Thursday, December 5, 2013
Chapter 1
It
was Sunday morning and my sister called me on a family lunch. It is going to be
crowded and I never like it with everyone all together. I feel like I want to
spend time with my sister alone, some time with my mom alone and a small drive
with my dad.
I drove to her place and reached at around 11 in the
morning. I saw my dad’s car was parked there. I guess my brother is not here
yet which is good. I is a party pooper. So I rang the door bell and my brother in law opened the
door.
“Hey Stew”
“Hey Vic, lovely to see you” I smiled back at him and hugged
him. I like him not because he is good looking but because he takes care or my
sister very well. He is very supportive and very loving. I walked towards the kitchen,
turned back and looked back at him.
“Yup, Stella is in kitchen” He said and smiled. I went to
the kitchen and there she was working and talking to mom when mom was sitting
and sipping wine.
“Hello girls” I said and both of them turned back. Stella
came and hugged me and my mom opened her arms so that I can come and hug her.
So mom. I gave her a tight hug than took another apron, pored wine in a glass
and I was all set to help them cook.
“So dear, what is going on these day” Mom asked with her Sherlock
Holmes voice.
“Nothing mom, just regular job, well boring job” I said and
Stella looked at me, she instantly know when I am worried of something.
“Anna told me that you went out with a guy from your office,
what about him?” My mom said to follow up on my love life.
“No, I went with him because he helped me in something and I
wanted to thank him and why did you are my roommate.”
“I didn’t, she met me in parlour and you happen to be common
topic of discussion.” Although it seems like a coincidence but more often than
not it is must be my moms set up. Anyways, I dodged that comment and asked
“Where is dad?”
“He must be lecturing Stew about gardening, although we hire
a professional gardener but he would… You know.” Stella said and I nodded. I removed
my apron. Put my wine glass down and pulled three beer form the fridge and went
out to the garden.
The door was open and I could see my dad was talking to
Stew, looking at the garden. I walked towards them and said
“How are you guys?” My dad turned around and picked my up.
“Lovely, you look beautiful my girl. How have you been?”
“Happy, I have been happy dad. Beer?” I said and I could
always see a smile of proud on my dads face when he sees me. I love that smile.
We had some chat, shared some stories and then we hear Stella’s voice
“Lunch’s ready guys, come to the back yard.”
We all went to the back yard garden and they have settled up
a nice table for lunch. We all had good laughter, discussions, teasing. Soon
after my parents had to leave as they had another club get together to go to.
My sister and I sat on the relaxing chair in the backyard with wine glasses and
Stew went to watch some game on TV.
Finally we got some alone time to open our girly chatter
box. After a few discussions Stella said
“So, do you want to talk about your office?”
“What? That guy, not you Stella?”
“No Vic, you know I am not talking about him. I am asking
about your office, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, its just that I am so bored and feel like I should
take a break but I don’t want to just sit at home and waste my time. I did that
last time but I was more bored at home alone.”
“So go out. Take a vacation,”
“What could be sadder than that? Going on a vacation by
myself.”
“True”
“Why don’t you come with me?” I asked Stella with
excitement.
“Are you kidding, I have work and Stew.” she said and smiled
“Oh I can see you want to come”
“No, no… may be” She said while thinking
“Alright, just hypothetical situation, if we are going,
where will we go?” I asked, just to find out what is in her mind.
“Don’t know, may be to a beach resort. We can just relax on
beach.” She said while imaging
“Having wine and chatting. No worries or work, home, husband
or boyfriend” I was just painting an image in her mind.
“You should go love.” Stew said from behind.
“Why are you spying on us?” I turned back and said. Before
Stew can answer Stella said
“No husband spying on you.”
“You should go. Next to next week I am going to be busy with
financial year closings at work and will come home late. May be I can just go
out on guys night outs and relax myself. You go ahead, I will be fine.” Stew
said and we both smiled
“You want some tea; I am going to make some.” He asked.
“Yeah, something fruity for me. I am excited.” I said
“Me too” Stella said.
