Complicated Love

20 - a friend in need is a friend indeed

Naomi, tucked the basket under her arm and strolled down the stairs. In the lounge, her mother laid sprawled on the couch her eyes glued on the black and white TV.

The stairs creaked under Naomi's feet as she ascended down them "I'm going to harvest the crops" she announced as she reached the wooden door, her mother spared her a subtle glance before humming in response.

Naomi walked out into the neighborhood, watching passionately as a bunch of toddlers frolicked in the grass.

She inhaled, the Helslip air, scowling slightly as it scratched at her nostrils. The smell of smoke and dust evading her airways.

Her off shoulder dress dangled at her ankles, the wind blew at it, smacking gently against her face. The shawl that she had found in her mothers cupboard protected her from the winds cold bite.

Her hair was tide up in a low ponytail, sometimes she wished that she had been born with longer hair but wishing would succumb to nothing but self-pity.

She loved this type of weather, not too hot but not too cold, just right.

She took her time as she strolled down to her family farm enjoying the cool breeze. The farm had been passed on from generation to generation. Her grandfather had given the farm to her father, and his father to him.

But Joseph, her father, had no son, who would he pass it on to?

Naomi came to a subtle understanding as to why her parents desired a son. Without a son, they wouldn't be able to pass on their inheritance. In Helslip, it was unusual for a woman to be awarded the inheritance of her father. For she would be married off to her husband breaking off all relation with her own family and taking up the family of her husband.

If there was no son in the family, the father's inheritance would be stolen or destroyed.

Naomi, sighed, perturbed and aggravated by the ancient customs.

"Naomi!" Alerted by the abrupt call of her name, Naomi stopped and turned, however, her mood darkened as she set eyes on Anastasia.

The memory of James holding Anastasia affectionately, vivid in her minds eye. Naomi, pushed the resentment aside and plastered a smile on her face "Anastasia?" Anastasia stopped, in front of Naomi seeming out of breath "Are you ok?"

"Yeah. I'm ok. I just had to run after you. Didn't you hear me calling you?"

"No, I'm sorry. I was lost in my thought. What's the matter? Do you need anything?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something. Can you come over to my place"

Naomi peered at Anastasia under hooded eyes, "What do you want to talk to me about?" She inquired, her patience running thin.

"We can't talk here Naomi, it's ..." Anastasia sighed "Can we go to my house and talk?"

Irritation, built up in Naomi's chest, a hidden resentment boiling though the surface. "No" Naomi said simply "I have errands to run. My mom is expecting me, I can't take long. Maybe some other time " she turned away from Anastasia ready to continue on her journey

She stopped abruptly as Anastasia held on to her forearm "Naomi, please you're the only one I can talk to. I've been keeping this in for so long that it's starting to hurt. Please, I need to talk to someone and i know you're the only one that can listen. I'm begging you Naomi please"

Naomi gazed at Anastasia skeptically, it wouldn't hurt to help a friend would it?

She groaned at her good heart, with a aggravated sigh she murmured "ok"

_________

The walk to Anastasia's home was silent, every step that they took, was nerve wrecking for Naomi. She could feel the tension growing with every passing second.

She could sense the anxiety that roamed around Anastasia and she found herself wanting to find out what the matter actually was.

As they reached Anastasia's home, Naomi sat down on the couch and looked up at her friend. "Do you want to drink anything!" Anastasia asked as she rubbed her hands nervously

Naomi shook her head "No. Thank you"

"Are you sure?"

"Anastasia we both know I'm not here to drink anything. You said you wanted to talk to me. Let's talk" Naomi looked up at Anastasia, her heart breaking slightly as she witnessed a tear drop from Anastasia's eyes followed by many others

Without a second thought, Naomi was on her feet, walking towards Anastasia with arms open wide. Anastasia fell into Naomi's arms, tears pouring down her face as she sobbed recklessly.

"Anastasia. No. Don't this. Why are you crying?" Naomi inquired as she rocked Anastasia back and forth. Her head laid on Naomi's chest as she rubbed circles on her back

"I don't know how it happened. I..." Anastasia sobbed "I don't know why I did it. It all happened so fast Naomi. I don't know."

"What did you do Anastasia? Tell me. What's the matter?" Anastasia continued sobbing in Naomi's arms.

"I don't know how it happened Naomi. It just happened. I don't know... Naomi I'm confused. I'm scared."

Naomi stood abruptly, dragging Anastasia up with her. "Come on" she urged "Let's go outside, get some fresh air" reluctantly Anastasia got up, clinging to Naomi as if she were the only thing keeping her alive.

Naomi got them a bench on which they sat "Its ok. It's going to be ok. Don't worry." Naomi murmured in Anastasia's ears as she rocked her back and forth.

Anastasia's sobbing finally quieted down and she turned to Naomi with swollen eyes "Naomi. I... I feel horrible. I don't even know how I'll continue to live Naomi. I just want to kill myself. To end it all now."

Naomi grabbed a hold of her arms, shaking her slightly "Don't say that Anastasia. It's probably not that bad. Just tell me what is wrong and we'll get a solution...together. Tell me"

Anastasia gazed into Naomi's eyes "Are you sure you won't judge me. You sure you won't be angry with me?"

Naomi looked into Anastasias eyes and saw the guilt and the fear in her eyes. Naomi wondered whether Anastasia was going to tell her about her relationship with James.

Naomi wasn't sure how she'd react if that was the case. Silently she smiled and nodded "Yes." She said, "I promise I won't judge"

"A few months ago - weeks ago, I had met this guy."

Naomi's heart dropped, already knowing where the story was going so she was the gurl James was talking to she though to herself.

"At first I didn't want anything to do with him. I resisted him Naomi. I did. I really tried but... " she shook her head, looking down at her palms "He came back, every single time, he told me that he loved me and that he'll do anything to get my love in return. He bought me gifts and took care of me and slowly...eventually I fell for him. I didn't want to, it just happened Naomi. It just happened."

"Do I know him?" Naomi inquired, tears building up in her eyes, she blinked them away, not allowing Anastasia to catch sight of them.

Anastasia's head snapped towards Naomi as she heard the question. Guilt and remorse was prominently written on her face "I'm sorry Naomi. I'm really really sorry. I didn't mean to. It just...happened. Please forgive me"

Naomi knew the answer but wanted to hear it from Anastasia's mouth "Do..." Her voice shook, she shut her eyes, calming herself down "Do I know him?" She asked again, her voice barely audible.

Anastasia shook her head slowly as if it hurt her "Yes" she whispered, a tear flowing down her face, she dropped her head in shame

"What's his name?" Naomi inquired,

Anastasias mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water "You'll hate me" she murmured

"Anastasia" Naomi called "What's his name?"

"James." Anastasia sniffed as she dropped her head in shame "James Smith"