Knock knock… Knock knock….
Anna was awoke by the continuous knocks on her door by Andy. Rolling in her bed she called out in a sleepy voice, "What? I'm up already." She woke up finally and called out for no more knocking as she is awaken. Her eyes are swollen enough for anyone to know that she has not been getting enough sleep. These days she looks like sleep deprived person. After the Christmas break work is more than extra and even though being the boys she had to give late night timings to work
herself too.
She checked the time and it's already 9:20 am. She yawned, tied her hair in a bun and went for a shower.
It's been 6months now from the day Marcel left and ever since then neither did he called nor does he visited. Although she never expected his visit so soon but at least he could have called once, her expectations with him remains the same even though every time all she get in the end is disappointment. Moreover Anna also didn't called because she didn't want to show as if she cared about him or his son or his family. Last time's experience is still fresh in her mind and that's enough for her to stay aside. Her self respect has always been the most important thing near her, even more than love.
As she came out from the bathroom her phone rang and it was doctor Maxwell calling. Picking up the call she she got updates about the health of Fiona and she get to know that Fiona is recovering much better than before. She was left interested in anything related to them but still she never halted the doctors from giving her updates and never did she ever stopped the treatment allowances. She very well knows that Marcel is of no good and he will not last long in such situations, so how could she abandon someone who is not even in her senses. She may jate Fiona now but she had never let personal grudges come in between when it's the matter of someone's parents, health or survival.
She left for office around 10:00 a.m. and the entire morning till afternoon kept herself busy to distract her mind from all the thoughts. She was in her room when she received a call from an unknown number. As she received the call her heart felt it to be Marcel and to ger amaze it was Marcel.
"Hello Anna, how are you?"
hearing the voice she didn't find it important to respond and just end the call.
Keeping the phone on the table she covered her face with her hands, closed her eyes and tried her very best to control her anger. The reason being angry has always been the same for her. She had kept to herself whatever she wants to say to him which makes her appear like an arrogant one. She can't express her feelings because it makes her feel as if she is making her feelings a burden on someone by telling them. Because most of the time in her younger years she has always been a good listener which furthur became her problem because she listens but can't express. She wanted to say many things to him today but her habit couldn't make her to so. The person whom she loved once had made her butter from inside out that she hate herself now for hating him. And all this results in her bad temper.
She starting breathing in and out in order to avoid throwing things as she do not want to create a scene at her workplace but when she cannot focus on work even after hours she just decide to leave for home.
On her way back an unknown number kept calling her but she avoided and didn't answered as it might be him.
Liz is out of the town for workshop on her new project from college so at least she won't be bombed with questions at home for coming early. But at the same time she cannot share about today to anyone, this thought made her dad and she went straight in her study. Isabelle knocking on the after a few minutes in order to check if she's all right.
"I'm fine Isabelle."
Anna said in a convincing way while typing on her keyboard with gaze fixed on the screen.
"Good to hear this. Would you like some refreshments with your coffee?" she asked reaching at her table.
Taking a deep breath, creaking her fingers she looked at Isabelle and said, " Ummm..... being anything you want with the coffee." and smiled.
Nodding in agreement Isabelle left the room and returned with some sandwiches, cupcakes and coffee.
Anna smiled widely at this. " Enjoy your coffee and snacks madam." Isabelle said with a smile and left.
Just as she left there was a knock on the did one again.
In a heavy voice she asked,"Yes, what's the matter."
Isabelle called out, "Madam, there's a guest for you."
Without entering the room.
Anna got puzzled about her strange behaviour and with a frown she asked,
"And who is that?"
"Someone named Jim."
"Complete name please. And does he have an appointment?"
There was silence outside and Isabelle didn't even came into the room to answer. She started getting confused about what the matter is.
She herself reach out to the door, as she opened it and stepped out of it, suddenly someone popped from behind the door and said,
" Jim Smith, Madam. " with a wide smile.
She jumped back with a hand on her heart.
She got startled and her heart pounded out her chest, but seeing him in front of her she smiled widely and hit him hard for doing pranks on her.
"Want to die?"
she said clenching her teeth.
