My Light

Zayn's POV

I'm anxious. I've always wanted to make a good first impression with parents and my God sometimes it's just difficult. I didn't know what to bring, they're Italian so they know their wine, I don't at all. Nora and her Nonna are florists so I don't know about bringing flowers because what if Nonna asks me questions that I don't know the answer to? I don't want to sound like an idiot. Hell, I don't even know her mom and Nonna's names. She always just calls them Mama and Nonna.

Taking the cab to their building I don't think my leg has quit bouncing. I don't remember when I've been this nervous in a long time. The closer we get the more my body just feels like it's on fire. My nerves are bouncing, literally every part of my body is tingling.

I pay the fare and step out of the taxi, I've decided to bring a book as a present. A little unconventional but I know Nora's love for books and so I can only hope and assume that her grandmother and mother read as well. I've at least read this book, The Longest Journey, by E.M. Forster, I saw Nora with A Passage to India one day, so I know that she at least appreciates a good author.

I find her number and buzz, adjusting my hair, a nervous habit of mine. Like the bouncing of the leg, the occasional shaking of my hands.

“Hello?” A voice that sounds like Nora comes on the line but I know it's not her.

“Yes, Hi, I'm Zayn, Nora invited me for dinner.” Oh jeez, I sound like a complete moron. But she buzzes me up anyway. I take deep breaths as I count the steps to their place, anything to calm my crazy feelings.

Once I reach the top of the steps and turn to face her door I take one more deep breath and let it all out, knocking a few times and waiting, rocking slightly on my feet. I let out a breath when the door opens and Nora stands on the other side. Smiling. I'm feeling a little better.

“You came.” She moves to the side. “Come on in.”

I refrain from kissing her, it's all I want to do right now. I know it will set everything at easy, but she does the next best thing, she reaches for my hand and intertwines her fingers with mine, squeezing them slightly.

“Zayn, I want you to meet my mama, Angela. Mama this is Zayn.” She smiles and extends her hand.

“Pleasure to meet you Zayn.”

“Ah, believe me, the pleasure is all mine Ms. Conti.” She smiles and scoots away, revealing a smaller woman sitting in the chair, I can only assume its her grandmother.

“And this is my Nonna, Zayn meet Lucia.” I extend my hand out and she gently places it in mine, a small squeeze.

“Nice to meet you Mrs. Conti. I brought this for you.” I hold out the book in hopes she doesn't have it in their fast wall of books behind me. She takes it and nods.

“Thank you, and call me Nonna.” She smiles, they all have the same smile, Angela, Nora, and Lucia. Lucia. Things suddenly seem to click into place, the book. The book that Nora left on the train, their was a note in it to Lucia from Salvatore. Nora's grandma and grandpa. Now I just want to know the back story, I want to know everything, how it all played out. In the note it said that she didn't have to pick him but she was glad she did, Lucia and Salvatore are real people. A true love story.

I sit on the couch next to Nora, suddenly not as anxious but more calm. Except I can't tell Nora how I know about Lucia and Salvatore, she'll think I'm crazy. A crazy man who kept her book for a year and followed her to work one day just to meet her. I rub my forehead with my hand, it's something we'll have to talk about eventually, I'm just hoping that it's something she won't think I'm crazy for, something that she'll look past.

“Let's eat, yeah.” Nora pats my leg and I didn't even realize that they had all been chatting, lost in my own thoughts. Great, I'm already making a rude first impression.

Angela helps Lucia up from her chair and they walk in front of us toward the kitchen. I know that she's told me her place isn't much but it's full of character. The kitchen is straight out of the 50's but it's fitting. Lucia looks like this is where she is the most happy. She's smiled for the first time since I've been here.

I take a seat next to Nora and she includes me on conversation between her and her mum. I'm anxious to see what is being served, I know the meal is big, and I know that Nora has told them of my pork aversion.

The table is set for a royal family, at least that's what it looks like, perfect plates, silverware set, glasses turned. “The first is is antipasti, it's the appetizer.” Nora whispers in my ear, it's a turn on to hear her speak in Italian. It's just so natural for her to say, it's like butter melting, smooth. Lucia puts a dish down in front of me and I look genuinely interested. “It's mozzarella di buffala. Cheese, tomatoes, and olives. It's good.” She squeezes my thigh, she's told me time and time again to not eat too much because of how much is going to be served.

But I can't not eat it all. It's perfect, the flavors just melt together perfectly. I look around and see that I'm the only one that has finished, apparently I didn't savor it enough. No one seems to mind however.

“This, Zayn is the firs dish, the primo. It's Pasta Polpetti with tomato sauce and parmiggiano.” Nora informs me as I listen to Angela and Lucia chat back in forth in Italian.

“What are they talking about?” I ask, nervous that it's maybe about me.

