Although Lily was relieved by the words that escaped from Nicholas, she had to keep up with the cold attitude, if not for anything she's pretending to be asleep, so she didn't bulge.
We are going back home, came those alleviating words again but now contempt could be heard rising gradually but surely in his voice, Lily twirled on the bed and casted her gaze on him, home? When? Isn't that too impromptu... She couldn't finish her faked concern speech when Nicholas cut in, "impromptu or not get your things ready we're leaving before dusk tomorrow, as Nicholas made for the door, lily battled to conceal her relief which was beginning to take the form of happiness.
Nicholas left to have a drink, the conversation with his dad had left him perturbed and on the other hand Lily couldn't help her curiosity.
-Happy? Yes she was, but what prompted the sudden change of plan?
-What did Mr franklivania tell his son?
-Should I confront him?
-Wouldn't that make us seem too informal?
These and a thousand more questions plagued Lily, but she sort solace in the fact that she would be leaving soon.
Back at the sitting room, Nicholas, reached for a bottle of wine, it was old campari blue from early londoners, he opened the bottle and without a glass he took a large gulp, he doesn't drink but what does he do, is it all ever going to end? He was starting to feel suffocated.
It was night already, Lily has dressed the bed, and had taken her shower it was sure going to be a long night.
As the night deepened, Lily found herself tossing and turning, her mind racing with questions and doubts. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, that there was more to Nicholas' sudden decision to leave than he was letting on.
Meanwhile, Nicholas sat in the sitting room, nursing the bottle of wine. He stared into the flames dancing in the fireplace, his thoughts consumed by the weight of his father's words.
Just as Lily was starting to drift off to sleep, she heard the door as it slowly creaked open. She feigned sleep, watching through slitted eyes as Nicholas entered the room. He moved quietly, trying not to disturb her, but his eyes lingered on her face, his expression unreadable.
He approached the bed, hesitating for a moment before sitting down beside her. Lily held her breath, wondering what he would do next.
Nicholas reached out a hand, his fingers brushing against her hair, sending shivers down her spine. He seemed lost in thought, his touch gentle, almost tender.
Suddenly, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "Lily, I...I don't think this marriage would continue, I don't think I can do this anymore. I'm really tired and I'm slowly losing it."
Lily's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to respond, to ask him what he meant, but she remained still, unsure of how to react.
The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken emotions. Then, without another word, Nicholas stood up and left the room, leaving Lily to wonder what the future held for them.
The night was sure long, Nicholas won't stop with the surprises first it was the impromptu homecoming, now is a divorce? For a marriage that's barely how many months? What's my life turning into? Am i some sort of pawn in someone's big game? Lily couldn't shrub thoughts of her life off her shoulders, sleep crept in whilst amidst those troubling thoughts.
A scintillating sunray that somehow sneaked in through the slightly open windows woke Lily up, her head aches a bit just as the ones from the deja Vu, lily staggered up from bed and made for the bathroom. Nicholas had slept in the sitting room with the corporate wear from yesterday still on. Lily stared into the mirror in the bathroom, she could barely recognize herself, her hair looked dry now, hey eye bags were no longer negligible, her lips now charped and dry, was the deja Vu taking its toll on her? Or was it a result of this hell of a marriage? either ways Lily determined there and then to rejuvenate and refurbish herself, she rinsed her face and packed her hair in bulb, as she left the bathroom, it dawned on her that she hasn't seen Nicholas, atleast she should have heard his voice or should should have come to remind her of their departure.
As the door of the sitting creaked and opened Nicholas was sitting on the couch supporting his head with his hand while his right leg was crossed onto his left leg, the discomfort he felt was visible in his face as he tossed about and try to reposition his neck at intervals, Lily stood there and stared at him, the innocence in his face, where did all that hatred go, all that cold attitude? And for the first time Lily acknowledged Nicholas was handsome. As he kept struggling for better sleeping postures, Lily tapped him, gently but steadily, though unsure of the reason she was trying to wake him nor how he was going to react to it, Lily kept tap-waking him.
"Lily," came Nicholas'
voice as he opened his eyes, Lily shudderingly withdrew from him as their eyes locked in.
"What are you doing?" He continued, dismissing any warmth that existed for those seconds.
"I...I.." Lily stammered.
"Huh? You what?"
"Sorry. I just wanted to tell you it's morning already. We'll be late for departure"
"Oh I see" He sat up. "How eager you are to leave"
"Shouldn't I be?" Lily switched back to her attitude.
"Get on it then"
"It's you that should start preparing, I'm done already" Lily said and went back inside the room.
Nicholas followed, reeking of alcohol. He removed his clothes and went inside the bathroom, took a shower and came out only to stumble upon a stunning Lily!
"Why are you all touched up?" He found himself asking.
"I should look well for my sister at least"
"You don't think it's fake?"
The question was bewildering. What's fake in looking well for your sister?
"Huh?" Lily wondered.
"I mean you looking well for your sister when you know all is not we..."
"It's love Nicholas" Lily cut him short. "And i don't expect the likes of you to understand, since you're a stranger to that word" Lily turned and zipped up her bag. "You can meet me outside this time around" she said, carried her bag and left.
Nicholas kept pondering on her words. He is indeed a stranger to love. But love never mattered in his life and will never matter. Only duty. So he waved the thoughts away and went ahead to prepare. Home was another hell.
He joined Lily outside. At first he watched her from a distance. She has never been this beautiful. And for once he believed the rumors about her beauty and even more. Lily is really a flower, a beautiful blossoming flower and just like the morning glory, she radiated with the sun's mild rays. He was awed.
Maybe it's because of home. Maybe the bond with her sister is very strong. The relief made her this pretty. Maybe he has been a monster. For a second, he felt hurt.
Lily turned over to meet his gaze, dismissing his observations. He was a master at pretence, so he walked over as if he hadn't stood there for some minutes, adoring her.
His driver came as usual, and the couples left for home. The car was set with a cold ambience just like the one they rode during the "honeymoon pictures saga"
Soon, they got to Gorge Road. Lily felt the nostalgia wash of her.
"Take left" she said, her heart racing with excitement.
Nicholas observed her every mood and decided not to interfere. His father had requested their audience as soon as they got home but Lily has gone through enough. He decided to give her space.
They stopped at Adonijah's adorned mansion. Lily quickly opened the car door, went straight to the boot only to be halted by the driver who took his responsibility of bringing out her luggages.
"Fare well Master's wife" the driver said.
"Just Lily, just Lily" Lily smiled at the driver whom she mistakes as a mute. She never heard him speak. But that doesn't matter now. As soon as the car drove away, she felt her problems leave with Nicholas. She returned her gaze to the house only for it to meet another's.
"Oh! Darling sister" she wanted to scream.