Marie.
~
I couldn't sleep.
Luckily, no one could.
My friends and my sister stayed with me as we counted the minutes and made up crazier and crazier cover stories for Asin if our family ran in before he came back.
".. He enjoys those ice cream cakes.. Maybe he wanted some of that?" asked Lilly.
" Not bad.." Ayshe nodded. " We can do better.. How about he wanted to feel alive and went down to an abandoned mine?"
It was so absurd that it made us laugh. It was very much needed.
After the night we had, we all felt collectively exhausted, but 3 out of the 4 of us were missing our other half, so it made actually resting impossible.
".. Wonder if we can say those things without his family calling the army in to find him." Henny added arousing another round of laughs.
It wasn't far-fetched.
When they saw him unconscious on that bed, Mother Seline collapsed and had to put in a room for a while. They even gave her sedatives.
Aunt Derya eyes were filled with the fire of hatred like I hadn't seen before.
Even my own mother started crying and needed my dad to calm her somewhat.. She kept asking how this could have happened?
The scary ones were his male family members.
Neither his farther, brother, or grandfather said a word until he was about. They just kept watchful eyes on his body until Grandad Erwing finally got up and took everyone out to hear our prepared story about the shooting.
It was silly simple.. But like most of those stories, it had a strong feel of possibility.
Oliver and him went out of the hotel .. left the security in the hotel and took Oliver's car. Stopped for a walk around our old neighbourhood and then.. And that was it.
Oliver and the crew already took care of the little details, like camera footage and paid potential witnesses, in case the police wanted to ask.
They were all supposed to tell about a single sound of a gun being shot, then a lose description of the man choosen as a.. Sacrifice.
I felt my phone buzzing. My heart simultaneously slowed down and started beating faster reading my husband's name on the screen.
" My love? Are you coming?" I got up walking around the girls.
Stood close to the window, hoping to see them.
" Soon.. Just wanted to see if you were sleeping."
He sounds better.. It's more like his usual self.
" Couldn't without you. But once you're home.." I stepped away from the window and sat down our bed. ".. The family is still away but could arrive any minute. "
" Hmm.. Babe? " he asked.
" Yes.. "
" Order some food, will you.. I'm still hungry."
I smiled, laying down flat.".. Is there anything special you like? "
".. As long you eat with me, it could be sand for all I care."
Hearing such sweet words made my heart flutter.. After putting my phone away, I faced my smiling friends.
" What? " I asked.
Ayshe sat next to me, hugging from the left while the other two took my right.
" Your colour came back.. " Ayshe burrows her face in my shoulder. ".. Asin became a real-life antidepressant."
I couldn't deny it.. In fact, I actually felt hungry myself.
During the night and midst of all the awfulness, I just didn't bother with food, drink, or rest.
".. Did brother Asin say anything about..
".. No Lilly.. He said nothing about Kol." I cut her off.
She immediately released me and called him.
For the whole night, he didn't take her calls.. Until now.
I saw a replay of relief and happiness spread all over her face.. Now I understand how I must've looked to them.
Without further waiting, I took the phone and ordered some of everything as we waited for the guys to arrive.. Safe.
~
He arrived not long after the food did..
I ordered the others to leave us and asked them to keep the family away as well until the afternoon.
I wanted him all to myself. Taking care of him only I could..
Kissing him never felt sweeter or more satisfying. He even ignored the pain as I touched his wound on accident a few times.
".. Did I hurt you?" I asked, touching the white patch covering it.
".. No, you didn't.." he answered a little annoyed. ".. Babe, you keep stopping at the good moments.."
He clicked his tongue, shaking his head.
".. Sorry.. I just don't want to..
" Hurt me.. I know." he finished it for me." Never mind.. Let's eat and then..
He had to yawn in the middle of the sentence.
".. Sleep. You in? "
I was a little disappointed since I wanted to keep tasting his lips, but my stomach being empty made me a little nauseous, so I turned to the table.
".. What happened? You found out who's responsible?"