Chapter 2
Stew being a nice guy, looked for a great resort which is 4
hours drive from home. He booked it for 5 days. We will drive down tomorrow
morning from Stella’s place. I went to bed just thinking of the best coming
days.
As always I switched off alarm and kept sleeping in the
morning. I heard car horn and woke up with shock and realization that I was
suppose to be ready. I poked my head out from window and saw Stella was in the
car.
“What the hell!”
“I will be there in 2 minutes, just 2 minutes.” I said and
ran towards my closet. I have this travel kit with all essentials. I picked it
up and stuffed some shorts and t-shirts in a bag and ran out grabbing my shoos
and thongs on the way out.
“See I came, in less than 2 minutes” I said while breathing
heavily.
“That is impressive, let’s go.”
“Wait, can I just go and pee”
“There we go” I took it as yes and ran inside to the
bathroom. I came back and Stella was sitting on couch reading morning
newspaper.
“Let’s go” I yelled and was going out
“It’s ok; did you keep your swim wears?”
“I love you sister” I said and ran to pick them up from
bathroom. I yelled from bathroom “ Stella, can I…” before I could complete my
sentence she said.
“Yes, make it fast” I kept rest of the stuff in a plastic
bag and came out.
“Oh wait, I forgot my purse. I might not need it but it has
license” I started to walk to my room while talking and Stella said
“I got it already, let’s go now.” I ran towards her, gave
her a running hug and kissed on cheek.
“You know I love you right” she looked at me and smiled
back.
She was driving and I was setting up my phone to play some
music. While choosing the right song I said
“Stella, can we stop for coffee and you know I didn’t even
brush my teeth”
“I knew it was coming. The rest area is in another 30
miles.” She said and smiled again. We stopped and had some breakfast. The rest
of the drive was very delightful. It was nice and warm weather.
We reached hotel by 11 in the morning and I was wondering on
where the beach is. I could just see a big resort. We checked in and the guy at
reception told us the way to our room. As far as I remember from the booking
mail the room was suppose to be beach facing. I opened the door of the room and
it was a lavish setting with a big deck at the back. I jumped on the bed and
Stella opened the curtains for the deck. The beach was right in front of us.
Stella looked at me and we yelled at our highest voices.
I didn’t even wait for another second. I changed into my
swim wear and ran towards the ocean. Stella followed me as she had to apply sun
scream and all which I am never interested in.
After a while we came out were just lying on the beach under
the warm sun when I saw a guy who was sitting on a bench just having his lunch
or something. He sat there for a while post he completed his burrito. He got up
and walked away.
I just ignored and we went ahead with our plan. The plan was
to go to spa and get ourselves pampered.
I was getting the body message and my eyes were closed.
Somehow I could not get him out of my mind. He was tall and good looking guy.
He was wearing a business suit and a dam good one for sure. Although I was
sitting far away but somehow I get a feeling that his eyes were sad. I felt
like he was alone which I could not understand.
After the message Stella and I went to the shack at the
beach and sat under the umbrella. We ordered some wine. Stella was reading a
book and I was just staring at the ocean.
“What are you thinking Vic?”
Stella asked
“Nothing, just admiring the beauty of the ocean.”
“Really, I take it. What else?” Stella asked as she knew I
am thinking about something. In reality I was thinking about someone.
“Nothing much, I was thinking, what if someone is lonely
because they want to be lonely?”
“What, why do you think you are lonely? We all are with you
Vic?” Stella said with worry in her voice. She kept her glass down and turned
towards me.
“No. I am not saying I am lonely. I was just…” I looked at
her and I could see she has thousand thoughts in her mind, but I didn’t wanted
her to be worried. So I just said
“I am thinking of a new article for my magazine and you…
never mind.”
“Oh my god, Vic, we are here so that we can be free of work
and other things.” I nodded along. Stella picked her Novel in her left hand and
wine glass in right and started reading again.
I decided I should just jump into the ocean again. I kept my
glass on the side and ran towards the ocean. I could here Stella yelling at me
“Vic, it is going to be cold girl.” I just had to wash my
thoughts in the ocean so I went anyways.
