THE CAFÉ CONFRONTATION

It was a bright and sunny morning, but nothing felt bright within me. I sat in the driver's seat while clutching my steering wheel tightly. Right in front of The Garden Terrace, I could clearly see both workers and people trooping in and out of the café. I was barely seeing them as I was lost in thought due to recent incidents. I could barely sleep. I kept reminiscing about my conversation with Liam. I couldn't get it out of my head, but today wasn't just about him.

It was about her.

Ava.

A thorn in my flesh and a bone tightly stuck in my throat.

I took a glance in the mirror. I was a shadow of my old self. I did light makeup, but my eyes betrayed me. I looked lost, unsure, and frustrated. Taking a deep breath, I decided to take a big step towards discovering and unveiling the truth. I took a long stride into the café.

I was greeted with the scent of freshly made coffee, the gentle hum of conversations among people, the serenity that just makes one feel at peace. I felt alive for a moment, but wait... I came here for a serious conversation. My mind should not drift away from it. My palms felt sweaty and the sound of the ticking clock was louder than usual(at least to me) and it was like it mocked my anxiety with each tick. I sat at a corner booth,away from the bustles of customers and ordered water.

What was I even doing here? Am I doing the right thing?

These and many other thoughts clouded my mind. I just wanted the truth—honest and clear. Even though it would tear me apart, I wanted clarity. My heart yearned for something I could firmly hold onto to make decisions—not just for me but for my slowly crumbling marriage. I think that was my drive and main reason I’m here. I kept reassuring myself.

Then I saw her.

The room fell into a hush as the doors creaked open, exposing a lady. She walked in, her heels clicking slowly with the tiled floor. Her hips moved in a slow, intentional sway—sashaying to match the faint background music. Heads turned, conversations paused mid-sentence, mouths watered, and people's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. There was something about Ava, not just her beauty and curves. It was her aura. She wore confidence tightly like her second skin. Her chin was raised, and squared shoulders matched the shimmering fabric of her clothes. Her fabric shone brightly under the lights,matching the lightening of the place as if it was specially designed for her alone,hugging her frame so tightly and doing justice to the curves. Her presence wasn't boastful but was undeniably magnetic.She walked into the room,with her eyes slowly scanning the room until they landed on me.

She smirked.

‘Sophia,’ she called out, her voice sounding like velvet dipped in poison. 'I almost had a second thought about this meeting but felt you deserved something,' she said. I didn't say anything. I watched her slide into her seat, cross her legs, and sit confidently with her eyes secretly scanning to see my reactions. 'You can make your order,' I told her. She ordered a cup of iced Americano. 'I'm not here for drama,' I quietly told her. 'I just want to learn the truth about everything.' 'The truth?' she asked, then chuckled in mockery. 'That's a funny word coming from a woman who has lived all her life in lies.' 'Did Liam know about the pregnancy?' I clenched my jaw and tried hiding my tightly clenched fist in a bid to subside my anger. 'Honestly, he didn't know, which was totally his fault. He cut me off. You think he gave me a chance to tell him anything?' she replied sharply, her sharp but fierce gaze at me as if I was the cause of everything. 'Why did you decide to tell himafter he got married?”

“Because it wasn't convenient “ she said with a hint of venom oozing out from her words. “I felt there was no need until you tightly clung unto what was mine.”

She leaned in closely, staring deeply as if she was trying to look deep into my soul “Oh! So you thought Liam was yours?” You were just a safe choice. He loved me first.

I banged my fist on the table while leaning close to her “but he married me because he obviously loves me now.”

She chuckled dryly. “Now I am back-with his child. That changes everything.”

“You haven't answered my question yet. Is the child Liam's?”

She went silent,for just a second. But it was long enough for me to notice.

“I already ran a test”. The results are out. What more do you need?” she quietly asked while trying to hide the flicker of panic.

“I want to know the truth,” I replied firmly “not this staged play.”

She smirked and said “you sound scared,Sophia”

“I’m angry,” I corrected.“and irritated.”

There was an awkward silence. Ava took a long sip from her drink.

“You don't have a child with him and I guess that's what really bothers you, isn't it?” “And that the woman that has long been forgotten gave him what you couldn't “

I blinked repeatedly to prevent my tears from falling.”Children don't hold marriages. Love does. Respect does. Honesty does. Loyalty does,which we both have and these have kept us going all these years. It's obvious you don't have them.”

She leaned in, with her lips curled in a mocking smile. “You are really giving this your best shot, and I can see it. But let's just conclude that this game is over, and I won.”

I went silent for a minute. “We shall see. The truth will soon be out, and you'll see how alone you are.”

She said, “Let's wait and see then.”

I stood up while picking up my sunglasses and bag. I paid our bills on my way out. As soon as I turned to leave, my legs felt heavy, and I tried my best not to let my tears fall.

Sunlight flooded my eyes as soon as I set my feet outside. I slowly walked towards my car. I opened the door and hurriedly sat down. I burst into tears while thinking of my conversation with Ava and my present predicament. I asked God for grace to come out of this victorious while also expressing my helplessness. I made a firm decision to remain strong and get to the bottom of this. I took a sip from the water I had in my car and sighed heavily. The air felt light, but I felt lighter. Ava isn't just someone from the past,she was a raging fire that has come to take everything she loved.

As I pondered on all these,I thought if Liam can't find any faults in these,then maybe,just maybe,it is not worth fighting for.