Its been the same dream every night for years now. About her of course. I can't ever see her face, everything's blurred. But I know her. We were at a small theatre or something like that, holding popcorns in our hand. She stood infront of me.
- I heard you like me.
- So?
- Well I like you
- I like you too.
I hugged her. But the next moment someone came and took her away. And I woke up.
Strange.
Someone knocks at the door. I go downstairs to open the door. I notice a parcel on my table. As far as I remember I didn't order anything ... Oh I need to see who's at the door first. Jason and Sky came over with presents and cake. Jason hands me over the cake.
"Happy birthday, bro", he laughs.
"Oh".
He seems confused and disappointed by the lack of emotion in my 'oh'.
I forgot that today is my birthday. Well happy birthday to me. I glance at them. They are waiting for my appreciation.
"Thanks", I say.
While they are busy with their arrangements, I dress myself up. Jason bought a shirt for me. It has been a week already that he started to work. He is already giving me presents.
I smile.
Crap!
I forgot about the parcel. I quietly go downstairs and bring the parcel to my room. It has no name on it. Even any address.
That's odd.
I open it.
Jason and Sky looked so delighted. I feel sorry for disappointing them. But I assured them that I'll be back. I'll come back. I just need to see her. I remember her now. I rushed to the park before I lose her again.
I've been waiting for 2 hours now. This is the only place where she would come when she feels sad or happy. She sent me photos of this place. How come she is not here yet?
She is still running away from me. Why? I don't have an answer for that yet.
I come back home. Jason is making some snacks while Sky passes me a cup of coffee she made. I take deep breaths. No good can come from panicking over this matter. I need to relax first. I take a sip from my coffee.
"What happened? I didn't ask you that time as you seemed to be in a rush", Jason looks so worried. I am sure he was curious still he didn't ask me anything that time thinking that I might get late for the thing I rushed like that. He is more mature than I thought him to be. I bring the box infront of them. They saw it.
"She is the first one to buy your book?" Sky asks. Well the answer is infront of her.
The receipt.
But she blurred out her name. Still I can see it. Not properly though.
I didn't expect that. I mean she bought my book. The date is the exact date editor told me. She left a receipt, a birthday card and some pictures of mine that she took in the park.
A unusual way to wish a person. Though I couldn't see her but I'm still happy.
I am.
At least I remember her correctly. I vividly remember everything about her...
We came to the restaurant where Jason works. It's my treat. I already messed up their surprise. So I need to make up for it. I suggested them other restaurants too but Jason insisted on coming here. He said the foods are good here. Mrs. Azalea seems to manipulate him too. I look around. The ambience is quite nice here. I never came here before. There is a huge bookshelf on the corner. I told Jason to order anything they want while I go through some books.
I walk towards the shelf when someone catches my eyes. I see a woman sitting at a table close to the shelf and reading a familiar book.
Wait.. That's my book.
Maybe she is a random reader or my fan but she looks familiar even from back. I reach close to the bookshelf. My heart is beating fast. What if she's here?
My anxiety is hitting me hard. A lot.
What if... she runs away again? How long do I have to chase her? I know how hard it is for her. I know she thinks that people might not accept her but what about me? I accept her the way she is.
I don't want her to feel that way anymore. I love her the way she is. I don't want her to suffer alone. I want her to know that I am there for her.
I am not afraid of anything but her running away from me.
Before I could reach the table I hear Jason arguing at the counter. I walk towards the counter first. I point him to go back to his seat. I talk with the person in the counter.
"What happened?" I ask.
"Sir, this dish was made by your friend for today's occasion. But in my absence the waiter served the dish to another customer as he thought it was for that person. I know he made a mistake . We're extremely sorry , sir. But we can't ask a customer to order something else now as the food is already being served . I hope you would consider our situation, sir".
The waiter beside him apolozied to me.
"It's okay". I nod.
I approach Jason and tell him about it. He seems a little confused and angry too. I ask him to calm down and let it go. Then we order something else and have our dinner together. Sky insists to take some photos too.
We stop by the door to wave goodbye to each other. Sky and Jason starts to walk in the opposite direction. As I start to walk I realize that I forgot about the woman with my book. I wonder how I manage to forget every important things nowadays . I turn back and see Jason running towards me. I'm sure he got something to make a fuss about.
"I got a question", Jason says hesitantly. There he goes.
"I made your favourite dish. I only made it specially for ourselves. It wasn't included in the menu. Then how did that person know about the dish? Why did he order that dish specifically? There's no way anyone could know that except our chef's" Jason asks.
That hits me. Why didn't I think of that?
How stupid of me !
I go inside. I ask the man at the counter about the order.
"By the way, may I know who ordered the dish?"
"Yeah sure, sir. The order was placed by the woman sitting at a table close to the bookshelf", he replies.
I rush to the corner. I can see her hair tied up. And her blue dress with a pair of black shoes. She's still reading the book. She gently places the book on the table. And take a sip from her coffee.
She has the habit of holding glass with both hands.
I approach her.
I place my hand on her shoulder. I'm scared. What if its not her? I don't wanna lose her again. Before I could say anything she turned around.
I thought nothing could make me more happy than my book being published.
But here I am.
Staring at her and smiling like a fool with eyes full of tears.
I speak my first 4 words to her after 2 years.
"Finally I found you".