The next day during lunch time after Stella and I came out
of pool I decided to take a walk around the beach and Stella just wanted to
fell asleep under the sun. My intention was not to spy but also it is true that
I did not forget those lonely eyes. I kept walking and listing to the sound of
ocean when I saw him walking towards the bench. He came sat for a while. He
just kept looking at the ocean. I kept looking at him from the corner of my eye
while walking around.
He was tall and handsome. He had this lean look with beard
which was nicely trimmed. This is a small town and I could not guess what kind
of work he would do that he has to wear a suit on a Friday noon. I so wanted to
talk to him may be just say hi. I started to walk towards him and then he
pulled out his burrito and started eating him. I decided I will wait for a
while so that he finishes his lunch. I kept walking and suddenly I heard
Stella’s voice.
“Vic” I ignored it once but she kept going.
“Vic… Vic… Victoria ”
I couldn’t ignore her more so I went to her.
“What? Sorry couldn’t hear you because of wind” I said
“No worries! I just met resort manager and he told me that
we can take a golf cart and drive around. It is cheap and we can go to some
bush walk which according to him is AWESOME.” I was listening to her but my
eyes were at him. He almost finished his lunch and was just cleaning up. Stella
was still lying on the sand and she just took a peak on what I am looking at
and said
“What are you looking at?” I moved so that she couldn’t see
and said
“Nothing, sounds like a good plan. Let’s go.” Stella and
nodded and got up.
“You go to room and take shower; I will just get your stuff.
I need to pay for our drinks.” Stella could smell that something is fishy but
she gave me befit of doubt and went ahead. I turned around saw him walking
away.
The next two days I made sure we are in the resort during
lunch time even though Stella wanted us to be out somewhere. I kept looking but
he didn’t come.
We were sitting in the dinning area looking out to the
beach. I was having a very nicely cooked pasta and Stella as always watching
her weight so she was have a sad salad. I was mostly playing with pasta with my
fork and thinking to myself that may be he did not come because its weekend or
may be he saw me looking at him. Tomorrow is Monday and we are supposed to
check out in the morning 10 AM. I could either tell Stella, ask her to wait in
the resort till 12:30 PM which is his time to come or just put my curiosity to
rest.
“Vic, what happened? You look lost most of the stay here. Is
everything alright?” Stella asked
“I am good.” I just avoided her question
“Vic, you can tell me baby. Certainly you have something in
your mind otherwise you will not leave even a single pasta on your plate and
you have not eaten more than 5 mouthful in last 20 mins” Stella said and I kept
looking at her thinking should I or shouldn’t I.
“Never mind, if I have something I will say it. Alright,
Stella don’t worry about me. I am fine. I just keep thinking something. I am a
writer that’s what we do.” I said and smiled
“Well, you can’t get away with this card all the time but I
am going to leave you with your thought. You should just know that you can tell
me anything.” Stella said in comforting voice.
“I know thanks.” I said and kept my hand on hers to tell her
that I trust her and thanking for her support.
We it was Monday morning and we checked out. I could not
find courage or may be I was not able to explain myself why I want to meet him.
I just saw him twice and I am not the kind of person who will fall in love at
first sight. There was something different in him. We were driving back. I
could see the traffic, road turning, and managing speed limit but at the same
time my concentration was not on driving. I wanted to turn around and just go
for it.
We reached at my place at around 2 PM. I stopped the car and
opened the door. Stella kept her hand on my arm and said
“Do you want to talk now?” I turned towards her and looked
into her eyes.
“No, you will judge me.”
“Come on Vic.”
“Alright, when we were at the beach on first two days I saw
this guy.”
“Wooohh” Stella made a the sound
“Nothing as such. He was sitting on the bench next to beach.
He had his lunch there I guess. I felt he was lonely and somehow I got this
curiosity to go and talk to him.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t know. It just felt stupid.”
“Did you like him?” Stella asked
“Not in that way. I mean I don’t even know him, how am I
suppose to like him?” Stella nodded and said
“We should go back. Come on.”
