Chapter 121

Zayden

  There on the notice board was my name written in bold. I could not hold back my joy. I'm now a freeman. I can finally go back home and be with my wife.

I'll make it to Laura's first one-year birthday.

Unfortunately, my roommate didn't make it, and he didn't seem bothered about it.

" Congratulations, man, your efforts have finally paid off. I'm going to miss you a little." He spoke patting my shoulders.

I was still in disbelief, my chest was heaving up and down. I can't wait to surprise Lillian. She would probably break down in tears once I told her the news.

We were taken back to our cells and ordered to pack our stuff which was nothing much.

The next morning, my release papers were being finalised, and I was told that it would take three days for everything to be processed.

The wait was worth it, and while I waited, I shaved my beards off, and I bid my cellmates goodbye. Most of them were jealous while others were happy for me.

I was put under surveillance on the day of my release. Two state security was to monitor all my movements and activities for a period of three months before I would finally be granted my freedom without being kept on surveillance.

They were to follow me at a distance wherever I went and put me on watch just in case I did something stupid like destroy public property.

I was okay with that as long as I got to go home.

We were in a van, and I was being taken to the address I gave one of the state security guards...I was finally going home.

The ride was long and filled with anticipation. It was like I was seeing nature and the road for the first time.

It had been so long that I had forgotten what flowers, trees and grasses looked like. There were no plants in prison so looking at them now felt like a lost memory.

We rode through the main city and it only increased my adrenaline rush. I stared at the cars that sped past us, I hadn't driven my Mustang in a long time. I haven't seen this many people bustling around in a very long time.

Prison is not a place for just anyone. It can make you forget just what reality looks like. How fresh the air smells and how hot the sun rays feel on your skin.

The atmosphere in prison was thick and contaminated; the sun there felt like a fireball.

It was wonderful to finally be able to move around freely after such a long time.

Finally, I arrived at the mansion. I stepped out of the van in black jeans and black sleeves. My eyes swept over the house and lawn and a smile crept on my face.

It's just like I remembered it, it was even looking better. The house had a woman's touch, that said woman being Lillian.

She was in the house or that sweet aroma wouldn't be all over the place. Plus, the windows were open, and I could hear low music playing in the background.

I walked over to the door and rang the bell, the surveillance officer right behind me.

For a few days, he would stay at least 3 feet close to me, which meant that he would be living in my house, and when he was convinced that I wouldn't cause any trouble, he would start monitoring me from afar without interrupting my personal life until the time frame is up.

I rang the bell again and soon I heard rushed footsteps.

My blood thrummed, my palms were beginning to feel sweaty.

Gods! I felt like a high school boy trying to muster the courage to confess to his crush.

The door opened swiftly, and the most beautiful woman I had ever set my eyes on appeared, a napkin in her hand.

She stilled as she looked at me as if she thought it was a dream.

Her lips quivered, and she took a step backwards." What..."

A small smile appeared on my lips. I so much want to hug her so tightly right now but I'll give her some time to take it in.

" I'm home," I told her, my voice low.

Tears slipped down her cheeks as she stared at me still unmoving. Her eyes went to the man in uniform behind me, a confused expression on my face.

" Is this real? Or am I daydreaming again?"

I chuckled." It's nice to know you daydream about me all the time."

She reached her finger forward slowly and poked my cheek, checking to see if I'd disappear any second. I grabbed her hand in mine.

" I'm home, Lilly, this time for real."

She shook her head, still in disbelief." How...how's this possible?"

I placed a kiss on her knuckles, pulling her in for a tight hug." I got parole...I got selected this year."

She sobbed uncontrollably." Tell me I'm not dreaming, please. Tell me this is real"

He hugged her tighter, pressing my face on the crook of her neck." I'm home, Lilly; we can finally be together."

I released her from the hug and she wiped her face with the sleeve before turning to face the officer that stood quietly behind me.

" He dropped you off ?"

I shook my head." This is Jack from the surveillance team, and for the meantime, I would be placed under watch till they think I'm good enough to be back into society."

She mouthed an 'oh' and then faced the officer again." I assure you, Mr jack, that my husband would cause no trouble. In fact, he would be of best behaviour; I'll put him under a leash; I promise you that."

Jack only chuckled, offering his hand for a handshake. " No need to worry ma'am. He will be granted his freedom completely only if he behaves."

Lillian thanked him, and we finally moved into the house. Jack refused to stay despite Lillian insisting, and he rented a motel a few blocks from our home.

It felt so surreal to be finally back at home with Lillian; it was like I was in a new place. Our bedroom remained the same with my clothes still kept neat and intact.

Lillian got a bit mad that I didn't tell her about the parole." You waited till the last moment before telling me about it?" She still had tears dripping down her face and cheeks.

" I was worried that I'd only get your hopes up and then cause you another round of pain. I wanted to be sure I'll make it first." I explained to her.

She buried her face in her palms, sobbing softly again." I just ....cannot believe that we can finally be together."

I ran My fingers through her hair." I won't miss our daughter's birthday for anything."

We went to bed that night, planning Laura's birthday and trying to catch up on all that I had missed out on.