I offered him a piece of cheesy scone, he tried to eat himself but I didn't allow it.
After swallowing, he answered.
".. The captain got bribed, we don't know who, but once we have him, we will." he said in a serious tone.
Bribed, huh?
I wonder who had the balls to do such a thing.. And who exactly was the new traitor.
Because it had to be one.. Another rat inside the organisation. Maybe not theirs.. But somewhere.
".. You surprised me. " he spoke up.
I looked at him between bites hearing his voice.
" In what way?" I asked.
He took my left hand with his own.
" Don't take this wrong way.. But I was afraid you.. Freak out." he started playing with my hand. ".. Wondered if you might.. Try and keep me away from.. You know.. This kind of lifestyle."
I could tell he actually was afraid I might... Freak out as he said. .. And to be honest, normally, I probably would have tried..
But.. Aunt Krista words kept ringing in my ears.. And I knew if I started pastering him about his life, it would just prove her to be right.
That didn't mean I wouldn't prefer him staying away from such activities.. But I also knew such requests would just end our relationship in the long run..
If I can't accept him as he was.. Maybe I shouldn't be with him.. And that thought alone made me feel.. Like I was dying myself.
I fallen in love with this boy like a fool.. And there was no going back.
".. Keeping you away from something that's essentially a part of you would be foolish.. I rather remind you.. You have a wife who's supporting you in everything you do. She loves you with everything she has..
He didn't let me say more and kissed me long and sweet.. Probably the jam on his lips, but I was too drunk from it to be bothered.
After he pulled away, he gave me a new look.. It was filled with more love and passion than I ever seen in there.
" I love you.." he whispered.
".. You're okay." I switched it up.
We finished as much as we could and went to sleep without changing clothes or even bothering to take off our shoes.
It was one of the best sleep I ever had.
———
Ayshe.
~
There was no rest for the wicked.
As my sister and her husband slept like babies, the family arrived like an invading army, coupled with an actual army of security.
".. My grandson?" Grandpa Erwing asked, seeing us in the lobby.
Oliver pointed upstairs.
" He sleeping .. How did the.." he asked, stopping midway.
Grandad Erwing eyes went dark, and an equally dark smile appeared on his face.
" He is with the devil now.. May his soul be cleansed.." he walked past us as we all followed him. ".. I need to make a call, Asin was supposed to give a statement to the police.."
I felt my hand grab and saw my mother's worried face.
" How's your sister handling it? " she asked, worried.
" Don't worry.. She's not the Marie we remember." I smiled, encouraging.".. It helped seeing Asin as good as new this morning. "
She let out a long sigh and put her arm around me. ".. God was with the boy. Shielded him.. "
It sounded poetic hearing her say those words.
The ladies stayed with me and the girls as Oliver, and even Kol was dragged away for a drink by Asin's brother and father.
As the others started contemplating last night, my mother turned to me.
".. You never believed, but we ran into Ella Bloome on our way out of the hospital ..
I tensed up a little hearing Stuart's mother's name.
".. That poor son of hers got into a nasty accident.. He will stay in the hospital for a while. Attacked.. What is our town turning into!? "
".. Sounds horrible." I nodded, taking my cup.
He is lucky I have fond memories of him and remembered how kind his parents were to me.
I couldn't help but take a look at the bar where the man laughed and emptied a glass..
Oliver got a call that gave me a bad feeling..
He told me about Desiree's call in the hospital.. How she will probably call again to get news.
With the ladies around me, I couldn't get up and ask, so I waited patiently, listening to Aunt Seline talking to her own assistant.
".. and go ahead with the distributions of food amongst the poor, make sure they all receive some money as well.. Let them pray for my son's well-being. Also, make donations to the church, the orphanages, the police and the fireman..
I saw myself in that poor assistant of hers .. She was busy writing everything down on her phone, nodding furiously.. As a fellow assistant, I felt a sense of camaraderie with her.
Expect I was smarter..
I used my phone to record everything my sister said. That way, she can't say I forget or do something differently than I was being told..
