Chapter Twenty-Nine - A Laugh After The Tears

The room had gone quiet again.

Not the peaceful kind of quiet.

This one sat heavily between them.

Tiara had stopped crying, but the evidence of it was still there. Her eyes were swollen, her breathing occasionally catching before settling again. She sat with her hands folded loosely in her lap, staring at a spot on the floor as though her thoughts were somewhere far beyond the walls of the room.

Daniel remained beside her.

He had listened to everything.

More than he had expected to hear.

More than he knew how to respond to.

For several minutes, neither of them spoke.

Daniel rubbed his palms together, then glanced at Tiara.

She was still staring at the floor.

He looked away.

A few seconds passed.

He looked at her again.

Still staring.

Daniel exhaled through his nose.

Another minute.

Still nothing.

He leaned back into the chair and stared at the ceiling.

“This is becoming too quiet.”

Tiara didn't answer.

Daniel looked at her.

“Tiara.”

Nothing.

He shifted in his seat.

“Are you planning to stare at that floor until tomorrow?”

Her eyes finally moved toward him.

“I don't know.”

Daniel nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

Silence.

He lasted another few seconds.

Then he slapped both palms lightly against his thighs and stood.

“Nope.”

Tiara blinked.

Daniel pointed toward her.

“I can't do this anymore.”

She frowned.

“Do what?”

“This.”

He gestured between them.

“This serious atmosphere. We are not attending a funeral or are we?”

Despite herself, Tiara's lips twitched.

Daniel folded his arms.

“Tiara.”

She looked away.

“Daniel.”

He stared at her for a moment before shaking his head.

“Fine. Keep your secret.”

He walked across the room, picked up one of the cushions that had fallen slightly out of place and tossed it back onto the sofa.

Then he turned.

“Let’s play a game”

Tiara stared at him.

“I don’t want to play any game, leave me please”

“ Aww, my sweet princes. Do you know you look like a ghost when you refuse to smile”

He wants her to snap 

“DANIEL” she yelled throwing hitting him with a pillow 

“Goodness, I’m sorry my queen.”

She rolled her eyes.

“What game?”

He grinned.

“Would You Rather.”

Tiara paused.

“What's that?”

Daniel's expression changed.

“You don't know Would You Rather?”

“No.”

He placed one hand over his chest.

“This is serious.”

“It's not serious.”

“It is to me.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Okay. Explain.”

Daniel dropped back onto the sofa, looking suddenly far too pleased with himself.

“I give you two ridiculous options. You choose one.”

“That's the whole game?”

“That is the whole game.”

“That's stupid…I mean very stupid not surprised tho, it’s coming from you after all.”

“Ouch,that hurts” he placed his left hand on his chest dramatically 

Tiara studied him for a moment.

Then she sighed.

“Fine.”

Daniel sat up immediately and  rubbed his hands together.

“Let's begin.”

Tiara adjusted herself against the sofa.

“Go ahead.”

Daniel leaned forward, looking far too serious for the nonsense he was about to ask.

“Would you rather eat eba with your bare hands for the rest of your life…”

He paused.

Tiara's mouth slowly curved.

“…or use a spoon for everything?”

Tiara stared at him.

For two seconds, she tried to remain serious.

Then she burst out laughing.

“Daniel!”

“What?”

“That is not a real question!”

“It is.”

“How?”

“It reveals your character.”

“My character?”

“Yes.”

He nodded solemnly.

“This is psychological research.”

Tiara shook her head, laughing harder.

“Psychological research…you say?”

“Very advanced.”

“From where?”

“My brain.”

“That explains everything.”

Daniel pointed at her.

“Answer the question.”

Tiara wiped the corner of her eye.

“Eba.”

“Good choice.”

“Obviously.”

“Why?”

“Because at least I can wash my hands.”

Daniel nodded thoughtfully.

“Interesting.”

“Your turn.”

He immediately straightened.

“Okay.”

He tapped his chin.

“Would you rather be Aria's best friend…”

Tiara's smile disappeared.

“…or her enemy?”

She stared at him.

“That is not a choice.”

“It is.”

“Aria's best friend.”

“Why?” Something changed in her eye.

“Because enemies are exhausting.”

Daniel considered that.

“Fair.”

Tiara folded her arms.

“Your turn again.”

Daniel grinned.

“Would you rather be stuck inside a bus for five hours with no air conditioning…”

Tiara's eyes narrowed.

“…or walk from Abeokuta to Lagos?”

Her mouth fell open.

“You want me to walk from Abeokuta to Lagos?”

“You have legs.”

Tiara stared at him in disbelief.

“I am pregnant!”

“I know.”

“You know?”

“Yes.”

“And you're still asking me this?”

“It's hypothetical.”

“Hypothetical my foot!”

Daniel burst out laughing.

Tiara grabbed the nearest cushion and hugged it against her stomach.

“Bus!”

Daniel nodded.

“Okay.”

“Bus!”

“I heard you.”

She pointed the cushion at him.

“You’re insane, Daniel.”

Daniel leaned back, laughing openly now.

“You didn't even think about it.”

“Because why would I?”

“You could have chosen the walk.”

“Daniel!”

He lifted both hands.

“I'm just asking questions.”

“Stupid questions.”

“Strategic questions.”

“Stupid fellow.”

“Very strategic one.”

Tiara tried to maintain her annoyed expression.

She lasted three seconds.

Then she laughed again.

And just like that, something in the room loosened.

The heaviness did not disappear.

The things she had told him were still there.

Her past had not become less painful simply because they were laughing.

But for the first time since she had started talking, Tiara wasn't thinking about surviving the next minute.

She was simply sitting there.

Laughing.

And Daniel, watching her slowly return to herself, decided that was enough for now.