Niall's POV
There are no words to express how happy I am now that I am reunited with my mother. I hugged tightly, the scent of fertilizer on her clothes seeps on my nose but I didn't care. I just want to savor every single second of this moment. I am definitely crying a river here, how much I miss my mum.
"Niall?" she took off her hand woven, brown gardening hat and looked very surprised at me. She was startled that someone hugged her. Her face is filled with happiness, the same feeling that I am having. The mini shovel that she was holding dropped in an instant. She reciprocated the intensity of my hug. Then, she pulled away and wiped off the tears that are streaming in my face. "Why are you crying, Niall?"
That smile. No matter how old my memory was, that smile never vanished at the corner of my mind. It was still very clear to me.
"Mum, I'm home." I gave her one bigger hug.
She instantly looked confused when she saw the luggage behind me. "What is that?"
I turned around. "My luggage."
"And why are you carrying a luggage?" She crossed her arms, looking at me like I did a crime that I shouldn't. No matter what I do, my mum can read every move I make.
"I'll stay here for a while." My hands ran through nervously on my semi-messy blonde hair, hoping that she wouldn't give too much meaning on what I just said. I looked down at the cemented floor.
She extended her hands and slowly lifts up my chin, meeting her gaze. She had this pity expression on her face, which made me feel even guiltier. "Are you in some kind of trouble?"
My mum really knew me inside and out. Decoding secrets is my mum's expertise. A wave of anguish spread through me. My mind tells me not to tell but my heart disagrees. I finally told her why I showed up here in Mullingar all of a sudden. The ripped shirt, the nightmare, and my torn feelings toward Liam and Zayn.
"Oh, Niall," she pinched playfully my cheeks. "You shouldn't worry about us. Your father is still busy with his butchering business and your brother is also busy fixing cars." (Author's Note: I really don't know what Greg do for a living. In this story, he is a mechanic.) "It's just that nightmare is too disturbing for me not to ignore it." My fist tightened and I felt my brows are closing in on one another. That nightmare imprinted on my mind and I don't think I can just delete it. I would if I could. I'm not really the type of person who would want to keep negativities in life. I'm a carefree guy and being pessimistic is not my forte.
"You should call them before they could notice you were gone." My mum combed my hair through her fingers. It felt good that my mum still see me as his baby. Being the youngest has its advantage. Most of the time, I could get what I want and maybe that's why Greg would always taunt me.
Feeling the warm touch of my mum made me look back to that boy who grazed his knee and cried his eyes out. If I could, I would go back in time and spend forever in that place. I'm really glad I made this decision to come back home and see them one more time.
She led me back to her home. My mum remarried after a couple of years after her and my father divorced. It was hard for me and for Greg to see them apart. There was one time that Greg would cover my ear and distract me with things so I couldn't focus on the yelling of my parents. As a child of a broken family, I couldn't help but to blame myself. Greg reminded me that neither him nor me why they separated. I still remember what he said, "some things don't just work out the way we wanted to."
She opened the mosaic-designed door, exposing the shiny wooden floor. I would assume that this house is always maintained; no speck of dust could be seen, it was spotless. There were some picture frames hanging on the wall; pictures of her and her husband, Chris. Although, my parents separated, I'm still happy that my mum a second chance at love and Chris was a perfect match for her. He treated her with such kindness, which I'm glad. This is my second family, although it's a shame that they never had kids. I wonder what would it be like if I have a younger sibling.
"Where's Chris?" I asked out of curiosity, glancing at the frames hanging on the wall.
"He's at Oxford University, giving a seminar." (Author's Note: Once again, I don't know what Niall's stepfather for a living but in this story, he's an Archeology Professor at Oxford University.)
"So you're all here by yourself, mum?" My voice broke. I have to admit, it's a little scary. Although, this is a safe neighborhood, I can't help it but to worry. My face gave away when I looked at my mum.
"I know that look. I'm perfectly fine. Besides, Rover is here." She put down her gardening hat, put it on the table near the corner. All of a sudden, I hear running footsteps and leapt toward me. I lost my balance and fell on my back. I think I shrieked. When I opened my eyes I felt wet tongue licking on my face, it was Rover. Rover was the four- year old chocolate lab of my mum and Chris. I slowly extend my arms and put the dog on my side then I got up.
"How are you Rover?" I made a high-pitched tone to excite the dog. He lets out a very strong bark, which startled me. "I'd take that as a yes."
"I'm sure you're hungry." She slowly made her way through the kitchen.
"Very." I walked towards the hallway and pass through the living room where a huge television is placed on a wooden cabinet. A perfectly good size couch was sitting in the middle of the room. The windows are slightly open, letting the wind come in. The sunshine was streaming as well on orange-colored windows.
As I was headed to the kitchen, I stopped on a picture frame hanging on the wall. It was Greg and I when we were kids; probably I was eight or nine, wearing a soccer uniform. I was really fond of playing soccer when I was a kid. I still do but not that much because of responsibilities I have now.
I was startled when my mum spoke. I didn't even realize I was staring at it for a couple of seconds. "You look good on that."
"Doubt it." I chuckled. But seeing it again made me realize that my dream for being a recording artist has a similar feeling of becoming a popular soccer player. At the end of the day, I would still chose with what I have right now. One Direction is part of my family and I would do anything to keep it alive.