“No.” I said as a reacting to her idea
“We never do such crazy things. We should do it Vic.”
“It’s not that, it’s just he come at 12:30 for not more than
30 mins and it is 2 O’clock already.”
Stella nodded along.
“We can go tomorrow.”
“No, let it go. It was this stupid instinct I guess.” Stella
gave me a hug and I got down from the car. I took my bag and Stella said
“Take care and don’t think about it much.” I nodded and
walked towards the house. I kept thinking how stupid and funny it is that I
always believe that one can only like someone when they know each other but
this man surprises me.
Go to Chapter 3
Go to Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Next day in the morning I went to office and he was out of
my mind now, well almost. My friend asked me for lunch and we went out. We
generally walk down the road and see wherever we want to eat. She asked me
“What do you feel like eating today?”
“Burrito” I said and smiled
“Cool, I like burrito, I can eat burrito.” She said and we
went and had burrito. The whole day I was busy with work but of and on I just
get a picture of him in front of me. What is funnier is that sometime I got
picture of empty bench and some time I just burrito in my mind. I couldn’t
decide if I like him or the burrito more.
I went back home and made myself salad for dinner. Saw some
TV and went to bed. Generally it takes me no more than 10 mins to fall asleep
but tonight was different. I kept reading my novel which I stared in the trip.
I was half way already in the trip and that night I completed it. When I read
the last page I saw the time and it was 5 O’clock in the morning.
I tucked myself in the comforter and fell asleep within next
5 minutes. My alarm rang at 7:30 AM and unlike other days I got up without
putting it snoozes. I took shower, got ready, took my office bag and got into
the car. I started the car and was driving towards office. While driving I saw
a billboard which said “Stop chasing your dreams just do it already. Find all
your dreams come true in the Candy Land Bar” Although this board was to attract
men to come to a strip club I felt it was for me. I took the expressway instead
and drove towards the same resort we went. It was around 8:30 and I knew it
will take around 4 hours to reach there. I drove on a bit higher side of the
speed limit. It was a working day I was driving against the traffic so I wasn’t
much worried but what did I knew.
I read another board which said “Road work ahead. DETOUR
with a sign to left.” I pulled my GPS and set it up with detour. The estimated
time of arrival was shown as 1:05 PM. This was 5-10 mins past my time estimated
time of arrival. I drove as fast as I could without attracting the highway
police. I reached the resort at 12:57 PM. I parked and locked my car. I ran to
the back of the resort towards the beach. The moment I reached to the beach I
looked toward the bench and no one was sitting there.
I have seen him going to a small alley before so I ran
towards that alley and I saw him walking down the road. I went to him and
tapped on his shoulder. He turned back and looked at me. I was right his eyes
are sad. I kept looking at him for a minute. I was figuring out what to say. He
tilted his head in a position that he was expecting me to say something.
“I am sorry, you don’t know me but I just… I …” I started to
stammer. He saw his watch and looked back at me.
“I don’t want to hold you but I wanted to talk to you.”
“Regarding?” He said. His voice was like a fresh breeze,
very calm and soothing.
“I don’t really know…” I was confused
“Fine, but I have some where to be right now. If you want
you can come to my office and wait there.” I nodded and said
“That will be great” I thought I will get most of the
answers if I go to his office anyway. We walked for another half a mile but I
did not say a word because I didn’t anted to freak him out. He was walking very
fast, maybe he was getting late for his meeting. We reached to his office which
was small place next to a restaurant. I figure may be he is the manager of
restaurant or may be owner. We walked through a small alley next to the
restaurant to a very well designed heavy wooden door. He opened the door and
said
“After you” I stepped in. it was a very well decorated office.
One wall was full of books more that I must have read in my entire life. There
were lot of paintings, certificates and other stuff on other walls.
“Take a seat, would you like something to eat?”
“No, I am good.”
“OK, I will be back in 30 minutes.” He picked up some files
and started to walk. I realized that I am in fact hungry as I didn’t have my
lunch. So I said
“Sorry but I am hungry can I get something to eat.”
