"It's so good to see you after so long."She said hugging me.
A parentral touch I was craving.
I never had it.
My mom and dad ;lovidovies for 5 yrs and then decided to marry.From the southern coast they decided to shift on Setchal.
Our house was near the ocean.Every morning filled with waves.A calm fleeting wave.
But since a year,Dad acted strange.
Knock in the main door when the both hands were reaching 12.
I heard him raising voice to mom for the first time when she asked him few things.
And since that day mom asked for an explanation she never got.
Until that day when we went out to a restaurants on my birthday only to see my dad with a women holding hand.
Since that day things were never normal.
The sweet home built was full of broken glasses and messy wardrobes.
My mother did a lot indeed left her entire family for my dad or say ex dad from today.But her world shattered in a moment.
She had two choices either to leave or stay for kids.
And she chosed the later.She tried faking the smile but who would hide the sound and the tears she failed to hide.
It's strange how love doesn't work out sometimes even after reaching the threshold.And how you can have millions of reasons to leave but can't.I was stopping her from what her heart wanted.
So today I decided to leave.For her.For us.
"Autum??Again on thoughts??Chill.You won't think of anything bad now.Okay.We will enjoy for the coming days and figure out what to do.Don't worry."She said convincing.
I nodded.
We got into her peach car and moved south too
" Kilometers??No idea.
Eisteinburg…
It was much different from where I lived.
No big buildings 3 stored in maximum with a large area.Custard trees a large vegetation.People definitely had a world within them.
I had a world too some sides grey and some amber.
Amber??It was my priority now.Will I meet him again.We are on the same city.Maybe I will find him on the random streets,restraunts or maybe on..yes..Library or maybe somewhere unexpectedWhat would be my expression if I met him anyways.Would it be formal or a casual.We are pretty close now.
Close...I repeated the last word and instantly my eyes lighted.
"Eyes lightening up??Looks like something is different in air.I am on ears."She said teasingly.
"Is love safe."I asked seeking for advice.
"Uff.That deep.Not at all.But do you love for safety??"Stella gave her literary line.
"Whom are you planning to fall??Met someone??"She added.
I nodded shyly.
"I need more."She said quirking.
"Random meeting.We were on same seats.And then missed the train.i did jumbee and then to the station in 30 min and a goodbye."I said focusing sadly on the last word.
She smiled as if she was mocking my short lived sadness but it was kinda unusal falling for someone so randomly and the checklist we met in that short time..Goodbye was less random.
"How are uncle aunt??"I attempted to continue the conversation.
"In love.Preparing for anniversary.Golden jublee"She said smirking.They were an ideal couple for me.
I loved how they still celebrated their anniversary.50 yrs of love and commitment.really worth the respect.
"You brat.Couldn't you tell you are coming."She said angrily stopping the car.
"Autum??"
Rowan..It was him.But how did she know him.Were they related.Lovers?Friends?Or ..
I had already started making my assumptions.
"Its my nephew.Attempting to be my sister in law huh."She said teasingly.
I was all red.
"So how was the ride??"Stella went to him teasingly.
"Pretty."He added.
Stella coughed hard.
".Friend??"He asked looking at me directly.
"Till today."She said teasingly.
He kinda enjoyed it.Smiling he went inside.
Uncle aunt greeted him with whole heart.He was indeed special.To everyone he met.
And me..
I was under arms too.Aunt hugged me tight.
"Welcome Autum.Make yourself comfortable.Tell us if you have an issues.Okay??I will prepare something for you guys."
I nodded with teary eyes.
"We are aunt.Its a special day for you.You will just have the servings."
"Ok.Who can say no to you.But get freshened and only get into plans."Aunt said smiling.
"That I doubt."He said teasingly going to his room.
Where would I be staying.I had no idea.It was new for me.Not like our hostel dorm where we had our single room.
"Autum we will stay together.Are you okay with it?"Stella said moving forward.
"Or you want the opposite room."She said pointing in the direction Rowan was heading.
I hit her slightly and entered the room smiling.
She was into movies like I was into novels.Posters hung in the wall of pride and prejudice,Titanic and few more hit movies that were absolutely worth the hype.
I put my luggage on the floor and took a deep comfortable breathe.
