CHAPTER 19: DIANA'S VISIT HOME III
Diana lay on the bed, clutching her phone. She scrolled through it, heart sinking with each unanswered message. Even old messages remained untouched, a wall of silence she couldn't breach. Was it too much for him to just forgive her? Was this his message - a cold, empty silence? Tears welled up, blurring her vision.
The events of the past three days played on repeat in her mind. Regrets gnawed at her, wishing she could rewind and silence her sharp tongue, or at least soften her sleeping habits. Yet, despite the sting of his rejection, a spark of hope still flickered.
She liked this new husband, even with his icy demeanor. If only he would let her in, she was sure her warmth could melt his frost. As the saying goes, a little kindness can bloom into love, and she was determined to be his gardener. Wiping away the stray tears, Diana closed her eyes, seeking solace in memories of their wedding, a fragile bridge across the chasm of uncertainty.
Diana awoke at dusk, startled by the late hour. Groaning, she scrambled out of bed, intent on joining her father in his study. But Phoebe's voice caught her in the hallway. "Did you pull an all nighter to make you sleep this much, sleepyhead?"
"Phoebe what are you doing here?" Diana asked unhappily obviously not very happy to see her sister first thing after waking up.
"Your husband is here", Phoebe responded her glum sister in a somewhat sing-song voice.
Diana froze, disbelief battling hope. "Phoebe, are you kidding? This isn't funny, and i'm so not in the mood for your games".
"I'm not Diana, He's talking with Dad in the sitting room," Phoebe insisted. "Mom's even preparing dinner herself."
"Really?" Diana's heart hammered against her ribs. "How long has he been here?"
"Thirty minutes. Apparently, watching you sleep was thrilling enough for me too."
Diana flicked her hands on her sister's forehead, as Phoebe yelped. She held her throbbing forehead and rolled her eyes at her sister.
'You...., Diana lacked the insults to fire her sister so she said instead, "why didn't u wake me up Phoebe?"
Phoebe in response to her sister's outburst, made an ugly face back at her.
Diana sighed, a flicker of annoyance sparked, quickly eclipsed by relief. Diana went towards the hallway mirror and checked her hair in the mirror, smoothing out any disarray. Phoebe watched silently, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Descending the stairs, Diana could hear clearly the deep male cadence of James's voice filtering into her ears, drawing her like a moth to a flame.
Her breath hitched as she finally came down and met his gaze. The erratic beating of her heart increased a tempo, as she met his gaze or was she imagining it Diana thought as she continued looking at him. Gone was the coldness, replaced by something... warmer. Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but she clung to it like a lifeline.
Phoebe was already saying to their Dad, "Dad she's here".
"Hey you sleepy head", Raymond said as his daughter came closer to them. He turned to Phoebe, giving her sign to leave before she did.
As she came closer; James, too, noticed her swollen eyes, a pang of guilt twisting his gut. Raymond had been thanking him for the gifts he absolutely knew nothing about, when Katherine's unexpected hospitality caught him off guard. And this was all thanks to her. Now, Diana stood before him, vulnerable and hesitant. His voice softened as he said, "your father was just thanking me for the lovely gifts."
"Yes, Raymond chipped in smilingly. And i offered your husband drinks Diana telling him am a staunch African man and that we don't know how to offer tea in our place, just drinks and more drinks".
"And i replied that i am very okay with it", James chipped in.
The two men laughed together as Raymond clapped his hands. "Well said, son. Now, Diana, go sit with your husband." Raymond said, shoving her towards him.
Diana obeyed, drawn to him like a compass needle.
"How are you?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"Fine," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.
"Then why did you sleep this long?" James pressed gently.
Diana laughed nervously as she responded, "well i pulled an all nighter. I could barely get any sleep in through out last night".
James nodded as if understanding.
Silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the clinking of Raymond's beer bottle against the table.
Then, James reached for her hand. Today he noticed that her hands felt softer to his touch. in fact every part of her body did, he was only just realizing it now.
Diana was surprised when he first held her hand. It was a small gesture, but it sent a jolt through her. She could almost feel the ice around his heart starting to melt. But her hope was tempered by doubt. Was this genuine or just a performance for her family?
Determined to play along, she squeezed his hand back. "Why are you here? I thought you were busy."
"I made time," he replied, his gaze unwavering. "If i can't even make time for family then what's the essence of my being busy? Important things like family deserve it."
Raymond laughed again and pointed at James "what a smart son-in-law i have huh?"
"Thanks Dad", James said to the surprise of both Diana and Raymond.
Raymond overcame his surprise first and laughed more while Diana swallowed. James smiled and nodded towards the man.
His words sent another flicker of warmth through her. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't an act. Diana thought.
Katherine came out then to announce that dinner will be ready in a few before going back to her post.
Raymond cleared his throat and said to James. "That's right James, i have not introduced my children to you. I will do that at the dinner table".
James nodded as the trio stood up and headed towards the dinner table.