These memories haunt me like ghosts in the night, lingering in the corners of my mind, refusing to fade away. They're like fragments of a puzzle I never knew existed, pieces of a story I can't comprehend.
In the dead of night, they come to life, vivid and hauntingly real, flooding my senses with emotions I can't place. I find myself lost in a labyrinth of confusion, grappling with the enigma of these strange recollections that feel so tangible yet so distant. It's as if I'm reliving moments from another life, caught in a web of mysteries I can't untangle.
Zayn spent the night at his apartment last night. His absence was too much to bear. The bed felt too big for me alone. I called out to my twins, seeking solace in their comforting presence. They get worried about me but I'm glad they didn't question me a lot cause I was exhausted.
As sleep enveloped me, I was swept away into a dreamscape of uncertainty. In the haze of slumber, I found myself standing in a sterile hospital room, the air thick with the scent of antiseptic.
Before me stood a woman, her face obscured by tears, her emotions a tumultuous whirlwind of joy and sorrow. In her arms lay a newborn girl, her cries filling the room with a poignant melody. I watched, a silent observer, as the woman grappled with the complexities of motherhood, her tears a haunting reflection of the bittersweet journey.
You know how weird dreams can be. It felt like a blink of an eye , it seemed to me , the baby girl was already a toddler. She was running around in a very familiar place but I cannot remember where I knew that yard from.
I saw a woman standing by the door , watching her but the woman's face was hidden. I forced myself to wake up because everything was feeling so unsettling. When I was awake , I thought to myself , if only I could have been able to glance at her face , maybe I would have been able to unravel some essential details the dream held.
As we gathered around the table, the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains cast a warm glow over our breakfast nook.
"Mom, can we have pancakes tomorrow?"
Madison's eyes are darting around, her spoon clinking against the cereal bowl. Avery nodded in agreement, already lost in his own world of imagination.
"Sure, sweetie. You'd like that too Avery?" I enquire with a smile, pouring milk into their bowls.
"Yeah mom , they would be nice. We miss them now , you haven't made them in a while."
He's right about that. I haven't been able to wake up earlier lately, things are a bit hectic at the moment for me work wise.
"I'll make them for you guys tomorrow. But today, let's finish up your cereal. Zayn will be here soon to take you to school."
The mention of Zayn's name elicited a chorus of excitement from the twins, their voices rising in anticipation of the day ahead. I should have said that earlier , they were going to forget that I'm feeding them cereal.
The way I'm so busy , I think I'll just buy these pancakes and microwave them in the morning or something. I've never done it before , but there's a first time for everything , right?
As Zayn takes the kids to school, I can't help but admire his confidence and presence. He's so good with them, effortlessly charming and caring. With a pang of longing, I watch them drive off, feeling the empty space they leave behind.
But then, excitement surges through me as I step back into the house, my mind buzzing with plans for the new boutique and salon expansion. Imagining the sleek racks filled with trendy clothes and the shelves stocked with luxurious beauty products sends shivers down my spine.
I'm determined to make these ventures not just successful, but spectacular. And as for Candy, well, she's been my partner through thick and thin. Offering her a stake in the business feels like the perfect way to show her how much I value her friendship and support. It's going to be an exhilarating journey, and I can't wait to dive in headfirst.
Waiting for Zayn's return after dropping off the kids feels like an eternity. I keep checking the time, growing increasingly frustrated with each passing minute. It's so unlike him to be this late without a word.
Did he forget about our plans? Or worse, is something wrong? I try calling him, but there's no answer. My annoyance escalates into worry, and I pace the floor, replaying scenarios in my head.
Why isn't he picking up? What could possibly be keeping him? My mind races with possibilities, and I can feel my anger morphing into anxiety. Finally! There's a text coming in , I hope it's from him.
Zayn's terse text only adds to my frustration. "Just now" isn't good enough. I expected more from him, especially after leaving me hanging for hours. The anger boils inside me as I tap out a curt reply, expressing my irritation.
Waiting impatiently, I hope he realizes how unacceptable his behavior is.
My fingers move quickly, typing out a response that matches my frustration.
"You better have a damn good excuse for keeping me waiting,"
I fire back, the words sharp with annoyance. As I hit send, I feel a mix of anger and anticipation, wondering what excuse he could possibly offer for leaving me waiting for so long. One thing for sure, when he gets here , all the anger will betray me within seconds. It's just going to subside in his presence.
What did I tell you?
I'm enveloped in his embrace, the tension melting away as I press myself against him, breathing in his familiar, intoxicating scent. His arms around me feel like home, and for a moment, nothing else matters but the warmth of his presence.
He looks so troublesome. I ask what is wrong and he leads me to the couch. He makes me sit down beside him. My man looks deeply troubled, his usually confident demeanor replaced by a furrowed brow and a somber expression.
I can't help but feel a pang of worry, my earlier irritation dissipating as concern takes over. Zayn's voice trembles slightly as he recounts the tense conversation he had with his parents. He explains how they threatened to cut ties with him if he persisted in his relationship with me, citing my "average" status as a reason for their disapproval. As he speaks, I feel a mixture of anger and hurt bubbling inside me, but I try to remain composed, listening intently to every word he says.
"I couldn't believe it, Katie. They were so cold, so calculating..."
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Zayn. It's unfair for them to judge us based on something as superficial as status. This is all my fault…"
"I know, but their threats... They have so much control over everything, but don't worry, I know what to do. But this isn't about you my love, trust me on that.
"But I feel so bad baby , it's like I'm causing a strain between you and your family's relationship." I hate seeing you like this and I don't want to be the cause of problems."
" I just wish they could see how much you mean to me, how happy you make me."
"I don't think your mother will. Maybe we shouldn't be together."
What am I supposed to say , I'm hurting. This is emotionally draining for me , I'd hate to lose him but some things are out of our control.
In a tense exchange, I cautiously broached the topic of potentially parting ways for the sake of Zayn's family's peace.
"Maybe it's best if we end things."
I began, my voice trembling slightly. Zayn's reaction was immediate, his eyes flashing with anger.
"Are you serious?"
He demanded, his tone incredulous.
"You're suggesting we break up because of my family? That's absurd."
His words stung, and I struggled to maintain my composure.
"I just don't see how we can move forward with so much opposition from your family."
I countered, my voice shaking with emotion. Zayn's frustration was palpable as he retorted,
"You're acting like a child, Kattie. Love should conquer all, remember?"
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, leaving me feeling torn and uncertain about our future. Amidst the escalating tension, my frustration boiled over, and I couldn't hold back my retort.
"I don't appreciate you name-calling me. Your family is doing enough of that already,"
I shouted, my voice tinged with anger. Zayn's expression softened, his features reflecting a mix of understanding and determination.
"I'm so sorry, but you're just being ridiculous right now"
He's being sweet and mean at the same time. Great.
His voice is calm yet firm.
"I don't want to keep things from you, but I'm gonna need you to trust me and believe in us. There won't be any breakup here, you hear me?"
His touch lifted my chin, his gaze locking onto mine with unwavering intensity. In that moment, I felt the depth of his love and conviction, and I couldn't help but concede.
"Yes, I hear you."
I responded slowly, my resolve wavering in the face of his evident devotion. Despite the turmoil surrounding us, I found solace in his unwavering support, knowing that together, we could weather any storm. Especially the one we are facing right now.
I cannot believe his family would really threaten him like that.