Chapter 237 - Two Hundred And Thirty-seven: That Face (2/2)

Different indeed.

The previous pale green wallpaper had been changed to ivory coupled with cyan professionally while my bed was new and moved to another corner of the room.

”Niklaus, don't tell me you're still starving -”

”Amanda, you worry too much,” I said to her, placing a hand on her shoulder, ”I just need rest that's all,” After Maya's death, it was no secret that I lost all  appetite for food

”Fine then, if you say so” She left after hugging me.

I fell back on my bed with a sigh, this room felt empty, cold yet faintly familiar. I could tell that space, where that book shelf was standing was where my previous bed had once been; the bed Maya and I had been intimate a lot of times.

I must have been tired because I fell asleep faster than I thought and to top it all, a peaceful sleep. I believed that sleeping in this bed would bring back painful memories that would assault me in my sleep but the reverse was the case. Had I finally managed to get over the guilt of so many years?

By the time I was done eating the meal that was forced on me by Amanda, I decided to go and visit Maya. It had been seven years since I last visited, hence had to pay my respect.

So I got to my car and drove to the columbarium where her ashes were stored.

”Hey,” I spoke to her picture in the niche of the columbarium walls, ”It's been so long since I visited and that's why I'm here today to pay my respect and also to announce something,” A lump formed in my throat as I watched her picture; she was smiling.

”I'm getting married,”

I paused as if waiting for some divine power to tell me that she had heard me before I continued.

”I'm not here to ask for your permission but to inform you, just so you know. If you're pissed at me after this, you can keep torturing me in my dreams. I'll take that as your answer,”

I turned to leave, yeah, I didn't come here to reminisce about the past - that made it harder to move on. Yes, Niklaus, stop dwelling on what happened and move on already, Maya's dead.

But I hardly took a step forward, when I retraced my steps and screamed into the picture, ”If you're so pissed about me getting married and possibly forgetting about you in the future, then come out and stop me! Stop me from getting married, Maya!”

I knew challenging an ash to become human again and come smack me in the face on my wedding day was ridiculous but the outburst made me feel good.

”This is stupid” I wiped my face with my palms and strode out of the place. By the time I had walked out of the cathedral entirely, a call came in.

”You're an unfaithful fellow,” was Pablo's first word to me, ”You returned and didn't even bother to tell me?”

Oh right, I forgot to announce that Pablo had been a good encourager to me during those years of pain, and from there on, we became quite close; closer than brothers.

”I'm sorry about that, I would have called but things get a bit busy over here,” I apologized.

”Fine. Now get your ass over here” He said with a tone that indicated there would be no refusal.

”Where?”

The next hour I found myself ambling through a club and you should see my face. I was trying to get this live-for-tonight-die-tomorrow lifestyle behind me, not revitalize one.

But this particular club was different from the local ones where sweaty bodies are crammed and cheap perfumes nauseating the stomach.

Aside from the big dance floor, prompt and friendly service, and luxurious interiors, the club had strict filtering of their clientele. However, there was still the presence of barely clad women and the Dj playing the ever-familiar elective dance music blasting through the speakers. Dim colored lighting placed throughout the club provided a sexual experience.

It wasn't hard to find Pablo who was leaning against the balustrade, watching the music from upstairs with a cocktail in hand. He gestured to me by lifting his drink and I made my way up the banister.

”You don't look bad,” Pablo said and we exchanged greetings by giving each other a manly hug.

”You're not left out too,” I complimented him just as he took a flute from a passing waiter, presenting it to me.

”You know I'm trying to put this life behind me,” I reluctantly accepted the drink with a grimace.

”Just unwind tonight, Niklaus. You're home after a long time,” He patted my shoulder as I chugged down the whole drink. Well, it had been quite a long time, it wouldn't hurt to lose myself a bit.

Ahh, Pablo's a bad influence.

I ended up drinking and drinking until I couldn't differentiate my right from my left. In that barely sober state, I stood watching the dance floor from that distance when my eyes fell on a figure dancing wildly in the middle of the dance floor.

Even with the dim light and my intoxicated state, there was no way I could not recognize that face.

”Maya,”