I felt a familiar hand on my back.
Oliver smiled at the table and asked me to follow him..
What has that diabolical witch done this time?
We only stopped outside the hotel and found a free bench near the entrance.
".. We are in trouble.." he turned to me.
His eyes were filled with a new kind of worry.. Panic even.
" What.." I took a deep breath before continuing. ".. What has she done? Want something again!?"
He looked confused and aside. " It's not Desiree.. Or that crazy Anna.. Something much worse..
" For the love of God, Oliver, just tell already. "
He had a neck for being dramatic..
And even now.. He took a long big breath before answering .
".. That was Aunt Krista. She just got off the phone with Maya..
I held my breath.. Had a feeling what she called for..
".. She is on her way back.. Her plane will land tonight. "
I almost hated if I was right lately.. But that didn't fully explain his panic.
".. Okay.. Umm.. Okay, she wanted to see her brother, I think that..
" What if Marie was right? " he asked it himself more than me. ".. What if she is pregnant?"
Oh.. Right..
" Would her family really be that mad.. If she was? " I asked carefully.
He gave me a look that one would only give a learning disabled..
".. You're very new.. " he sighed, leaning back on the bench. ".. If she is.. I.. I.. I don't even know what will happen! " he stuttered.
I have never seen him like this.. Not even when Desiree weaselled her way in our lives.
" Okay.. Im new.. So explain the best you can. " I asked, taking his hand.
".. Her father would die from the shame.. Her mother would disown her .. some from the Adans would turn on her.. And Asin.. Well, I can't predict what he will do..
He looked up to the blue sky and waited a full minute before continuing.
" If.. If she stopped calling for that reason, it means a lot of things."
" Like what?" I asked.
".. She didn't get married.. It wouldn't be a lot better if she did.. She knows the father.. But he is unwilling or able to be a father.."
Hmm .. The 9th ward had built their own society, and it had a strong foundation based on honour and family unity.
For one, Asin walked around with most fully known his identity and family background, and neither Oliver nor him were worried about getting exposed.
Loyalty..
A young woman getting pregnant before marriage and being shunned for it were such.. Old and almost forgotten concept in today society that I needed an explanation to even understand.
I remembered Asin when this idea was brought up by Marie.. He was irate just by the thought of it.
" Well.. We hope for the best." I squeezed his hand, trying to calm his mind. ".. I mean from everything I knew about her.. Being a scientist and hard working.. Kind.. I doubt she would disregard her family's views on tradition.."
Oliver smiled at me.. Gave a light peck on my lips..
".. Unless she fell in love." he said, looking ahead.
I opened my mouth.. But closed it soon. I had nothing to say.
He was right.. If someone fell in love.. Reason and common sense get thrown out the window.
I mean.. Look at my sister.. Look at me.
Instead of another word, I rested my head on his shoulder, and we both gathered strength.. For what will wait us tonight.
———
Asin.
~
.. The nightmares were gone.
I woke before Marie and watched her sleep peacefully.
Her words earlier touched my heart.. Released my biggest fear.
She was ready to learn.. To adapt.. To accept.. And even love a monster.
For I was one..
Those men begged me for their lives.. Their voice full of desperation and fear, and..
I felt nothing..
I wasn't angry or upset.. Felt no hatred or pity.
They were probably buried now.. Along with the sacrifice.
I slowly got up, making sure Marie was still sleeping and checked my phone.
4 pm..
The day was nearing its end..
I leaned down and kissed my wife's forehead and took a shower..
It was a bad idea..
My cover, albeit waterproof, It covered a significant portion of my shoulder and chest.. Making my OCD flair up, getting annoyed that I couldn't wash myself properly..
I stepped out of the shower more stressed than before entering.
After ditching my clothes that for some reason, it smelled exactly like a hospital and changed.. I felt a lot better.
Took a soda from the mini fridge and walked outside the balcony overlooking the entire town of Konore.
