A week passes by rather quickly, Elliot waiting for call and Evelyn still contemplating on opening the bag. Christmas is around the corner but it will never be the same as before this year. Little surprising presents, planned dates, visiting a new place every year for Christmas will be missed by both of them. They planned to visit 'Peak District National Park' this year as it marks 3rd anniversary right after new year. At present there's nothing except staring the open sky blankly one hoping for at least a bit of information and other fighting a battle whether to head back
// How are you? //
'Fine I guess. You?'
// Good, it's been so long Elliot! All our college mates are planning a Bachelor Party on 30th as one of my cousin is getting married later in January. You are needed //
'I don't think I can make it Daniel'
// At least give it a thought bro. By the way where are you and which is the place for this Christmas? //
There's the question he was trying to avoid from the time he picked up his old buddy's call. Should he feel happy that their friends think about his life or sad because they know each freaking thing between him and Evelyn to question him openly? Anyway the memories are starting to haunt again. If he agrees there is high possibility that Evelyn might show up as they all are from same college or they will just invite him and ask to come along with Evelyn. Can he face Evelyn now? Is he ready? Did he sort himself out?
It will be a lie if he says he don't miss her, a complete bullshit. Their warm nights cuddled up in the bed, binge watching movies on the eve, having silly talks in their favorite Cafe and more over their parents were completely open about their relationship. Their parents were acting as if they were long lost bestfriends giving the two youngsters their full support and love. Now even that strong bond started to collapse between the families after his sudden departure to Wales
He didn't visit his parents in 2 months, so he decides to go. Finalizes to step out of his shell for once and face anything that is gonna happen after reaching Manchester. He still has 4 days time to think things through about heading back to his home. His heart is screaming to run back and see her, he knows she is performing for New year, as it was finalized long back but took time to get implemented. He wished the time flew back to when they were the happiest and watch her perform like absolute angel
'I will be there Daniel'
// Perfect. Come with Evelyn, kay? I will try contacting her //
'Bu- Okay, see you'
.
The clock ticks 12 and it's Christmas nothing special it's just another Christmas which doesn't bring any excitement like before. Her gloomy expression fades away as the door of her bedroom bursts open revealing her little devil running towards her. Evelyn stares in surprise watching her brother after almost 4 months
"What's with that expression stupid?" he flicks her forehead launching himself on her
"I am just surprised you monster" Evelyn hugs her younger brother back with genuine happiness
"Merry Christmas Dumber"
"Same to you dumbass"
They both lay on the carpeted floor staring at nothing when Evelyn breaks the silence
"Why didn't you inform me?"
"As if you were gonna pick me up! Mom wanted it to be a surprise" he shrugs
"Shut up! Hey monster?" Evelyn speaks rather calmly catching her brother's attention
"Yeah? Why do you look like a dead zombie?"
"Nothing but can we go somewhere tomorrow?"
"I am staying till mid of January. We will go some other time sissy, I need rest"
"I will cook your favorites Rowan, pretty please?"
"Fine fine. Where do wanna go?"
"Some where like a trip. Just the two of us, think of a place"
"Seems suspicious but okay, I know a place. We will leave around 11 tomorrow"
"Place?"
"Surprise sissy" he runs away poking her nose making her smile whole heartedly in months
Evelyn makes her way to the duffel bag mentally thanking the lords that Rowan didn't bring the topic she wanted to avoid the most. She needed time for herself, even though there's a performance coming up a 2 days trip wont hurt right? A quality, happy time with her brother maybe help her to forget the reality just for 2 days at least
She opens the zip carefully with a rapidly beating heart taking out a small maroon cardboard box with shaky hands. The lid of box with a same maroon heart and a ribbon slowly slides open with a gentle push of her hands making her gasp and bite back a cry immediately
There lies few of their polaroid pictures of 4 years Christmas celebrations starting with 1st year in their family get together and 3 more years of their love trips. There was nothing new, all the pictures are seen by her long back, heck it was her with him in every picture. Overwhelming feeling crawls through her skin eyeing all the candid Polaroids lying in front of her. She takes out the last thing in the box which a paper made craft reading 'Love you' with a paper of letter E in 2 different colors
She remembers it, they made few crafts last trip and he made that funny craft by folding the paper in the shape of letters and dramatically proposing her with all cheesy lines he could think of. Evelyn chuckles a bit at the memory deciding to close the box and securing it not wanting to spoil her already ruined mood for tomorrow. Just then her brother enters inside with a sleepy face lying on the bed and sleeping immediately
"You unknowingly made my day little devil, Love you" she pecks his cheek before getting under the covers with tears streaming down her face and falling asleep after few minutes
"Love you too alien, I took vacation just for you my sweet sissy" Rowan kisses her forehead cuddling her falling deep into slumber
"Wake up dumbo! Mom's calling you" Evelyn wakes up her brother slamming his head with the pillows
"Stop your harassment idiot" He groans walking down the stairs with the latter following behind
"Get ready you both, I packed your lunch for today!" She exclaims making her way outside
"Spill it at least now Rowan" she sighs eyeing outside the window
"Patience my dear, sleep for time being"
Evelyn closes her eyes giving up on her brother still a bit unsure of his driving but she needed an escape. Images of them playing in the mountains, chasing each other in the woods, sharing sweet deep kisses at random places floods her brain as she groans and closes her eyes forcing herself to stop thinking about the things which bring nothing but agony
Rowan eyes her sadly but decides to not dwell on the topic seeing her state after hearing his mom blabbering about his sister's condition one entire day. He promises himself to give her best memories till he leaves and to kill Elliot when he finds him for sure