After his afternoon nap, Jayden’s first request was for the chocolate I had given him in the car earlier. While he wasn’t as silent as he had been earlier in the day, he still lacked his usual vigor.
Determined to make up for the earlier turmoil, I stayed with him throughout the day, assisting with his homework and playing his favourite games. I could see a faint return of the spark in his eyes, but his previous words still lingered in my mind.
As the evening rolled around, Jayden seemed to be gradually forgetting the events of the car ride home, but I knew this topic was far from resolved.
I agree with my mother that it is not the last time he has asked for a father, he would surely ask for him again, and every time he would try to know more about it. If Ansell kept on coming in front of him again and again, then it wouldn’t be too late for him to Identify him as his father.
By 9 Pm , I had managed to put Jayden to sleep. I was already running late for a party that was supposed to begin at 8 pm. I had struggled to get ready in front of Jayden, as he often clung to me and became upset if I left him behind.
According to him, I can’t have fun alone. He needs to be with me everywhere to enjoy myself, and that’s not a lie, though. I can never enjoy myself when he is not with me. I want my little pumpkin with me every time, everywhere.
I attend only those parties that are important. I wasn’t in the mood to attend today’s party, but Marvin has forced me to.
For the occasion, I opted for a navy blue off-shoulder dress with a flattering fishtail cut that hugged my body perfectly. I attend very few parties, so o don’t buy such clothes. It was gifted by Mia, and at the moment, I couldn’t find anything else.
After I was completely ready, I wasn’t sure what to do with my hair, so I just made a loose bun and let it rest on my nape.
Kissing sleeping Jayden on his forehead for one last time, I walked out to find mom and Mia having dinner together.
“Wohhh, someone is justifying her name” Mia chuckled while eyeing me down and munching on his food.
“Thank you” I replied with a smile.
Mom came to me and kissed my forehead.
“Mom, I would be late. Could you please sleep with Jayden today?” I asked her.
“Of course, I would!” She said with a smile. “Just your time. Don’t worry about anything. Take care of yourself”
I nodded.
Waving bye to Mia and Mom, I came out to find the cab waiting for me. I didn’t take my car today because it needs servicing and I can’t trust it at night. I would be stuck in the middle of the road if it ditched me. I was planning to take it for the service in the afternoon, but the incident the whole day. I didn’t want to risk being stranded on the road in the middle of the night.
Soon, I reached the venue. Paying the fare, I stepped out and made my way directly inside the hall of the resort, only to be welcomed by loud music. People were dancing and drinking crazily as the party was at it’s peak.
Of course, I was late.
My eyes moved around looking for my team members so that I could get comfortable here when my eyes Caught sight of the reason whom I was least expecting here, Ansell.
The moment froze for me, along with my body, and the world around us blurred as we started into each other’s eyes.
His eyes flicked down to my neck and shoulders, which were bare not only for him but for the world to see. This reminds me of the way he used to open my hair so that it could decently cover my neck, and he doesn’t like anyone else staring at it.
Then, as if nature itself were playing a role in our reunion, a gust of wind suddenly swept in front behind me. The loose bun I had hastily tied, which earlier lay low on my nape, unraveled, allowing my hair to cascade down and cover my once -exposed neck and shoulders.
A faint, satisfied glint danced in Ansell’s eyes as his gaze returned to my face.
“Nara?” A soft voice broke the moment, and I found Marvin coming in between us.
I blinked my eyes up at him and found him slightly taken aback looking at me. His eyes flicked down my entire form, and I could see admiration in them.
As far as I remember, this is the first time he has seen me in this kind of dress.
“Congratulations, Marvin” I smiled.
“Thanks” he stated, snapping me back to reality. It seems like he mentally scolded himself for checking me out and wanted to cover the shyness with which I caught him. “I have been waiting for you for so long. You are late. I thought you would not come”
“Actually, I was waiting for Jayden to go to sleep ” I told him, as there is nothing about Jayden that is hidden from him.
