Chapter 5 FINAL VISIT

DANIELLE'S POV

We boarded a cab to my home and got there in no time stopping right in front of the dilapidated cottage. David looked at the familiar house with a sigh. It's been a long while since he saw it. Memories of how he would come here every evening to visit me flashed through my mind. My parents were really strict about him seeing me and for that reason a brawl would always ensue right at the same door we were about to enter. He sighed and looked at me as I adjusted my travel bag over my shoulders. He certainly didn't look confident about seeing my parents before leaving. He looked at me deeply, probably wondering what was giving me the vibe that everything would go well. I glanced at him with an elegant smile and he smiled back. "I wonder what is going on in that beautiful mind of yours." He muttered.

"What?" I asked, gazing at him with wonder. He chuckled.

" You are so beautiful. "

I batted my eyelids uncontrollably and looked away feeling my face heat up. He chuckled. "Thank you." I muttered, getting a little shy and bit my lip.

I glanced at the front door. "Aren't we going in?" I asked.

The smile on his face died. He sighed. " Danielle. " He called me. I stopped in my tracks and turned to him..

"Yeah."

He rubbed his temples and blew a deep breath of nervousness. " Do you really think this is a good idea? Bringing me here? "

I looked at him and sighed. 'So that's why he's bothered? ' I thought.

I walked slowly to him and placed my hands on his shoulders. "Hey. I know what you are thinking but I just feel you need to do this. I want to prove to them that you are not as bad as they claim okay. You coming to see them off before we leave is a good sign that even if they don't care about you, you remember them and you will definitely come back for them once everything is settled."

He smiled gazing at me and chuckled. He shook his head. "Danielle....." He muttered. "You sure know how to make a man do your bidding. "

I laughed. We walked up to the door with David taking deep sharp breaths. I squeezed his hand. "Don't worry. It's gonna be alright." I said and knocked on the door.

As usual, the door squeaked and opened on its own accord. I looked at him jokingly and he chuckled.

I pushed the door open to see dad snoring slightly on a sofa totally deep into the slumber. I turned back to David and signaled for him to take it easy so as not to make noise. And like a flash, I looked back to see dad seated upon the sofa glaring at me in a what-are-you-planning manner.

I gulped, completely taken aback by the shock it gave me and laughed. "Dad. You scared me."

He examined me looking clueless about what I said. "I did?" He asked.

I chuckled. "Yeah you did. " I said and walked up to him pulling him into a deep hug. "How are you this morning?" I asked examining him.

He chuckled and looked up and just like a flash, the huge smile on his face died.

I heard David gulp and cleared his throat. Just exactly the reaction I expected. He grinned. "Good day sir."

Dad didn't reply to his greeting. He turned to me as I sat beside him sighing deeply. "What is he doing here Danielle?" He asked.

I looked at him. " He's here to greet you and mom before our departure, dad." I replied.

He examined me like I was crazy. He suddenly chuckled and with a flash, his smile faded, replaced with a more menacing glare.

"How many times have I warned you not to ever bring him here?"

I grew frustrated. " Dad. What is it about him that is getting you all worked up anyway?"

Mom stepped out of the room and stopped when she saw David. She glared at him.

David cleared his throat. "Uhm... I think I'll rather wait outside Danielle. " He said and walked out of the door briskly without looking back for once.

I sighed deeply, already getting exasperated with my parents' attitude. I took a deep breath trying to calm down my nerves.

"So..." Mom began gazing at me. "What are you here for? Lost the passport already? "

I looked at dad. 'I think you have overstayed your welcome Danielle. ' I heard my mind say.

"Dad, mom. I came to inform you that I'll be traveling today and just like I said earlier, I'll come back for you all. "

Mom scoffed with disbelief. " Hopefully so. Maybe we will all be dead by the time you return empty handed." She said,

I bit my lip. This woman...

I stood. "No need to waste extra time here. I'll....."

"Are you gonna leave without saying goodbye? " Nora's voice echoed behind me, making my throbbing nerves calm down a bit. I took a deep breath and turned to see sad looking Nora who looked like she had been weeping for ages. I felt my heart fall. If only there was a way to take her along. This girl before me has always been my joy and pride. The only important being apart from my boyfriend that made life sweet and meaningful for me. I walked up to her and wrapped her up in a deep hug patting her back. She fought back the tears threatening to spill out of her eyes..

"Believe me Nora." I began whispering into her ears. " This year won't end without me making sure you are right beside me over there working things out as sisters. "

Nora chuckled softly with a shaky voice. " You promise?"

I nodded. "Yes. I do. It won't be long."

I was so determined. If not for anything, I should do it for my little sister who is still finding it hard to get accepted in any school.

I patted her head playfully. "What do you think about studying in a prestigious high school in Nova? "

Nora chuckled. " You will really do that? "

I smiled and nodded. " Believe me. You are the first thing on my mind."

I turned to look back at my parents. " And you both are second in my mind. If only you will be willing to admit my success mom. "