"You can't kill me, though you can try." Jim said with a smirk. He has a deep voice, a great personality
along with his looks, brown hair, cute face and a slim body which looks more perfect in this black suit of his.
Smiling widely he went towards Anna with open arms and hugged her. After that he held her hand and went inside the study with her.
She shook her head as Jim had not changed at all in all these years. Even after being a successful singer and songwriter himself he always save up some time to reach out to her through calls and messages and visits her whenever he get the opportunity.
They had been like this some their college days and he was the only person with whom she never severed contacts after college ended and neither did he left her back himself. He knows all the goods and bads about her life and herself while she is also aware of everything about him.
Sitting on the couch with a thud she let go of his hand.
"Long time Jim." she said in a cheerful yet sarcastic way.
He smiled, "Yeah, very long."
"So what makes you come here today?"
"What do you mean Anna, do I need anything to come here for a reason? "
She laughed.
" Congratulations. " she said smiling.
"Thankyou."
His latest song received worldwide acclamation hence making him much more popular.
I'm the meantime his coffee and his favourite walnut cakes also arrived which he enjoyed heartily.
"Why are you always this hungry when you come here? Don't you eat at your place?" she asked watching him enjoying his cake.
With a mouthful whatever he said can't be understood so he repeated again, "What are you bothered about more? Me eating or me eating at your place?"
"Neither of it. Just eat you stupid." She said tapping his shoulder.
" There's a lot to catch up Anny don't you think so?" he said sipping his coffee and looking at her, while she was just cutting the cupcake with fork and crushing it, lost in her mind.
He can tell something is off for sure if she is zoned out. Instead of waking her up he just keep looking at her with such eyes that can melt anyone's heart. The way he is looking at her surely means he has many things left unsaid that are deep buried in his heart. He just sat there in silence and watched her making crumbs of the cake unintentionally for a long time until she herself returned in her senses.
And as she realised that she has been zone out by the way cake was all crumbled down in the plate she kept it down and apologized to him with a forced smile to hide her mental state.
"What happened? Where were you?" he asked in a low voice holding her hand in his.
Trying to force a smile she said, "Nothing happened. Though you know me. I have this bad habit of overthinking every thing unless and until it wears me out." she said sheepishly.
"I know. And that is what I'm asking about. What is it now that is wearing you out like this? It cannot be a work related matter as you are not someone to drain your mind for work when you are not at work. " he replied confidently.
"Yeah."
Tightening his grip a bit he said, "Is something out someone from long ago bothering you?"
Concern was clearly visible in his eyes for her but she trying to avoid eye contact with him nodded in yes.
"Anna I was just away for a couple of months and you are hesitating in telling me about what is in your heart and mind?"
"It's not like that. I just don't want to bring such things up when we meet after so long." she replied with a smile and continued, " I haven't even asked about your trips, how you enjoyed, which placed did you visited?"
" I kept you updated with pictures and voice messages. So you are pretty much aware of everything happening with me and around me. But you didn't told me anything." he said looking straight in her eyes and then for a moment or two their eyes met each other.
Letting go of his hand she said, " I guess you know more or less and I'm sure it's Lisa behind it."
Sighing deeply he nodded in yes and said, " As I was coming at your place I tried calling you numerous time but you didn't answered. Not even once. " Then Anna showed him her phone and asked whether that unknown number was his and it turned out it was him.
"So I called Lisa to confirm whether you are in town or not. She was on her way back to her room so she filled me up with what had happened in part 6 months. Though I didn't get the chance to get details from her but whatever I got was enough to put my mind and heart at unrest. "
He paused took a sip and continued while Anna sat beside him eyes down to the ground, "I should have been mad at you but this is one thing that I cannot do with you." his voice sound so show and comforting.
"Tell me everything, even those things which you have hidden from yourself. I'm here Anna. Even if you don't want to tell right now that's completely fine." All these words sounded so comforting to her after all those months that she can't explain.
She just turned towards him, looking at him eyes eyes started getting wet and she cannot hold it up anymore but before a drop of tear fall from her eyes, Jim took her in his arms and let her cry for he knows it was necessary to lighten up her heart.
Holding her in his arms he slowly and lightly patted her head while his eyes turning red with anger for Marcel.