“Sure” he pulled a menu from his desk and passed it on to
me. “Call 018 from my desk phone and order anything you like.”
“Thanks!” he nodded and went ahead for his meeting I guess. I
check the menu and saw burrito. I order it from his desk phone. I could see he
has some picture frames at his desk. There is a picture of him with one lady
and a young kid. So, I guessed that may be he is married. I don’t know why but
I felt bad about it. May be I have a crush on this guy like a fairy tell story.
I just sat on the soft leather couch and was reading a
magazine. A waiter came over with my burrito. He did not accept money when I
tried to pay him. I finished my burrito while reading the magazine. In another
5 minutes he came back. Like a gentleman he knocked on the door before he came
in even though it was his own office.
“Sorry for kept you waiting.” He said and kept his files on
the table and sat on the couch next to me.
“That is fine.” I decided what I will be talking to him in
last 30 minutes or so. He looked at me as I was supposed to start but I forgot
where I should start from.
“My name is Jason.” He said and I smiled and said
“I am Victoria .
So, I and my sister came to this resort for a vacation and I saw you having
your lunch everyday alone at the bench. I don’t know why I felt the need of
talking to you.” He looked surprised so I told him the whole story of when I
came and saw him first and the second say and that I am coming to meet him from
city today.
“So, you are stocking me.” He said and I realised may be he
is right. Before I could say something he smiled.
“Sorry, I am writer and I have this imagination. I could not
connect the dots. You sit alone for lunch and keep looking out at ocean but you
are not a shabby person as you wear nice suits and just be there so fix time.”
“Why should I be telling you about my personal life, is it
going into some newspaper’s column? Just because you are a writer you came back
to talk to me?” He asked with a bit of frustration in his voice. I thought for
a moment and said
“No, the person who is in front of you is not a writer. I
came because I want to know you more. I came because I… may be I...” I was
hesitant in speaking my mind so I got up and said
“Sorry that I wasted your time.” I picked up my bad and
started walking towards the gate.
“It is the first time in last 8 months that someone came to
me without any reason. You think I will let you go just like that.” I stopped
walking but didn’t turn back. I did not know what my expressions should be. There
was utter silence in the room for few minutes.
I turned back and looked at him. He was looking at me like a
puppy who has been under the rain for hours and just waiting for someone to
come and rescue him. Both of us did not have anything to say at the moment.
“Do you…” Just when I said first word his phone started to
ring. He got up and picked it up. He said
“I can’t make it. Can you cancel my appointments for today?”
I guessed it must be his PA. He gave a pause for a second and said “You were
saying something?”
“Do you want to go for a walk?” he nodded and we walked out
of his office. Although his office was very comforting I felt I could breathe
better outside may be because there was too much heat in the room. In few
minutes we were back on the beach where it all started. I told him about
myself. He is a very good listener.
“What do you want to know about me? About who I am or why do
I come to this bench everyday?”
“All of it.”
“I am from the city, just like you. I was born and brought
up there. I was practicing law in my father’s company. I got this case of land
dispute. A lady claimed the land of her father from her brother as his brother
was a drug addict and could not take care of it. As per her the land has been
in the family for long. I came here to fight for her land. We won the case and
we fell in love. It took us not more than 6 months from start the case to
getting married. She shifted to the city with me. After three years we had our
baby Jacob.
We have been thinking about moving out of the city and after
the baby the decision became much clearer. We decided to move here. I would
practice law as I was doing in the city and we will build a house and a
restaurant on her father’s land. Everything was going great. Most of the people
know us here very well because her family has been living in this town from
ages.
10 months back, we three were at this beach. Jacob and I
were in the ocean and my wife was sitting at the bench. After a while something
pinched me on my foot so we came out but Jacob still wanted to swim. So she
took he back in. I didn’t realize that what stung me was a jelly fish and it
started to pain badly. I almost was fainting when I started to yell at the
highest of my voice. My voice was going down as I had not much energy to shout.
