Julia POV
"You once asked me why I quit singing to become a cop, right?
I had even forgotten that I asked the question. Was that why he was moody?
"Yeah, I did," I replied.
"I did some bad stuff in the past, so I decided to join the police force to make up for the crimes I had committed.
What crime had he committed? Was it so grievous?
"My parents were one of the happiest couples in town. Back then, when I was twelve or thereabouts, my dad took me and my sister shopping and stuff like that. Steve wasn't born then. As time went on my dad changed. He and mom were always quarreling even to the extent that my dad started abusing my mom physically, even in our presence. A few months later, dad left us for another woman after twenty solid years of marriage. He knew mom was carrying a child, but he didn't care. They didn't even go through the normal processes of divorce, he just disappeared overnight which left I and Sophia traumatized. I don't think mom has gotten over the shock even to this day. Mom was always in her room and rarely came out, it went on like that for over two months. Her friends tried consoling her, but all was in vain. Our aunt came to stay with us and I and Sophia were given an appointment with the therapist. I wasn't interested because I thought nothing was wrong with me. I was twenty years old then, and thought I could decide for myself."
"He was twenty then, and his mom was pregnant, that means he would be twenty-eight or nine by now since Steve is eight. I can't imagine what he might have passed through." I thought to myself.
"...that I wouldn't go again. Despite the pleadings from both my mom and aunt, I was still strong-headed. Till now, I still regret why I hadn't listened to them."
"You could have gone later."
"I did, but I had already involved myself in some bad stuff. Till now, I'm still suffering the repercussions."
"What kind of bad thing did you do?" I asked curiously and he stiffened against me. I stared at him, but he refused to meet my gaze. He gently caressed my hair.
"I have no reason for justifying my actions." He continued. "But I had to do it. We barely ate three square meals a day. My dad sold all his properties, even the house where we lived. I was in the University then and had to drop out so that Sophia could continue her schooling. I was desperately in need of money; as the firstborn and first son, I had to do something. I made up my mind that I was going to accept any job, be it honest or dishonest. I got myself involved in some dishonest stuff like selling cocaine and other hard drugs; although, I never used any, believe me. I made lots of money from it and I built this mansion and bought the cars you're seeing now. Once a person had joined, no going back. I realized that what I was doing was not what I planned for myself, so I quitted."
"Was it a cult group?" I asked.
"N... Not really." He stammered.
"That means two people are after your life?" I asked and he sighed.
"Since then, I promised never to raise my hand on a woman."
"But you almost did, when you tried to strangulate me," I said teasing him.
"I'm sorry about that." He apologized.
"I was just teasing you., I said and he smiled, I smiled too.
"You took almost an hour before you could muster the courage to talk to me. You were scared I would pounce on you, isn't it?" I asked jokingly.
"No, it isn't. Why should I be scared?" He asked as he munched the popcorn which he brought.
I took a handful and put it into my mouth and munched it quickly.
"Do you want to finish it for me?" He asked and I smiled.
Sitting up, I snatched the container from his hand and poured the little one remaining in my hand.
"You have taken everything. Give me small please, just small." He pleaded.
"Okay, but I'll put it in your mouth. Open your mouth." I said and he opened it. I pretended as though I wanted to put it in his mouth, but I withdrew my hand.
"Why are you being stingy?" He asked pouting.
"I'll put it on my lip, and you must not make contact with my lip, else the deal is gone. Deal?"
"Deal" He responded and I placed my head on his lap
"How's it possible?" He inquired.
"Well, if you're not interested, just forget about it."
"I prepared it myself, and you're restricting me from taking what belongs to me."
"It seems you're not ready., I said wanting to put it in my mouth.
"Let's give it a trial." He said and I put three pieces on my lips. He stuck his tongue out and bent to pick it up. It made contact with the corn, but he couldn't take it into his mouth. Realizing my mistake, I removed the corn from my lips and put it into the container.
"Your tongue made contact with the popcorn, so I can't eat it."
"I'll be glad to take it since it made contact with your lips." He said and wanted to take it from the container, but I sat up and shifted it far away from him, then I stuffed the remaining popcorn into my mouth.
"It's not as if I'm not going to kiss you one day."
"What!" I exclaimed and started choking because the corn had gone to the wrong side." He gave me the juice and I gulped it down in quick succession, while he caressed my back.
"What did you say earlier on?" I asked.
"Nothing." He replied.
"You said something, stop lying."
"You don't have to worry, it's nothing serious." He said and I sighed.
"How's Poojah doing?" I asked.
"Still lying down, I don't think she's sleeping. I think she's worried about something."
"What do you think she's worried about?" I asked.
"How do you expect me to know?" "Why did you appear shocked when she said her name was Poojah?" He asked and I stiffened.
"That was my late sister's name," I replied and his eyes widened with shock.
"What!" He exclaimed. "Why do you think Anas named your daughter after your late sister?"
"Can we please forget about it? I'm not ready to talk about it."
"If you say so." He replied.