My Life in Pieces✔️:#projectNigeria

Chapter Thirty

"Zoeya's POV"

"Eem dont let me come there". I was in the kitchen making pasta for dinner. Eem was throwing a tantrum as usual because I denied her offer of meeting Aaryan. She has been sulking ever since and not saying a word to me, so now she turned up the volume of the music player as I apologized.

She didn't say anything but yet she still turned the music down. I sighed as I tasted the meal, I was used to cooking with Eem and whenever we cook we taste it together before serving it and she refused to be here.

"Eem, should I serve your dinner? ". I waited for her response.

"Yesh". She was angry no doubt but she couldn't resist food.

I smiled inwardly as I dished the food. She still wanted to eat. So I placed the food on the table while Eem sat down.
"Ya Allah. Bless mammies food, thyank yhu for food, Ameen". She prayed before we eat. I never really fed Eem but she knew how to handle cutlerys well.

The doorbell rang and I stood up to get it. I opened the door and saw Aaryan in black sweat pants and green Tee. He was holding a box and a bouquet of flower. He looked fresh as if he went home to take a shower

"Hey". He smiled.

"Hey". I said in return.

"Can I come in?". He raised an eyebrow. How come he looked cute.

I made way for him to move that was when I noticed him holding a cat.
No way! . Eem has always wanted a cat because madam Serena has a dog and she asked him few days back but his reply was "if you want" and then be shrugged his shoulders.

"What is that?". I asked pointing at that on the floor

He grinned "It's a cat". Then stroke it's back. It was a white hairy cat. It was soo cute.

"A cat?!".I spoke in a whisper now. If Eem should see this there is no way she'll let it go. And I don't need a cat, it's cute though but I don't really like cat.

"But that's so inappropriate. She's still a child and you.... You giving her gifts is too much. I mean she'll get too attached and when". I paused knowing where this will end. I don't want him to get into our lives again. I don't want Eem to get too attached. Im a married woman and Eem has a dad. He will only make things worse.

His eyes were glittery and had a mixture of regret, dissapointment and pain.
"I understand you. I should have asked for your permission. I'll take it back..........". His apology didn't seem like it was from his heart but yet it was polite. He was cut short by Eem.

"Uncle!". She squealed from her seat. She stood up running to him while he went on his knees. I put my hands on my chest. Oh this was beautiful. Shut up Zoe.

He kissed the top of her hair with his eyes closed. "Hey sweet heart. How was your day at school today?". He asked her.

"Well it was gyeat". She twirled her toes on the floor.

"It's tyat a cat?". She pointed with eyes wide open.

Aaryan looked at me then back to her "Yes sweetheart". He said afterwards.

She went to the cat who layed on the floor now and started rubbing it. The cat purred in return.

"It's byutiful. Can i have it?". Aaryan shrugged his shoulders and looked at me. "Can i mammie please, please, please". She tugged at my Tee shirt her eyes pleading.

"I pyomise I'll behayf. I'll eat my peas. All of eym (I promise I'll behave. I'll eat my peas. All of them)". She pleaded jumping up and down.

That act made my heart melt. I looked at Aaryan who joined her pleading with the 'puppy dog eyes'. I placed my hand on my chest. I was touched and I knew saying no would make Eem so sad. So I nodded my head.

She squealed and jumped. She hugged Aaryan in delight. She took the cat and started making a list of what to do.

I'll name it

I'll take it to school

I'll bathe it every morning

Ill feed it.

*time skip*

"No. That's not the rule". I protested. We were all playing cards in the sitting room and Eem has been cheating.

"That is the rule". Aaryan winked at Eem which made her break out a beautiful laughter.

OK. They are acting like lovebirds right now.

"If you don't stop cheating both of you. I'll stop playing". I pointed at both of them while Eem yawned.

"OK". Aaryan raised Both hands in surrender making me peek at his card.

"Really now?". He hid it behind him and I laughed. It's been so long since I laughed this much.

I played next and Aaryan placed all his card which made him win. We spent the next ten minutes arguing. I didn't believe he won but he did. A little part of me knew he did.

"The cards weren't shuffled well right Eem?". I turned and met Eem curled next to her cat fast asleep. I stood up and carried her to bed. I came back to clear the dishes and met Aaryan on the couch.

"Let me help you with that". He walked over to help me when our hands brushed and everything came rushing down. Our wedding, fights, quarrel, my suicide incident. He too stood still as if we felt the same thing, our faces were so close now, too close that if I tilted my head a little our lips will merge. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and when I opened them my eyes landed on a picture of Juan.

No, no, no. I can't be doing this I'm married.

"We can't be doing this". I rubbed my temples and backed away. "No we shouldn't do this". I shook my head trying to ignore the little voice in my head. That little voice telling me to forget everything and kiss the sense out of him.

"Zoe". He pleaded with his eyes. "Please just........". He ran a hand through his hair. An act Eem always do when she's stressed.

"No. You shouldn't be in our lives". I placed my hands on the desk for support. Those words were lies but I had to say them.
"That's why I didn't want all these gifts". I pointed to the box of chocolates and flowers. "I'm married. I have a child. You.... We shouldn't be doing this". I bit my lips to stop my self from breaking down. I couldn't look into his eyes.

After a prolonged akward silence he breathed out loudly "It's fine. I understand". His voice was hoarse filled with pain, regret and at the same time soothing.

He spun around, picked his phone from the couch and headed to the door. I followed him and carried a faint smile. I opened the door and he stopped outside looking at me as if I'll have a change of plans.

"Goodnight". He said without breaking eye contact.

I curled my lips into a weak smile "Get some sleep. Goodnight". I turned back in and slammed the door shut. I slid down on the floor trying to inhale all the air I could get.

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