Imagining Us

Ch.77- Loving Truths

Esi had finally submitted her last paper before Christmas break. She looked around her room which was littered with sweaters and other random pieces of clothing. Her goal was to pack as many pieces as possible into a carry on bag for her trip back home to England.

It had been a toss up among her family as to whether they would visit Trinidad or go to London for Christmas, and the consensus was England.

She tried to force all her thick articles of clothings into her bag, slightly regretting that decision to go to England. If she was going to Trinidad—granted, it did get a bit chilly in the December nights—she would've been able to take lighter articles of clothing and maybe even a few jean shorts.

But, she was excited to see her aunts and cousins back in England, especially Afia. They had so much to talk about that just couldn't be done over the phone. She was also excited for her upcoming three week stint back at the international aid organization in London. She had interned there during the summer for two years while getting her undergrad degree. Then, she chose to work there full time before going back to Connecticut to complete her Master's.

Her boss, Olamide was eager to put her to work as retribution for her moving back to Connecticut. Then, she would make a big scene when it was time for Esi to leave again. Esi had a sneaking suspicion that she wanted her to be her understudy. Olamide had dropped not so subtle hints about it. Esi wasn't sure what she saw in her, and there was no way that she should be promoted over others who were there before her. She would also have to break the news that she wasn't coming back immediately after she graduated, despite what she had previously said.

Porte had been talking to her about them possibly traveling together. To Denmark, which she was nervous about, because his family, especially his grandmother would be there. Also, Barcelona was a big deal for him. Though she secretly knew he just wanted an opportunity to gush over the architecture. It might as well be a class that she was signing up for, but she didn't mind hearing him drone on about something that he enjoyed.

Esi thought that Venice would've been his first option since it held such a special place in his heart because of his mother. Her parents had named her after a character in "The Merchant of Venice" , and she'd studied art in Italy. Hence, that beautiful tattoo on his body of a gondola and Venetian archways bathing in moonlight. He promised her that they would go to Venice someday, in hopefully not too distant a future, and her heart skipped a beat at the implication of his words.

In addition to that, there was a practical training opportunity in New York for her after graduation. All of this hinged on her being successful with her thesis.

* * *

"Have you already bought Luke's gift?" Esi asked Porte as she lay curled under the thickest blanket in his living room. His electric fireplace was lit, but what he needed to do was come curl up next to her with his lovely warmth.

She'd already begged him to do so, but he was in the kitchen making her a special spiced cider that he was sure would convince her to stay in Connecticut and spend Christmas with him instead. To which she responded that her ticket was already bought. Then, he attempted to persuade her–with the most toe-curling kisses– into taking him with her instead.

"What do I need to buy him a gift for?" he scoffed from the kitchen. She couldn't see him, but Esi could imagine him rolling his pretty eyes. Despite what he said or how he acted, she knew that he loved his brother, and he probably already made or bought him something.

Although, to be fair, he claimed that he hadn't bought her gift yet, but that was a clear lie because he'd suddenly banned her from going into the guest room. The one time she attempted to sneak past him ended up with her on the ground and his weight pressed into her as he tickled her until she begged for mercy. He hadn't said anything about it yet that night, and this was the last time that they'd be together.