She was the night sky,
They were the twinkling stars of the night sky.
She was the poetess,
They were her poems.
She licked the fire and danced in ashes,
They were the fire and the ashes.
She survived chaos that is how she grew,
They thrived in chao...
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Valerio sat on the couch, the comforting weight of the cigar in his hand offering a brief respite from the turmoil brewing within him. Each slow inhale filled his senses with the familiar aroma, a temporary escape from the weight of his thoughts.
"I didn't expect you to still smoke, my boy." Isla's voice cut through the haze; her disdain was palpable. After all, an apple doesn't fall far from its tree. Valerio's grandfather had the same habit, so how could he not have it?
"It is a guilty pleasure, aunt," Valerio replied evenly, his words tinged with a hint of defiance. "One I enjoy on occasion and when I'm tense, and I am sure you understand why I am tense right now." Valerio met her gaze with a calm defiance, unwilling to let go of this small indulgence that brought him solace. His aunt's disapproval lingered in the air like a heavy cloud, a silent reminder of the expectations he constantly struggled to meet.
The arrival of Ernesto shifted the dynamic in the room; his presence was a welcome distraction from the tension that hung in the air. Valerio extinguished the cigar.
As they shared a hug, the weight of unspoken worries lifted from Valerio's shoulders, replaced by the unspoken bond that only siblings shared.
As they settled into their seats, the arrival of the maids offered a brief respite from the tension, with their silent offering of refreshments ranging from mince pies to jaffa cakes and, of course, the famous English milk tea. A welcome distraction from the weight of their conversation.
Aunt Isla clamps her hands together and, with a determined tone that left no room for evasion, says, "I believe it is time we talked," as the maids leave. Isla's gaze bore into Ernesto's with silent intensity, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them. Ernesto's foot tapped nervously against the floor, a telltale sign of his inner turmoil.
Valerio's eyes scrutinized the movements of both his aunt and brother, indicating that something was amiss. Valerio's senses sharpened as he braced himself for whatever revelation was about to unfold.
Isla's voice cut through the tense silence. "I do not think I will have to start from the beginning," she began, her words laced with an urgency that demanded attention. "We both know Ernesto stayed here for something 'urgent'—let's say it was not urgent; it was more of a gravely significant situation—"
As the words 'gravely significant' left Isla's mouth, a glare was directed at Ernesto, Ernesto remained composed. Despite the palpable tension in the room, Valerio remained silent, his expression a mask of stoic composure. His hand absentmindedly rubbed his forehead.
"To encapsulate the narrative concisely," Isla began, her voice measured yet heavy with significance, "there is a girl at my institution, and Ernesto here doubted that she was your sister." Valerio's hand froze in midair. His mind raced to connect the dots, his eyes locking with his aunt's as realization dawned on him.
Without pause, Isla revealed, "And Ernesto discovered your mother's locket, passed down through generations, which was added as evidence. So, we conducted a DNA test." With a solemn gesture, she produced her phone and displayed the results to Valerio.
