Chapter 9
Toni placed her bag down with a loud thud. Everything was in their right place, just as she left them. The only thing that was different was that her things weren’t there anymore. ‘Go freshen yourself up while I get you something to eat. I’m sure you’re pretty hungry.’ Mark said as he placed Toni’s large suitcase beside the couch. He wandered off to the kitchen, leaving her standing in the hallway. Toni slowly walked towards the stairs, climbing it slowly. She traced the wooden handrail with her fingers. How much had she missed this place that used to be her home.
She went into their room… ahem… Mark’s room. Toni kept pinching herself, making a mental note that they were no longer together. She looked around, surprised at what she saw. Mark didn’t even bother moving his things into their original position before she moved in with him. It was as if she was still staying with him, only that her space and side of the room were empty. Mark’s bureau was half-filled with his things, while the empty side used to be adorned with her brush, perfume and accessories. The chestnut drawer on her side of the bed was empty at the top. Only the night lamp was left. Books and a notepad that belonged to her used to fill the empty space. She looked into the bathroom, and saw that her side of the marble sink was still empty.
Toni stood in the middle of the room, tears stinging her eyes. She felt relieved that Mark hadn’t found someone new, even if she had already left him for two months. She had been going crazy, trying to imagine who Mark could be with while she was still in the Philippines. She also felt pity for Mark, that he still couldn’t move on. He deserved someone as sweet and nice like him. Mark never deserved to be miserable. She was the only one who should’ve been feeling all the misery. She had been so stupid to ever leave him, over a foolish fear that she was having.
‘Looks weird doesn’t it?’ Mark asked, startling her. Toni turned around to see him leaning on the wooden doorframe. ‘What?’ she asked, her mind completely frazzled. ‘Well, I left it like that ‘coz I was, uh, hoping that you’d,’ he said, putting his hand over his mouth as if to muffle his words. He was about to say something more when his mobile phone rang. ‘Damn it.’ He said as he took the phone from his pocket. He quickly glanced at the display to see who it was. “Hi Helen.’ He said flatly, annoyed that he was interrupted. Then again, it could’ve been a sign for him not to ask her what he was supposed to ask. ‘Hi to you too, Mr. Grumpy!’ Helen said, making Mark laugh. ‘Sorry.’ He mumbled. ‘It’s okay… I was supposed to ask how things were going and if she’s already there but from the tone of your voice I take it that…’ ‘No, everything is fine.’ Mark interrupted. ‘Can I talk to her then?’ Helen asked. ‘Sure.’ Mark said, handing the phone to Toni.
Mark wandered over to the window, looking out at the view in front of him. The greenest grass you’ve ever seen seemed to roll on like an emerald colored carpet. Wild flowers sprung here and there, filling the grass like colorful little dots. Such beauty and serenity could touch your heart and make you cry with happiness, but Mark was too busy to take notice of the simplicity and loveliness in front of him. From the corner of his eye, he was watching Toni talk to Helen on his mobile phone. The happiness of finally having her near again was too tumultuous he had difficulty keeping it in. He was grinning like an idiot from ear to ear almost half of the time, and his heart kept beating excitedly against his chest it felt like bursting at any moment.
Mark composed himself as he saw Toni approaching him. ‘Thanks.’ She said softly, handing him the mobile phone. She sighed as she brushed a few strands of her hair away from her eyes. ‘Hey, what’s wrong?’ he asked as he suddenly placed his arm around her. ‘Well, I have no idea where I’m going to stay. Helen suddenly said that I couldn’t stay with her because they were having the whole house renovated to make way for the baby. As you said, Alessia’s not here, Sandra is with Shane and the lads in US and Patricia has relatives in her house... erm… can you do me a favor? Can you drive me over to a hotel or something?’ she asked. ‘Toni! You have got to be kidding! You can definitely stay here with me.’ Mark said, unconsciously drawing her closer. Toni looked at his arm. ‘Oops!’ he said as he sheepishly took his arm away from her. ‘Sorry… as I said, old habits die hard.’ He mumbled. ‘It’s okay.’ Toni replied in a cool manner. But when Mark looked at her, she was as red as a tomato. ‘Anyway, I really think it’s foolish to let you stay elsewhere. Whether you like it or not, I’ll see to it that you stay here.’ He said. After what seemed like ten minutes of protesting, Toni gave up and made Mark have his way. It wasn’t as if she had a choice, and she had no intention of walking all the way to the town. Besides, a small part of her wanted to stay anyway.