Jevan POV
The past few weeks have been a like a bliss for me . All I've been feeling is content and happiness from within,to see my family safe at home with smiles on their faces. My lovely grandmother ,my sweet sister and my adorable little nephew is everything that has ever happened to me and nobody can take that from me.
My happiness.
But wait, what about the new member or guest in the family.
What about Valeria? What about her? Are you sure your happiness you've found from within isn't just because of your family.
I mused, an involuntary smile tracing my lips. Shaking of the thought,I quickly took a cold shower, put on a white T-shirt and an army coloured shorts then staggered downstairs for dinner.
They were all gathered at the table when I got there.
I sat opposite of Valeria so she was facing me straight.
Looking at her closely,you could read her from her expression. There must be something off about her because it seemed like she had been... crying.
I haven't told her about the fatal accident.
There was a call I received yesterday concerning her parent's involved in a car accident on their way to Santiago, Mexico City. To my relief, they didn't die at the spot but they were seriously injured and in a critical condition. According to the doctors at the the hospital where they were admitted, their condition had worsened and is crucial. The sad news hitting me at the exact spot where I received the call had me perturbed . It's been two days now and I haven't been able to tell Valeria about her parents terrible accident since then. It's been two days now and I haven't spilled the beans to her nor Lillian, my sister. Grandma is the only one that knows about this and she urged me to tell her as soon as possible . Right now, I'm waiting for the perfect time to tell her.
Then why does it look like she's crying??.
Has she heard about it?
It's been two days since the uncertain happened.
Grandma made eye contact with me while I raised my eyebrows at her, both of us trying to communicate nonverbally.
Everyone was eating peacefully except her. She kept on loosing concentration and playing around with the food. Her face held no expression. She might have missed her parents, with that I'm aware of.
"Wow this meal tastes really delicious Gran", I complimented her whereas I knew Valeria was involved in preparing today's dinner. I just want to grab her attention.
"Well,I believe I told you that I wasn't the only one who prepared dinner today". "Valeria made almost every dish you find on this table today including the desserts". "You should give all those compliments to her", Grandma said rolling her eyes at me as if I was been silly and for pretending to be clueless about the lady's effort.
Well, I still can't believe she was able to stand on her pretty legs to make such a tasty dish but I've got to be sure.
So you admit she got pretty legs huh?
"Ahem!", I cleared up throat which did the trick of getting her attention. She raised her left brow up at me then frowned distastefully.
"Thank you Valerie", I found the courage to tell her in front of Grandma and Lillian then little Nathan.
She stared at me confusingly.
"What for? ",She finally spoke up.
"Um, for preparing today's dinner, it's delicious", I said to her honestly.
"Well at least I tried",she said then shrugged not looking at me.
"You should eat up quick before it gets cold you know", I told her.
She looked up at me then averted her gaze real quick.
Why do I feel like she's grieving about something?
Is she aware?
I need to tell her tonight.
"Auntie Val Val ain't you happy?", Nathan spoke up been very observant.
"Nathan, what did Mama tell about eating and talking?", Lillian scolded her son.
"My mistake mummy", Nathan said to his mum.
"Good,now hurry eat up quick dear", Lillian told him.
"Excuse me everyone, I need to use the restroom ", Valeria said as she rose up and left heading upstairs.
Grandma sighed heavily after she had left then signalled me to follow her upstairs.
"Is it only me or why do I feel there's something really going on?", Lillian asked looking between Grandma and I for answers.
""Bro ,is anything the matter? Gran? The lady seems oddly off this evening",Lil asked again.
"Actually there's a problem but I'll let you know right after dinner dear", Grandma told her .
I quickly finished eating ,washed my dish and headed upstairs to find her.
She was seated quietly on the balcony . I felt a thug in my heart, a sharp pain on my chest to see her cry. I've never seen her this way before ever seen I saw her. She's not the cry type of girl.
I quietly sat beside her making sure she feels my presence.
"Why are you here?",she asked.
"Here", I said with my arms stretched handing over a tissue paper to her. She looked at it for awhile then grab it to clean up her tears.
"Th-thanks",she stutters then hiccuping.
"I asked you a question",she continued trying to gather herself up .
"I'm here to check whether you are ok".
She turned to look at me then averted her gaze.
"Don't you ever give up?",she asked
"Whether tough or not,I never give up on making sure the responsibilities assigned to me is performed perfectly.
" I want to know the reason behind your sorrow this evening", I continued looking at her on the face.
"There's nothing worry about when it comes to me." I'm fine", she said and wiped off a tear from her eyes.
An involuntary grin formed on my lips looking at her.
Here in the case where you said you are fine yet you are wiping a tear from your eyes. Strange girl.
"Why are you crying then? Did someone hurt you?
She gave off a pout and turned to look at me as we connected eyes.
"You hurt me always. You are just like my parents. "You don't care about my freedom!. "You only care about letting me stay indoors like a prisoner. "Although I miss Mom and Dad very much, but the fact that you treat me the same way puts me off ok?", She explained.
"I'm sorry if this is what you are feeling but I need to tell you this", I said preparing myself to tell her about the incident not caring about what will follow next.
"Speaking of your Mom and Dad,there was a call from one their stuffs that they had been involved in a fatal accident", I told her smoothly brazing myself for her reaction.
She became solemn for a second or two after spilling it out to her.
"What?!",she whispered yelled.
"When did you receive the news?", she asked.
"It's been two days,today".
"You refused to let me know?",she whispered.
I didn't like where this was going to but I'm glad I have finally told her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want you to freak out and worry much".
"How do you know if I won't do that now? Huh? "I don't receive any calls from them ,they changed their contact. I'm not able to get in touch with anyone ever since we moved here". "Everyone's cutting me off their lives and now you're telling me this?",she voiced out with emotions playing on her face .
"I mean what's going on? "You never told me about them
Why now?
"Please let me explain-", I began to say but she interrupted.
"There's no need, I need you to leave. "I need a breathing space",she said not looking at me and my chest felt so heavy.
"Why do you always keep pushing me away from you?", I asked her.
"Cos I don't want you anywhere near me, I don't expect you to have pity on me",she said through gritted teeth.
I knew she hated me all this while and I have no idea why.
"I'm concerned about you".
She turned to look at me in the eye with any expression.
"I need space, leave",she said pointing to the door to our bedroom.
Without uttering any word ,I took a final look at her even though she averted her gaze then left her presence.