Am I Hallucinating? Is He Really Here?

I had a good time at Layla's place, and it was just as always. She was still asking why I did not inform anyone about my coming and I still told her I wanted it to be a surprise, then she mentioned the seashore.

"You keep insisting that you wanted to surprise everyone, but you had the chance to dive into the water again right", she said.

I was surprised as to how she managed to know about it. I stood there looking at her like a new drawing standing before me. At this point she knew I had met Nia and was waiting for me to tell her everything that happened without her asking. I told her it was an unexpected moment; it felt like a dream, and I was in the dark as well.

"It was a moment that felt like a dream, just impossible to be real", I said.

"I can't believe I still saw her silhouette even in the dark. Whether it's her or not I just could not figure it out and it kept bothering me, even as at now. I looked into her eyes even under the water, just like the same way I used to look into her eyes years back, but I later realized I have not lost an iota of hatred and anger towards her during these years and am scared it might take me forever to forget it all", I stated.

"She did not see you; you mean?", Layla asked.

I could not give her a direct answer as the memories at the shore earlier that evening begins ringing back to my head. I could still hear her calling out my name, losing herself to the fact that I am here and yet she cannot get a hold of me. The same feelings trigger my anger when I realize I still can't get her to myself despite everything I've been through to keep her alive, just for some like Ermias to hold her captive and do as he please to her. I just cannot stop thinking about it and that makes me want to bring down their empire to the ground, without showing any form of compassion.

Nia has come to Layla's house despite the warnings not to come anywhere close to the vicinity. She did not believe the answer my sister had given her earlier about me not being in town, and she is keen to find out everything by herself, whether I was truly in town or not. I doubt if she could see us through the windows but of course, coming to Layla is a mistake, she wouldn't try venturing.

Layla knew I did not come back just for the jobs at hand, but there is a definite reason for me coming back into town.

"You are going to be a rival to her husband, Jayden. You did not come here to work or be with the family, you are here to take revenge on them", she claimed.

I knew she was saying nothing but the blatant facts, yet still have to play it smart before she gets too suspicious and worries about me.

"You claim not to have an iota of hatred and anger towards her, yet you froze upon seeing her. Hate is also a feeling too. Besides, it is the closest to love as they claim. I have never seen you with a tattoo but here we are, you have one just like hers, all for her, and to what extent. Now let me ask you this, are you sure of ripping her from your heart into the ocean?", Layla continued.

As all these conversations are going on, I just sat right opposite her speechless and motionless. I begin to feel miserable thinking of the woman I have ever loved, has moved on with her new husband yet I am stuck in the past and present about her. What if she does not feel the same as I am feeling but only wanting to see me to clear her guilt. These are the questions I keep asking myself.

Nia had got closer to the main gate to Layla's house and was contemplating if she should open the doors and come inside, but before taking such a decision, she would have to think it through, having the warning given to her by Layla in mind, she would not want to worsen her situation. Already she is on the bad side of Layla and jeopardizing with the little chance she has is something she wouldn't dare to do.

There was a knock on the door. I asked Layla if she was expecting someone, and she said not at this late hour of the night. Why would someone even think of visiting her without any prior notice, but then she did not hesitate but rather went to check on who was at the door. Nia was standing in front of the door as she opens up on her.

"You again? What are you doing here?", Layla asked her angrily.

"I am really sorry, I shouldn't have come here in the first place but…", Nia said as Layla interrupted her so sharply.

"Yes, you should not be here, and I quite remember making it crystal that my doors are closed to you. That means you are not welcomed here if that is difficult for you to understand", "Layla said to her harshly.

"What has happened to you. Has it rained or you fell into the sea again", Layla continued sarcastically.

As soon as I heard her voice, I quickly took a cover behind the giant doors while I listened to their conversation. Also, I started to feel that Layla was being a bit harsh on her and it was not going on too well with me, but I had to be mute and allow her to feel the pains I had to go through all these years.

Nia was trembling so seriously that I almost came out from my hiding place to give her some warmth.

"I gathered all the courage I could find in the world to come all the way here, despite the warming and the consequences of what I was to meet here, I forgone them all to ask and ask you just one question, Layla", Nia said.

"I wouldn't want to invite you in, but you are shivering, and you might fall sick. I cannot be inhuman like anyone out there", Layla said to her.

"Indeed, it would be great if I have something hot to drink and probably change into something dry and warm", Nia said with some excitement in her voice.

I quickly rushed into one of the rooms available at the lower level of the house, as Nia took her steps into the house. She promised she wouldn't take up much of Layla's time and would try her possible best to make it snappy. I did not go to the rooms upstairs because I wanted to hear everything that they would be discussing. I am hopeful she will explain to her the reasons why she had to abandon me and rather went for Ermias.

Nia claimed to be passing by and decided to knock on her doors because the lights were on, but Layla suddenly cut her short by saying she was lying, and that they all knew she was not just passing by but rather came all the way to her place on purpose.

Nia realized there were two cups of tea seated on the table of Layla and then started to suspect my presence.

"I've seen Jayden", Nia said immediately.

"Where?", Layla exclaimed.

"Under the water", Nia replied.

"You must have had enough drink and I hunk you are drunk, Nia", Layla said to her.

Nia continued to claim a voice withing her is saying to her that Jayden is back. Layla asks what if I was really back. She said she knew Layla's place would have been the first place for me to visit even if I hadn't informed my family of my coming. Layla continued to ask what would change if I had been in town and replied that everything would have changed. She continued to tell Layla there are things she would not risk, especially her marriage. She claims to be having a hard time trying to get her life and her marriage in place. She has even forgotten the possibility that we could cross paths together. She continued by saying she does not want me to get her confused.

"So, you came all the way to this place just to tell me Jayden will ruin your marriage, isn't it?", Layla asked getting a bit furious.

"So, to you, Jayden had been waiting all these years just to ruin your marriage and that is what you are concerned about. Nia, I wonder if Jayden even remembers your name or recognizes your face. It is none of your business if he is back or not. His family is here, he can decide to come whenever he wants and that is none of your business. Stop getting ahead of yourself and stop thinking the world evolves around you", Layla said to her angrily.

"You are right. I can't handle the movement of Jayden, so I guess the problem is me", Nia said as she began to take her leave.

Layla told her she cannot control my life, but she can control hers if she wants. She reemphasized to her that nothing was going to change in our lives, and she should look forward to living her life without any problems.