left alone with Domenico will have him talking and answering his never ending questions. He was very tired and wanted to be left alone. He regretted not making use of his cars,he would have been in his apartment by now. He still have a long way to go despite leaving the library an hour ago and now time was against him,it was already past 8pm. He has been lost in his thoughts again.