The Many Layers Of Isabel

Chapter 8 - The One That Got Away

She just stands there and cannot bring herself to walk away. What just happened? She couldn’t believe the reaction that came out of this woman. It was as if she were a criminal. Isabel saw the fire in the eyes of a woman who a few minutes ago looked like she couldn’t even hurt a fly. Why would a woman, possibly Rafael’s wife, be so angry with her? This only meant that Rafael was angry with her but she couldn’t figure what it is that she had done that was so bad. If anything, it should be her that is supposed to be angry at Rafael for going M.I.A on her.

Realising she hadn’t moved from her spot, she glances over to Sergio who looks like he saw all the action. He looks back at her, with confused eyes but nothing on his face shows Isabel what he is thinking off. Just as she is about to walk to the car again, a rush of anger encapsulates her body and she turns around and knocks on the door, this time a little louder.

As she predicted, Nina doesn’t answer and as Isabel stood there contemplating whether to turn around and just leave her and Rafael to enjoy their “sweet” lives together, Nina opens the door.

“Get in,” she snarls, not breaking contact from Isabel’s eyes.

Isabel holds her stare and this time, she looks equally angry. She is not going to be talked to like that. She folds her arms and says, “With pleasure,” as she walks into the house. The door closes behind her and she waits for Nina to direct her to wherever she wanted her. She follows Nina to her living room. The room was average sized, nothing special but it looked homely. Like happy people lived there. The black sofas matched the white walls beautifully and the flat screen TV stands on the black TV stand with the BBC news on. The windows were decorated with white curtains, brightening the room up. There were photo frames on the small table in the far right corner of room displaying photos of grandparents, parents, and small children. A photo catches Isabel’s attention. She sees Rafael standing proudly with his degree certificate in his hands. Another nervous wave flows through her body as she remembers that she was standing just next to the photographer when that photo was taken on their graduation day. Nina switches the TV off and tosses the remote control on the sofa.

“Sit down so we can talk before Rafael comes here,” Nina orders, sounding a little less aggressive but still maintained her unexplained “annoyance” at Isabel.

She sits down and looks over at Nina who also sits down on the other sofa.

“Why are you here?” she asks coldly, not afraid to start firing her questions.

“I told you, I am here to see Rafael,” she answers back, indifferently.

Nina snorts and then laughs.

“For this long, I thought I would never get to see the Marwa but God made sure I would see that face.”

“I am going to assume you know all the background information between Rafael and me so I’ll spare you the details. I will also assume you know how the end went.” Isabel could see herself getting angry at this Nina.

“Vividly,” she answers back sharply.

“Okay so as it is a thing between Rafael and me, I don’t see what there is to say between us.”

It is as if Isabel stood up and slapped Nina right across her face because she turned red. Her eyes went wide open and her legs began to shake. If she continues this behaviour, Isabel is afraid she might believe Nina had anger issues.

“No, no, don’t play that card. You weren’t there for him then. It was me who was there. You left and what happened to him next…oh my goodness. You and your psycho family think you have power and do as you please!” Nina hisses all her words directly at Isabel and does not shy away from anything.