“Oh, just about mom's job, she's a nurse. Nonna always wants to hear the latest gossip.” Nora smiles. “Thanks for coming.” I take this opportunity to squeeze her thigh, thankful that she's allowed me to be here.

“So Zayn, Nora tells me you have three sisters?” Angela asks.

“Yes. One older one, two younger sisters. It was a little different growing up with just sisters but they're more rough then you might think, they still keep me on my toes.” I laugh, I should call them. While Angela and I were talking I notice Nora and Lucia chatting in the corner. Every time I look over to Nora and Lucia Angela pulls me back into conversation, like she's stalling me. I notice Nora and Lucia getting a little louder and I can't turn away.

“Ma no, Nonna, non è Piero.” She's forceful in her tone. I know that fear suddenly strikes my face.

“Allora chi è lui, dov'è Piero? Perché non è qui? Ma tu lo stai facendo cornuto?” She yells, throwing her hands in the air.

“Le cose tra Piero e io sono finite, Nonna, per quasi un anno.” I can see the stress of Nora's face as she turns away for just a second to get her composure. I turn to Angela who sits across from me, she's ignoring the situation, eating her pasta.

“Dovrebbe essere qui. Dovrebbe essere con lui. Piero è italiano. Lui può continuare la linea di sangue. Dovrebbe essere con lui.” Lucia stomps her foot and slams her hand on the table. This conversation is just odd, I don't understand any of it.

“Nora, basta. Lei non capisce.” Angela interjects in the conversation. “Lei è sovreccitata, non abbiamo avuto un ospite da molto tempo.” Angela is calmer, making me think maybe this conversation is over. Or that I don't even know. I suddenly wish I spoke Italian. I try to put my hand on Nora's leg and she pushes it away.

“Ma io capisco! Non sono una stronza. Io so esattamente cosa sta succedendo! State tutti cercando di fregarmi. E non mi piace un cavolo.” Lucia suddenly stands and wobbles a bit. Nora rushes to her side and Lucia pulls her hand a way quickly. “Non ho bisogno del tuo aiuto.”She turns her back to us and walks away, leaving Angela, Nora, and I at the table. I'm bewildered. What the hell just happened?

Nora sits down at the table, pushing her plate away.

“Perché non hai fatto niente?” She looks at Angela. “Stanno andando a farla uscire, stanno andando a mandarla alla casa di riposo se questo continua a succedere.” Her tone is bitter. Why the hell don't I speak Italian? They're speaking so quickly I can't even keep up, I can't even tell one word from another, they all flow together.

“Questo è proprio quello che succede, Nora. Questo è il suo cervello perdendo la battaglia.” Angela responds. I suddenly feel like a ghost in this house. It's obvious that it's not the night for me to be a guest. I don't know if I should continue to eat or wait out of respect.

“Vabbè, ma dobbiamo risolvere il problema! Comunque tu non stai facendo nulla per aiutarla!”

“Ma non posso fare niente!”Angela suddenly stands, her chair pushing back with force.

“Voglio Nonna indietro.” Nora is almost in tears and this time when I grasp for her hand she allows me to take it. I don't know what's happening but I know from her face that she at least needs support.

“Lo so, Nora, lo so.” Angela is suddenly calm again as she walks towards Nora, kissing her cheeks and turning to me. “I'm sorry for all the mess Zayn, maybe you can come over another night, it was very nice to meet you.” She smiles, it's like a light got switched as she's a totally different person from what she was five minutes ago. “Vai via per la notte, Nora. Chiudi il negozio domani, prendi un po' di tempo per te stesso. Io mi basto da sola.” There she goes again, speaking Italian.

Nora nods, and turns to me. “I'm sorry.” Her lips tight.

“Hey, it's okay. What happening?” I ask, this thing has been a little crazy.

“I'd really rather not talk about. Can I stay at your place tonight?” Her question has caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting to come over for dinner and have Nora invite himself over.

“Yeah, yeah, sure.” I speak quickly. I don't want her to change her mind.

“Right, then lets go.” She stands quickly and leaves the room, leaving me standing in the eat in kitchen, alone and utterly confused with everything, food everywhere. “Zayn.” Her voice commands me back, I see she's got a backpack. “Lets go?”

Notes

So, I know it's confusing, but things will make sense soon. Any ideas as to what is happening? Predictions?

I honestly have thought about putting this story on hold for a little while. It's not you all, I'm just tired. I don't want to, but lets face it, the end of the semester is difficult and with everything going on in One Direction, I've been distracted. I only want to offer up the best of my abilities. We'll see, maybe this Easter break will be good for me. I'll still update tomorrow and Thursday though. I want to finish this story, do you all want me to finish?

Hopefully everyone is having a good Tuesday. :)

xoxox