NOTHING BUT A BAD TASTE. (✓)

25. CAN I COME HOME?

( unedited )

EBÉN COULDN'T HELP BUT FEEL LIKE a stranger as he stood in his own home, watching clusters of people congregate in and around him, and laud him with their congratulations. His smile, in response to to their joy, wasn't as piercing or as infectious — but was jovial enough that no one would be none the wiser. Reluctantly, he had kept Maya at a distance and for large parts had stayed away. Because to look into those same, beautifully toned eyes that had looked at Reuben with wonder, with intoxication, was too wrenching on him and his trampled heart.

He hated how even with her duplicity — there was something small (possibly insanity) in him that wasn't completely firm on it being over. Ebén was the type to take betrayal personally, and would never give anyone the chance to make amends.

Rhodes was an example of his obstinacy, flinging him to the side upon his first mistake, and made no attempt to understand from his perspective. He believed in first and only chances. Yet, here he was, thinking about drawing a line in the sand, for the betterment of peace and that child of his.

He had replayed their last conversation like a record stuck on an annoying loop, pissed off — largely at himself, for allowing her to make a mockery of his heart. He'd let the two exes play fiddle, and trusted her and her confused emotions a little too much, thinking she just needed space. Space, he scoffed at the word now, she never wanted space, she just wanted an excuse to jump ship and that she did.

He looked up at these walls with disgust and partial regret. This was the same home — the same walls that he had built and thought he'd raise his baby and future babies, in, with Maya at the centre.

But life happened to be cruel. So, so cruel.

"Congratulations again, boog." said Mari, a cup of alcoholic malt in hand, lips already primed to take a swig. "You got a nice lil' thing going on here. I could do with a bit more meat in here though,"

"Should you even be drinking?" butted back Ebén, sticking with his tried and trusted glass of still water. He took a short sip, and his eyes managed to surf the room and saw her, looking at him, in the distance -- signalling with her eyes for him to pull her out of the conversation that was currently being had in front of her. Everything about her screamed exhaustion; but this was no longer Ebén's load to carry. He abruptly pulled his focus back, but couldn't forget how much her eyes had lost its shimmer, its sparkle and its zest.

"Aint we supposed to drink at a purdy?" answered Mari, whose pursed lips took another slow sip, clearly enamored by the frothy, brown taste.

"We've got a game tomorrow, stupid." Another guest congratulated Ebén from a distance with the tipping of his drink, and Ebén returned it with a pursed nod.

"Oh shit," The clogs of realisation now only turning in Mari's head, "I need to go wash my mouth out. Here," Mari turned over his used drink glass like a hand-me-down but Ebén kept his hands pinned in his pockets.

"Ion want it," replied Ebén, whose eyes — again, managed to re-land in Maya's direction, without much effort like fate was trying to force an interaction. She didn't smile this time, but it was obvious that she wanted to. Ebén couldn't prevent his lips from unfolding like a goof; partially waving his own flag. Mari dashed the almost empty glass of malt down his throat so quick it almost burned, as he didn't want to put a single drop to waste and followed the direction of walking female legs.

Ebén stood in an obscure corner of his home, after being left to his own devices, away from the noise. Away from the magnetising pull that had taken over his legs and was trying to tempt him into going where she was. So, he sought refuge in a curved wall that sat adjacent to half wall high electric fireplace.

He watched the burning flames intently, wishing those same flames could engulf all the bad memories. Maybe, if they could, he wouldn't carry the destruction in the chamber of his heart anymore. He wished that forgiveness was as easy as tossing something you no longer wanted in a bonfire; and letting it completely disintegrate into nothing. But forgiveness meant acknowledging one's baggage and working through it, with it all still visibly there.

"Ebén," Aurora Davis' high toned voice had pulled him out of his contemplation, "Why you sittin' out here on your lonesome? You're not lonely, are you?"

"Nah. I was just... thinking about somethin."

"Can I sit and think with you?" Ebén would have fell victim to her allure, maybe two or three years ago, but the man had grown out of his philandering ways. He also felt slightly duplicitous, even though there was no basis for him to feel the way he felt.

"I was actually about to get myself to drink," lied Ebén, who was holding a half empty glass.

Her hand was perched against his pressed white shirt and had no intention to remove it, "I never said congratulations by the way. So happy for you."

"Thank you,"

"Bet you're so excited, right?" gleaned Aurora, twisting her heeled foot to adjust her anklet. Ebén had an inner sense that this didn't feel like a harmless conversation, but a conversation where he would need to watch his mouth and his words.

"Broski," Ebén felt a strong grab at the back of his neck, "They're calling you to pop the gender balloon. Time to find out what yous are having."

"Shame. I was enjoying our little chat," meowed Aurora, who looked at Ebén with playful venom.

A TRANSLUCENT " HE OR SHE " GENDER BALLOON was gripped tensely by Maya's nimble fingers, awaiting Ebén's arrival to the glass stairsteps. His eyes — beautifully brown, were locked on her with an energy she couldn't decipher. It was as if time purposely stood still, and they were inhabiting a world with just the two of them. Her chest was scuppering; was this the moment for her to try and prompt a talk, whether it be one of closure or new beginnings? She couldn't read the energy he was displaying to even know what to choose.

"Mum and Dad to be... are we ready to find out the gender of your beautiful, beautiful baby?" Blaze roared, taking on the duty of honorary hostess.

"I am," They both said quietly and just as Maya was about to raise the needle to pop the pin, Blaze intervened. "Any preference on the sex?"

"Nah, none." Ebén shook his head.

"Nope," Maya gulped quietly, "We... just want a healthy baby. That's our wish."

As soon as the needle made contact with tan rubber, out burst pieces and pieces of pink confetti. Maya almost fell to the floor at the sight of it.

"IT'S A GIRL! IT'S A GIRL! IT'S A GIRL!"

In that instance, Ebén decided that he had had enough of the merry go round. It was time to talk.

"I want to come home."

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Currently sobbing after writing this chapter cos I'm broody af ! Here's a question for y'all, what kinda names are you feelin' for Baby Girl Cástro? Kinda want to see what you come up with.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and what not, your comments and your votes forever keep me goin.

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