"Is my sorry not enough, Orla?" His voice suddenly became so gentle. "Orla, I said sorry and I will do that again if you want me." He closed the distance between them and took her hand in his. Fanning her skin with his breath, he looked into her eyes. "Orla, I don't want to hurt you anymore. Let's make things right."
"I," she wavered when he pressed a soft kiss to her neck. She had longed for him as much as he did her. "You will change your mind about me and treat me like shit." She said after she was relaxed from the effect his touch left on her.
That was her fear and she was glad she voiced it out. The small voice that was bugging her died down immediately after she said those words.
She looked at Callan, she wanted him. She did, and pushing him away when he wanted her too wasn't a nice idea but what if it was short-lived? Then it wouldn't be bad to taste what it feels like to be loved, even though it's for a short time.
"You have hurt me so much, Callan." She looked at him.
"I have been an asshole. I have always been one, I am built to be one but I want to change all that for you if you'd let me, Orla. I don't know too much about these things, but I am certain of the fact that I want to treat you right. Just let me, please." He pulled her closer and melted her chest by placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "We can do this if you allow me."
"You've never wanted me. So, what changed now?" She asked, still relishing his sweet scent and the warmth his hug generated.
"You might be too forward to think that I don't want you, Orla." He let go of her and looked into her eyes. "What if I have wanted you for a long time, but didn't admit to that fact until now?" He smiled, melting her heart again.
"I don't believe that. You made it clear that you will never desire me." She gave his chest a light hit and he caught her hands, caressing her fingers.
"We can start all over again, do you want that?" He looked at her.
She took a long minute to think about her life. She had no one around to be with and no matter what happened to her, Callan was still the only one she could call hers in the whole world. She bore his name, she was married to him and tolerated him more than she had ever done to anyone.
"Betty is dead." She responded, short of words to say to him, but she wanted to give him a chance.
"I got you a new cat, but you didn't want her." He said sadly.
"It's not easy replacing Betty. Getting a new cat a few days after her death felt like a betrayal. I was mad you wanted me to betray my best friend." Orla pressed her lips together, still in Callan's arms. "I couldn't do that to her, she was the best to me."
"I had no idea. I am so sorry about that." He smiled.
“Have you ever owned a pet?” She quizzed, her fingers moving around her buttons. The look on his face didn’t imply a positive response and even before he gave a reply, she knew it was a no. So, she said, "I know you've never. Maybe that's why you don't know much about them. They are largely connected to humans who possess them, they share a special bond and that's why it's so difficult to easily let go. Betty was with me for twelve years of my life, she was my confider and best friend. She meant the universe to me, I didn't plan to lose her, but maybe she got injured when your mom threw her off her legs that day." She pressed her lips together, avoiding Callan's eyes. "She hurt Betty."
"Orla." His eyes burned into hers, the flames slow and gentle, igniting his soul with renewed hope. "I wasn't there, but I know my mom wouldn't have intentionally hurt Betty. She values pets because she used to keep one too before she died. But enough of Betty anyway."
He understood she was deviating from the topic of discussion.
"Why?" She sounded mad.
"How about you let someone else replace her, a real human this time and not an animal."
"No human was willing to replace her when I needed one the most." She shook her head, still looking at Callan.
"Orla." He took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. "I may not have been the best man to you, but I want to change all that now. I have seen you, how you are. You are my wife and I can't change that, I chose you and I should be responsible for you."
"Callan…"
He shushed her. “I don't want you to push me away anymore. Just a chance is all I seek. One chance to experience this journey with you, in the best way possible."
She almost succumbed. She knew couldn't fight it anymore. "I have never been in this kind of a relationship."
"We are both new to this, Orla." He smiled, gently holding her, "But if you let me, we can make the best out of it. I have been a terrible man. Forgive my ignorance and let us start all over again."
"It's hard to let go, but I don't want to fight it. How am I sure that you won't hurt me?"
"Orla. I won't hurt you. I don't make promises, but I promise you that I won't hurt you." His words were real, he meant them all and he hoped that she believed him. "Do you agree with this newness?" When she didn't give him a response, he let go of her hand and smiled again. "You don't have to give me a response now. I won't rush you. I have been terrible to you and you might want to take your time to think about it. I will let you think about it, Orla."
Orla nodded her head, short of words. She wondered what had happened to her husband. He was never that nice to her.
"I think I should take a bath." Orla tossed her hands, shaking her head. "A bath now, please."
"You have the house to yourself."
He attempted to lead her to the bathroom, but she deterred him.
"Alone please." She commanded. She needed time to think. "I will go alone."
"As you will have it." He paved the way for her to walk through. "Your meal awaits you after the bath."
Orla hurried out of the living room, heading into the room. When Orla was out of sight, Callan shoved his hand into his pocket and dug out his phone.
After dialling his mother's number, he pressed the phone to his ear and said. "Mom, what did you do to Orla?" The smile Orla brought had faded, and his eyes simmered with fury and hatred. "I think we have to put a halt to this disrespect. Henceforth, you are not allowed to disrespect my wife, Mom."
"Callan?" Elizabeth sounded surprised, but Callan was unperturbed by whatever she felt.
"Yes, mom. I have said it once and I don't have to repeat my words. I will see you soon. Goodbye, Mother." He abruptly ended the call and threw the phone on the couch.
He collapsed on the couch, his mind on what meal to prepare for his wife.
-
A lulling languor infused Orla immediately after she finished taking a bath.
Her feet suddenly stiffened causing difficulties to her mobility. She managed to haul herself to the bedside and flopped on top with the towel still draped around her chest.
She was peckish, but her eyes were barely opened. She rested her head on one of the many pillows arranged on the king-sized bed.
The bed was cozy and the bedsheets, silky, inclining her to stoop to its mastery. Slowly, her eyes began to shut until they eventually closed and she drifted into a deep slumber.
When Orla didn't show up after a while, Callan decided to check on her. He got inside and found her peacefully sleeping on the bed.
Ambling closer to where she lay, he grabbed the duvet and flattened it over her body. He then proceeded to watch her for a few minutes before retreating to the kitchen.
He was still cooking, hoping that she'd wake up before he was done. Cooking was not a problem for him, but he had little to no time to spend in the kitchen. The last time he cooked was two months before he married Orla.
That night, his food order had been delayed beyond unforeseen circumstances and he was starving to the point of losing strength.
He had to prepare something for himself. That was the last time. He never planned to cook this soon, but he couldn't say no now when that was what Orla asked for, to forgive him.