"Nope, that's not going to happen, ma'am, we are going out and that's final,"
Natalie said, Nicole didn't have any choice but to get off the bed, she waited as Natalie brought out clothes for her, she reluctantly wore it, still not wanting to leave the house but when she got to the front and saw that everyone of their staffs who didn't go home on holiday were out too, she cheered up and followed them, Natalie held her hand as they walked the short distance to where the carnival was been held, she didn't even know they did something like this in her neighborhood for New year's Eve, this was the first time she would witness it even though she lived here all her life.
"Has this been going on or did they just start it this year?"
She asked as she couldn't keep it to herself.
"This is the first time, I think the new mayor suggested it and it's fun,"
Donald one of the staff whom she knew since she was thirteen said.
"Oh, thank you,"
She said and they walked the rest of the way to the carnival in a cheerful mood, the staffs were fun and they made her laugh, when they got there, they met even more fun people that for a while, she had forgotten she was even sick.
"Let's go sit over there,"
Natalie said coming to her side.
"Will that be okay?"
"Yes, I told the guys we will be over there, and when they want to leave they should tell us,"
"Okay,"
She agreed and followed her sister to where she had pointed, they both sat down looking at the sky.
"What would you want to do the most in the New Year Nicole?"
Natalie asked breaking the silence, Nicole smiled, she didn't have to think, she already had it all planned out, the things she wants to achieve in the new year, she just hopes she can do each and every one of them.
"Well, first of all, there are a lot of things I want to do in the New year, first on that list is opening the gallery which is the second week in the new year, again I will like to take business classes serious so that I can at least get a degree and also, I plan on getting better in my art,"
She revealed.
"Those are all work-related, so anything more?"
"Yes, you guys, I want to get even closer with you, mom and dad, I want us to do a lot of things like family,"
"And?"
Natalie asked again, but that was it, Nicole didn't have any other plans.
"That's it, Natalie,"
"What? Can't be, what about your love life? Aren't you going to work on that?"
Natalie asked.
"No, I don't have any plans to, did that this year and it didn't work out like I wanted so I am going to pass on that,”
She replied sincerely, she wasn't ready to give love another try, in fact, she didn't even know if she would ever be ready to, not as she prepared herself to fall in love with Rafael it just happened, but what she did know was that she won't find a man she would love as much as she loved Rafael and that was a given.
"Why? You can't remain single, you have to move on,"
"I moved on Natalie, not just to a man but to my career,"
"Tish, you can do both, I just wish Rafael would come to his senses,"
She responded.
"What?"
She asked she never expected her twin to say that.
"Well, you guys look so good together and you still have feelings for him, I think he still does too,"
"He doesn't,"
"You never know,"
"I know Natalie and I am trying to live with it,"
"I wish I had sense, all these shits won't have happened,"
"Natalie, don't,"
"I am not saying I am to blame Missy, I am just being, well, you know what?"
"What?"
"Let's forget about it, forget all the had things that happened this year and move into the new year in good spirit and with a sound mind,"
"Yes, that's the spirit,"
Nicole said.
"So, what will you do in the new year?"
She asked, she wanted to know what Natalie plans on doing.
"Well, there isn't much I want to do next year, I don't even have anything planned, I am just going to live each moment as it is, think of me as an explorer, I don't know what will come but I am ready for it,"
She replied holding Nicole's hands as they entered the last five minutes of the year.
"Nicole, I know we did so much this year, we wronged each other, forgave each other, lost a lot of things, and well found a lot of things too, I just want us to be stronger and better in the New year, what's more, let's stay together, even if one or the both of us eventually find love in the new year, let's not keep away from each other,"
"Don't worry, that's not going to happen, and you are the one who has to find love, I found mine this year, it just didn't turn out as I wanted but I am not ready to find again,"
Nicole answered.
"Okay, but we will get happy,"
"Of course, we have to be,"
She said as they joined in the count down to the new year.
5!!!!!
4!!!!
3!!!
2!!
At that moment, his thoughts filtered into her mind and she stopped counting, she couldn’t stop her heart from thinking about him at that moment.
"Happy New Year!!"
She heard the crowd yell but she wasn't there, she was far away.
"Happy New year twinnie, let's do better this year,"
Natalie said hugging her, she hugged her too, for some reason she found herself crying, of all the things she could think of in the last few seconds of the year that just went by and the first few minutes of this new year was the same person she didn't want to think about, that she was planning to forget for good in the new year, Rafael, he shouldn't have entered her mind.
"Hey don't cry, we will be fine,"
Her sister encouraged.
"I know, I am just so happy we get to spend the first moment of the new year together,"
"Me too,"
"Let's have fun this year my other half,"
"Let's have fun, my better half,"
Natalie said and they shared another hug...