Episode 2 (The Sky Smiled)

Last updated on April 26th, 2024 at 07:08 am

4 Years Ago

“Bye-bye, we’re never visiting you again,” Patricia yelled jokingly as she and her sister, Helen, left their cousin’s house. He wasn’t actually their cousin. He was their dad’s best friend’s brother’s son. But since they considered themselves family, they referred to him as their cousin. 

They had gone for their usual visit but were almost starved since Sire had refused to cook. It wasn’t until Helen started sulking before they all admitted to being hungry and Sire reluctantly cooked noodles which were so soggy, they might have as well been taking custard. They were almost at the gate when someone came through the small gate. Okay, not just someone. Patricia stopped in her tracks, smitten. He was an average-height guy with a clean face, bald head, and full brows. His face was so clean that Patricia wondered what skincare products he used and if he ever grew a beard or was just dedicated to constantly shaving. His facial features shouldn’t have worked but everything aligned. Patricia almost snorted at herself, now she was thinking of words like aligned.

“My guyyy.” Sire roared descending the stairs at the entrance of his house. The other guy, who Patricia guessed must be Sire’s friend, the one they’d been waiting for, broke into a smile and rushed to hug Sire. It was a manly hug—all slaps and growls. One or two ribs might have been broken from the force of the embrace. “Let’s go,” Helen tugged at Patricia’s hand. “Wait small.” She answered, absent-mindedly.

After ages, the men disengaged and that was when Sire remembered that his cousins were still around. He cleared his throat, his face still holding a huge grin. His jaw must ache, Patricia thought.

“Adelana, meet my girls. Girls, meet Adelana.” They were almost up close now and Patricia saw the stranger’s face properly. He had hair on his face—the faintest line of moustache which framed his upper lip, and a gap tooth that was symmetrical to his cupid’s bow. A complete masterpiece. 

“Hi,” Adelana extended his hand to shake Helen. He repeated the same with Patricia and it took Helen nudging Patricia’s shoulder for her to come around.

“Hi,” she replied, her smile a little too wide. They kept holding each other until she realised that she was supposed to introduce herself. “My name’s Pat, Patricia.” Adelana finally nodded and then smiled.

“It’s okay like that.” Sire released their hands. “So, girls, see you later. Right?”

“Why? Is it because of me?” Adelana asked. He liked Patricia and was slightly bummed to see her go. If anything, it seemed as if she liked him too. He wasn’t looking for anything serious at the moment, but this Patricia could ask anything of him and it didn’t seem crazy that he’d fulfill it. He wanted to fulfill all her dreams. Not shocking, there was a reason his friends named him “Mr lover.” What’s life without love? What’s living without someone to hold and call yours?

“No o, we were about to leave when you came in,” Helen replied.

“I’m sorry for coming in late. I’d have loved to spend some time with you, though.” Adelana racked his brains for what else he could say to make them stay. They were all supposed to hang out at his friend’s place, but he had had an urgent call from his sister which delayed him.

“Guy, they’re leaving. It’s me you primarily came to see, right? Let’s go. We need to catch up, we’ve not seen in a year.” Sire answered. Adelana had just concluded his masters in the UK and had truly missed his friend, but there was something about this Patricia.

“Okay, let’s stay for a bit. It’s not like we have anything to do at home.” She talks at last! Adelana cracked a smile again. Sire rolled his eyes as he turned towards his apartment. Adelana followed him. “Don’t you have a boyfriend or something?” Helen whispered as she trailed behind Patricia.

…

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