I was famished and my throat was very dry, so I went to a vendor by the side of the road to buy a drink, but she and I reached for the last mango-vice drink at the same time.
She suddenly pulled away as her face immediately turned red at our brief skin contact. I had seen her from afar looking for shade, but up close I could help but admire her natural beauty.
I paid for the drink, but noticed how red she was looking and knew she had been standing by the sidewalk, searching for an empty shade. So I gave her the drink instead and walked away, fearing that she just might faint from a heat stroke if I didn’t.
That day, I was reluctantly waiting waiting for an investor’s daughter, whom I had to pick up from college and go on a blind-date with. So, I really didn’t take anything or anyone into account that day because of my sour mood, except Livy.
The second time I met her was at my engagement party, when Sophia introduced her to me as her twin sister but, i was unable to recall where I had met her before.
It was only after my wedding, at the Welcoming party that I finally remembered and walked up her to talk, but she completely acted as though I repulsed her and that was trying to hit on her.
It was quite embarrassing because a lot of people saw her reaction and bickered about it. So from that moment I detested and loathed her even though she was Sophia’s twin sister.
About 2months after my marriage to Sophy, we both ran into my psychologist at a business party, so Sophy wanted to know the reason why I had to see a shrink while growing up.
I told her everything that had happened to me 16years ago, starting from the kidnap, to the torture, and the little girl I had escaped with, the orphanage and even the wrapper ring I had gifted the girl.
Surprisingly, she guessed the exact shape and color of the wrapper ring I had made, but somehow she had no memory of anything else, so I guessed she must have suffered an amnesia and was unable to remember.
For me I was glad that she didn’t grow up having to manage those painful memories, because I knew how long it took me before I was able to have a normal life after that incident.
I was the one at fault for insinuating that Sophia was my ‘little rose-cheek’, so I stopped looking for her.
I had lived my all life thinking about how she must have been living. Was she happy? Did she attend a good school? Does she get good grades? What would she look like now? And above all, I sincerely hoped she didn’t have relive the horrors every time she closed her eyes to sleep, because I did.
So when I thought she was Sophy and she couldn’t remember anything, I was glad I alone had to endure those traumatic memories.
If I had known all these while that she was Livy, I would have treated her better and protected her from anyone and anything that tries to hurt her.
I would have never treated her like she was the worst person on earth, I wouldn’t have accused her of terrible things, called her terrible names and made her lose all faith in me.
But I was encouraged again to restore her faith in me once more. I was determined to make her mine for good and to protect her and love her dearly.
*************************************************
So even though Livy hates me now and I’m hopeless at being romantic, I had to employ the help of a 3rd party- Heather, to help me out. Heather helped me set up a wonderful day for the perfect date.
But it’s almost 12noon and Livy had already texted me saying she wasn’t in the mood for any date today.
I was depressed and sad, but for some reason I still sat here- hopeful or trying to have a little faith.
I called Heather and told her that I didn’t think Livy was planning on showing up, but I thanked her for her help all the same.
Not more than 3mins later, I heard a familiar voice from behind.
“I hope you have everything planned for today? I don’t want to waste my time here” Livy said unpleasantly, but I didn’t mind her at all.
I was just glad she was here, so I stood up and walked towards her, I pulled her close and hugged her so passionately.
After the doctor had left that night, Livy recovered the next morning and once again didn’t want anything to do with me.
So, holding her in my arms again after that night was a gift I wanted to treasure with each fleeting moment.
Thankfully she didn’t resist nor did she pull away, she just let me hold her for the first time in a while and I felt at home- at peace.
I finally let go and pulled her to my side as I led her back to the bench.
“I heard this is your favorite place in town. You love to watch people play with their dogs?” I asked in a lighter note.
Being with her like this was nostalgic, as I went back in time to those few days we spent at that orphanage 16years ago.
She was usually very quiet and would refuse to play with other kids except me. So we would just sit under a cherry tree by the playground and watch the other kids play.
“I find it interesting watch people and finding out their weaknesses, it’s amusing. What am I doing here, Markian?” She suddenly asked, being very direct.
Everything I’ve ever said to her these past months, she had held them all to heart. The damages I’ve done seems to go way deeper than I suspected, but I didn’t find her now after so much have happened, just to lose her again.
“Please, just for today let me have your time. Let me restore back the faith you once had for our marriage- faith you had in me. If at the end of the day you tell me you still feel nothing for me, I’ll respect your decision and I’ll never bother you again. But if there’s still an ember of love in your heart for me- no matter how small it may be, I have to fight for it, because I can’t bear to lose you, not again.” I confessed earnestly, staring into those gorgeous hazel eye of hers.
Enchanted I presume by my confession, she nodded in response to my plea.
“At the end of the day, if you can change my mind that being with you isn’t going to cost me, then I’ll give our marriage a second chance.” She stated encouragingly.
I couldn’t be happier right now and I really wished this wasn’t all just a summer daydream.
I held her hands gently and we walked back to the driveway were my car was packed and we ventured into our date.
I could tell she was becoming more and more relaxed as we took the short rides and made small talks. Soon, her smiles became more genuine and her laughs were more cheerful.
The wall and mask that she had put up this past month were starting to fade and I felt like I had my old Livy back.
She enjoyed the art display at the museum, and would occasionally point out tiny inactive strokes in each painting that could have easily been missed, calling them the real art.
And at the lake we had a picnic. It wasn’t much but it was oddly satisfying at most. We talked about other things like our lives in the nearest future, our dreams and what we had wanted for our lives before our marriage.
“If you lose everything and everyone by your side because of me, would you hate me forever?” She asked to my surprise.
I won’t lie that there was a time when I thought of Castlehill as my lifeline and my everything, but when I had to run for my life in the woods 16years ago, I didn’t have Castlehill or my family.
Livy was the only one with me, and even after so many years and without her memories, she still choose to love and protect me.
“I can’t hate you Livy. You are the only one that ever truly belonged to me, not Castlehill or my depraved family. You- are my everything and everyone, which is why I can’t lose you.” I confessed truthfully.
I don’t give my heart easily but when I do, I give everything I have. I owed this woman my life, my wealth, my all- so I kissed the back of her hand softly.
I had misunderstood her for a long time, treated her badly, so I’m willing do everything in my power to make her happy.