It took us almost 3 hours to reach Valencia. The city was much less populated and serene. It was ancient-at least two thousand years old but the best part for me was the cheaper prices it had to offer compared to what living in Barcelona costed us. I ran around the train terminal until I found a cab. He took us to the address Aimé had given us. After about twenty minutes, we reached a suburban-looking area and thereafter the cab took us on a less industrial road leading to a farm filled with what looked like cherry blossoms from afar. The cab driver told us he couldn't take us any further since it was private property. We had to get down and follow the foot trail. I couldn't see anyone in sight to ask about the address nor was Aimé picking up his d*mn phone.
We decided to take the trail and see where it led. The cherry blossom-looking trees were in fact almond trees a bit faded in color compared to actual cherry blossoms but still beautiful nonetheless.
After what seemed like an eternity in the hot summer heat we finally reached a mansion. Instead of knocking at the door, I went to check out all the noise that came from behind the house. I saw a bunch of teenagers and I internally freaked out. They'd probably not seen me so I decided to quietly disappear (after all Aimé wasn't in sight) until one of the guys decided to dive into the lake there from atop one of the roofs which splashed a whole lot of water on me. I didn't even see him coming. I was drenched from head to toe without even knowing if this was the right house I was at and now I could've been blamed for trespassing. I was cursing out Aimé internally and just ended up throwing my business smile.
Avril: Um, hello guys I was told Aimé Reyes lives here.
Some girl: yes he does, but who are you?
Avril: He invited me here....? I thought he would've said something about us...
Same girl: Honey, he does that each summer invites any random chick he finds attractive, fucks around, and then ghosts them. Do you want to be the next?
Avril: Thank God! I thought he had some serious infatuation with me or something now that you mentioned this I'm far more relieved. By the way, I'm Avril. What about you?
That girl: scoffs, and ignores me
Avril:.....? So salutations are over? Can me and my friend have some water then ..... it is too hot.
Some guy: Oh sure, Don't mind her.... she's a bit obsessed with Aimé. Also, nice to meet you! I'm Luis.
Avril: achoo! I'm sorry Luis but could you get me a towel or spare clothes if you happen to have any?
Luis: yeah, you can wait here.....I'll be right back.
It didn't seem like Aimé's room. But the whole house was antique and gave an otherworldly vibe, so I couldn't say for sure. It had teak wood finishes all over the place. Huge doors and tall windows with narrow hallways. The kitchen also had a dumbwaiter and a huge patio attached to it which led to the lake behind.
Kye was waiting for me outside and Aimé was still nowhere to be seen. Luis looked like a f*ck boy–tanned skin, solid abs and long hair. He might've been just as tall as Aimé but still looked more domineering. But then again he could be the sweetest boy while our MIA sweet boy turns out to be the real f*cker.
Luis: I'm sorry, I couldn't find any clothes except these shorts that could fit you....so I brought you my top.
Avril: not even that girl's?
Luis: oh, Sofia is not big on sharing, and as you know ...
Avril: yes, yes I get it. Thanks for the clothes though.
I didn't know if this was purposeful or not but the shirt was so long it made it seem like I wasn't wearing anything underneath which made me super self-conscious I was sure my clothes would dry up ten times faster in this scorching heat and then we could leave.
Luis: oh hi again, your friend was calling you out
Avril: oh could you please tell her to come here?
Luis: why is everything all right?
Avril: Oh no everything's fine. I just don't wanna roam around looking like I am not wearing anything underneath even though I AM. HAHAHA
(This was so f*cking awkward)
Luis: oh, should've told me first. Wait a minute, be right back
(What was he bringing me, his oversized pants this time? Am I supposed to look like a toddler dragging their parent's clothes around? With each passing minute my anger for Aimé only grew)
Luis: hey, I'm back. Here, wrap this around your waist like that you'll get more coverage. And here I thought French women like to roam around naked in summer chuckles
Avril: haha...but technically I'm only half French so...
(Just when I was trying to make Luis lose his hands off my waist; Aimé suddenly entered the room. Yes just what I needed–misunderstandings and a tense atmosphere again.)
