A LOVE THAT WAITED

FIVE YEARS LATER

Like always I was back home for the holidays, I couldn't make it for Christmas but I made sure I made time to be around for new year.

Over the years I gave myself into series of activities to keep myself occupied.

Work never stopped for me, that was the rule I decided to live by to help keep things quiet in my head. The city helped with that, long hours and big deals. Brick by brick I built my Empire and occupied myself leaving no space for distractions.

I was halfway through my emails when my room door opened without warning.

"Guess what happened" Liam said walking in with so much excitement in his voice.

"How many times do I have to tell you to knock before entering" I said with a frown on my face.

"C'mon lossen up you're not at work you're home now" he said sitting on my bed.

"What do you want" I said ignoring his statement and returning to my emails.

"She's back" he said.

I paused for a second before glancing at him then back at my laptop screen.

"Who" I asked even though at the back of my mind I knew who he was talking about.

He would never be this excited to announce the return of a female of it isn't her. She was literally his best friend.

"I know you know who I'm talking about" he said with a smirk on his lips.

I stopped what I was doing and stared at him still acting like I was clueless, silently wishing that it's someone else.

"It's Nia, she came over to the library today and she looked different" he said trying to get more comfortable on my bed.

"Didn't expect that" I said leaning back in my chair and folding my hands.

"I know right I couldn't believe my eyes at first but she's actually back after so long" he said.

I nodded once.

Five good years of holidays had come and gone without her. Birthdays, festivals, Christmas, seasons of celebrations, I had stopped wondering when she'll return and fill up the space she left.

"You're acting like you don't care" he said watching me closely. I hated when he looks at me like that he tends to rea how I truly feel no matter how much I try to pull a hard surface.

"I don't" I shrugged.

"I know you do, you're just acting like you don't because you know you still have feelings for her" he said with a bored look on his face.

"People change Liam and feelings do as well" I said standing up and walking towards my window watching the way kids played in the snow under the lights that decorated the streets.

"If you say so" he said.

"Any other thing" I asked turning towards him.

"Are you still going to visit Mrs Marlow now that she's around" he asked

"I would love to but I'm occupied with work" I said trying to look for every excuse not to go to her house

"No matter how busy you are you always make time to see Mrs Marlow, you're just trying to avoid her" he said.

"I said I'm busy, if I can find time I'll go" I said walking towards my desk to sit in my chair.

"Fine" he raised his hands up in the air like he has given up.

"Can you leave my room now" I asked turning my laptop back on.

"Not yet, will you be helping with organising for the new year celebration" he asked.

I stared at my laptop for some seconds before giving him a reply.

"No"

"But you always help every year" he paused "or is this you trying your best to avoid Nia" he said.

My chest tightened in a way I ignored.

"No I'm busy and can you stop bringing her up" I said.

"Eli there is no way you are going to completely ignore her existence except you plan on staying indoors throughout your stay" he looked agitated.

"I can and I will, now leave my room if you're done" I said resuming my work.

"One way or the other you're gonna have to talk to her if you really want the closure you need" he said quietly.

My fingers hovered over my keyboard as I thought of what he said.

"Get out" I muttered giving him a hard look.

"Whatever man" he said standing up from the bed.

He left, closing the door softly behind him.

I can't believe she's back in the same town, walking the same street and breathing the same air.

After she left I leaned how to be cold, it was easier than being angry. Easier than admitting that her absence carved something out of me I never replaced. I buried myself in with and let success become my personality.

Liam was right I can't avoid her forever and I definitely needed to get the closure I deserve because no matter how indifferent I acted one truth stayed buried beneath it all.

I learned how to live without her but I never learnt how to stop wanting her.