After talking to dad I headed back to the guys. They all stayed back after the guests left. Nat stayed back too, which was surprising to all of us, but then it wasn't everyday you get to have this kind of opportunity to meet up and reminisce the old times. We hung out there for a long time, practically talking till midnight. It was wonderful and had me forgetting about all the worries I had earlier.
"How on earth did you end up getting set up with a girl by Aunt Rosie huh" Henry asked all of a sudden and all eyes turned to him.
"Who?" Ash and Ace ask at thesame time.
"Ric of course" Henry answers and all eyes on the table turned to Ric, including mine.
"Really" Ace squils, her eyes going wide. "You decide to date and skipped me to ask mum?" She asks, feigning the worst hurt look I've ever seen. Trust Ace to skip the important matter. Her love for matchmaking knows no end. I guess she got it from her mum, the one and only Aunt Rosie. You'd think she'd be married by now being a relationship expert. (Lol)
"Is that true?" Ash asks, with concern lacing her words. She turns to me, giving me a worried look but I just shrug. I know where her mind's at and I don't want to go there even for a bit.
"Yes" Ric answers with just one word. Trust him to pretend as if he doesn't know they wanted more than that from him.
"Why now? You've never agreed to any of that before Ric" she continues and I just wish she'd stop asking. I really want this topic buried.
"Why not now?" He asks back then casually picks up his drink. "There's no harm in trying it out. I might just end up meeting someone great you know. It's not too early to think about settling down after all." he continues after a while and that struck me hard in a way I don't even understand. The only thing doing rounds in my mind right now is the fact that he's thinking about settling down. I know I should be happy about that but I just don't feel like being happy.
"Oohhhooohh, that's so like it man. Don't worry, I know alot of girls I could set you up with" Henry says with excitement coating his words.
"Alot of clingy girls you mean." Nat responds and we all burst out laughing.
"You know you can't trust Henry with that Ric. I'm your only trustworthy plug you see. Just let me know after you meet whoever it is mum's setting you up with." Ace says grinning from ear to ear as if she just won a lottery.
Ash kept giving me worried looks throughout the conversation. I pretend not knowing. Nat just sits there quietly looking at everyone. The atmosphere was overall peaceful. Am glad we're all here. ( Good thoughts only).
"I think it's best we call it a night guys. We've got a long drive in the morning." Ash says standing to her her feet while we all follow suit. I almost forgot that I have to leave early to reach the office on time. Lay isn't even coming with me. I'd have to go alone.
"Can you ride back with me Ash?, Lay would be staying back and I don't want to drive back alone." I ask.
"I'll ride back with you Bee. I need to leave early since I've got work too and my car has issues so I'll just leave it here." Ric says before I could even reply. "And besides, it'd be easier since we live in thesame neighborhood. It's best for Ash to go with them. They're closer to her place." He adds immediately.
"I don't mind. I can go with her" Ash says looking at me, as if silently asking if she should.
"I can go with you instead Bee. Easy decision. It'll be more fun than going with any of these boring fellows." Henry says giving them a sly grin.
"Thanks but i'll just go with Ric then." I say. "I think that'll be best for everyone. Besides I'll like to catch some sleep on the way." I add and Ash gives me a worried look. (She worries too much).
"Don't call us to save you from this boring fellow Bee." Henry says, laughing. We say our goodbyes and I see them out.
"Will give you a call to wake you up." Ric says startling me. I didn't even know he was still here. I take a step back because he was standing too close to me."Don't put your phone on silent" he adds before walking away. I stand there for a while looking at their retreating backs before heading back into the house. I find Ben and Lay in the living room as I expected. ( I just knew they'd still be up).
"You guys still up." I ask while plopping down on the sofa beside Lay. I place my head on her laps, closing my eyes.
"Should be asking you that. Have your friends all left? Ben asks and I just nod.
"There's just a few hours before you leave. You shouldn't be sleeping by now." Lay adds before I could even answer. I respond by just snuggling closer to her. I didn't feel like going to my room right now. I want to stay right here.
"I want to stay just right here" I say and they both laugh at that.
"Can't believe you still behave like a baby" Ben says laughing.
"There's no harm behaving like a baby old man. Wish I could go back to being one." I say and he just smiles. Then suddenly remembering what I wanted to ask them, I sit up.
" Did you guys know about dads plans before today?" I ask
"Ben knew about it when he came back but I just heard it today,just like you." Lay says casually, sounding nonchalant about thes entire issue. Her behavior annoys me at such times.
"And you're okay with it?" I ask forcing myself to sound calm.
"Okay with what?" Lay's asks back
"With his whole political dreams" I say, this time sounding a bit pissed. Why am I the only one worried. It's making me feel as if I'm making an issue out of nothing. Won't it affect their lives as well?
"Why would I not be okay about it?" Lay asks and I don't even know how I managed to not lash out at her. I give myself an invisible pat on the back for accomplishing that.
"I wish I can be as calm about it as all of you but I can't." I say sounding dejected even to my own ears.
"I just feel like it will be a big change in our lives. Public scrutiny and all." I manage to say.
"It wouldn't be that bad, Bee." Ben says with a bit of concern.
"Wish I can just stop worrying but I can't." I say, sighing at that.
"I'm sure it won't be bad Bee." He says again "Besides, our reputation is as clean as we can possible want it. I don't see anything to be worried about. The whole town knows our family, remember." He adds. Though that only gave me more reasons to be worried. The entire town will be into our business because of this. I hate too much attention, so I know this is going to be hard for me. I wish they can see that.
"Just trust dad, Bee." Lay chips in.
"Yh, just trust him. I'm sure he's thought everything through. And besides, it wouldn't affect you much if that's what you're worried about. You live hours away from this town remember." Ben says.
"Yeah right" is all I say giving up on the conversation. They wouldn't understand. I don't particularly understand my concerns either, so I can't blame them. I rise to my feet deciding to go to my room, to see if I can catch a little sleep before we leave.
"Good night" I say waving at them from behind while on my way to our wing of the house. Our parent's wing sounds quiet. They're probably both asleep by now. I know they must be very tired. It was a very along day but a nice one notwithstanding. They both looked so happy earlier and even though I still have my concerns, I can't help but be happy for them. For dad most especially.
I reach my bed and quickly get under the covers. Didn't even bother changing out of my clothes. (What's the point anyway). I'll be up in a few hours. My mind goes to the car ride I'd be sharing with Ric. I hope there would be no issues, but for some insane reason I don't get, I find myself looking forward to that journey. I guess I have to wait and see how tomorrow goes then. Oo, it's not even tomorrow because it's already past one in the morning. It'll be one long ride.