Episode 16
~ Eva ~
It’s time. Yeah, we are leaving today. I will miss this place. I might not come back, or should I say, I will never come back here again and that makes me more sad.
The one who said, Live in a moment is hundred percent right. We should live in a moment. Because time never stops, for no one. So instead of letting these beautiful moments fade away, live them and collect in the box of memories. Life is rough, it was and always will be but this journey will definitely give you some remembering pages to pin down. Through this hard life, I have mine you’ll be having yours too. All you have to do is remember and involuntarily you will find yourself smiling.
“Come back soon, Eva”, Kavya smiled at me. Such a beautiful lady, just in her mid thirties but her motherly nature is far more mature than her age. I made a friend here, in a new country and that made every other bitter feeling go away.
“I will”, I lied. But I don’t want to. However, I did.
“Let’s go”, Chloe called and I nodded. We gave one last glance to the house that created some worth remembering days.
The journey from Yatch to shore was silent and quick. Reaching there, some guards helped us with luggage.
I frowned when saw my luggage placing in Adam’s black Escalade. “Troy, Why are you keeping my stuff in Adam’s car?” I asked.
“Mr. King’s orders ma’am”, he answered and I turned towards Aaron with raised eyebrows.
“I have some work in California. You will be with everyone else in Adam’s jet.”, He answered and my eyes widened.
He didn’t even tell me?
“You didn’t even thought of telling me this beforehand?”, I asked somewhat accusingly.
“For telling you, we need to talk! “, He bit back and I flinched.
Yeah, we are again on not-talking basis. Or should I say, he is ignoring me like a plague. The day after my drug-self, I was little bit embarrassed and somewhat nervous to talk with him. Though Chloe assured me that I didn’t sputtered anything wrong or hurtful to anyone while blabbering, still the sadness in his eyes since that day makes me think otherwise.
“Still-”
“Fine! Honey, I have some work in California, so I am not gonna come with you to New York. And I am sorry darling, but you will have to go without me. I hope that’s fine with you-Oh! Why am I asking? Of course it’s fine with you. After all, that’s what you want, to be away from me, don’t you? So unfortunately, I will see you after few days. I hope that doesn’t disappoint you. See you, tata!”, He snapped mockingly and strode towards his car while waving at me.
What the hell! I was just-
“What the hell was that? Did you guys like had some couple fight or something?”, Liza asked and I shot turned towards her.
This man!
I turned back and strode towards his car. My hands balled in fist. He was about to close door when I held it open and snapped it back. He flinched and looked up at me.
“Listen here, dear husband! I don’t know what I did that night, but I didn’t mean to hurt you. Whatever I said or did was just because I was not in the right state of my mind. So do not talk with me like that. If whatever I said was that hurtful then I am sorry. But you were the one who ignored me like a plague when I was always trying to find a chance and apologize you. I don’t even remember what I did or said that made you so much angry, still I tried to apologise to your stubborn ass! So let me repeat, do not talk with me like that! “, I seethed while glaring at him and he nodded averting my eyes. My one hand was on top of the car’s door and other was on driver’s seat which was making him squirm on his place with slightly backed out refraining from any touch with me.
My eyes were studying his handsome features while he was rubbing his thumb over steering wheel and avoiding my gaze. The moment I stepped back and stood straight with my hands folded on my chest, he sighed. Like his crushed soul was released after many years.
“Hav-“, his voice croaked and he coughed. “Have a safe journey. I will see you soon”, he said and I nodded. “Bye”, I nodded again. “Uhh, Eva, do-or?”, He said nodding towards the open door which was refrained from closing due to my interrupting frame. I stepped back and he swiftly closed door. His car took a U-Turn and was off from the sight soon.
“D@mn! That was one of a h*ell show! I have never seen ‘THE AARON KING’ this much scared”, Adam chuckled amusingly. “It’s hot in here”, he fanned himself.
“Only the missing was Sia’s Unstoppable in background”, Liza laughed and Adam nodded.
“C’mon, guys. Let’s go. We are already late”, Riley said with stoic face, opposite to what it was just ten minutes ago when Aaron snapped at me.
****____****
“What are you thinking?”, I asked Chloe while fixing my seatbelt.
“Just Home?”, She shrugged.
“What about home?”, I frowned.
“I just miss our old neighborhood. You remember the park in which we used to play with Prudo”, she said and I smiled remembering how me, her and Liza used to play with our golden retriever in park. They were the best days of my life. After Chloe understood me better as a person and stopped bullying me, we three were inseparable. No four, Prudo was also in our gang.
