I scroll through the recent reviews of Aldrich company. Well thanks to Sky. It got more reviews because of her advertisement.
Eden knocks at the door. I tell him to come in.
"Sir, our company got more reviews than Azalea company overnight", he says, while showing me the files.
"Yeah I just saw that. Good. What about the products?" I ask.
"Everyone seems to like our skin products alot. They are leaving good reviews and selling rate is higher than last month too ".
"Order any food, you guys want. My treat", I smile.
"You are in a good mood today, sir", he laughs.
I nod.
He stares at me for a while and then leaves. My company got more reviews than Mrs. Azalea's. My book got published too. How can I not be in a good mood?!
I visit the flower shop hoping to see her again. I have waited for an hour already. She is not here yet. I walk around the shop and suddenly notice a familiar face. It's Eden. He approaches me.
"Sir, you have an appointment at 3 pm with Professor Charlie. We need to leave now". He steps aside to open the door for me.
"Oh yes! It completely slipped my mind", I say while getting in the car.
I usually forget things for which I need a reminder.
I'm standing infront of Charlie's cabin, staring at the door.
Professor Charlie.
The one who introduced her to me. He was the least serious student of our class. He used to hate studying and now he teaches others. He became a professor of literature.
"Long time no see. Glad you came", he says while arranging his books.
"Yeah. A little busy with work. So I couldn't contact you". I shake my head.
"How come you contacted me after so many months?" He gives me a strange look. Before I could even answer he says, "Wait! Don't say you found her".
"Well, I didn't find her but I saw someone like her. I don't know whether it's her or not". I'm nervous.
"How do you feel?"
"Okay?", I say.
He looks at me. He knows that I'm not okay. He does.
"I'm not okay. I'm not okay at all. I'm tensed or worried or scared. I don't know how to explain my feelings. I just feel.. I ..I just can't lose her. I know I can't prove it but I know it's not my illusion or imagination or something. These memories... are so real. I know she exists. You do too. You're the only one I can talk to about her freely, Charlie", I sigh quietly.
"I know. And its okay to not be okay. I'm here for you. You can talk to me whenever you want. I believe you. Don't worry you'll find her".
I feel Charlie's arms wrap around me from behind.
I try not to cry, because that would be silly.
Right?
I know he's tensed to see me like this. But she just disappeared like that without saying us anything. Without saying me anything. That's not how a story is supposed to end.
I came home right after taking dinner with Charlie. We talked about how our days are going. About some good old memories too.
Once Charlie forgot to bring his homework. And it was a strict teacher's class. He was scared as he was the only one to not bring the homework. And the only way to help him out was to get punishment along with him. I completed my homework yet I said I forgot to bring it. The teacher made us stand outside our classroom for the whole period. That was the first time I lied that I forgot something even though I didn't. Well now I actually seem to forget things.
I took a shower and watched some tv shows for diverting my mind. I open my phone and just stare at my mails.
I recieved so many mails. Readers are appreciating my book a lot. While scrolling through I notice someone bought my book in the evening. She was the first purchaser as my editor said.
That's nice
I sit up straight.
I forgot to ask Jason about his work. Today was his first day at work. I wonder how it was. I am sure he did okay. I call him up.
- Hey, Jason.
- Yo bro
- How was your day?
- It was great to be honest. I had to make many dishes. Customers really liked them. I am pretty excited for tomorrow though.
- My dude's having fun there ..haha.
- How was your day tho?
- Well, mine was great too. Guess what, our company got more reviews than Azalea company. Plus someone bought my book. Also I met Charlie after a long time. So yeah it was great.
- Oh wow. Congrats on that.
- Thanks. Btw I didn't ask you that time. You know I tend to forget things a lot nowadays. What is the name of the restaurant that you work at?
- You know it's better if things escape your memory sometimes.
- Yeah. Got it. Name?
- Um.. Its az.. not necessary.
- Jason
- Bro
- Don't tell me you...
- Yeah, I work at your mom's restaurant. Please don't get pissed. Please.
- Why you had to choose Mrs. Azalea's company over so many other companies?!
- It's a nice place. And it's close to Sky's house you know. But you need to cut her some slack. You know she's really worried about you.
- You know her better than me I see. Whatever I don't care about her. I'll hang up.
- Yeah sure. Don't be angry bro. Love ya.
I hang up the phone. I'm pissed off. Not with Jason but her. I am sure she wants Jason there so that she can gather information about me from him. She just wants to control me. She's never worried about me. She doesn't even care. All she cares about is her goddamn company. She never had time for me. She will never have. So it's better not to think about her. I go downstairs to make coffee. That's on my daily routine. To have a cup of coffee before sleeping. But now I think I need to have two cups.
I just know what's going through my head and that's nothing but a sea of disappointment.
I hate it.
There are certainly a lot of things I want to say to her, but Azalea Aldrich and her son are not the best communicators.
Not since the day Edmund Aldrich became Azalea Aldrich's abandoned son.
That day is the reason why I don't like her anymore.
She has a new family now.
She's happy and content now
Why do I care?