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CHAPTER 21
Ben
A gloomy face on my son was the first thing that welcomed me as soon as I entered the house. I’d seen better welcomes, so there was surely something wrong with him.
“Hey, son.” I threw what bothered me aside and ran gently to him and squeezed him hard. “What’s wrong?” I asked. My right hand was on his back and my left trying to lift his face.
“She’s gone! Again!” He muttered. His mouth squeezed like he was struggling not to scream; he probably was.
As I sat in the dimly lit living room, the heavy silence hung between my son and me like a shroud. The air was thick with unspoken words, and I couldn’t help but feel the weight of disappointment pressing down on my chest.
My son, with his deep, soulful eyes, had always looked up to me for protection. I’d been his hero, his role model. But that day, I felt like I’d shattered that image.
We sat in silence, both lost in our thoughts, me riddled with guilt, and he with a sense of abandonment. I longed to bridge the gap, to mend what was broken. But for now, all I could do was sit beside him, sharing the heavy silence, hoping that someday I could make it up to him.
“Dad,” He broke the silence. “Will she ever return?
My heart broke even more. I didn’t know what to say. I regret letting Audrey back into his life, but I’d have to say something. “So. Whether she comes back or not, you always have me, and I’ll make sure I protect you with everything I have.”
“Thank you, Daddy!” He was consoled. I hugged him and took him to his room.
Then, went to my room heavy-hearted. The incident that met my eyes earlier that day replayed in my mind over again like a slide show. I could see them cozy like lovers; like I’d been a game for her all this time. A means to an end. Maybe she was just using me to wait for her Mr. Right.
I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt though, but I also couldn’t ignore the glaring gap between us. It wasn't just about the years that separated us; it was about the life experiences we brought to the table. I’d been through heartbreaks, successes, and failures.
I’d been foolish. Olivia deserved someone who could match her enthusiasm for life, someone, who could share in her dreams without the baggage of my past weighing us down.
At that moment, I felt a mix of relief and sadness. It was painful to let go of something that had felt so right, but it was the mature choice. “We’ll remain friends, supporting each other's endeavors, and over time, I’d learn to appreciate the beauty of our connection without the burden of unrealistic expectations,” I said to myself. It sounded real, but I knew I didn’t believe it.
I learned that sometimes, feelings alone aren't enough to sustain a relationship. Sometimes, wisdom comes in knowing when to step back, acknowledging the differences, and allowing each other to grow separately.
All these thoughts ran through my head. It was like I understood the situation perfectly. I thought it was better for her to be with the man I saw her with. She would be betteroff without me as a lover. She needed a younger person and someone who wasn’t a single father.
But why was it so hard to be happy for her? Why did every picture of her in my heart strike a nerve and send shivers of sadness down my spine? I was willing to let go of everything in my head, but my heart wouldn’t let her go.
My phone alerted me. It was a text message. I read the sender’s name. Olivia.
I need us to talk. Can we see each other tomorrow? Please?
It was an honest text, and I knew we needed to talk, too. There was so much to talk about. This included the incident of yesterday, so I knew I had to go meet with her. Part of me felt super relieved as I typed my response to her message, quickly.
Sure. I’d love to see you tomorrow too. Burger Br at noon?
I texted back, and waited till my screen light went off. She was probably not expecting a text back and slept after she sent hers. I dusted my pillow, folded it in two, and laid my head to rest.
The next dayseemed to be in our favor as it rushed like waves to the seashore. I’d settled Mike in and called Cindy over to stay with him. By few minutes past 11am, I was on my way out to Burger Bar.
The midday sun cast a warm glow over the quaint little restaurant as I waited for Olivia to arrive. A sense of anticipation mingled with the gentle hum of conversation around me. We had agreed to meet for lunch, a chance to work through our misunderstandings.
As Olivia approached, I couldn’t help but notice a hint of nervousness in her eyes. I stood to greet her, a polite smilemasking the torrent of questions swirling in my mind. The specter of that day lingered, the day I’d met her with another man in her home. A man she claimed was an unwanted suitor, a ghost from an arranged marriage that now haunted her.
We exchanged pleasantries, and as we settled into our seats, the weight of unspoken words hung between us. I decided to broach the subject, my curiosity and concern bubbling to the surface.
"Olivia," I began tentatively, "I can't pretend that our last meeting didn't leave me with questions. Questions like who the man in your house was or why I had to barge in at that time? Either way, it wasn’t nice for me to react that way. I had no right to make you feel so bad."
Olivia's eyes met mine, a mix of vulnerability and sincerity. She took a deep breath as if preparing to unravel a part of her past that had long been hidden.
"Ben, that man... he's from an arranged marriage, a commitment my father made on my behalf. I left him at the altar months ago. He's here because my father insists on giving him another chance to convince me to go through with it."
