05

“Do you have to go, Riley?” Nana asked as I pushed the last box into the truck.

Her face has been down since the day I told her that I had made up my mind to leave the countryside. “I can help you set up another business here, and we will make it together.” She added.

It isn’t just that, and she knows it. There is more to what we say. I opened my arms widely, letting her fall into my embrace. “I wish I could stay back, Nana. I wish.” I uttered, my eyes tearing up.

Staying here when I had nowhere to go or someone to turn to was a good thing. I learned a lot of things, but life doesn’t come as easy as we always thought it would. “I will make sure to call you every day after work and then come and see you every month,” I promised.

If it was up to me, Nana should be in the car with me. It feels heavy leaving her behind. Before the twins came, our life was better, and Brian was there to shoulder all my needs and help me around the cafe.

But after that, everything changed. I couldn’t depend on Brian when he also has a life to return to. Nana didn’t have much to get me back on my feet, no matter how much she had claimed to have the means to help me.

“Thank you, Nana. Thank you so much.” I let the tears fall from my eyes. Nana had been the only person here for me. My mother left me for years, and she couldn’t even care to know how her daughter was pulling.

I kissed Nana’s forehead before letting go of her, and I jumped into the truck. Brian revved the car into life while the kids waved at their Nana. They would surely miss her.

“Shall we?” Brian asked, a smile on his face.

He also doesn’t want me to go but has no choice. “Yes.” I sniffed, putting on my seatbelt.

The kids jumped in their seats, and it was their first time leaving the countryside and, perhaps, ready to see what the other side of the world had stored for them. “Or do you want to drive?” Brian offered.

I would have loved to if only I could bring myself to. The last time I drove, well, let’s say that I had forced myself to forget about it as it hold no significance in my life anymore. “Of course not.”

“You have to get out of your shelf. You are moving to turn, and you are bound to run into them; don’t let the past ruin you again.”

I rolled my eyes. “You should be a therapist or motivational speaker at this rate. And no, I won’t let them ruin my life again.” I answered.

I have planned everything in my head. Just a little act and everything would fall into place. “I hope that you won’t.” He prayed.

I have also prayed for so, at least before we meet. It is going to be a long time. The company that I have been hired in is on the other end of the country, where I would hardly get to run into any one of them.

Then again, I am sure that I won’t run into them when I move back into my old home. Yes, I have contacted the realtor and asked if it was possible to get back the house.

I had come to realize that it was a foolish thing to let go of the last thing that my father had left for me. “Mummy, are you taking us to see Daddy?” Alex asked. He is the first of the twins.

I shared a look with Brian. That is also something that I don’t even know. I don’t know who their father is, and I don’t have enough money to run a DNA test. Let’s not even talk about how stressful it would be.

But a part of me knows that it belongs to Noah, and the last thing I would let him do is get away with them after I had been the only one in their lives. “I told you I am your father.” Brian sang, coming to my rescue.

My palms became sweaty, and I only wanted this ride to end. One day, I have to find out who their father is because at least the kids deserve to know. “Uncle Brian, you are not my father.” Austin jumped in.

Brian’s hand went straight to his chest, acting as if he was hurt. “That is…” He stopped trying to find the right words.

“Brutal, Austin. Who taught you how to speak back like that?”

If it wasn’t Nana, then it was him. There is no in-between, no one to blame but them. “But I would have been your father if your mother was ready to give me a chance.” He whispered, then winked at me.

My heart fluttered at that, hating myself for never giving Brian a chance. The day I found out that I was pregnant, I told myself that love wouldn’t be my portion again.

I will dedicate my life to making more money and keeping the twins happy. They deserved to be satisfied, even without knowing who their father was. “Okay, enough.” I clapped my hands.

“It is time to sleep. We have a long way to go.” I told them.

They pouted before falling back onto their seats. Alex sank back, closing his eyes. I sure do know that they were sleepy after reaching midnight with their Nana and Brian.

At least, now I don’t have to worry about anyone keeping them awake until such time. “Now that you have put them to sleep, let’s talk about reality.” Brian dropped.

Half an hour into our journey, the twins are fast asleep. “Don’t be like my Nana, Brian,” I whined.

“I have always been like her. You just failed to notice, but really, I don’t want you hurting again.” He mumbled.

I also wouldn’t leave myself to get hurt again. “You know what, if I could get a chance to go back in time and change the past, then I would have picked you as my life partner.”