BETWEEN LIES AND LOVE

EPISODE 2

Three months earlier,

Vivian was sitting alone under the sprawling branches of the magnificent tree in front of her father’s compound. For the first time in several months, she felt a rush of unexpected liberty—a lightness in her chest that felt almost like freedom and happiness. The morning sun filtered through the dry leaves, casting playful shadows on her innocent-looking face. She slightly closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the gentle sway of the morning breeze. For a while, it felt as if the world had paused only for her, offering a fleeting escape from the storm of her usual reality.

She twirled a lock of her hair between her fingers, her mind wandering to far places and about untold stories. In her sanctuary beneath the tree, she allowed herself to dream of love and relationship—an improbable romance, full of the tenderness she’d only heard about in hushed moonlight tales. In this daydream, she felt someone daringly close to her, their presence warm and comforting, a love that held no secrets or shadows.

But even in this imagined world, reality clung to her like a shadow. Her father’s compound was no stranger to whispers and tension. The broken dreams and unfulfilled expectations that hung over her family weighed on her heart. Vivian had spent so long being the dutiful daughter, the peacemaker, that she barely recognized this version of herself—a girl daring to hope for more.

Just as she felt herself slipping deeper into the comfort of her thoughts, her elder sister Anita’s voice pierced through the quiet like a sudden clap of thunder.

"Vivian! Vivian!! Vivian!!!" Anita's voice rang out, sharp and insistent, cutting through the peaceful morning like a blade. Startled, Vivian blinked, her daydreams dissolving into the warm air as she turned to see her sister striding toward her, eyebrows knitted with worry and a touch of annoyance.

“Where is your mind, Vivian?” Anita demanded; hands planted firmly on her hips. “What are you thinking about? Oh! So, does that mean you’ve started having a boyfriend, right?”

The word “boyfriend” sent a shiver through Vivian’s heart. She had often imagined what it might be like to fall in love with a man, to have someone hold her so close and tight, whispering sweet words and melodies that made the world feel safe, conducive and exciting all at once. But that was just a fantasy—an indulgence that felt so distant and impossible in the reality of their small, tightly-knit rural community.

“No, Anita,” Vivian replied hurriedly with a blink of her eyes, dismissing the idea with a nervous laugh. “I’m just... enjoying the early morning breeze.”

Anita stepped closer, her expression softening, though the worry didn’t leave her eyes. “Vivian, be very careful. All that glitters is not gold,” she said, her voice dropping to a lower, gentle and more serious tone. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you as an elder sister. Not everything is as it seems, and I don’t want you to make a mistake you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”

There was a protective edge to Anita’s words, a fierce mix of concern and true love that tugged at Vivian’s heart. She knew Anita meant well for her, but sometimes it felt like she was being wrapped in cotton wool, shielded from a world she was desperate to explore. She feels like the protection is too much and she deserves her own freedom in this world.

Vivian shrugged, trying to shake off the heaviness creeping into her chest. "I'm fine, sister, really," she insisted, though an element of doubt crossed her mind. She loved Anita dearly, but there were moments—like now—when her sister's constant vigilance and protection felt suffocating, as if she were still a child who needed to be watched over and warned at every turn.

Anita paused for a moment longer, her eyes searching Vivian’s face, as if looking for some hidden truth. Then, with a sigh, she turned and began walking back toward the house. Vivian watched her go, feeling a mix of affection and frustration.

As her sister disappeared inside the house, Vivian leaned back against the old mighty tree and let out a deep sigh, the branches above whispering softly in the breeze. Was it wrong to dream of something more—something that felt so far out of reach? Was it wrong to imagine herself swept up in a love story of her own, a story that didn’t begin and end within the confines of her family’s compound?

For a moment, doubt crept in, whispering that perhaps Anita was right, that her dreams were just childish fantasies. But then another thought pushed its way forward, stronger and more insistent: What if she was meant for something more? What if there was a world beyond this one, waiting for her to step out and claim it?

A swift breeze stirred the leaves, breaking the surrounding stillness. Vivian closed her eyes, letting the gentle rustle lull her back into her thoughts. For now, she just wanted to enjoy this moment, to hold on to her dreams of love and adventure, no matter how far off they seemed.

"Come, sister! Let me ask you a question!" Vivian called out, her voice light and playful as she watched Anita retreating back toward the house after the advice.

Anita turned, her expression a mix of curiosity and slight irritation. "What is it now, Vivian?" she sighed, folding her arms across her chest.

Vivian leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Sister, have you ever felt your heart beat faster at the thought of someone—felt that warmth, that tenderness when you remember the person?"

