Talk Of The Town ✔️

31

Peace is all she craves.

It arrives at last after long days of trouble.

Text messages and emails, either work or apology, arrived on her phone yesterday. She ignored them at the moment. Her relatives who were staying at her place avoided eye contact. Others proposed to sue Love Venom for harassment, online bullying and defamation. She paid no heed to them.

A citrusy and caramelized aroma rose from the kitchen when she entered. Her aunt, piping bag in hand, froze. Her uncle stopped stirring the wooden spatula in the pan. He shifted his attention to the opened jar of sugar. Madiha arrived with a tray of ten dirty glasses. Her lips parted as if to say something.

Anya headed towards the mug cabinet, picking a ribbed glass one. She set it at the coffee machine and frothed the milk. Caffeine is a must after this delicious yet heavy rice and lamb lunch. After all, she doesn't intend to sleep soon on the last day of this bittersweet year.

Anya exited the kitchen, cappuccino in hand. Her nine-year-old cousin tugged her navy tunic.

"Your father is calling you. He is in the study room."

"Okay"

Anya loathed talking to any of her blood relatives, including her parents. After Love Venom dropped the confession yesterday morning, she locked herself in her room and ordered everyone who knocked at her door to go away. She has heard enough from them.

Her mother has cried. Her father begged, promising he'd buy her anything she'd ask as a punishment. Anya told them to leave her alone.

All's well at last. Yet, she cannot forget the dark times.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked at the door.

"Come in," her father said.

She twisted the knob, pushing the door slowly. Anwar stood up from the swivel chair at once, reddened eyes meeting hers. Grief churned her heart. Her father has never cried before.

"I- I wanted to ask how you're doing. Are you eating well?"

She nodded, gripping the mug with both hands.

"I ate well last night. Today's lunch was savoury, too."

"I know. We helped to prepare your favourite meals. We are cooking your favourite tonight as well, including desserts."

The tears rushed. Anya refused to shed it. She has lost enough of them these past weeks.

"Thank you"

"You've lost some weight," he mumbled, grabbing the table's edge.

"I followed a crazy diet," she lied.

Sighing, Anwar dropped his head.

"Kiara came yesterday. She explained everything."

Her stomach clenched at this revelation. Her muscles stiffened as she grew hot. Kiara had to betray her just when they started to get along again.

"What did she say?"

"Enough"

Her face grew pensive. Too much has happened. Her parents didn't need this. Love Venom's confession is enough. What went through Kiara's thick skull?

"Dad, I-"

Anwar interrupted, "It wasn't yours or Noah's fault. She blackmailed both of you. I should have acted as a parent instead of forming disgusting opinions. You would never bring shame to us. Noah, we've all seen how he looks at you. This boy respects you. I'm sorry, Anya. Forgive your parents, please. We'll do anything to earn your forgiveness."