Cynthia
Days have gone by and I and Levi have
spent the little free time we had with Adam. We were to leave for flight as
early as three-thirty.
Levi stops his car in front of Angel's
house. Angel was already outside waiting for us to drop Adam off.
Angel opens the back door where Adam sat,
"come give Auntie a hug."
Adam leaves the car and hugs Angel. His
eyes looking downward. Sad.
Adam and I glance at each other. I slid
out of the car, circled around to meet Adam.
"Love?" I said squatting in front of him,
"daddy and mummy are going for work, are you aware of that?"
He nods, "yes," but in a questioning
tone, "yes?"
"okay," I said holding his hands, "why do
daddy and mummy go to work?"
"To be able to pay for my school and…"
"no, no, no…" I quickly cut him off.
"That's not it. We are going to work so we will be able to bring you those
dresses you said you like, and your car too"
"The car?" he asked in excitement.
"of course," I replied.
"When will you be back?"
"As soon as possible, the longer we stay,
the longer we are searching for the nicest car for you."
"Can you get me red?"
"Yes! That's what I thought."
We were already running late.
"Okay now, be a good boy and listen to
Auntie Angel… I love you." I kissed him on his forehead and rushed back into
the car.
"have fun bud!" Levi says to Adam. "Bye!"
we both shouted waving at him. He waved back.
I didn't stop looking at him Adam as he
and Angel watch us leave. I kept looking until he was out of my sight. I sat
back and let out a deep breathe. We would be spending most of the holidays
working? I know the level of stress Levi passes through so why not help him on
when I'm free. I know Adam would understand if he was older. Would I even care
to explain to him when he's older? I just smiled my thought off.
"You okay?"
"yes," I replied.
"Thanks for this."
"No… no worries, I'll help when I can."
He continues driving, now he's starting
to think. I noticed and wouldn't take my off mind him. I knew what he was doing
with looking directly at him. I could see him from the corner of my eyes.
"I'm not the only one that's not feeling
okay," I notified him.
He smiles, "I was just thinking of
something."
"what's that?"
"literally all wives don't help their
husbands out for work"
I furrowed, what would that mean? I
questioned myself, "it just feels strange," he says.
"That was out of the blue, Levi. What do
you mean?"
"No, I'm just saying… You haven't… you're
a writer, you should understand"
"understand what?"
"Why are you helping me? Really? Is it to
increase your public reach or… to market more of your books or…"
"What do you think I am? A user?" I was
bubbling with anger.
"why would you even ask such a question?
Can't I decide to help you or what? I could drop off this car now and nothing
will affect me or my career – what are you saying?"
"okay, okay. Sorry I didn't mean to make
you angry," the pleaded, slowing down his car.
"Drive please," I dismissed his apology.
He continued driving. I scoffed in
disbelieve angrily looking out of the window. The ride was silent for the whole
fifteen to twenty minutes till we reached the airport.
"I'm sorry," he pleaded.
"hmhm" I replied. I had to reply him else
I would be the one looking for ways to make hi speak to me. That was my tactic
– just give him the humming treatment.
We both left the car, packed our things
and entered the airport. We quietly made our way through the airport and
finally had our butts resting in an airplane.
I was angry, but I wouldn't sit away from
him, not for a second. I followed him to two vacant sits. He keeps his luggages
and then mine. He sits at the window
side, then I sat next.
The journey was coated in silence. Not
long after, I fell asleep.
After hours of flight, the plane finally
landed with a soft jolt, but did nothing to shake off the weight between us.
I kept my eyes away from him as the
seatbelt sign dinged off. Levi shifted beside me, cleared his throat once, then
again.
"Cynthia," he said gently, "we're here"
I nodded without looking at him. "Yes"
A beat of silence. He stood to get the
bags. I let him.
The terminal buzzed with energy.
Tourists, laughter, announcements. Dubai welcomed us with warm air and
gold-glass reflections, but none of it touched me. I walked ahead of with my
hands folded. Then I was starting to wonder why my anger was taking too long.
"I know you're still mad," Levi said
besaide me as we waited for our luggage. "But I didn't mean for it to coe out
that way."
I looked at him briefly, I understood
what he mean, but a bit of pride wouldn't do harm. "okay," I replied.
"that's all?" he asked, trying to make me
smile. Just when the butterflies were about to spread in my stomach, I had the
words that would kill them off with the acid in my stomach. "What do you want
me to say?"
He sighed, the kind that held back
thousands of words, "Okay."
My heart skipped a beat after his final
remark. Was that a declaration of silent war? No. Maybe, but how would I know
if I didn't speak with him. Maybe a little longer humming treatment would do
the thing.
The ride to the hotel was quiet, we
reached the hotel and the receptionist welcomed us with bright smils and icd
towels. Levi handeled the check-in. I stood by, quiet, arms crossed.
Our room was stunning, had floor to
ceiling windows, a view of thwe city lighs, luxury pressing in from every
corner. I sat on the edge of the bed, taking off my shoes.
Levi set the bags down and looked at me
again.
"Cynthia," I heard a man's voice behind
me. Guess who it was? Levi haha! My heart rejoiced in the short silence I
allowed before he spoke.
"I know you're upset, but you don't want
that to ruin the trip."
I looked up at him, finally meeting his
eyes.
"It's okay, and don't give me a reason
to"
Levi sat beside me, "okay, ma'am," he
kissed my cheek, almost as if he was sucking it. I pressed my hands over his
chest and gently pushed him away.
"I'm exhausted," I complained.
"You were sleeping throughout the flight"
"Exactly, that's why I'm exhausted."
"Do you want to go to sleep again?" he
asked.
"No, I need food," I replied.
"I'll call hotel service now." Levi heads
to the cellphone and calls hotel servive. After finally taking off my shoes, I
laid my back on the bed. One last rest before the first big night. A night that
I never thought would come.