Anita's eyebrows shot up, and a faint, reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "Love and care?" she echoed; her tone indifferent. “If I were you, my dear sister,” she replied, her voice firm, “I’d channel all that energy into learning how to read and write, into getting the best result in school, instead of filling your head with unnecessary illusions.”

Her words were blunt, almost harsh, but then her tone softened, though it still carried a firm conviction. “Education is the best legacy you can have my sister. Once you’re truly committed to it, you won’t have time for all this distraction. A boyfriend should be the last thing on your mind right now.” She paused to let her words settle, her gaze steady on Vivian. “When the time is right, you'll surely know. But until then, focus on your studies and the future ahead. That’s where your priority should be.”

Vivian’s smile faltered, her sister’s words settling over her like a heavy blanket. "But... what’s wrong with dreaming about love?" she asked, her voice quieter now, tinged with vulnerability. "Isn’t it something beautiful, to be in love?"

Anita’s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression shifting to one of pragmatic concern. “Beautiful or not, dreams don’t pay the bills, Viv. You need to be more practical. Life isn’t just about love and fantasies.” There was a sharpness in her voice, a sense of responsibility that Vivian both admired and felt stifled by.

"But I want to experience this life, too!" Vivian protested, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “What if I miss out on all the amazing fantasies and goodies while I’m buried and too serious about books?”

Anita sighed, shaking her head with a resolute expression. “You won’t miss anything if you focus on your education and excel. Trust me, Vivian, this world is full of distractions, and it’s easy to get trapped in them. I’ve seen it happen before, and I know what it means to get distracted with worldly things.”

Vivian opened her mouth to protest, but Anita continued, a hint of pain creeping into her voice. “Remember our Cousin Clara? She was always dreaming of love, too. And where did it get her? She abandoned her studies, chased after some fantasy, and now…” Anita trailed off, her expression tightening. "Now she’s stuck, with no real options, regretting all the chances she threw away over the years."

Vivian slightly bit her lip, feeling a mix of defiance and doubt. She knew Anita was right about Clara, but she also felt an ache in her chest, a longing that didn’t want to be silenced. "But we’re not Clara," she murmured, almost to herself. "I just… I want to believe there’s more than just books and caution."

Anita turned to leave, but her steps were slower now, less certain. "I know, Viv," she said softly. "I just don’t want you to get hurt. Sometimes, being careful is the only way to protect what really matters." Her voice softened, revealing a rare glimpse of the fear she kept hidden. "But do as you will… Just don’t forget what I’ve said."

As Anita walked away, the weight of her words hung in the air like a thick fog. Vivian watched her sister's retreating figure, torn between the dreams that called to her and the practicality that held her back. She leaned against the old tree, sighing deeply, her heart caught between the safety of caution and the thrill of the unknown.

Vivian watched Anita retreat into the house, feeling a familiar mix of admiration and annoyance. Her sister’s practicality often felt like a cold splash of water on the fragile flames of her dreams. But deep down in her heart, beneath the layers of frustration, she knew Anita’s intentions came from a place of true love and care for a younger sister.

With a sigh, Vivian leaned back against the sturdy trunk of the tree, her thoughts swirling in a storm of longing and frustration. Was it such a crime to dream of love and still focus on her future? Couldn’t she crave a love that made her heart race while also pursuing her own ambitions?

The morning sun continued its gentle ascent, warming her skin and casting a soft, golden glow over everything in its path. Vivian paused for a moment, closing her eyes and allowing the sunlight to seep into her soul, feeling it’s comforting embrace. For a brief moment, everything felt right—the world was quiet, and there was a peace that settled in her heart, as if the day held infinite possibilities.

But as Anita’s footsteps grew fainter and eventually disappeared into the house, the calmness began to wane. The breeze, which had felt warm moments before, now seemed to carry away the remnants of her cheerfulness. The weight of her sister's words lingered in the air, pressing down on her like an invisible hand.

Determined, she closed her eyes slightly again, not in surrender, but in scanning and contemplation. She allowed herself to slip back into her thoughts of love and fantasies—imagining a world where she could be swept up in a grand adventure, where her heart could soar with possibilities and hope, yet remain grounded in her goals. Her dreams felt like a secret garden, a place where she could be free to explore who she truly was, away from the pressures of practicality and expectation from her family.

Vivian knew that reality was always waiting, hovering on the horizon like a stern schoolteacher. But for now, she decided to hold on to the magic of her fantasies a little longer, to let them fill her with hope and wonder. She would find a way to keep that sense of magic alive while preparing herself for whatever lay ahead. There had to be a way to embrace both, to carve out her own path that didn’t just follow someone else's rules.