Aimé: What are y'all doing here? Why's your hair wet Avril? :/
(This kind of ticked me off now. He was the one who was late this whole morning without informing anything or responding to any of my texts or calls. He didn't seem to have the best reputation nor did he apologize before interrogating me. Did he think he was my dad or something? What the f*ck I do with Luis or somebody else was none of his business.)
Avril: why were you so late Aimé? You didn't seem to have told them anything about us coming either. Have you at least checked your phone for the number of missed calls you have from me?
Aimé: Mantente alejada de ella, Luis.[=stay away from her, Luis ]
Luis: ¿por qué? Escuché que ella no es tu novia.¿ y No deberías centrarte más en Sofía? [=Why? I heard she's not your girlfriend. And shouldn't focus more on Sophia?]
Avril: Oh, hello? I still understand basic Spanish. The fuck y'all started spewing nonsense in Spanish too now? Has anyone asked me? If I'm even the least bit interested to fuck anyone around here. The heck y'all are so full of yourselves for?! Get out now and bring me Kye.
Kye: hey! hi, are you completely dried yet?
Avril: noooo. Could you please, please help me dry my hair...I'm so tired .....Aimé keeps acting like a kid and Luis seems to hold some grudge against him. It was a mistake to come here. I'm sorry for bringing you too.
Kye: wherever you go, I'll follow. And it's not been so bad; we saw some beautiful cherry blossoms and this ancient architecture is a marvel in itself. We can do a lot more after lunch or just take pictures across the field and then head back to the city.
Avril: you just lifted my mood! Let's do whatever we want then!
I went to the kitchen to see what they were prepping. No one was making sh*t. So I asked if I could make something for myself. I could no longer eat those bland dishes that I had to endure ever since I had come to Spain. I was part Indian and we loved our spices to death. I looked in the kitchen for whatever ingredients were available and started roasting some to make fresh 'masala'. I prepped and marinated some chicken alongside. I then added everything together and boiled it until it was tenderly cooked. I was making 'chicken kholapuri'. The spiciest it could get. But it still didn't reach the highest level of hotness and spiciness because the chilies and 'garam masala' sort of thing they had wasn't that spicy. Kye was enjoying herself in the lake and Aimé came into the kitchen to drink some water.
Aimé: whispers get that shirt and jacket off, please
Avril: I will once my clothes dry!
Aimé: you could wear mine but remove his clothes now.
Avril: Then you should've been here to give me your clothes. You didn't even tell me why you were so late and wasted our whole morning.
Aimé: I suddenly had to take abuelo to the hospital and well the reception is bad here even if sent you any text you would only receive it in the city and by the time my phone reached the city I believe you already reached here.
Avril: Oh, is your grandpa all right now?
Aimé: well, they have kept him in the hospital to monitor him for a while, we will see now.
Avril: So, are your parents with him or something? Because I haven't seen them around here.
Aimé: I'm an orphan
Avril: what? I'm sorry for asking that
Aimé: It doesn't matter they all died when I was pretty young. So I don't remember much nor do I feel anything about that anymore.
(I hugged him because I felt really bad. )
Avril: It is ok. You'll be fine. One day you'll have a family larger than now and you'll be truly happy.
He kissed me on the cheek and I moved back reflexively but hit the wall
Aimé: Yes, I'll be fine if it's with you Av.
Avril: Don't you say this to every girl you bring back every summer, Aimé ;)?
Aimé: Every summer? What girls? Who told you such nonsense?
Avril: Oh it's cooked I guess. Hmm, the aroma is so nice and it looks scrumptious. Let me just–(I taste the broth with a spoon) it turned out delicious! You wanna have some Aimé? It is gonna be very spicy though.
Aimé: oh, I know how to sweeten it for me.
Avril: Umm, How?
Aimé: I'll show you. Drink the broth again.
Avril: ....ok?.... it's still spicy–
He suddenly leaned in and started kissing me again. His saliva mixed with mine and the broth tasted sweeter as he drank it. Frankly speaking, all of this was disgusting to me but it did feel good; I'm not gonna deny that. Well, I still had to slap him.
