Chapter 14: Chapter 14
"Mama, tell us honestly who is your most favorite?" Lorenzo said while pouting.
"I already told you I'm mama's most favorite" Cara said while playfully smirking at Lorenzo who glared at her. Adriana looked at her children and shook her head in amusement. Suddenly Nora came and hugged her from behind.
"I'm always your favourite baby, right Mama? Nora said and came in front of her mother. Adriana smiled at her daughter and wrapped her arms around her. She smiled at her.
"See I already told you guys that mama loves me more." Nora said while sticking her tongue out at her siblings who were scowling at their mother in annoyance.
"You all are equal to me. Now come and eat."
Adriana said while her children laughed. They all sat on their chairs for lunch.
"Where is Zanvil?" Adriana said looking at Nora.
"He is coming." She said and started eating her food.
Meanwhile Zanvil came down and sat beside Nora. He looked at her but she was busy eating.
"Can't you guys stay two days more?" Lorenzo said while pouting.
"I'm sorry Lorenzo but I have some important work pending. I promise we will visit again soon." He said with assurance. Lorenzo nodded.
"When are you leaving?" Adriana asked while serving.
"The day after tomorrow." Zanvil said and She nodded. Nora was silent. She didn't want to go back to New York but she knew Zanvil wouldn't listen to her. So she didn't say anything nor look at him.
"Mama, I want to go to the orphanage one last time before I leave Italy." Nora said softly while eating. Adriana nodded but didn't say anything. She realised the tension between the couple but didn't comment anything.
"Nora, How about we all go together and then go to the beach? It would be fun." Cara suggested in an excited tone. Before Nora could say anything Zanvil cut her off.
"That's a good idea. We could go and buy a few gifts for the children first." Zanvil said with a smile and looked at Nora for her opinion. Nora didn't say anything.
"Oh yeah. That would be really fun. What does Nora say?" Lorenzo asked her sister hopefully. Nora smiled at him which didn't reach her eyes.
"Yeah, it's a good idea." Nora nodded and said in a small voice.
"Okay then let's finish the breakfast first then head out." Adriana said and everyone nodded.
After breakfast everyone got ready. Nora changed into a blue knee length summer dress and tied her hair in a side braid. She didn't do much makeup, just the basics. Zanvil also got changed into a grey tee shirt and blue ripped jeans.
Nora didn't look at him and instead came out of the room. Zanvil sighed. He knew she was angry with him. He also knew she didn't want to leave Italy yet. But he couldn't leave her. He would go crazy if he did that.
"How are you Nora? How is the baby?" Mother Clarissa asked as soon as she met Nora. Nora smiled warmly at her. Nora had got out of the car as soon as they reached the orphanage. She didn't wait for others to join her.
"I'm good and the baby is also good.How are you Clarissa?" Nora asked her in a soft yet clear voice.
"I'm also good. The children miss you. They have been asking about you for a few days now." Mother Clarissa said. Nora smiled sadly.
"I have been really busy recently so I couldn't visit them. I'm going back to New York the day after tomorrow so I came to visit them one last time before I go. I don't know when will be the next time I come to visit." Nora said. She smiled tightly at mother Clarissa.
"Oh my dear! Don't worry everything will be okay. Keep faith in God." Mother Clarissa said in a soothing voice. Nora nodded.
"Let's go inside and meet the children. They would be really happy to meet you." Mother Clarissa said smiling.
"Wait, my husband and family also came. They must be coming." Nora said and turned around. She found others coming towards them. Enzo and Cara came running.
Nora introduced Zanvil to mother Clarissa. She didn't need to introduce her siblings since mother Clarissa already knew them.
They all went inside and met the children. They were really happy to meet Nora. Nora came to visit this orphanage from her teenage years.
They distributed the foods and gifts among the children.
Zanvil watched his wife as she laughed and played with children. She looked so happy and carefree just like before. He smiled when a little girl came and dragged him near Nora. Nora saw him and smiled. Zanvil felt his heart move with her smile. He smiled back and joined her.
Nora was walking on the beach as Zanvil held her hands. He had their hands entwined. She didn't try to pull away. She decided to enjoy good moments till they lasted.
Cara and Lorenzo were playing with the water. It would have been better if Adriana also joined them. But she couldn't as she accompanied Patrick to somewhere.
Nora stopped walking and looked at the sunset. The sun had reached beyond the horizon. Suddenly she felt Zanvil hugging her from the behind. Her heart started to beat faster. But she didn't react. She kept mum and kept looking at the sun. A comfortable silence graced around them.
Zanvil rested his chin on her head and wrapped his hands around her waist while sniffing her hair. It smelt good. He felt Nora placing her hands above him as she looked at sunset.
"Are you upset that we are going back?" Zanvil asked while still hugging her.
"Does it matter?" Came her simple yet heavy reply.
"Yes. It does. I promise we will move to Italy in a few years. Please don't be upset. It's not good for the baby " Zanvil said in a soft yet firm voice. Nora took a sharp intake of a breath. She didn't know what to say. Did he realise what he said? He wanted to move on with her in Italy? Why did it sound so weird to her ears?
Unable to say anything she just nodded and let herself enjoy his embrace.
It was evening . They came back a few hours ago from the beach. Everyone was inside while Nora was seated on the swing in the garden. Suddenly someone came and sat beside her. When she looked up she saw it was her father. She smiled at him and tried to get up but her father held her wrist and said the most shocking thing Nora could ever imagine..