37. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Alisha
A couple of hours later, I was back home. Well, my temporary home. I really liked Felix’s aunt, she made me feel very welcome and I could see why Felix adored her. She was stinking rich, very obvious once I saw her house, but she didn’t let that affect the way she treated people. She was humble about it and did a lot for the community, which was the right thing to do if you had a lot of money. Invest in people and help others who need it.
“Thank you so much for helping Felix. I can see he’s a changed man.” Brenna had told me before we left and it warmed my heart, as to be honest it was Felix that had changed me. For the better. My world was a lot brighter since he crashed into it.
Felix was resting his head on my lap and I was playing with his hair, massaging my fingers into his scalp. He was going to stay the night and on the way here, had grabbed some extra clothes and snacks.
“Tell me what you were like as a kid.” Felix lifted his head from my lap after some time, his eyes a little hazy as he had almost fallen asleep. I stretched my legs out in front of me, not wanting to get pins and needles.
“Quiet and reserved. I loved hiding in the library and reading. My sister would often join me to keep me company.” I replied, resting my head back against the bed frame. I didn’t have a lot of friends but it didn’t bother me. Quality over quantity any day.
“That’s cute.” Felix was creeping closer to me on all fours, which was starting to turn me on. He placed both his hands on either side of me. I was trapped but I liked it.
“What about you? Any funny stories to tell?” My breath hitched as his left hand crept up my inner thigh.
“I had about three close friends. During our lunch breaks, we’d go to the computer room and play games. Could say we were total nerds. After school, we lost touch and didn’t reconnect. Suppose that’s just how it is.” Felix said, pausing his current finger teasing. I could already tell my knickers were getting wet. One look at Felix and I could also see he wanted it too. We didn’t need to exchange words to communicate this.
“Yeah, I didn’t really keep in contact with people either,” I said. It didn’t affect me because I had one amazing best friend who showed up for me all the time. And now Mira was a good friend too. I hoped it would stay that way.
“And Ophelia? What’s her story?” It was sweet he wanted to know more, it showed he was genuinely interested.
“She’s from Greece. Parents are divorced, she doesn’t like to be tied down to anyone. She’s great to work with, has the most genuine heart ever.” I gushed about my friend, I always wanted to speak highly of her as she was a literal queen.
“I like her. You can tell she is kind-hearted. Mira also likes her, it’s been a while since my sister has found a good friend. I’m glad we all met.” Felix was positioned a few centimetres away from me now and all he had to do was seal the deal with a kiss. I would surrender to him, I always would.
“Me too. Imagine if I hadn’t come here.”
“I don’t want to imagine. I can’t imagine a life without knowing you. Being able to touch you. Hearing a sigh escape from your lips as I kiss your neck.” Felix’s words mirrored his actions and he was right as a sigh released from me when he planted a kiss on my neck.
“Keep going,” I murmured, closing my eyes as it became more passionate. But just as we were getting started, my phone rang and I mentally cursed. However, when I picked it up, I could see it was my mum and it would be best to answer rather than decline it.
“Sorry Felix, it’s my mum. I have to take this otherwise, she worries,” I said and Felix waved his hand at me, signalling that it was alright.
“Hello!” I greeted my mum as she appeared on screen. She looked like she was at the park as I could see people walking behind her and children playing football. Dad wasn’t with her, probably on some conference call as he was a businessman.
“Hello, meri khubsurat beti. 1 ” Mum always loved to compliment her children, but the real beauty was her, I would make sure I would remind her of this.
“Are you at the park?” I asked a question that was obvious and my mum nodded, angling the screen so I could see the outfit she was wearing. She looked like she was going on a run, wearing a sports bra and matching shorts with Adidas trainers. Mum liked to do her exercise at least twice a week, healthy body, healthy mind as she’d always say. It also helped her own mental health.
“My limbs were getting a bit stiff so I needed to do something about it. Plus, it’s a beautiful evening. The sun will set soon, so I won’t be out for long. How was your day?” Mum asked, pausing her walk to really look at me. I wasn’t sure if she could tell I had company. But I wasn’t quite ready to tell her yet. I knew she’d be nosy and start asking questions. I didn’t want Felix to feel awkward. My mum always meant well but she could be pushy.
“Quite productive. I haven’t yet explored the markets though so that’s next on the list. I want to buy you and Dad something.” I said, eyeing up Felix, who was scrolling on his phone.
“Bring us back some cookbooks or something useful. You know how we are, things we can use more than once.” Mum had always been particular about gifts, she didn’t mind food as it was quick to consume but anything like jewellery or knick knacks, she wasn’t really into it. She didn’t like clutter, as she called it, lying around the house.
“Sure. Is Dad working then?”