My stomach was upset.. The bubbles didn't help.. I knew it wouldn't.. Guilt is not something a soft drink can help.
The more I tried to push it down, the more it came up my throat.. It was like a bad acid reflux..
".. From now on.. Let's pay attention to her dreams. Just in case." I spoke to the wind.
My tiny bit of peace was interrupted by my phone.. I answered without looking at it.
".."
".. Brother, good. You're up. Listen, we need to get on jet and go home."
Oliver's voice sounded.. Upset and a little higher than usual.
".. Tell me." I asked, spotting a bird in the distance.
".. The thing is,.. Umm... Maya is coming back early and.. Aunt Krista couldn't reach you..
I took the phone away from my ear and checked.. 6 missed calls from her.. 3 from the old man..
".. But it's fine. I talked to Derya and told her we were going to spend some time at a resort.. So it would help a lot if you could act accordingly.."
".. I see. Give me 20 minutes.."
".. Are you okay?" he asked after a second.
".. I will be.. See you soon. "
I took one last breath of fresh air.. Remembering the day my sister left.. Remembering the day she called me last..
Remembering the day I stopped questioning it..
What will this day be remembered for?
~
The flight was quiet..
As we got closer and closer, the knot in my stomach only got bigger.. Einstein was proven right once again..
The 3 hour flight felt but a few minutes..
When we hit the tarmac, I was wondering how much she has changed.. Seeing her over the phone didn't give an accurate idea.. face got puffy, though ..
".. You been quiet for a while.. Talk to me."
We were escorted through the airport when Marie felt I was silent for long enough..
".. I spent a month.. A month living in those slums before out of nowhere.. This girl came to me..
I started talking about our past.. I don't even know why..
".. I was full of anger.. Resentment.. Wanted nothing more than to feel alive. Fighting was my way towards that end..
Marie was kind enough to just listen without inserting anything.. I saw the girls walking ahead paying attention, but I didn't mind it.
".. I was a bad fighter at first .. I kept getting knocked around.. Maya saw me day after day.. Showed no pity and offered no help.. Then, just when I got better and started hurting them.. She took me.. And beat me badly..
I smiled with the others now fully immersed in my own past.
".. Unlike the others, she didn't leave me. Brought some water from a nearby house and splashed me with it.. Took my by my hands and over her home. Fed me.. Asked no questions.. Called me, little brother.. Gave me a family based not on money or influence.. But unity and loyalty.. I felt.. Like we were always siblings.. You know? "
Marie nodded silently with a small smile and let me continue.
" Haven't seen her for over a year.. She came back for a holiday... She spent 2 weeks here and went to finish her studies.. Maya was going to be a world famous scientist..
" She will be.." Marie caressed my cheek.
".. I have a feeling she gained new priorities.. More important ones." I looked aside.
Like being a future mother.. A wife, maybe?
" There is no point to wonder.. We will know in an hour." Oliver looked back over his shoulder.".. For now, she just needs to know her brother is alright. "
I smiled and got inside the SUV sent by the family. That sinking feeling.. It lessened.
Inside the car, Oliver shared some anecdotes from our childhood.. His interactions with Maya and her older friends we always flirted with.
Needless to say, our ladies didn't like those one bit.. Had a strong feeling Marie would've hit me already..for no reason I might add.. But my injuries prevented her.
Silver linings..
We arrived around 9 pm and parked with people surrounding us immediately.
I accepted their blessings and good wishes regarding my health.. More than one Babee ( healer) prayed for me.. Touched my wound, cursing the culprits..
It took us 20 minutes to get to the old man's house.
Seeing the twins' faces who guarded my family .. I felt that sinking feeling return. They had incredible poker faces.. But there was a reason those who had them were almost always wore sunglasses.
The eyes are the window to our soul.. So they say.. And for a good reason.
I stopped before the door and waited.. I was trying to hear something..
".. Come.. Let's me see my sister in law." Marie brought me back with her radiant smile.
I kissed her gently and thanked God for guiding me towards her.. Then, without further thoughts, I opened the door..