Daniel:
Something easily accessible.??
I gasp. Siya sniggers beside me. “He has no shame at all.” I laugh, shaking my head.
I send him an eye roll emoji and throw my phone back on the bed. “Okay, so let’s do this,” I say, opening my wardrobe. “I don’t want it to be too casual, but I don’t want to overdo it either. What about this?” I hold up a soft, green, flowing dress with sunflowers all over it.
Siya raises an eyebrow and takes the dress from me, holding it up to my body. She hums softly as she looks at it, a smile spreading across her face. “You will look pretty.” She nods in approval.
“Hair is obviously your department.” I smile sheepishly. “I am going for light makeup,” I explain. She chuckles. “Oh no!” I yell. “I should take something for him, right?” My eyes widen. “I am meeting him for the first time; going empty-handed would look so wrong,” I whine. “He’s ill, so I can’t give him something harmful to his health.” I want to pull my hair out.God, why am I so tense?
“How about flowers then?” She cocks her eyebrow.
“I think I have become stupid.” I facepalm myself. “Yes, obviously, that’s perfect.” I rush to the bed and hug her. “You are a lifesaver.” She hugsme back.
I am one of those lucky people whom Siya is comfortable with. I smile. Every time she hugs me, it feels like an achievement. I really love this woman. She is very important to me.
“I am sure you’ve saved my life more times than I have yours.” She chuckles and I slap her back softly, frowning.
∞∞∞
43
DANIEL
“It’s going to be okay, I promise.” I squeeze Anya’s hand. Her shoulders are visibly stiff because of nervousness, and I want to comfort her, but I am afraid, too. I am not sure if things will go as planned. I adjust the bouquet of lavender that Anya insisted on buying. “Let’s go,” I say as the elevator pings open. The bouquet in my hand feels like an extra weight, a tangible reminder of my nerves. I take a deep breath and try to calm myself as we approach the apartment.
“I have lived here since I was eight.” I rub my nape and smile sheepishly. “So, if you find posters of Lebron James and some stupid motivational quotes, don’t make fun of me.” I glare at her playfully.
Anya smiles, a soft laugh escaping her. “I won’t. I won’t,” she promises, her hand squeezing mine.
“I am still a huge fan,” I say.
“Did you meet him then?” She raises an eyebrow.
“For a fraction of a second, yes.” I inhale deeply. “But I was too starstruck to say anything at all.” I chuckle.
“Daniel,” she whispers. I look at her. She smiles gently and raises on her toes, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I relishin the soft touch of her lips on my skin. “I am with you. I don’t know if I will be helpful, but—” I press my lips on hers and intertwine our hands.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way. I am glad you’re here with me.” I peck her nose. “You being with me is always helpful; remember that.” I smile against her lips. “I can breathe easily with you around.”
She opens her mouth to say something, but the door opens to reveal Nancy, her eyes widening in surprise as she eyes between me and Anya. Anya gasps and pulls her hand out of mine. I frown and look at her as Nancy chuckles.
“Hi, Nancy.” I smile widely. “It’s been a long time.” I fake a pout.
She hits my arm. “And whose fault is that?” She shakes her head and glares at me playfully. “Your father never complains, but you should at least visit him more, Danny.” She frowns. “Especially now. It’s only an hour drive from your university.” I feel a pang of guilt hit me all over again. It’s not like I did not want to visit him or didn’t have time to do so, but I was scared that seeing him so fragile would make me weak enough to give into all his demands.
“I am sorry,” I say apologetically. “How are you here?” I raise an eyebrow.
“I come to visit him every Saturday. I don’t want him to get lonely. Usually, I bring Mike with me, but I knew you would be visiting, so I told him to stay at home.” She smiles warmly.
“Thank you for doing that, Nancy.” I give her a side hug.
I can feel Anya’s eyes on me, and I steal a glance at her, noticing the way she’s standing a little behind me, seemingly unsure of what to do. I reach out and take her hand, pulling her closer to me.
“Anya, this is Nancy. She was my nanny.” I introduce them. “Nancy, this is Anya, my very pretty girlfriend.”
Anya’s eyes widen but she composes herself quickly,offering Nancy a weak smile. I can’t help but laugh at her reaction. She shoots me a glare that says,If Nancy weren’t here, you’d be dead.
