บท 51: THE SWAN (I)
New Year approached so fast everyone wondered where time had gone and the day before, Marcus and Lily had to fly back to their various homes as planned amidst sadness. Martha wished they could stay back but it would be self centred of her to deny their families the opportunity of sharing such a period with them. She gifted Lily a box of silver earrings and necklace. She said the necklace signifies a beautiful soul. "I don't think I have that!" said Lily as she thanked and hugged Martha in appreciation for the gift. Hugging her back, Martha had said, "You sure do, my dear friend!"
Martha had also given Marcus a manly gold bracelet and Marcus had loved it. He said he was definitely going to give her back something as she had taken it upon herself to do this. "In the spirit of a New Year and for spending quality time with me. That's all it is!" Martha said, flashing her one billion dollar smile. Though Marcus and Lily were sad, the sadness of one was greater than the other. It was Lily!
Lily was not just greatly sad, she was frightened. She had avoided some calls from her father during her little merry time and the times when she picked and he demanded a positive report on a major finding in the house of the Jordans, she had nothing to give and had been giving excuses on why it was possible. Excuses like, "Mr Jordan keeps his house very secure and I have never seen his room", "He does have a study but there is a pass code needed to open the door and there is no way of asking Martha without getting suspected". She was in for serious punishment and her brain tried to think of what worse punishment they would conjure for her this time around.
They were also going to miss the kitchen of the Jordans that was more of a living room than the living room itself because they were mostly gathered there. The kitchen is very spacious and has a huge dining table with chairs in it…it was magnificent! Mr Jordan, his warm heart and foods were also going to be greatly missed and Lily secretly wished he was around, so she could have thanked him from the bottom of her heart for his hospitality and maybe asked for a hug…a fatherly hug!
The Jordan brothers also knew they were going to miss these Martha's friends that have somehow become their friends. Seth put up a show when he was about to bid Lily goodbye and it looked like he was on the verge of tears.
"You look like you will soon cry!" Michael to Seth as Seth hugged Lily firmly.
"You fool! You would never let me have my moment in peace!" Seth said as he broke from the hug and began to chase Michael.
"Always acting like children!" Marcus said.
"Look who's talking, like you are any better!" Lily said and rolled her eyes and Marcus used his shoulder to hit her back. Lily retorted and did hers and Marcus did it again.
Martha smiled at them before clearing her throat to get their attention.
"So, I do not want to be intrusive but are you guys now like…a thing?" Martha asked as she looked from Lily to Marcus with wiggling brows.
"At this rate, we might miss our flight!" said Marcus as he held Lily's hand and began to pull her away from Martha's questioning gaze.
"You guys should give me a call on your arrival!" said Martha as she waved at them as they entered the waiting taxi.
The next day was the beginning of a New Year and the noon of the first day of a year was celebrated by members of The Heart in different parts of the world. In Naylatan, it was definitely not going to be any different.
All combatants, supervisors, technologists, sponsors, executives, Lords and whoever these persons were going to invite, would be celebrating on the most luxurious ship on earth - The Swan.
Martha and her family members spent the rest of the day in a high end luxury department store, trying on different outfits that suit the occasion. When a family member wears an outfit, the other family members sit on the comfortable couch provided as they sip juices of flavours they have chosen and scrutinise the outfit by giving either an appraisal or a criticism.
The male Jordans knew that since Martha is a lady, it would take her almost a year to finish up, so they allowed her to go first. Contrary to their expectation, she found a gown that suited her and that they all liked in under ten minutes. Seth was the next and had his suit of choice was a brown suit and the same colour of trousers. The persons that were left to get theirs and who they all thought were going to be the luckiest in choosing an outfit were definitely not the ones.
"I think that trouser just makes your ass jut out more! You are giving me the cripes" Martha said to Michael as he stood on the elevated part of the room where he could look at a full mirror.
"I sincerely do not want Martha talking again. This is outfit number four and all she is doing there is slurp on juice and criticise me! Did you come here to fill your belly with juice or to help out? Such a wuss!" said Michael as he shoved his hands into his trouser pockets in frustration and slanted his eyes at his sister.
"It looks good to me!" said Mr James as he looked up from the newspaper he had taken more than a keen interest to.
"I'm going to agree with Martha this time around Michael. You definitely look like you borrowed the outfit." said Seth.
"You see, I told you it is not really good for you," said Martha with a big smile as she took a final gulp of the juice in her cup and began to pour herself another.
"And…I am not agreeing because Martha said it. I'm just speaking the truth!" said Seth and Michael smiled and Martha's smile ceased.
"Thanks bro!" said Michael as he went in to change his outfit to another.
"Nincompoops" said Martha with a long hiss.
After some time, he came out in a deep navy blue suit that looked like it was definitely made for him. He had a white shirt inside and looked almost completely exquisite, if only he was in boots or a corporate shoe but at the moment, he was wearing a pair of white socks.
Martha and Lily dramatically stood up at the same time and began to clap their hands.
"This is definitely the suit that was specifically sewn for Michael Jordan!" said Martha as she continued to clap. Martha shook her compliment with a shrug if his shoulders like he did not like it though the face in his heart had smiled at that moment.
"Dad, it's your turn!" said Seth.
"Already?" asked Mr Jordan in surprise.
"Yes dad…already!" said Michael.
After the seventh outfit, their dad finally settled with a black suit, a white shirt and a black pair of trousers.
"Now to the salon!" said Martha as she ran to the car. The boys were laden with the responsibility of carrying the bags of their purchase and Martha was laden with the duty of filling her stomach. She was enjoying every flavour of the vanilla ice cream the department store had complimented her with.
The boys could only shake their heads as they moved the bags. They had also gotten shoes to match their outfits and Martha had also gotten a matching purse.
Martha went to the area for women and she was welcomed with open arms by her hair stylist - Nancy Free. She was offered a chicken sandwich and an apple juice and she excitedly accepted it.
Mr James's hair was given a flat top hairstyle. Michael's hair cut was a Caesar cut, Seth's was a temple fade hair cut and Martha who they had to wait for, for another one hour after theirs was a pixie wolf cut dyed a little silver at the tip.
Mr James had not much strength to cook for the family that night and he ordered two boxes of pizza and Mr James brought out two bottles of wine to be shared with the adults in his house, who were his children. He was excited they would be seeing the New Year together .
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