54 Telling her the truth

Miss Gladys still looked struck after receiving the call. Clara waved her hand across her mother's face and asked.

''Mom, who was that with Ayah?''

''Clara, that was Jasper Miles''

''Huh? But, that was Ayah's phone, right?''

''Yes, but, it was Mr. Miles who spoke. He said Ayah is sleeping at his place tonight. When did their relationship progress to this state and I didn't know about it?''

''Really? Wow. That man just gets better every time'' Clara clapped her hands together.

''Clara, even though I'm happy that our Ayah knows someone like him and he might just be the one who got me promoted; I am worried for Ayah. What if he hurts her? No, is he interested in Ayah? But, Ayah is just a small kid?''

''What is there to worry about, mother? That man obviously likes my cousin''

''But, Ayah is still young. She is just 18years. Won't people say I'm giving her to rich men because her parents are dead? No, I have to talk to Ayah when she returns. Mr. Miles is too old for her''

''Mom, you're overreacting. See it this way, they're just friends for now. That man likes Ayah but he is a responsible man and he wouldn't do anything funny to her. Also, who are we talking about? Ayah is very smart; she can tell when she is danger. So, let her handle her affairs. She respects you and wouldn't do anything to tarnish your image''

''You're right''

…..

Inayah walked out of the kitchen holding a large glass bowl of frozen ice cream. She sat across Jasper and without saying to him, she started to eat.

''Are you angry with me?'' Jasper looked at her curious. He found her actions adorable.

''Me? When? The last time I checked, I didn't have the right to be angry even though I was left in the rain to die by a certain someone''

''You must be really angry with me?''

''Who am I to be angry with you?''

''Definitely angry with me'' Jasper concluded.

Inayah hit the spoon against the bowl and asked angrily, ''are you testing my patience?''

''You should calm down first. We have a lot to talk about. Eat slowly, you might choke''

''Why should I eat slowly?'' Inayah muttered and made noise as she smacked her lips together and licked her lower up slowly.

''Can you act like a lady?'' Jasper felt distracted by her actions.

''No, I can't. Am I a lady in your eyes? Don't put me on a high pedestal, I might just disappoint you''

''Okay, enough of the tantrums. You have your ice cream; can we talk now?''

''How about we start with an apology?'' Inayah asked and placed the bowl on the table and looked up to meet his gaze. ''You tried to kill me; for whatever reason, I am yet to find out. Don't you think I need to know the reason why you did that to me?'' her voice choked.

''You won't let me off that easily, right?'' Jasper asked. He could see the stubbornness clearly in her eyes. He somewhat got stirred by it.

''Yes. I am not going to let you off that easily''

''I'm sorry''

Butler James who was coming out to inform him about dinner immediately. To say he was shocked was the least. In all his time that he had served Jasper, this was probably the first time he was hearing an apology from him and that to because of a woman. He quietly exited the kitchen leaving the food in the kitchen.

Inayah looked at him and asked, 'are you sincerely sorry?''

''Yes. I am sincere, Inayah'' Jasper said as he looked at her. It shocked him, that he was actually apologising to her. But, he wasn't angry. Instead, he felt that it was worth it. He really shouldn't have done what he did to her. he regretted his actions a little too late.

''I'm listening. Your explanation; I'm ready to listen. At the hospital, you said I met someone I shouldn't have met. What did you mean by that?'' Inayah asked and took the bowl from the table. she fetched the ice cream into her mouth.

''Lilian Osori. She is my ex-girlfriend'' Jasper said and the bowl along with the spoon fell from Inayah's hands. Her hands quivered and she looked up to meet his gaze.

…..

Inayah stood in front of the glass window. She watched the pouring rain as the words of Jasper echoed in her mind.

''I was flustered to know that you two knew each other. I thought you entered my life for a reason. Noah is my nephew and Lilian my ex, two of which you're involved with. I was angry and scared. I couldn't think straight. I don't want you to hate me'

The ringing of the phone on the bed brought her back to her senses. Inayah turned to the bed and picked the phone. She saw the caller ID and hesitated before answering the call.

''Hello, pretty sister''

''Inayah, are you alright? I had a lot of work that's why I couldn't see you again'' Lilian said over the phone.

''It's alright. Can we meet tomorrow?''

''Tomorrow? You want us to meet?''

''Yes, there is something I need to ask you''

''You sound serious''

''Yes, is very important. Let's meet tomorrow''

''Okay. Call me after school, I will pick you up''

''Alright, bye'' Inayah hung up and muttered, ''I must get to the bottom of this mess I put myself into''

Inayah sighed and sat on the bed.

...

In the bedroom next door, Jasper was also laying on the bed. He wasn't sleeping. A lot of thoughts were going through his mind. for the first time in his life, he was actually scared of losing someone. He was afraid that he would lose Inayah and she would come to hate him.

He was living a life with no care in the world. He focused only on himself, but since they met. He found himself wanting to spend more time alone with her. He loved to watch her and listen to all the silly talks. Even if they were fighting, he still wanted it. Because she was still closer to him.

But, now he didn't know anything. He was unsure of himself and of what Inayah thought about him. After telling her the truth, she simply stood up and went into the guestroom without saying anything to him.

Will she leave him and never want to see him again? he had such thoughts.

…..

LILAC CAFÉ.

Inayah stood outside the café looking inside at Lilian who was already seated at their usual table. The last time they were there, she had bought the table and made them to inscribe their names on the table. Apart from either one of them, no one else was allowed to sit on the table.

Pushing the door open, Inayah entered inside. Her hands clenched unto her handbag tightly as she walked towards the table.

''Hi. Pretty sister'' she said and Lilian turned to her with her signature smile that made it difficult for Inayah to hate her.

''Hi, Inayah. How are you feeling?'' Lilian asked and stretched her hand to touch her forehead.

''I'm good. I hope I didn't disrupt your work?''