“I would have invited him if the party didn’t involve alcohol. I can’t guarantee he wouldn’t demand a taste of it” Marvin laughed.
“He already managed to get tipsy without taking a sip” I laughed along with him.
A bartender came to us with drinks. Marvin was about to say something but before anything could come out of his mouth, I took a glass.
“From what I know, you never drink” Marvin commented, his eyebrows knitting in confusion.
“Yeah, but someone once told me that having a drink eases tension. I thought of giving it a try” I explained, forcing a smile,.
This is something that Ansell told me when I was surprised to find him drinking for the first time. I never thought of trying it until now.
“Hmmm” he said, taking the drink from my hand. “There are many ways to ease the tension. Leave this for me” he chuckled.
“Go and bring soft drinks, ma’am ” he ordered the bartender.
“If you once had it, then it would become impossible for you to go back. You will always rely on it to ease your tension. If you want to have it for fun, then I am with you, but I don’t want you to be dependent on it when it need. I don’t want to see your innocence compromised ” he chuckled.
I smiled.
“Dance with me”
Huh?
His sudden offer took me off guard.
“I don’t know what’s bothering you, but a dance could definitely distract you” he said with a smile.
“Thank you so much for thinking about me but I don’t dance ” the days when Ansell forcefully made me dance came back to my head. “Anymore” I added.
“Oh, come on, Nara” he insisted. “Okay not for yourself but for me? To celebrate the small milestone I have achieved today”
He extended his had towards me, and I hesitated, glancing between his open palm and his face before finally accepting his offer.
He took me in the middle and we started moving together to the music. While dancing, suddenly he came closer to me. My body stiffened at the proximity but he took his step back when he read my uneasiness.
He is such a gentleman.
Suddenly the music changed and the song that played was that of a couple dancing. I froze at my place when Marvin offered his hand to me.
“Shall we?”
As I contemplated the offer, I felt a pair of intense eyes fixed on me. When I turned to look, I found Ansell staring at us, his clenched fists in his pockets were a visible sign of his inner turmoil.
I knew I had to stand my ground and assert that my life was my own now, free from his control. Refocusing on Marvin, I placed my hand in his, and he responded with a soft smile, spinning me around .
The suddenness of his actions took me off guard.
“Relax Nara” he said softly in my ear. “Close your eyes and take a deep breath”
I followed his guidance, closing my eyes and inhaling deeply. As I focused on my breath and the music, I felt myself gradually relaxing, surrendering to the rhythm nof the song.
“Just listen to the music and give into it” he further added.
I kept my eyes closed, as I actually wanted to forget about all the worries and enjoy this moment. As the soft music reached my ear, I felt a protective arm around my waist, which pulled me a bit closer.
My eyes remained shut as I surrendered to the moment, allowing the music to carry me away from the troubles of the world. The presence around me was soothing and comforting. Unknowingly, I found myself leaning towards him.
My eyes slowly opened when the music stopped. My vision was blurry and for a second, I saw Ansell in front of me.
“Are you okay?” Marvin’s voice reached my ears.
I blinked repeatedly, and as my vision gradually cleared, I realised it was Marvin and not Ansell.
How had I mistaken the two of them?
I was distracted by hushed whispers around me, and I saw my colleagues looking in our direction. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment when I realized how close Marvin and I had been dancing. It was clear that they might have misinterpreted thee situation.
God!
How could I forget where I was and what I was doing ?
. I immediately turned around and was about to leave when Marvin called me from behind.
“Nara”
I know he wanted me to console me by saying that everything is fine and I shouldn’t be thinking about others but I wasn’t in the right state of mind.
“Marvin, I just want a few minutes alone. I will be right back”
He nodded in understanding, giving me the required space.
I ran out towards the pool side, which has no one around. It gave me needed privacy and fresh air to breathe.
I was still getting over what happened just now when I heard the voice of the person who is responsible for all the storms in my life and still I am unable to forget him.
“Tereso”