“Yes, hard as ever. But we’ve booked a restaurant for tonight, it’s been a while since your father and I had a date night. We want to keep the magic alive in our old age.” Mum chuckled, starting to walk again. I assumed back to home as she was walking in the opposite direction.
“You’re not old, Maa,” I told her. At fifty-two, she looked amazing and had a great attitude to life. She had a few wrinkles here and there, her hair had some strands of grey in it but she’d always be the same, warm mother who raised me. She had retired a little early from work, about a year ago as she wanted to focus on herself and her family. She had been a full-time teacher since the age of twenty-three, which was impressive as just two years later, she gave birth to Zane. Dad was twenty-four and did all he could to support his little family with the help of his parents.
We all went to the same secondary school that she worked at which in a way was a good and bad thing. She was keen and involved in our education but she couldn’t be biased when it came to school results and other things.
“I feel it these days, priya 2 . Well, I won’t keep you. You look tired, I hope you are getting enough sleep. Stop stressing and have fun.” Mum scolded. I definitely was having fun, more than she thought but I wouldn’t get into that over the phone. My mum was quite traditional. She’d waited until she was married before having sex. She’d had that talk with me when I was younger but said that it was my decision if I met the right person. I had given my virginity away to Caden, a part of me I’d never get back.
But now, I needed to look to the future. I felt that I had a deep connection with Felix. And not just sexual. It felt real and raw. I felt exposed, but I didn’t care. I wanted Felix to see all those parts of me and maybe to fall in love with them too. I wanted to be adored and already he was giving me more than I could ask for.
“I’m getting enough sleep, don’t worry. Hope you and Dad have a good meal. Love you.” I blew a kiss to my mum who copied. I missed her more than I was letting on and Dad too.
“Love you, too,” Mum said sincerely, her eyes sparkling and her smile wide. We hung up after saying goodbye and I turned my attention to Felix who was looking at a photo he had taken of us last night. We both looked carefree, with toothy grins and arms around one another. We looked like a dream couple, one that had been together for years, albeit a few days.
“Sorry about that.” I locked my phone and placed it back on the bedside table.
“No need to be sorry. She sounded happy to talk to you.” Felix said.
“Yeah, she always likes to hear from us. I think she misses working but it was the right decision for her. Dad is supportive and they have plenty of savings to keep them afloat. I think it’s easier since we’ve all grown up now.” Talking about my family felt easy with Felix and he seemed to be listening as for the next half hour, he asked questions about each of my siblings, what their hobbies were and funny stories with them as a kid.
I told him about one of my favourites, which was when Zane, Kiya and I had set up a prank on Aadi, which involved shaving cream and lots of tears of laughter. So much that my little sister had wet her pants. We didn’t let her live it down but Kiya had some dirt on us too.
“I’ve had one of the best days, Alisha,” Felix said as we settled down for the evening, a bowl of chocolate raisins in front of us. We’d decided to order a takeaway, Margherita pizza with some garlic bread and chips. To quench our thirst, we each had a glass of Sprite and ice.
“Me too.” This is the kind of life I’d be happy with and I wanted more days of this but I knew time was ticking by and there wasn’t much I could do about it.
“I want more of this. I don’t know if I can let you go, Alisha,” Felix stated, his face was serious.
“I don’t want you to either. I like things the way they are.” I snuggled into him as I had finished my slice of pizza and now I wanted Felix cuddles.
“I’m not going to hold you back though, it would be selfish of me,” Felix said. Of course he wouldn’t and I didn’t want to hold him back either. I wanted him to pursue the career he aspired for.
“We’ll make this work. What about you? Are you definitely going to give your resignation in?”
“Absolutely. And I’m going to talk to the Ski School tomorrow during your lesson. I think I want to give this teaching thing a go,” Felix mumbled into my hair, I could just about hear him and I was pleased with this information.
“That’s amazing. And what about your mum? When do you want to meet her?” I didn’t want to bring the topic up again, but we had to decide on a date.
“I spoke to my aunt earlier and she’s going to suggest a time and a place. We just turn up and see if my mother does too. If she doesn’t, then I’ll know that it’s not worth it.” Felix shrugged and it ached my heart because what mother wouldn’t want to see their child after twenty-odd years? I imagined she wanted to apologise and make amends but that was up to Felix if he wanted to accept and have her in his life. Either way, he’d be strong and loved by everyone around him.
“I think you’re incredible. Please don’t forget that,” I told Felix, he was pretty damn special to me. I would be the person to remind him every day.
“You make me incredible. I am nothing without you now, Alisha.” This sentence sparked a fire within me and all I desired now was to hold Felix close and feel his heart beating against mine.
Two hearts beating as one.
1. My beautiful daughter.
2. Sweetheart.