Vanessa and Nicholas walked back through the flower field, enveloped in an awkward silence. The only sound that broke the silence was the soft sound of their footsteps on the path.
“Since when did you return here?” Nicholas asked, interrupting the awkward silence as they walked on the path that led to Vanessa’s house.
“A week ago” Vanessa replied shortly.
“You’ve been here for a week and I haven’t seen you around? Did your husband ask you to always stay indoors?” Nicholas said, causing Vanessa to make a laugh at his words.
“Well, I haven’t seen you around either. And nobody asked me to stay indoors. I am an adult and can make decisions for myself.” Vanessa rambled, trying to flow with the conversation.
“I’m not saying you are not an adult. We all know married adults act differently from single adults,” Nicholas said, with a smile on his face.
“Since when was that category created? I’ve never heard of married adults and single adults since I started existing.” Vanessa said.
“Let’s say I created the category since we really need a category like that,” Nicholas replied.
“I don’t think we need a category like that. Adults should remain adults without extra labels,” Vanessa retorted.
Frankly, Vanessa didn’t like the idea of being labeled a married woman. Only if she could explain herself to Nicholas and ask for help with the ring.
“I see you don’t like the label,” Nicholas said as he noticed the tone Vanessa used to reply to him.
“If you don’t mind me asking, why don’t you like being called married?” Nicholas inquired.
Vanessa couldn’t help but think Nicholas had read her mind. This was the chance to clear the misunderstanding, but she didn’t know how to start with her story.
“It is not that I don’t like the title. It is a long story and I don’t know how to explain myself.” Vanessa fumbled with the right words.
“Don’t tell me you got married to an old man?” Nicholas halted his step as he asked.
“What?” Vanessa blurted out in shock. She never expected that type of question from Nicholas.
“How can you assume that?” She asked in disbelief.
“I would pay a thousand bucks for you to see the look on your face. I can’t believe it was easy to make you stunned. I was only making a joke, it was nothing serious,” Nicholas said as he laughed.
Relief washed over Vanessa as she heard him say it was a joke. She could only hope he didn’t get his idea of a joke from a rumor.
“Stop overthinking it. It was only a joke.” Nicholas said, calmly trying to make her understand.
“I know, it is just that ….” Vanessa trailed off.
“You think i got the idea from a rumor”, Nicholas completed her thoughts.
Vanessa’s eyes widened as she heard Nicholas’s words. Was he a mind reader? Or was she easy to read? She wondered as she stared at Nicholas.
“How did you know what I was thinking?” She asked him. “I’m I safe with you around me?” She added.
“It is easy to read your mind because you have it written on your face. And about your safety, I can guarantee that you are safe with me,” Nicholas replied. “I don’t mess with married women.”
“I’m not married” Vanessa said, without thinking about the consequences of her words.
“It is fine to want me even if you are married. I will understand why.” Nicholas teased her.
“I’m not kidding like you have been doing since I met you tonight. I’m not married?” Vanessa insisted.
“What about the ring?” Nicholas pointed to the ring on her finger. “You should take it off if you are not married. It will keep giving people the idea that you are married.”
“I can’t take it off, not because I don’t want to. It is locked, and I don’t have the key to unlock it” she clarified.
“Ohhh” Nicholas said as he realized the situation Vanessa was in. “This is serious,” he said as he weighed Vanessa’s situation.
“I know. I wish there was a way I could go about it. My mother had searched around town for someone who could help, but she didn’t find anyone or anything useful.” Vanessa lamented.
“There must be a way. If we can’t get help in town, we will get help in the city.” Nicholas told her. “I promise to help you get the ring off of your finger.” His gaze softened as he assured her.
“Thank you so much for your concern. It feels like a burden has left me after talking to you, even if it is not easy to share the truth with a stranger.” Vanessa said, trying to tease him with her last word.
“A stranger?” Nicholas’s hands moved to his chest like he had been shot on the spot. “You just broke my heart.” He said.
“Are you always this dramatic?” Vanessa asked with a smile on her face as she watched his dramatic display.
“Nicholas,” a voice interrupted their chat. Both Nicholas and Vanessa turned their heads sideways to see who the caller was.
“Nisha,” Nicholas said as he recognized her in the dark.
“You already met my baby sister, Vanessa,” Tanisha said as she walked closer to them.
“Yes, Vanessa here is fun to chat with,” Nicholas said, causing Tanisha to roll her eyes.
“Yes, you are right. Everything about her is fun.” Tanisha said in a spiteful tone.
“I will have to leave now.” Vanessa said to no one in particular. She was getting irritated by her sister’s comment. She might have the best comeback to put her sister in her place, but she wouldn’t like to say anything spiteful in front of Nicholas.
“Goodnight, Vanessa. I will come around when I find someone who can help you.” Nicholas said. “Goodnight” Vanessa nodded her head in response before she left Tanisha and Nicholas.
She hopes Nicholas finds a way to help her take off the ring from her finger. As stared at the ring as she walked to her house, glancing at the ring alone made her feel caged and she didn’t like the feeling. It was time to get complete freedom from Darryl and his games.