Quietly, Vanessa sat in the corner of the living room, a shy smile played on her lips as she stole glances at Darryl. Just as reserved as she was, she was careful not to draw attention to herself, aware that her mother’s watchful eyes were scanning the room. Tanisha was also present, observing everything and everyone in the room. But Vanessa’s mother was the one roaming around the living room, monitoring both Vanessa and Darryl.
Darryl, who never wanted to be separated from Vanessa, wanted to sit beside her, but her mother’s piercing stare discouraged him. Instead, he took a seat opposite Vanessa, his eyes locking onto hers whenever she looked his way.
There had been a kind of awkward silence between them since they had kissed on the field. It was obvious that there was an undeniable tension between them, making Vanessa worry about how things were heading.
Darryl, on the other hand, is happy about the progress with Vanessa. Since the kiss, Vanessa’s eyes had not left him, and that made him smile.
And the unspoken connection and the private intimate moment between both lovers filled the air in the house.
After the occasional clinking of utensils stopped in the kitchen, Clara came to the living room again, but this time to announce that dinner was ready.
Tanisha took the clue and left the living room with her mother, with Darryl and Vanessa alone.
Closing the distance between them, Darryl moved next to Vanessa. “How are you feeling?” He asked, concern laced in his voice.
Vanessa’s eyes met Darryl’s, flashing him a confused look before she looked away.
“Why would you ask me that?” She asked calmly, uncertain about the destination of their conversation.
“I just want to know what you’ve been doing here. How you’ve been living away from me.” said Darryl, his eyes searching hers as she turned her head to face him again.
“Do you really want to hear about that?” Vanessa asked, her voice low and a smile played on her lips.
“I want to know everything, every detail.” Darryl smirked as his eyes hovered around her face, finally landing on her lips.
“I’ve been living here as a widow,” Vanessa said, trying to pull his legs.
“You are kidding, right?” Said Darryl as the smile wiped away from his face.
“Even the neighbors organized a matching making ceremony for me because they believe I’m too young to be a widow. So… I got to choose and I ended up with”
“I don’t want to hear it.” Darryl hushed, feeling jealous, interrupting Vanessa before she could finish.
“Why would you tell them that?” Darryl said, his voice low as sadness laced in his voice.
“Does that bother you?” Vanessa teased me as she noticed that her lies had gotten to him.
“Who is the motherfucker that you were betrothed to?” Darryl asked, preparing to have a conversation with the guy.
“Why do you want to know him?” She asked him.
“I want to make it clear to him that he had the wrong girl.” Darryl answered, optimistically.
“Wrong girl? In what way?” Vanessa inquired, the conversation starting to interest her.
“He can’t have you. In fact, no one can have you because you are my girl. I won’t just sit back and watch anyone come between us again,” Darryl uttered, his tone serious and firm.
“I’m sorry to come between you, lovebirds. Mother is waiting for you guys.” Tanisha said, causing Vanessa to jolt at the sound of her voice.
Neither Vanessa nor Darryl noticed Tanisha’s presence in the living room. Vanessa got up quickly, creating space between her and Darryl, wondering how much Tanisha heard from their conversation.
Darryl, however, smiles at Vanessa’s reaction, winking at Tanisha for pulling the stunt on them. Realizing that he had to know the truth about Vanessa’s words, he called Tanisha back, after Vanessa left.
“How much did you hear?” Darryl asked Tanisha.
“Enough to know that you were about to shove your tongue down her throat,” Tanisha answered with a knowing look etched on her face.
“Since you know that much, what is it about the widow shit she was saying?” Darryl asked, hoping Tanisha would give him a straight answer this time.
“It is true that she told her story to the neighbors, but the widow part was a joke. Didn’t you see her face, she was having fun while pulling your legs.” Tanisha answered, causing Darryl to relax a little, but he was still bothered about Tanisha’s first statement.
“What story did she tell them? Darryl asked.
“That’s her story to tell, not mine.” Tanisha said before walking away, leading him to the dining table.
Darryl was bothered by Tanisha’s revelation, but he was undisturbed about it. Vanessa will always be his girl, no matter the story behind it. What does he even care about the neighbors when he won’t even be there for long and the same goes there for Vanessa?
Clara stared at Darryl as he settled beside Vanessa. She had a lot to say to him, but she wanted this dinner to be a peaceful one before she talked.
Clearing his throat, “I’ve not had the chance to apologize properly to you, Clara. I’m sorry for all the damage my family and I caused you. I’m really sorry on their behalf, and I’m ready to make things right between both families.” Darryl apologized.
While Tanisha and Vanessa listened quietly, their mother chuckled at Darryl’s apologies. “How do you plan on making things right between us? Even without knowing Vanessa’s family, your mother rejected her. What do you think she would do when she hears that Vanessa is my daughter?” said Clara, willing to help him think twice before making promises he couldn’t keep.
“I know things are rough between us, but I want you to trust me on this one. I promise to make things right, and I definitely will make things right again.” Darryl said confidently, assuring Vanessa’s mother.
“I already trusted you once or have you forgotten? You called me to ask for permission to marry Vanessa and, without knowing who you were, I gave you my blessings and trusted you. But what did I get in the end? A mentally stressed daughter.” Clara said, her tone calm but laced with pain.
“Mother,” Vanessa said, trying to stop her mother from spilling too much.
“My apologies will never make up for the pain I cost her, but I’m making a promise in front of you, and your daughters, that Vanessa will never get hurt again. I won’t hurt her and I will make sure nobody comes close to hurting her.” Darryl vowed with determination.
Silence enveloped them after Darryl made his promise to the family. Clara saw the determination and sincerity in him, but she was still concerned about his family, especially his mother, Grace Peter. However, she wasn’t ready to allow her fear to come between Vanessa’s heart’s desires. It was best to give Vanessa the chance to make her choice.
“I will keep your words at the back of my heart. And I hope you will do better than your father.” Said Clara before digging into her food.
“Bon appetit, guys” Tanisha said, trying to make the mood lighter.