Aimé: Ow, ow what was that for?
Avril: I warned you last time. If you touch me again I WILL break your hand. I have only slapped you this time Aimé.
Aimé: Then why did you say you loved me yesterday?
Avril: When? when did I say that?
(He was still very close to me. Almost in my face and I couldn't push him back. He was holding his hands around me and I was pressed against the low countertop of the kitchen.)
Aimé: whispers in my ear Do you know just how hard it is for me to control myself around you? And then you go around saying I love you one day to wearing some other b*stard's shirt the very next while looking half naked. I want to slam you on the countertop soo bad and do you all afternoon into the night but whenever you just talk to me while looking me straight in the eyes; I forget every lewd thought I had about you. Then I just need you to be looking at me, talking to me, and hearing only what I have to say. Just why don't you understand that?
Avril: Cause I have been betrayed far too many times. And won't you have another girl you'd wanna f*ck just as badly the next time the holiday arrives? At least that's what your friend told me.
Aimé: I asked you earlier who said that and which girls are you talking about? I don't remember who I may have brought where all these years but I sure as hell never thought this way about anyone but you and nor have ever slept with anyone till date. You are the first girl I have kissed and I intend you to be my last and yes I mean it.
Avril: OK, let's say it's all true and I believe you but we already had this conversation. I just want us to be friends for the timing. We can see to this next year.
Luis: hey, guys I smelled something mouth-watering. What is it? What is it?
Avril: oh, that's just my lunch. You wanna have some? I'm warning you it's spicy though.
Aimé comes closer to me and folds his arms around mine while placing his face on my shoulder.
Avril: Ughh, What are you doing? Get off me
Aimé: What? Don't friends hug each other this way?
Avril: No! Not guy friends at least and I don't want to be hugged by a grizzly bear, your so da*mn heavy.
Luis: Be careful, his one look and all the girls in school would start swooning over him. He'll catch you in his trance before you know it.
Avril: Hell yeah, if I had a pretty face like his; I too would be stealing every guy's heart left and right. Don't you think he should try modeling?
Luis: chuckle you have good humour and you're absolutely correct about the modeling gig; he might start earning millions if only he listened to us. Also, you mentioned you were mixed. Are you part Indian then?
Because this curry is AMAZING~~ It has more flavor in it than anything I had in my whole life.
Avril: yep. I'm part Indian.
Aimé: you know what Luis? You too would look fantastic elsewhere.
Luis: Where? With Avril?
Aimé: Absolutely not! but OUTSIDE this d*mn house for sure.
Avril: Actually, it was my father who came to France in the early 2000s for more scope in architecture. He worked at some large construction co-operation where he met my mom who was an associate lawyer there.
Luis: oh how romantic! But you don't have an Indian name?
Avril: I do, I do....it's just not many can pronounce it that well.
Luis: Try me!
Aimé: how come you never told me about your other name?
Avril: Well, you should first get some time out of being unnecessarily jealous or angry all the time to be able to talk about search things with me. Plus you never asked, Aimé.
My full name actually is Avril Vaidehi Verma Duhamel.
Luis: you have a long a*ss name now Vedi Ver-rma
Avril: well you got the Verma almost correct but it's VAIDEHI, not Vedi.
Aimé: Avril VAIDEHI VERMA Duhamel. Did I say it right? Did I?
Avril: yeah you did.
Aimé: reward me then.
Avril: Did you give me anything when I pronounced your name right?
Aimé: Oh, ready to give you anything you want girl. Would a thank you kiss be enough or if you want–
I put my hand on his mouth before he said anything more blasphemous.
Avril: I think your takeaways might've arrived by now. Let's have lunch then?
Luis: oh yes, sure!
I went to my room to change and of course, Aimé had to follow me behind like a golden retriever. I mean he looked like one and now was acting like it too.
Avril: Bro, I'm going to change back to my clothes since you hate these. Why are you following me inside, move out?