“Yeah, I remember”, I grinned.
“You remember sissy, the day me and Prudo ate all peanut butter-”
“You ate all, he just became your partner-in-crime to save you from aunt by dirtying his paws with peanut butter”, I cut Liza off and she grimaced.
“Yeah, yeah! Whatever”, she waved me off.
“You remember how all four of us used to visit Aunt and Uncle every month’s last Sunday?”, Chloe said and I smiled at the memory.
It was like a custom for us to visit mom and dad every month. Prudo used to be my side all the time. I always used to have a private talk with mom and dad, nothing special just usual stuff but it was like my special time with them. Chloe and Liza would be waiting for me at the entrance while Prudo always denied to leave my side. And the moment my eye shed a tear, he will throw his front paws on my shoulders and nuzzle his nose in the crook of my neck to comfort me.
I miss him. He died with illness. But our hero lived for almost 15 years. We were his proud mamas!
“Why you bringing that up?”, I asked.
“You guys wanna eat something?”, Adam asked opening his seatbelt.
“No, thanks though”, I replied and when he got the same answer from everyone else he walked off saying that he will have little bit fun with some stewardesses.
I turned my attention back to Chloe. “I just miss home. When today Aaron said California, LA came into my mind.”, She sighed and I heaved a breathe too.
“I miss home too. It’s been 2 years. “, I said and she nodded.
“Wanna go?”, Liza asked in hushed voice as Riley was sleeping peacefully.
“Where?”, I twitched my lips.
“LA!”, She deadpanned.
“When?”, I smiled sarcastically.
“Tomorrow!”, She chirped.
“Look energy booster, after this long flight-”
“Yeah, let’s go!”, Chloe squealed.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!”, I exclaimed.
“What? It’s not like you have to go to work tomorrow! And besides it’s Saturday tomorrow.”, Liza said in a convincing tone and I nodded with defeat.
“Yay!”, Both the girls hi-fied each other.
“Wanna have this?”, Adam’s voice surprised all of us. He came forward and forwarded a glass filled with red wine to Chloe.
“I thought I already denied when you first asked me”, she rejected and went back to planning with Liza about what they will do once they reach LA.
“C’mon. Try it. It’s good! I specially opened it for you”, he insisted.
“No thanks”, she waved it off over her shoulder.
“Just try it!”, He again persisted.
“Why are you-”
“So irresistible? I know. Now c’mon!”, He nodded towards the glass.
“Woah! That’s some Jordan style”, Liza beamed but we ignored her reference as we had no idea about what she was talking about.
“Ohh my god! Way to ruin my good mood! Look I don’t want it. And why the hell are you-”
“An epitome of sexiness? Well, it’s natural!”, He said again cutting her off.
“You know that was not what I was gonna say. You are such a-”
“Sex God? Believe me babe, only for you!”, He winked, a smirk plastered on his face.
Though Chloe groaned, I could still swear that I noticed her ears turning pink.
“Why?”, She growled and he laughed.
“Hey! I saw it in a movie and wanted to try it okay. I got a curious mind ya know!”, He said and Liza laughed.
“That was awesome!”, She exclaimed.
“I know”, he nodded and did a fist bump with Liza.
“So I was your laboratory mouse?”, Chloe snapped.
“No you are the only one I will continue doing this with”, he smirked.
“Why me?”, She asked.
“Because you are my favourite toy to play with”, he tilted his glass upto his lips and took a sip.
“I am flattered!”, Chloe scoffed.
“Glad I am the reason!”, Adam chuckled.
****____****
The long 18 hours flight took every ounce of enthusiasm from us. The moment I stepped out of airport, out of nowhere swarm of journalists trapped me between them. The flashes going continuously on and off, making my tensed body more tensed and dizzy.
“Where is your husband, Mrs. King?”
“Why is he not with you?”
“Are you guys not happy together anymore?”
“Why there are no pictures of your honeymoon on social media?”
“Why is Mr. Davis here with you?
“Are you having an extra mari-”
“Enough!”, Adam’s voice boomed making everyone flinch and stop on their blabbering.
“Daniel! Get them out of our way! Now!”, He ordered and guards speeden up their pace of making way through this red sea of journalists.
“You okay?”, Riley asked when I was comfortably seated in car.
“Yeah”, I answered and she nodded.
Liza and Chloe were sent from the back exit of airport while me, Adam and Riley took front entrance. Thank god! They didn’t came from front entrance else my poor sisters would have been terrified.
