“Good day!” As she entered the sitting room, Lara grinned.
“Welcome.” Tony replied, but he didn't smile back.
“How are you doing? She squatted beside him, hoping she hadn't stayed too long.
“Fine,” he said, averting his gaze.
“Are you all right?” Lara noticed his troubled expression.
“I'm fine.”
Lara stood there for a few moments, unsure if his bad attitude was due to her, or if anything had gone wrong.
She tried again, "I heard your parents came alongside my mother while I was out..."
“Yes.”
“How did they get here? What did they say, exactly?” she enquired.
“Nothing…
They just wanted to say hello!” Tony was still averting his gaze from her.
“It's not true!” said Lara. Lara was well aware that he was lying. Tony bit the inside of his bottom lip.
She pleaded with him, touching his arm, to tell her what had occurred.
He yelled out, "Your mother wants this marriage terminated."
She let out a low laugh. “Is that why you're irritable?”
“Yes...she swore at me...
Even my parents were subjected to a barrage of insults!” The words appear to be coming from between his teeth.
Lara stroked her temples...
Her mother was a nightmare to deal with.
“Don't worry about her! Okay?” She tried to maintain a calm demeanor.
“Lara… It's only that... I, uh, don't. I don't want you to abandon me; you're the only thing I have right now... please…” He pressed his palms into hers.
She reassured him, "I'm not leaving."
Their eyes met for what seemed like an eternity until Lara averted her sight.
“Give me a minute to grab you something to eat; how about some fish pepper soup?” I went to the water's edge and got some fresh fish...” She made an attempt to be cheery.
“I'm salivating just thinking about it.” Tony stroked his stomach with his hand.
“Now you're coming into the kitchen with me...” Lara chuckled as she pushed him into the kitchen.