Aimé: first you friend-zoned me, now are you brother-zoning me too:(? I can help you change too :)
Avril: chuckles Stop fooling around. Gooo!
We all had lunch on the huge dining table that was there in the dining room. I met Mateo ( a year younger than me) Rafael (a year older than me) and also Sofia(a year younger than me too).
They already had a plan to go hiking and camping in the nearby mountains. I checked for the safety of the trails if any casualties had ever occurred before, and for any guard houses nearby. The trail seemed pretty safe and there was a guard house at one of the junctions of the trail but there were no accounts of anyone camping out at night there. So I put a hold on that idea and decided I would at least hike first and see where it leads us. I asked if they knew someone who already camped out there and if they had gone trekking there before this. They told me they went there all the time and it was their senior year tradition to camp out at night when they were about to turn 18. So I informed Lawrence about it along with sending him a group photo of all of us and the address of Aimé's house as well as the mountain we would trek on. Maybe I was being paranoid but I told Lawrence to come looking for us if he didn't get any text from us until tomorrow morning.
I had scouts and guides in School and I had also gone for a trekking summer camp before so I thought I would be safe.
We all packed some hiking gear and I also found a small pistol with bullets that I sneaked in my backpack. We then headed straight towards the mountain before it got too late.
Rafael: So you both are from India?
Kye: Oh no, I'm from France itself.
Avril: yeah, she's a 100% authentic French woman.
Sofia: So, which college are you applying to Avril?
Avril: Kye, do you have my camera? just give it to me for a second.
Sofia: Excuse me! I was talking to you.
Avril: wow the sky is pretty clear today.
Aimé: She's going to med school actually. The results were delayed so we don't know the specifics.
Avril: Wow, Aimé I didn't know you were my spokesperson even my best friend of twelve years has kept her mouth shut.
Aimé: well, she was asking and you just ignored her twice; so I thought I would let her know. I mean it's a good thing you have high enough grades to even be able to apply for top medical colleges right?
Avril: well, you see when I first asked your dear friend her name she just left scoffing for some reason.
Aimé: well I didn't know–
Avril: Anyways, it is useless talking to hypocrites.
So, Rafael, no offense but you don't look Spanish. Where are you from?
Rafael: Oh my not many people notice that but yes I'm an authentic Turk. My parents migrated from Turkey in the 90s.
Avril: That's so cool, so you know Turkish as well?
Rafael: yeah, I know as you can see English, Turkish, Spanish, and a little bit of Latin. What about you? I have heard Indians are generally polyglots
Avril: Yeah that's true we mostly know at least 2 languages. I can speak Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati Sanskrit,Latin, French, Russian, and some Spanish.
Rafael: Wow! Tu quoque Latine loqui!
Possemus eos badmouth et nesciebant haha[= you know Latin too, we could badmouth them and they wouldn't even know]
Avril: Quidem![=indeed]
Mateo: hey guys! I think we reached our first destination.
The landscape before us was as serene as it could get. The tranquility that surrounded us enhanced the feeling even more. We were at the peak of a mountain overlooking several valleys and smaller hills. All the peaks surrounding us were clouded with dense fog and the fresh clean air billowed around us. It felt like we had stepped into a literal heaven. Some birds were chirping in the far distance but besides that, it was wholly calm. It felt like I was meditating even when I was just breathing in the breathtaking view in front of us. The hill back home that I had been to was much shorter and more polluted compared to this one however it did have a good view in the dark with all the city lights.
I took several pictures of everyone and everything around us. After all, I had to fill my album of childhood memories with some actual pictures of my memorable moments rather than just the boring pictures of my previous homes and bedrooms that I had developed.
We settled for a quick snack before we headed towards what they called their 'senior's den.' It was a cave-like area surrounded by thick outgrowth which made it difficult to be spotted by normal tourists and other inexperienced trekkers. It was the task of the kids who grew up in this wilderness to show their skills and the fact that they had come of age by finding the cave, the ones who were younger would then be led to the caves blindfolded by their elders. It was a fun activity and I was so glad I was a part of it despite never being here before.