A T I Y A
The gymnasium was full of retirees. Music blared from the speakers. Atiya sighed as he tapped his fingers on the table in front of him. It was still a mystery to her why she had dragged April here. She looked around the room. This was a mistake for many reasons. The biggest problem was the fact that just being there reminded me of Aquila . They should dance together in this competition. You should be happy and he shouldn't be a liar. She moaned as she swept the cookie crumbs on the table. It had been three weeks since the celebration, but he was as fresh about her as he was on that terrible night. Why couldn't she just keep going? "Are you okay?" April asked, sitting in the chair next to her. It took a few days, but in her heart Atiya was ready to forgive her aunt. What she did was stupid, but she believed she was thinking of Atiya 's happiness. After some pleasant conversation, Atiya 's heart softened and she let it go. "I think she's going home," said Atiya , getting up. "Wait!" April 's hand flew out and rested on Atiya 's arm. Atiya stopped and stared at her aunt. "what happened?"
April 's expression twisted as she wondered what to say next. "Truth?" Atiya nudged. April sighed. "Okay, Aquila is here."
Atiya 's heart pounded. "what? Why? "
April shrugged his shoulders. "He asked me to bring you here. He owes you, and once he pays, he will be out of your life forever." Right." She paused. "if you want."
Atiya leaned back in her chair. Butterflies were flying around her belly. Was Aquila here? She let her eyes wander around the room. Why was she upset? She was angry with him To the right? "Don't make the same mistake I did." April 's voice cut through her thoughts. Atiya turned her attention back to her aunt. "what?"
"Don't push him away. Trust me. There is nothing worse than wasting time. Your pride isn't worth loneliness." April reached out and put a hand on Atiya 's arm. "I'm sorry I was a terrible role model for you. I was very stubborn until a few months after Alberto died. Don't be like me."
Atiya stared at her. "what are you talking about?"
"I'm getting scared. I wanted to pay tribute to Alberto's memory by putting up with it. The truth is, it had nothing to do with Alberto, it was just me. I'm stuck. I didn't let him go. Show him that I can move on. He would have wanted this for me as your father wanted for you. "
Atiya 's eyes filled with tears. "but . . ."
Jun nodded. "It's scary and it hurts, but he loved you. He wanted you to be happy and not be stuck in the past. Alberto was the same," she said, staring up at the ceiling. Cracked. "I miss this man. I loved him with all my heart. But the difference between just surviving and living is love. And I found it. "
Atiya opened his eyes wide. "Huh? With whom?"
April nodded at the man standing by the punch stand. "Ernest"
Atiya reached out and wrapped his arm around his aunt's narrow shoulders. "I am so happy for you. "I realized that I could love Ernest and still respect Alberto's memories. I just had to forgive myself for both." She turned her gaze back to Atiya . "Just like you have to allow yourself to love Aquila too."
Atiya swallowed. Actually, she didn't hate Aquila . She loved him with her body and soul. She will always do so, regardless of the distance between the two. "But I was so mean."
April 's gaze fell behind her. "He has a feeling he might forgive you." She nodded. Atiya 's heart was pounding when she turned around. Aquila stood a few feet away. His shoulder fell. His suit jacket had a number pinned to it. As his gaze met hers, heat traveled through her body. She got up and walked over to him. "Atiya ," he said in a low, almost inaudible voice. "I know you don't want to see me, but I promise you won't have to see me after tonight. That's it. . As a philanthropist, I am committed to supporting small businesses on Fredrick Douglass Boulevard and I will keep my word. "
He looked up at her. She took a deep breath. He looked so broken. "Okay," she whispered. His eyebrows are raised. "Okay, would you like to dance with me?"
Atiya nodded nervously. She knew that the moment he took her to the dance floor would dissolve all the pain and feeling of betrayal she had allowed herself over the past few weeks. All the pain she felt over her father's death faded away to the beat of her music. April 's words ran through her mind. There was truth in them, and for the first time in a long time there was nothing she wanted more than to let go. The love her father would have wanted. Aquila held out his hand and Atiya took it. He led her to the dance floor. He paused for a moment and then put his hand on her back. He waited, then took a step to the beat.
They danced in silence. Various thoughts ran through her mind, but she didn't know where to start. "I have donated to the zoo and the Big Brothers Big Sister program, and I have also agreed to help out at both locations every week."
Atiya looked up to see Aquila staring over her head. "Did you do it?"
He nodded. "They made me realize that there is more to money than money. You can give talent. That's why I'm going to help the children's department at the zoo and oversee budding entrepreneurs." And my mother agreed to leave us alone, she didn't like it but she promised me not to interfere with my happiness. You are my happiness," he said. His voice is harsh. His words lifted Atiya 's heart. He was so nice Why did she think he hurt her on purpose? "I am proud of you."
For the first time since he led her onto the dance floor, he looked down at her. "what?"
"I am proud of you. You are more than money and your past."