A l e x a n d e r

"Xander?" Amayra called my name out.

We were currently at a family park, walking on the grass with our hands intertwined.

"Hmm?" I answered.

"What do you plan next? You practically can achieve everything you had ever imagined." She asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I had always resented my fate to curse me with everything I have been suffering. I guess I was too busy to think what would I actually do if I ever get free from everything." I honestly replied.

I looked at Amayra's face. Her soft brown tendrils flew with wind, may be tickling her face. I softly tucked them behind her ears, like I once saw Ethan doing.

"Oh I know where we could start from! " Amayra exclaimed.

"Hmm?" I encouraged her.

"We could get you a phone, a TV and OTT subscriptions. You could binge watch for a few days now and get to know what's all happening. May be you could find your field your interest." She suggested.

"Okay." I nodded with a small smile.

"I-" I tried saying what's on my mind. But it wasn't easy. What id she thinks I am being too clingy? What if she doesn't like my company like I do?

"Say it Xander." She looked at me with her doe eyes.

"I-I actually, if you don't mind, wanted to spend some time with you." I could feel my cheeks heating up. God! Why do I blush so much?! 

"It's okay if you don't wan-" I was cut off my Amayra's huge grin. "I would love to Xander."

"So what should we do?" I asked scratching the back of my neck.

"How about we go on a vacation?" She asked.

"Sure." I replied. I didn't mind what the plan was as long as I was accompanied by her.

"Hmm.. how about we go to my grandma's place?" She asked.

"Aren't you very romantic?" I asked her sarcastically. Who suggests their husband to have their first vacation at her grandma's place?

She rolled her eyes and chuckled. "I promise you won't regret." She said with puppy eyes. How can I resist that?

I nodded my head in agreement and she squealed and jumped.

The next day, we departed to Mrs. Eliana Williamson's place. It was about 5 hours East to Manchester. Amayra suggested a road trip and I happily agreed.

"Mia?" I called her name out shifting the gear on the highway.

"Hmm?" She hummed.

"Anything I should know before we reach there?" I asked her.

"Umm.. nothing in particular. But yeah if my cousin, Jasmine, is around, just try to escape. Don't even think to have a conversation with her. Okay?" She narrowed her eyes.

I nodded. "You know.. I am nervous. I am not good at meeting new people. What if I mess up? Will you be ashamed of me?" I asked her honestly.

One thing I have learnt from the chaos is to communicate. No matter what, I am going to communicate and let Amayra know my feelings and my thoughts. I'll let her know if I feel insecure or happy or melancholic or nervous or anything that concerns me mentally. I have already messed up a lot of things due to my hesitations and inability to communicate.

I felt a soft feeling on my hand that clutched the gear. Amayra gently rubbed my exposed part of hand.

"I can never be ashamed of you Xander. If anything, I feel proud everytime I realise this hot guy is my husband." She smiled smugly making me chuckle.

"And I know you'll not mess up. My grandma will make you feel at home. And none of the other members matter to me. You can not give two fucks to them and I'll still not be upset." She said seriously.

Make an effort for Mrs. Williamson. Ignore others. Noted.

"So how's your grandma like?" I asked her.

"Oh she's everything you would expect a typical granny to be. She's cute, sweet, supportive, a gossiper, a mentor, my best friend and yeah really really cool. The only thing you need to know about her is, she has a very calculative mind. She might judge you in a few hours of your visit. And she hates fake people. So be the real you. I think she'll love you." She smiled reassuringly.

I smiled back. But I was still nervous. Something about new faces makes me anxious.

Nonetheless, we reached the small farmhouse at the outskirts of the town that belonged to Mrs. Williamson.

I parked the car and got out with Amayra. Sensing my nervousness, she intertwined our hands and we started walking towards the unlocked door.

"Hey Uncle Danny!" Amayra greeted a man in his mid-fifties.

"What a pleasant surprise, sweetness! How are you doing?" The guy side hugged her and patted her back in affection.

"I am doing great!" She chirped. "Oh and this is Alexander, my husband." She introduced me.

Uncle Danny gave me an impressed look. "You did quite well, Amayra. How are you doing young man?" He asked me.

"Hi. I am doing good." I let out awkwardly. I didn't knew what else to answer. How should have I greeted him? Was I okay? Did I disappoint Mia?

I looked beside me to see Mia flashing me a reassuring smile.

"Where's the old woman?" She asked. Uncle Danny let out a loud Santa Claus like laugh.

"In the garden with your aunt and cousins." He answered. "And yeah, your favourite cousin, Jasmine, has also blessed us with her arrival." He smirked at Amayra.

Amayra let out a loud groan. "I decide to visit granny after 2 fucking years and couldn't even get some peace. I am going back!" She joked.

Danny clutched his stomach and threw his head back laughing. "Best of luck with your wife's mood swings, Alexander." He muttered between his laughter.

I smiled at their carefree nature. God! Why couldn't I have such an environment right from the beginning?!

Amayra pulled me into the house. There were many people sitting in the living room.

"Hey guys!" She said without sparing them a glance and continued walking in.

"Are you okay? Is it overwhelming?" She enquired.

"I am okay." I muttered. I am not. This is wierd. Take me home. Let's cuddle to sleep. No more vacations please. I wanted to add. But kept my mouth shut.

"Eli Darling!" Amayra screamed and lunged forward at an old lady in her late 70s. I guess that's her grandma.

"Is that you Amy?! Oh my goodness!" She let out a hearty laugh.

"I missed you Mama Eli!" She hugged her grandma tight.

Her endearings are so... Creative?

Honestly, I could never meet my grandparents. Dad's parents' passed away when mom and dad were married just for half a year. Mom was adopted and her foster parents were not very humble yo start with. I know nothing about grandparents' bond in specific.

"And who's that sexy guy behind you?" Her grandma asked. My cheeks heated up.

"Hi. I am Alexander Smith." I introduced in a small voice.

"Oh my God! He's so cute! He's mine now!" Her grandma squealed.

"Nope. Not happening. That smoking piece of meat is already mine Mama Eli." Amayra narrowed her eyes playfully at ger grandma.

Oh God! This is so... I don't know.

I was sure my skin was already crimson by now.

"On a serious note, this is my husband, Alexander. And before you could complain, it was your favourite daughter-in-law who made me marry Alexander within 120 hours of our first introduction. So I couldn't tell you anything about him." She informed.

Mrs. Williamson rolled her eyes. "Favourite daughter-in-law, my foot! She's a cunning bitch who deserves nothing but my slippers!" She fumed.

That's when I could point out some similarities between Amayra and her grandma. They had same face structure but different colours of orbs. Amayra had wavy hair while her grandma possessed super curly ones, but the hues were same.

"So what do you do, Alexander?" She asked with a smile. I tensed at her question. What shall I answer? Hey Grandma! I practically am unemployed and uneducated but still am married to your grand daughter. I survive on my parents' money.

God she'll assume me to be a snobbish rich guy who doesn't deserve Amayra.

I gulped and answered what ever struck my head first. "I love your grand daughter. With my whole heart." I said. It wasn't a lie.

Mia and her grandma laughed at my answer. "He's so damn cute! If he wasn't your husband, I would have asked him out!" She joked.

"He's out of your league now, missy!" Amayra said with a smirk.

"But I think he won't mind some good time while he's here. Isn't it handsome?" I heard a shrilling voice.

"Not again." Mrs. Williamson rolled her eyes.

"I wish I could say I am happy to meet you, Jasmine. But that would be a pure fat lie." Amayra greeted her teeth.