After reaching home, I rearranged my wardrobe and got changed. Took a nap and then had some snacks that Martha made for me.
“Yeah, then he just throwed me over his shoulder and dumped me in water!”, I whined and Martha laughed.
“Ohh my poor child suffered alot!”, She cooed and I pouted with a nod.
I continued telling her stories of Maldives while showing her the pictures and she told me which to post on Instagram and which to keep private. These are just for two of you to see, cherish, remember and smile. No one else has the right to judge or comment on them.
Her words not mine. Adam captured some beautiful pictures which I took in my pen drive and now was showing to Martha on laptop.
****___****
Next Day, 12:00 PM
“Have a safe journey sweetheart!”, Martha gushed and I nodded over her shoulder. “Call me when you reach there!”, She ordered and I chuckled.
“Sure I will”, nonetheless agreed.
Waving for the last time, I sat in car. “Shall we, Eva?”, Mr. Moore asked.
“We shall”, I throwed my hands front dramatically.
We reached airport after one and half hour due to traffic. Once I got down, I immediately spotted Liza and Chloe waiting for me. We checked in, and completed all the required procedure.
We booked the economy class seats for us. I might be a billionaire’s wife but I don’t have any right on his money. So with my two months salary, I know I can afford myself and Liza an economy class ticket without any problem.
The journey was short, of about 4 hours. We took taxi, and it took next 3 hours to reach our town. It was already evening when we got there. I called Martha and informed her about our safe landing in LA.
“Ohh goodness gracious, my princesses”, Aunt Bethany squealed and took all of us in a bone crushing hug.
She ushered us in and informed that uncle is still at work.
We got fresh, had chat with her. Then helped her in preparing dinner. Once done, we met the neighbours who welcomed us warmly and did no less to our hospitality.
“I heard you married a billionaire?”, Catherine, Mr and Mrs. Hugh’s one and only snobbish and used to be highschool’s ‘queen bee’ daughter asked me incredulously.
“Yeah”, I smiled politely. “You know him?”, I questioned.
“No, I just heard that Eva married some billionaire. Who? That I don’t know”, she said. She has a smug expression. Like she thinks I am married to some bald headed, obese, fifty years perverted old a$s. “I heard that he is too old…. I mean I don’t know, I just heard rumours”, she said pitifully but has none on her face.
So my guess was right!
“No! Sh-”
“Liz! Let me talk. “, I said.
“Fine!”, She huffed.
“No you heard it wrong, dear. You know rumours are always fake”, I diverted my attention back to Catherine who furrowed her eyebrows together. “You probably already know my husband. We were even featured in E&B magazine”, I said.
“I am sorry, I don’t buy it anymore.”, She said.
“It’s fine.”, I snapped my hand causally. “Uncle?”, I called out Mr. Hugh and he turned on his seat.
“Can I get that business magazine?”, I asked pointing towards the Forbes business magazine’s this month’s edition.
He passed it to me and I forwarded it to Catherine who took it hastily and started turning pages. “Catherine.”, I called and her head snapped up towards me. “Don’t find inside. I don’t remember the page number. The one on the cover page is my husband, Owner of King & Co, Aaron King”, I pointed out as politely as I can but couldn’t help the pride that my voice held. Her eyes widened for moment and she closed the magazine to see the cover page. A loud gasp escaped her mouth and she throwed her palm over her mouth to stop incoming gasps. She looked up at me and shooked her head in disbelief, I nodded my head in answer.
“That was awesome! Her face was hilarious!”, Chloe laughed and I too while nodding. We were now walking side by side down the lane to go back home as aunt messaged that uncle is home and we should too, to have dinner.
We reached and greeted uncle. Chloe spent some more time with her father while I helped aunt to arrange plates.
“How is your married life going, Hun?”, She asked.
“Good”, I smiled and she smiled back.
****____****
Next Day.
We took a small trip down town. Re-lived old memories. Met some forgotten faces. Had some streetfood. Revisited highschool.
Liam+Eva = Forever .
|•|•|•|•|
“Liam, why your name first”, I whined and he sighed.
“Because, I am a man”, he reasoned out and I scoffed.
“That’s s*xist”, I snapped.
“Whatever, I don’t care”, he said.
“I will scratch and rewrite it, with my name first”, I said.
“No you will not”, he replied.
“Yes, I will”, was my stubborn reply.
“But precious-”
“Hey dude, c’mon we are getting late”, