CHAPTER 41
Amar's POV
I was mad at myself for everything. I was still mad at Lakshmi and I don't know if I can ever forgive her for the pain she had caused. I thought I was treating her badly all these years, whereas she was backstabbing me. She had an affair behind my back. I found it so hard to believe that my sweet Yashmi isn't my biological daughter. I love those girls so much and it hurts like hell knowing I ain't their father. She claimed Yani is mine but how could I trust her again?
Lakshmi's parents were disappointed in her. I told her parents to let her be with the man she loved but they kicked against it. They said she had already tarnished their image and giving her their support will tarnish it the more. Society will see it as an encouragement for fornication. I left them there after informing them of my decision to divorce her.
Lakshmi wouldn't stop crying when I presented the divorce papers to her. Her parents couldn't say anything. Her father, especially, supported my decision after I explained everything to him in detail.
Lakshmi begged for forgiveness but I couldn't bring myself to tell her she was forgiven. If I had said that at that moment, I would be lying. I left India. And this time, it's for good.
Two months after I went back to China and after presenting the divorce papers to Lakshmi, my lawyer called to inform me that we were now legally divorced and I felt relieved. I felt like a real adult for once in my life. I felt like a bird that was freed from its cage after 26 years of bondage. But my happiness wasn't complete. Something was still missing in my life.
I left Beijing in the early hours of the morning, without seeing Damien. I knew I wouldn't get to America till the next day considering the time difference. It was 6 am on Saturday in China and America would be around 4 pm. Since my flight would take at least, 13 hours, I decided to leave China on Saturday so I can get to America before the end of Sunday.
I planned to use the day to sort out the issue with my company and then finish up before dusk so I can go over to Nina's in the night. I purposely booked my flight to be a day before Nina's birthday. I wanted to make my presence her birthday gift.
I felt she would be happy to see me after 26 years. The years of hopes lost love, anticipations, heartbreaks, separation, I was ready to make things right. I no longer care for what people say, family obligations, or whatever, my heart desires should come first.
Nina and I have suffered enough and it was high time to put an end to all of it. We can't keep on like this. I thought we weren't meant to be but I was wrong. My love for her was still as strong as ever. Our first night was still fresh in my memory.
As much as I tried to pretend I don't love her, I still do. My heart beats for no one else but her. Why then should I let myself die at an early age without experiencing what true love is with the woman that genuinely loves me, despite our difference, the mother of my son? Why can't I be with her? I see no reason why I should be with her. I loved her and I just couldn't wait to see her.
I pray I will be able to resist embracing her with tears, crunching my lips to her, and making passionate love to her, just like we did, 25 years ago.
I couldn't wait. That thought alone brought tears to my eyes and I quickly wiped it away, sniffing and blinking my eyes to hold the tears in. That was not the right time to break down. I can cry all I want when I am eventually inside her, buried deep inside of her, pumping my seed into her.
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Nina's POV
I spent the night at Danny's. He just wouldn't let me be and when I told him I was not going to spend the night there, he didn't say a word but I knew he was angry. So I decided to spend the night there.
When I woke up the next morning, the first thing that came to my mind was Ellah. I was worried about her. I had to call Daisy to be sure she was fine. Daisy laughed over the phone after reassuring me that all was well.
"Hope your night was great?"
"Yeah," I answered with a yawn.
"Sure it was", I could sense the hint of amusement in her voice.
"Daisy", I called and she laughed.
"You know you are guilty, I don't need to say anything."
"I know I am. I'm just happy you are happy. Finally!"
"Well, your treacherous plan worked out well."
"And I'm proud of it."
"Proud of being treacherous."
"Yeah. I was just about to call you when your call came in." She says.
"Oh!"
"Happy birthday, mom. I love you."
I gasped. I forgot it was my birthday. "Goodness gracious, I forgot."
"Now you remember. Catch you later."
"Happy birthday to my baby too. Can you give her the phone?"
Ellah and I are birthday mates. I would never forget how my 39th birthday turned out. I would say it was my birthday that pushed her out. Her mother didn't rest all in the name of seeing me happy on my birthday and at the end of the day, she went into labor prematurely due to the stress. Daisy is indeed a strong woman and I love them both the same way I would love my children. Sometimes, I wish they were mine.
"Ellah, your granny", I heard Daisy shouting to her. Then, I heard Ellah's giggles and her "granny."
"My sweetheart, how are you?"
"I'm a fine granny. I miss you."
"I miss you too sweetheart. I'm coming home soon, what should I get for you?"
"Chocolatey", she said and I laughed. Daisy laughed too. Ellah loved chocolates so much and she calls them chocolatey.
"Alright and happy birthday dear. Granny loves you."
She was silent. "Tell granny happy birthday too", her mother whispered to her.
"Happy birthday granny, I love you too", she muttered.
Then her mother took the phone from her. "Are you coming home tonight?"
"Of course, I will."
"Alright, Nadia and I are baking a cake for you and your granddaughter."
"Oh, God! You all are amazing. Tell Nadia I love her."
"Love you too", Nadia shouted. I never knew she was close.
"Bye, don't interrupt our baking. Catch you later."
"Alright", I said as she disconnected the call.
I pushed the blankets away from me and was about to go to the bathroom to brush my teeth when Danny pulled me back, making me fall on him.
"Danny", I giggled.
"Morning", he said sleepily and kissed my lips.
"I haven't brushed my teeth", I warned him.
"Doesn't seem like that", he kissed me again and dropped me before climbing on top of me.
"Danny", I called.
"Uhm", he answered and he finally let go of me. "I missed you badly", he pulled me closer to him and I snuggled against his broad hairy chest.
"Me too."
"And happy birthday, love. I wish you all the good things of life."
I thought he had forgotten so I looked up at him with a smile and pecked his forehead. I was happy he remembered my birthday, it showed how much I mean to him.
We stayed snuggled together for a while before I stood up sharply. "What's up with Daisy's book?"
He stood up too and followed me to the bathroom. "I've sent the novel information. We're just awaiting their positive response."
"Which of the publishing companies? The one in the Philippines?"
"Yes."
"I haven't gotten a reply from them either. I just hope they accept her book. Daisy takes rejection the hard way and I don't want her to feel discouraged for the second time." I began to brush my teeth softly.
"Don't you trust my abilities?"
"I do. I also trusted Larry but the book ended up being rejected."
"Let's be optimistic."
"Alright."
He watched me for a while and turned to move out. "Aren't you going to brush too?"
"I will." He said and went out. I finished brushing my teeth and took my bath, before going over to the kitchen to make breakfast. While I was in the kitchen, Danny said he was going out and would be back soon.
I waited for him for an hour and when he didn't show up, I ate and went back to bed.
By the time I woke up, it was 4 pm already and Danny was back. I found him in his study working on his laptop. I sat on his lap and we kissed passionately before I stood up. "I need to go home. My babies will be expecting me already."
"Yeah. We're going together." He said and turned back to continue working on his laptop.
"But you're busy." I protested.
"I'm almost done. Just give me a few minutes."
"Ok", I replied to him and went back to the room. I went to take a shower before wearing my dress. By the time I was done with my makeup, Danny was dressed too and we took off to the house.
I got in and saw Daisy and Nadia in the living room. I guess they weren't expecting me that early as they both came to hug me.
"Happy birthday", they both chorused.
"Thank you. Where is my baby?"
"Asleep," Nadia answered.
"So soon."
"Yeah."
"Welcome, Danny", Daisy greeted him.
"How do you do, Daisy?"
"I'm fine sir." She smiled back at him.
"I'll be right back", I said to them and went upstairs.
Damien didn't call me on that day like always and I was surprised. I wanted to call him but I decided to leave that till later. I changed my dress and walked back downstairs.
"Daisy", I called. "You should go and wake Ellah. This birthday is ours."
There was no reply and I noticed the light in the living room was off already. There were goosebumps all over me as I felt a strange air.
"Daisy", I called and got to the landing.
I tried to find my way to the switch but stumbled upon something on my way. I screamed. Before I could fall, a pair of hands caught me and the light was back. My eyes were wide with fear and Danny chuckled.
He pulled me down and I was about to ask him what was funny as my heart was still thumpingly out of fear, when I saw him going down on his knees and bringing out a box with a diamond ring. I couldn't move. I couldn't talk. I didn't know how to react. I was confused about what was happening. I looked up at Daisy and Nadia and I could see the excitement on their faces.
How am I supposed to react to this? I asked myself.
It felt like a dream but it was real.
Danny was on his knees begging me to marry him. I couldn't figure out how I was feeling. Whether to be sad or happy. I didn't know. But I know I wasn't expecting that from Danny. I wasn't expecting too much from him.
"Will you marry me, Nina Gomez?" He questioned, peering at me.
I didn't want to do what I would regret. So I asked myself if I truly loved him enough to marry him.
I was about to reply when someone interrupted. "Happy birthday, Nina Gomez."
I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me who the voice belongs to as the hairs on my body stood up in excitement, sadness, and fear. The voice that sends tingles all over me, each time I hear it. The owner of the voice was at the entrance of the house with a bouquet in his hand.
"Amar?" I questioned with a gasp.