I took out a white crop top and blue baggy pant to change.
"To the right."Stella signaled.
I went into the bathroom.I was in mood of a warm shower.I turned on the lid and let the water wet me pouring off all I was or making myself more myself.
I got out after 10 min of bath.
"I am going for shower too.You can have a room tour till then.I will be quick."Stella gave a smile before leaving.
I opened my cellphone with 27+ notification popping.
It was mom.She was obviously worried.And I kinda did wrong leaving without notice.But I had to move away from this.
"I am fine."I left a text that was sent but not delivered.
The social media knows well the condition you are going through as if it reads your energy.The further reels took me in.Until I hear a crack from door.
"Stella.."
Rowan had arrived.White shirt and tight black pants.
"Checking me out."He said smiling.
I was like a tomato.
"Cute."
"What's going on."Stella had just come out of the bathroom all set.
"Nothing.Let's plan.So maybe recreate their first meeting.A role play.Cakes and surprise will be complementary."Rowan said.
Meeting.I remember stella telling me 100th time.That her parents were enemies from the first day of college but how her father couldn't stand anyone against her or with her.Protective and jealous.And how could feelings exist but not love.Flames arose that consumed both in making it 50 golden years.I remember the confession,"Till the stars shine and ocean goes dry I will be yours."
Some promises are indeed kept.
But who would act.
"Ok done.You and Autum for the role.Let's go select the cake now."Stella said.
She said that out so easily.But acting it was pretty different for me.I doubted myself but couldn't say no.
We went out.Shop by shop looking for a perfectly themed cake.
"This is perfect.I said looking at the cake with 2 swans."
"Indeed."
We brought the cake and accessories.
"Brother.Please give some money.Not eaten since 4 days."Two kids came begging.
"What time is it."He asked.
"8pm."
"Let's go for roller coster ride and some cotton candy.What say??"He said looking at both of us.It was already late.
After getting silence he looked at the kids who looked happy enough.
We followed him too without having a choice.
5 tickets.And a random roller coaster ride.
Stella knowingly pushed me forward with him.
I am clostophobic too.I doubt what I am not scared of.
On reaching the top I was all dizzy and grabbing his shirt tight.
I could feel pounding heart.This time two.
I looked up at him.He was already looking at me.Close enough.I could feel him approaching closer and me being pulled consciously too until we could feel each other's warm trembling breathes.
But he stopped when we were just inches away.
I hit my head slightly I probably looked like a jerk seeking chance.
It was a moment of awkwardness.
"Sorry."He said breaking the silence.
I had nothing but a silence to offer.
"Cotton candy now??"He said trying to overlap the awkwardness or maybe the compensation.
He brought 2 white and rest pink cotton candies and gave me a pink one.
I awkwardly took it.
We went back home.
The living room would be our spot.We decorated it well.Heart shaped ballons, a broche on center .Their photos of prime and the cake.
All set.
Stella went to the room to bring them.They approached closing there eyes.
And boom.
"Surprise."
They were amazed on how much we prepared on this short time.
The cake was cut and devoured in seconds.
And now time for play.No rehearsel just action.
I was very scared but they were trying to calm me by cheers.
He approached my left year and said,"Trust me."
I took a deep breath replaying every scenes we will be performing.
We somehow managed.from their first fight ,introduction,longing and then confession.
"Till the stars shine and ocean goes dry I will be yours.If the heavens don't forbid."The last line wasn't in the script.But made it more pretty.
We danced on until I found you.
But suddenly he feel on the ground.
I was trembling but composed myself and started cpr immediately.
I had a fear to loose him.Someone I had no ownership in.Why the fear arose I can't say but it was enough for me to continue he stroke until I could see tints of consciousness.
After 20 min he was in his senses.I almost had my heart out.
I took a deep breath.
"I was scared."I whispered.
He looked directly into my eyes for a little while.
"Heat stroke.Chill guys.Lets not spoil the moment."Saying this he went to his room holding his head.
He took out a pouch of tablets and took a pink one from there.And wrote something on his brown diary again.
But more than curiosity I had care or a fear.A fear refusing to leave without a clear reason.
And here I reached the third stage
"Tenderness"