Then, I heard beeping of a microwave oven. Smelling a familiar scent made my stomach growl. To think of it, I couldn't even remember the last time I ate. Was it last night? I couldn't even remember what I ate. I was too upset with what happened at the One Direction mansion.
"I heat up a Peri-Peri Chicken."
My eyes sparkled when I heard 'Peri-Peri Chicken.' Everybody knows that chicken is the most delicious chicken in the world. It was my favorite menu on Nandos. It didn't take a second before my feet shuffled on the kitchen. I didn't even bother if my mum ate already; I just dive in on the chicken. It has this shiny, crispy feeling to it. Just by looking at it made me drool even further.
"Eat slowly, Niall." She caressed my back, letting me know that it's bad table manners to eat rapidly. She would always told me when I was a young kid that eating is like praying. Slow but surely.
I tried to speak but my mouth is stuffed with this amazing chicken so I chewed the chicken thoroughly and swallowed before I responded to my mum. "Sorry." I said in a funny manner. I felt bad for doing it but at the same time I enjoyed that chicken.
"So what are you planning to do now?" I was about to take another bite but after hearing that question I kind of lost my appetite. I slowly put down the silver spoon and look at my mother's eyes. I asked myself the very same question. What do I do now? Other than spend a quality time with my family, I really don't know what to do. Of course, at some point I have to face the lads again but what should I tell them?
I gave the most fake smile I could ever make. "Just stay here for a while. I'm sure they won't notice one bit."
My mother smiled but I knew she was trying to be nice and not bombard me with questions. I knew she knew that I just want to lay low for a while. I ask her not to tell anyone especially our relatives that I'm here in Mullingar. People talk, you know. If they knew I'm here then a lot of things can happen including going to parties, which I'm trying not to do. People could spot me and pictures will be posted on the Internet. And the rest would be history. Wanting a normal, quiet life at the moment is definitely what I needed. Away from those paparazzi and annoying media people, I don't want to deal with them right now.
After having an early breakfast, my mum offered to drive me to go to my father's meat shop. At first, I told her I'd just walk and she laughed at me.
"Why is that so funny?" I asked, wondering if I said something so humorous to the point that her pale face would turn red. She was laughing hysterically.
"So sorry," she was still laughing, wiping the tears on her eyes. "Actually, your father's meat shop was relocated in the town square."
Hearing that made me even feel even guiltier. Family members should know things like this. Since, I was so busy and not bother to care to even pick up the phone and ask what the hell is going on with his family. But no, I had just to lays down on my comfortable bed on my comfortable room at the mansion.
"Since when?" I asked, trying not to sound so guilty.
"A couple of weeks ago." She said while emptying my plate and putting into the kitchen sink. She slowly turned on the faucet. A weakly splash of water pierced itself on the plate. She starts scrubbing it with a sponge with a dishwashing soap with an orange scent. I watched her while she cleaned the dishes but my mind wander somewhere else. Liam and Zayn are covering half of my thoughts. I wonder what were they doing as of this moment. I'm sure Liam is running somewhere. I think he had this obsession about his body. While, Zayn is probably sleeping like a baby on his room. He can definitely sleep anywhere and yet sleep peacefully. I envy that about him. I could never sleep in any place. I'm a light sleeper.
"You should give them a call if you're going to look like that." My mum said in a teasing manner.
"Looking like what?" My face was flustered. I can't help but to chuckle at my own stupidity. Sometimes, I forgot my mum could be a comedian as well. She would say these random things that made me laugh hysterically.
"Looking like you were thinking of someone special."
My flustered face became even more flustered. My skin tone is getting closer to a fresh tomato and my heart was beating incessantly. This feeling is always putting me into different kind of trouble. Speaking of trouble, it reminds me of Zayn.
Those two precious moments I've had with him is something that bothers me. I know I already promised him to help him with Liam but why is my heart is acting all kind of crazy when I'm close to him. I know that I have a little crush on him but when he made a move on me, why did I even think that something could and might happen? Is it because of his bad boy demeanor? Even with his bad boy façade, I've never seen him that way. He will always be this shy boy that I knew from the start. People would just assume he had a rough childhood because he doesn't talk much during interviews.
And there's Liam, the boy that I've had strong feelings since the band was formed. Every time that we're together, not in a couple together-together kind of way, I feel safe when he's around. He always make me laugh, making sure that every thing will be all right. But along those two years, I buried my affection towards him because I know for a fact that he is straight and he definitely likes girls. A guy like me won't even stand a chance on him. It still is a pipe dream for me ending up with Liam. I was really devastated when he started going out with Danielle. They are perfect match for each other. She was pretty, has nice personality, and last but not the least she has talents. She dances gracefully. That is something I could never do. Every time that she would visit Liam on the mansion, I couldn't help but feel jealous. I want to hate her but I couldn't. She showed kindness to the lads and me as well. I ended up being friends with her with my emotions locked up inside somewhere deep inside my heart.
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So that's it for now. I know there's not much action happening for the past couple of chapters. There will be once Liam arrived in Mullingar, which is coming very soon! This was supposed to be a long update but after I wrote Niall's thoughts on Zayn and Liam, I thought it would be a perfect good ending for this chapter. I hope it's okay to you, guys :)
Don't forget to vote, comment, and fan me! (^_^)V