Aki returned to the house, taking slow steps. His hands were folded behind him, and his gaze seemed distant as he walked toward his chambers. Eki had not yet woken. Aki sat gently on his bed, clenched his fists, and rested his chin upon them. He had shut the door firmly behind him.
Meanwhile, as the cart carried Zera away from Aki's house, she leaned into Darian's chest and closed her eyes, sighing again and again. Darian stroked her arm with gentle fingers, then placed his other hand on her thigh and kissed her forehead.
Back at the shop, Yara massaged her fingertips, applying oil to her cuticles while glancing at the streets, the sun was bright and not many people were in the market that day. She paused, frowned, and leaned back in the chair. Her hand gripped the armrest before she began tapping it nervously.
"I have to talk to Asiza today," Yara muttered, rising from the chair.
As she moved toward the entrance, Egen entered the shop. His shoulders were pushed back, his eyes scanning the room. Yara glanced at him and jeered. She snatched up her purse from the corner hook and headed for the door without another word.
Egen gave her way and said nothing. When she dissappeared from the entrance, he walked straight to the counter, pulled out the sales book, and began counting stock.
"Miss, do you have an errand?" Phinehas asked Yara when he met her at the cart stage.
"Just a different matter. Egen is in the shop. I'll be back quickly," she replied, tension in her voice. In her hands was a scarf that Phinehas had seen multiple times.
Phinehas lowered his gaze to the ground as Yara stepped into the cart. "Something must be wrong. Asiza is a parasite," he muttered, then crossed the street to sit where he could keep watch on the shop, occasionally playing cards with the others.
The cart continued on to Zera's house after having branched off at Lode's office. Darian escorted her back to house exchanging light banter with her. On arrival, she stepped down and asked him to escort her inside. He took her hand and followed. The front door was locked, so after a few knocks, Walda opened it. She welcomed Zera in, but frowned at Darian the moment Zera passed by.
"Darian, please, I need your help with some things in my room," Zera said smoothly, signaling him to follow.
Walda narrowed her eyes and smirked. She locked eyes briefly with Darian, but he avoided her gaze and followed Zera.
Meanwhile, Yara arrived at the next market to meet Asiza, but at his usual stall, she was told he had gone on an errand and would return soon.
"I'll hang around for a while, then come back," she thought.
She wandered toward a nearby river shaded by a few trees. After walking for some minutes, she settled on a rock. Suddenly, the rustling of leaves reached her ears from behind.
"What is that?" Yara whispered, peering from the corner of her eyes. Her right hand slid into her pocket, pulling out a powder sachet. She slipped smoothly off the rock, crouching, her eyes darting left and right.
Then came the moaning sounds. Yara crept closer, her steps slow and deliberate. Rising carefully, she peeked around the rock.
A few meters away, a couple lay on the ground in a heated embrace. Yara froze. She ducked behind the rock and exhaled placing her palm on her chest.
"it can't be." She thought. She rose up and stood beside the rock. Her lips parted. Her eyes stinged with tears.
Asiza glanced at her and smirked, holding the woman tighter. She was middle aged, with a bob cut and smooth chocolate skin.
Yara shut her eyes and turned away, stumbling over branches as she fled. She collapsed against a large tree, sinking to her knees, gasping as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Why is it always me lord?"She asked painfully burying her head between her legs. They had dated for almost two years but little was known of Asiza.
Moments later, Asiza appeared in a flash, still fumbling with his clothes. He reached for her muttering some apologies, but she slapped his hand away.
"Who was that?" Yara demanded, rising to her feet.
"Just a fling. Nothing serious I'm done with her," Asiza said with a chuckle.
"Do you think this is a joke?" Yara asked pushing his other hand away from her.
"It was just a mistake. I am sorry. It's you that I want." Asiza argued and looked away.
"Let's find out from her then." Yara stormed back toward the rock. He followed, frowning, demanding she stop.
She ignored him, climbed the rock, and leapt down to where the woman now sat beside a picnic basket and scattered plates.
The woman jolted in surprise, retreating quickly. As she slipped, Asiza caught her by the arm.
"Nyla?" Yara gasped.
The woman wrinkled her face and looked away, curling her tongue inward.
"What are you doing here?" Nyla scoffed.
"Don't act like you didn't know I have been dating Asiza."Yara retorted and hang her hands loose.
"Why don't you let him speak for himself? " Nyla suggested.
"Whom do you love?" Yara asked Asiza.
Asiza pulled Nyla closer, locking eyes with Yara. "I love her. She is calm, soft and gentle something that I try to find in you everyday." His voice was crisp.
"After everything we've been through?" Yara turned aside, wiping her tears.
"It's obvious we want different things. But this is the woman I see a future with, for now." He looked at Nyla and smiled.
"I must rush home now. Maybe she wants some too," Nyla sneered, adjusting her dress. Asiza hugged her and kissed her on the lips.
"I'll end all of this today. Let me deal with her first," Asiza murmured, kissing her again before she turned and walked away.
For a few seconds after Nyla left, silence hung heavy in the air.
Yara had folded her arms tightly across her chest, squatting on the ground as sobs shook her body.
Asiza exhaled slowly, then turned back around, his eyes settling on Yara.
"There's no woman I love more than you," he said, stepping toward Yara, his arms open.
"I can explain, Yara. I know it's hard, but we can find common ground." He pulled her up reaching for her left hand to his waist and leaned in, kissing her lips.
"Who is she? How long have you been seeing her? " Yara demanded, pulling away. But Asiza clung tighter, whispering how much he loved her.
"She's nobody. A temptation. I don't want her anymore," he murmured, scanning the area as he held her to his chest.
"What plans do you have for me, then? What's next?" Yara asked coldly.
"I can't say yet. But I'll work something out." His hands lifted, then fell helplessly to his sides before pulling her back into an embrace.
"What's wrong with kids nowadays?" Hosea snickered, watching with his friends from a distance.
"True love's always been a lie," another replied, chuckling as he tapped Hosea's shoulder.