APOLLONIA

Three

The next morning she woke to the patter of rain on her roof. Mahalia, her maid, peeked at her from behind the door. "Your मां would like to see you, Miss." Apollonia nodded and in response, Ann closed the door. Apollonia knew that her mother would ask her about last night. Apparently, everyone at the dinner was there, knowing that Nerius would propose to her. Everyone wanted to know her reason for refusing him. Her reason was that she was not interested in Nerius. She was not ready for marriage. She wasn't quite ready to grow up, yet. Picking out her 3rd favorite white dress, she got ready for the day and then went to breakfast.

Her mother was relaxing on a bench by the table, spreading hummus on flatbread. Upon seeing her, Aemilia sat up and patted the space next to her. As soon as she sat down, her mother gave her a nice, long hug. Then, she held her daughter's hands and gently asked if she was alright. "I only ever thought of him as a friend." Apollonia sniffled. "He was my best friend actually. But then he went and made everything get strange and awkward... I just don't want to be married, not now, and not to Nerius."

Her mother kissed her head and then whispered in her ear. "I understand." Still sitting side by side, the two ate their breakfast until Father came home from the meeting of consuls at Caesar's palace. His face was grim and serious as he walked through the door. Suspiciously, he collapsed onto a bench with a depressed sigh and raked one hand through his short hair as he held a note in his other. Though curious about what news he had, both girls sat in silence until Scipio slammed a fist hard on the table. As the bowls and plates trembled, Apollonia speculated if he was angry with her decision to not marry her friend. She played with her bracelets and opened her mouth to speak- but was cut off by her father's gruff voice. "Another war has begun. The Carthaginian fools continue to raid the towns on our borders. Hamilcar's son is now leading forces towards us. Hannibal was alongside his father years ago when I was young, fighting along with mine. Now the war is ours." He looked at Apollonia and her mother with a determined, cold stare. "This time, I will finish him."

Aemilia, her hand over her mouth and tears welling in her eyes asked; "You have to leave, again? How long will you be gone?" Scipio's gaze softened and he assured his wife that he would return home safely.

"In contrast with the last war, we will not engage them in naval battle. They will have to face us on land, where we will have the advantage." He held each of their hands in his own, and finished. "I leave tomorrow."

  मां  is hindi for "Mother" (I have absolutely NO idea how to pronounce it BTW)