I wanted to call them back as there may be more jelly fishes there. Before I
could realise I was unconscious and I fell down. I woke up in hospital. Someone
from the resort saw me and called the ambulance. I found out that there were
many jelly fishes in the water. We never found any of them before as this was
our beach for every weekend. That day I found out that I have lost my son and
my wife. They got stung and could not come out of the water. By the time people
came to they drowned into the water.” He had tears in his eyes while telling
the story. I gave him a hug to console him. He took a minute and said
“I still come here everyday and regret coming for swim that
day. Government took care of cleaning the water after that incidence but
nothing can bring them back.” We sat on
the bench for few more minutes and walked back to his house. We spent whole day
talking about each other. It felt like we know each other from ages. I felt a
connection with Jason. It was late in the night so he asked me to stay at his place. I thought there is no harm in staying here and driving in the morning.
Go to Chapter 4
Go to Chapter 4
Chapter 4
The next morning I got up and looked outside form the
window. The beautiful sunlight on the ocean made feel more like a vacation than
what I felt when I was here with my sister on actual vacation. I did not had
any night wears so I just kept my cloths on the chair in the night. I put them
back on and went to the kitchen to get some water. Jason was already there.
Nice breakfast was on the table.
“Good morning.” I said. He turned back and looked at me.
“Morning, you got good sleep?” I nodded. We had the
breakfast. I finished the last sip of my coffee and said
“It is 8 O’clock already; I will not be able to make it to
office today. Anyway I should take a leave at least you have work to do.” He
looked at me with blunt face and then smiled and said
“I call in to cancel all my appointments for the day if you
would like to stay longer.” He said while looking at his plate. I guess he
wasn’t very confident that I will agree.
“Do you want me to stay?” I said to get his reaction. He did
not say a word but smile said everything. I nodded along.
“I don’t have cloths to change.”
“We will go shopping.”
The whole day passed by so quickly. We did shopping, lunch
by the ocean. I couldn’t get Jason to get into the ocean but I am sure he will
come with me someday. It was around 5 in the evening and we were at a small
café, enjoying coffee.
“I should leave so that I can reach before it’s too late in
the night.” I said and gave a pause to see how he will respond.
“Is it really needed?”
“What?”
“I mean, do you really have to go?”
“Yeah, I need to go to work tomorrow.” I said with surprise
in my voice.
“What if you can find a job here?” I stopped for a minute
and then asked
“Are you asking me to shift from city to here?” He did not
say anything and kept looking at me. I was confused, we have just met. I have a
stable life in the city. I didn’t know what to respond.
“Isn’t it crazy?”
“I have never done crazy in my life. I thought I am too old
for it but I guess not.” He said and somehow I wanted to agree but I was
insisted.
“I should leave. You are right; we are too old to do crazy
stuff. Let me drop you home.” I said and stood up. He looked into my eyes and
nodded slowly.
“I will get home, you carry on.” I nodded along and said
“Thanks for beautiful day. This was the best day of my
life.”
“Thanks to you for coming here.” We hugged and I walked to
the car. I opened the door of the when. Somehow I didn’t want to go. There were
thousand thoughts in my mind. What if I stay here? Can I find a job? Even if I
do will this last long? First of all is this what we are thinking it is or is
it just a infatuation. I made my mind understand that I have to take a decision
which is wise so I sat in the car and was about to close the door.
“I will wait for your call.” He said from the porch of the
café. I closed the door and drove away. I drove for not more than 10 miles and
I pulled over at the side. I called my sister and told her the whole story. She
yelled at me for not telling her. I guess stew was sitting next to her so he
took the phone and said
“Love is hard to find Vic, if you know it is love do
whatever you can to stick to it, if you don’t know you should give it a
chance.” I hanged up and took a you turn. I went to the café and he was still
there at the porch. I opened the door and stepped out. He looked at me. We
froze for a moment then he walked to me and whispered in my ear.
“I knew love always comes back.” A tear fell down my cheek
and I just found out what love is. I will never say again that love at first
site is not possible. Just keep an eye on ‘The Bench’ and someone will turn up
one day.
***END***
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