A Gift of Love for Christmas

Planned Date

River's POV

I didn't know why I couldn't keep my mouth shut where Lyra was involved. I shouldn't have told her about Phil coming home that day. It was supposed to be a surprise.

I regretted telling her the more as we drove towards Dame. Lyra was like a drug I was trying my best to avoid because I was scared I would get addicted. Another thing was the fact that I was scared to let her see through me. I was afraid of being rejected. The rejection those years ago was just too painful and the adult me was yet to get over it.

‘I heard that Sophia is married with kids,’ I said trying to start a conversation. That way, I might be able to get my mind off how pleasantly her perfume permeated the car, and I might be able to overlook the fact that I wished to pull her into my arms.

‘So I heard too but I have not seen her yet,’ Lyra said.

‘I never would have believed that a girl like Sophia would ever put her feet down and get married.’

‘Tom boys have a heart too. I guess beneath that tough front was a softie,’ Lyra said shrugging.

‘She married Cole of all the boys. Sophia was Cole's bully back then. How did she fall for someone she bullied that much,’ I said, grinning, and Lyra started laughing. I had thought that she probably remembered how things were between Sophia and Cole until she talked.

‘You should have seen your face the day Sophia wanted to throw the milk sachet on Cole, and it landed on your head, and you had milk all over your shirt and hair.’

‘I was so pissed that day, and I was sure smoke was coming out of my ears at some point,’ I said, joining the laughter.

‘I would have sworn that you were going to punch her. We were all already thinking of what to wear to Sophia's funeral. I was sure she was saying her last prayer,' Lyra said and I sobered up. Was that how she really viewed me, that I was capable of battering a girl?

‘I would never hit a girl or a woman,' I said defensively.

‘Really. You get provoked at the slightest things. Look at the day you beat Ray because he stepped on your shoes. I wouldn't have been surprised if you had beaten Sophia. God knows you had a temperament that could fit eight people,' Lyra said, rolling her eyes.

‘Was I that bad?’ I asked frowning.

‘Yes, River, you were that bad. You were literally the talk of the town when it came to trouble and fights,’ Lyra said and I wondered if that was why she refused to be my girlfriend that Christmas long ago.

‘I was only a misunderstood simple guy,' I said defending myself.

‘Oh really? Please enlighten me,’ Lyra said then adjusted herself to rest on the door so she could look at me properly while raising her brow and folding her hands on her chest.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as Lyra's small breasts became bigger with the way she had her hands folded under them. I had to scold myself to focus.

‘Fine. I was misunderstood so no one bothered back then to listen to my side of the story. I had gone to use the toilet that morning and I had overheard Ray and his friend betting on whether Ray could step on my shoes or not. So when he came to do it, I was waiting and ready for him,’ I explained and Lyra suddenly felt quiet.

‘I never knew that was what happened,’ Lyra said after some seconds.

‘Nobody bothered to listen, they just judged me, you all judged me. Phil was the only person who understood me and never judged,’ I said then sat properly facing front.

‘I never knew that you felt that way. I thought you enjoyed the thrill of fighting and causing trouble,’ Lyra said.

‘I was going through a lot Lyra. I was a child used to the urban life then suddenly, boom, I landed in this rural area. I was angry, I was bitter. Fighting was the only way I could vent,’ I explained and she fell silent again.

‘I am sorry,’ she said quietly.

I turned to her and raised a brow. ‘Sorry, I didn't get that.’

‘I said I am sorry,’ she said turning away.

‘Sorry for judging me or sorry for rejecting me. Which one Lyra?’ I asked looking at her intensely.

I had never had time to sit with Lyra and ask why she rejected me. I was not the type that went around with girls and I was sure I wasn't ugly.

‘Can we not do this here, please?’ Lyra said glancing at my driver and Kobe.

‘Where should we do it then Lyra?’ I asked, trying to hide the anger in my voice, but I failed miserably.

‘Anywhere but here,’ Lyra said.

‘Go on a date with me,’ I said before I could stop myself.

‘River I …’ Lyra started but I stopped her.

‘Sorry, I forgot that the likes of me can not ask princesses out,’ I said then looked out of the window. Each of my words was coated with the pain I felt as a boy from her rejection.

