Labels: novel
"Caleb is fencing in the yard," said the maid, once she allowed Naqi to enter the house.
Naqi followed the maid down the hall to the same living room in which he'd met Eloise two weeks ago. It felt like it was ages since.
The maid stepped into the room and announced his arrival.
"Mr. Naqi!"
Naqi turned with alarm at the figure of Clarice, Eloise's charming sister, who was seated nicely on a wooden chair. He was quite uncertain why he was so shocked to see Clarice, since she would obviously be home at this hour. But in fact, he had only pictured Eloise on the way over.
"Clarice, it has been a while," Naqi said, smiling, "Too long."
"Indeed it has, take a seat and have a drink. I have the finest tea in town," she offered.
Naqi shivered. He absolutely detested the beverage.
"He dislikes tea," came Eloise's voice. She descended the stairs quietly. Caleb followed behind her, a smirk on his face.
"Nice to see you, Naqi. Eloise confessed to me how much she misses you." Caleb grinned.
Eloise turned to her brother with a piercing glare, "One more word, brother. Just one more," she threatened.
She faced Naqi, her cheeks flustered, "I didn't say anything to him!"
"An arrow through the heart," Naqi replied, his hand on his chest.
Eloise resisted a smile.
"She is inconceivable, i assure you." Caleb said.
"Caleb!" Eloise screamed. "Quite an astonishing characteristic for a young lady, i might add."
Naqi choked on his drink.
"No arguments there," he muttered, cleaning the spilt tea with a handkerchief.
Clarice chuckled, clearly amused by the whole scenario.
Everyone stayed silent.
"Caleb, i would like to have an audience with you." Naqi broke the awkward moment. "In private."
Caleb proceeded to the door and stepped into the house library. Naqi bid his farewells to the ladies and joined him soon after.
Caleb turned his gaze towards the window before taking a seat across the table. "I imagine you know why i'm here." Naqi said. Caleb's hands moved to support his chin, "I'd like you to state your intentions evidently, to save us the humiliation from certain upsets."
Naqi groaned, he knew it would not turn out as easy as he expected. In his mind, he pictured Caleb man-handling him before throwing him out of the window.
"I would like to date your sister," he spilled the words.
"Clarice... is already attached to someone, i'm sorry to say.""Not her..." he closed his eyes, surely bewildered by the man's obliviousness, "Eloise. I meant, Eloise."
Several things occured at great speed, Naqi barely noticed.
For one, Caleb let out a long, joyful sigh. An unexpected gesture. His lips seemed to part too, and if Naqi was a good observer, he could have sworn he heard him saying, "Finally." Not to mention his eyes gazing upward, scanning the ceiling for some sort of sign.
And just when Naqi thought things couldn't get any peculiar, Caleb rose to his feet, banging the table with his bare hands.
"What took you so damn long?" he blurted out, "I heard you were a smooth charmer. Serves me right for heeding uncanny rumours, i suppose."
"Err...." Naqi said, unable to digest the sudden turn of events.
Caleb handed Naqi a glass, "Cheers. Welcome to the family," he took his own glass in his hands and gulped the drink in one sip.
"A splendid day, it is." Caleb spoke aloud. "Without a doubt," Naqi guzzled his drink in a flash.
"If you hurt her, i will hunt you." Caleb looked sharply at him.
Naqi choked on his drink, yet again.
"You care for her, as her brother. I respect that." Naqi recovered. "Certainly. It's what i do best."
"Now, is there anything else you wish to mention to me?"
Naqi quirked a brow. Did he wish to tell him of his prehistoric relationship? He certainly wouldn't like to, not to Caleb. Not to a man with an intimidating figure, and a loving brother. Well, at least not before he told Eloise.
"No. Nothing of significance."
Caleb seemed to stare at the ground, deep in thought. "I trust you, we've known each other for six years now. I know you'll make her happy."
"I will," Naqi implored, with a sounding conviction.
It was a wonderful day after all, Naqi thought. Brilliant.