Time marched by days into months and months into a year. Everything in my life has changed but one thing remains the same. Years ago, I wouldn't have pictured my life the way it is now. Our little family had grown. Brother is engaged with Ayra and father is living with us. Even after a year my mind can never let go of Loren or it's my heart that is still holding Mr. Black. I was looking in the mirror, reading my new look. My long hair was now short reaching my shoulders. I was wearing a maroon, knee-length dress with black boots covering my exposed legs. My contemplation ended with a call, a video call from Jacob.
"Hey."
"Haircut!" Was the first thing he said.
"Yeah," I said touching the ends of my hair. "Ayra insist."
"You look cute in short hair."
"You think so? I prefer long though."
"When did you do it?"
"2 days back."
Adam shouted while entering my room. "Old Levy! How long are you going to stand in front of the mirror."
Jacob chuckled on the other side of the phone.
"Talk to you later, got to go," I said.
"Where?" He asked.
"A boring party," I replied.
"Enjoy." He said.
"Seriously Jake? Bad joke." He laughed and hung off the call.
I walked towards Adam "You little mister-"
"Kids we are late." Father entered. "Keep your argument for later."
"Yes, dad." We both said in unison. "And I am not a kid anymore, I am 18," I added.
"Yes dad, she's old." Adam ran out after saying that.
"You." I tried to run after him, but father caught me before I could.
"If you're grown up, be mature." He said.
"C'mon you always take his side." I threw my hand in the air.
A beeb sound took our attention where father raised his eyebrows. "Admund, he's waiting."
We walked out were brother and Ayra were already waiting in the car. We sat and made our way to the party.
Drive was in silence until Adam's surprise voice boomed in the car.
"Marshmallow! I forgot to give her food."
"I did that," I said, looking at him through the corner of my eyes.
"Thanks." He hugged me from the side.
"Do not hug me when I am wearing this dress."
"Why not? It's a thank-you hug." He hugged again.
"Adam!" I snapped.
"Stop complaining about the dress," Ayra said.
"You know it's pricking," I said.
"Pricking? Aren't you exaggerating?"
Ayra brought this dress to me. I liked it except the pricking thing. I got a sister and a best friend in her.
"No."
"Yes. Now quit complaining, it suits you." She said.
"I never thought a sister can be so-" I halted my sentence, unable to say what I was saying.
"Annoying." Adam continued for me.
Father chortled on this word.
"No, I didn't mean that." I narrowed my eyes at Adam.
"I am living this annoyance for 11 years." He looked at me, this time Ayra chuckled.
"You people are ganging up now," I said. Ayra, father, and Adam burst out in guffaws.
Folding my hands against my chest, I cocked my head to look out of the window. "Mean!"
"End your play with my sister," Brother said which made them hushed their laugh.
A smile crept up my lips. Glancing once at everyone, I looked out of the window. I love my family.
We reached in front of a huge building. Looking at it reminds me of the party I have attended with uncle Willson. I walked in along with others. A clearing of a throat took my attention. When I turn to see, father offered his hand to me.
My eyes turned moist, seeing him smiling down at me. How I wanted this moment back then, which actually came true. Beaming a bright smile at him through my teary eyes, I took his hand. Bending, he gave a peck on my forehead and said.
"Thank you, you joined us. Your name defines you."
We walked into a big hall with lots of people. Everything was the same, the difference was the members. How I wish to have a familiar person here. I should stop thinking about him which I am reminding myself for a year. After meeting with some people, I took a glass of juice and moved to a corner.
While I was playing a game on my phone someone said 'hi'. Pausing the game, I turned to face a known person.
"Hey, Rob."
He's the son of one of our business partners, the reason why he was there at the party. We met twice this month, they visit here during vacations.
"When did you cut your hair?"
"2 days before," I said. "You come with whom?" And asked.
"Father." He replied when a song played. "Dance?" He asked.
His question recalled the one dance I had. "No," I answered and continued my game.
"Rude." He said.
"I don't know how to dance." I shrugged.
"And I was thinking, I am going to have a pleasant time with a beautiful lady." He said dramatically.
"Are you always like this?" I asked.
"Yes, why?"
"Never mind."
We were having a random conversation, he was talking about his girlfriend, whose name I didn't bother to ask. Ayra came, receiving a call.
"I can't hear you, be louder please," She said on the phone.
"What? How can that happen? I met her day before yesterday." She said in a worried voice.
I went close to her, seeing her pale face and eyes forming tears.
"Now? At this hour?" She glanced at her phone to see the time which I did too. What's happening at 9:30 pm?
"I'll be there." She hung off the phone, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"What happened Ayra? Where are you going?" I asked.
"Levy." She hugged me crying.
"Ayra?"
I waited for the reply, soothing her. After a long pause, she answered my question. "She's gone."
"Who?" I asked in a soft tone.
"My friend."
The boutique friend of her. She always talked about her and asked me many times to visit her. I should have met her once, now I can't. Why life plays with us, a minute ago she was happy, but now.
"Is the funeral now? I am coming with you." I said and she gave a nod.
I searched brother for the car keys. When I found him, I told him what happened. He wanted to come, but couldn't. He gave the keys with a warning to drive carefully. I am going to drive after a year.
We quickly got home, changed into an appropriate black dress and hastened to the addressed place. When we reached, the place was crowded with many people attending the funeral. Alongside with Ayra, I went to have a last look. She was crying and I couldn't see her like this. I was sad but not a single tear shed through my eyes, I was worried about her more than sad. One after another everyone had the last look at her. After reciting the holy words of the ritual, they took her coffin to bury. We stayed back, I was trying to console her. Asking her to sit on a chair, I peered around for any water tank to get some water for her.
And then, my gaze fell on the most familiar person. My eyes followed his every move, his every aspect, his black hair, his tall form, his blue-green eyes. It's him. A gasp escaped my lip, I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. By my own action of my feet, I was following them without being concern about the surrounding. Abnormal beats of my heart were clearly audible. Feeling the wetness on my cheeks, I realized tears streaming down aimlessly. Wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand, I smiled through my tears. Loren's one look gladdened me. I want to meet him, I want to talk to him. I want him. Halting on my track being aware of the place, I turned to look at Ayra. I can't leave her like this, I walked back to her. Stopping again, I turned to look at him. I didn't want to lose his sight.
Shit! I am trapped.
What should I do now? I can't leave Ayra, neither I can afford to lose him again. Why? God!
Standing at one place can lead me nowhere, it's like I am traveling on two boats with one leg on each, I have to choose one. Wiping the remaining tears, I took a deep breath and went to Ayra. When I looked back, I lost him in the crowd. Surveying my eyes around, I searched for him. Tears dripped down by each passing second. I stayed beside her with a wish to see him again.
•••••••••••
Hope you like his mini entry :P
H.LOCKHART.