‘Where?’ Lyra said after some minutes.

‘Pardon?’ I said.

‘Where will you want us to have the date?’ Lyra asked to my surprise.

‘You don't have to do what you don't want to do. I will not forgive myself if you have to endure the entire dinner date just because you want to prove an unnecessary point. You don't like me and that is okay,’ I said.

‘I don't hate you River, I cannot hate you. You protected me all those years. The fear of having to face either you or Phil made everyone stay away from bullying me.’

‘Why did you reject me then? Phil?’ I asked.

‘Phil? No. I know that Phil loved you like you were his brother and he wouldn't have stood against us being together. I had my own reasons.’

‘Ok. Fine. Tomorrow at the Resort. I will be waiting for you at the rink at five-thirty. If you do not come, I will understand,’ I said and kept quiet.

We were silent till we got to the airport ten minutes before the arrival of Phil's flight. We didn't say anything to each other as we sat side by side waiting for his arrival to be announced.

Lyra was out of her seat the moment Phil's flight was announced to be on the runway. I smiled at the childlike happy smile on her face.

Some twenty minutes later, Phil emerged and Lyra was on him like a bullet. I shook my head at the way she was kissing him all over the face.

‘Hey, slow down. When are you going to stop being playful,’ Phil asked playfully.

The bond Lyra and Phil shared as siblings was enviable. Phil loved his sister, and I knew Lyra, too, loved Phil. Phil was not happy that Lyra married Logan but he never told me why.

‘Hey man,’ I said as I smiled happily and hugged him.

‘You have really changed,’ Phil said once we stopped hugging.

‘I can say the same for you too man,’ I said.

‘The army toughened me up so I am permitted to look touch,' Phil said playfully.

‘The streets toughened me up, so I am permitted to toughen up,’ I said, and we both laughed happily.

Once I released Phil from the hug, Lyra held his hand and started pulling him towards the exit.

‘Slow down. I can't walk that fast,’ Phil said pulling Lyra to a stop.

Lyra frowned at him and then asked, ‘Why can't you walk fast? You are a soldier; you should walk fast.’

‘There is something you need to know before we get home,’ Phil said and I stilled myself against Lyra's reaction.

‘What is it?’ Lyra asked looking apprehensive.

‘Can we talk when we get in the car?’ Phil asked and Lyra nodded. She still held Phil’s hand which caused why she didn't notice the slight limp.

When we got to the car, Phil insisted that Lyra should sit between us because he wanted to sit properly. When I said I would have preferred that Phil sat in the middle, he said he wouldn't and winked at me.

Phil was my best friend. I didn't hide the fact that I liked his sister from him, and I knew at that moment that he knew exactly what he was doing. He intentionally wanted to make us sit side by side.

We got in the car and I wished I could tell Kobe to come sit at the back without it sounding as if I didn't want to sit with the siblings.

‘I got wounded in an attack on our barracks. I almost lost my leg but I was lucky,’ Phil explained to Lyra.

‘And that means…’ Lyra said but stopped as the realization of the implication of what Phil meant dawned on her.

‘It means I am not going back,’ Phil said emotionally.

‘Oh my God, I am so sorry, Phil,’ Lyra said, then hugged him.

We all knew how much he loved the army so something like him not returning there was going to be a total devastation.

The atmosphere in the car seemed mournful as we drove back to Logsville. I also tried my best to avoid rubbing my legs with Lyra because each time it happened, it sent fire into my back.

It was a lovely scene to watch when we got to their parents’ house. I would say it was a lovely family reunion. I excused myself as early as I could because I knew they needed to talk.

‘Thank you so much, man,’ Phil said, then hugged me. Lyra offered to see me off to the car and I readily accepted. I needed a parting shot with her.

‘Thank you so much, Phil,' Lyra said when we got to the car.

‘Think I deserve a hug?’ I teased.

I wasn't expecting it but she did hug me. I kissed her head and then bent to whisper in her ears. ‘I don't know you to be a coward so prove me right.’

I stepped back after that and got in the car without another glance at her. I don't know how I was going to do it, but I wanted her love as my Christmas gift, and I was willing to do all I could to break through the ice that surrounded her heart.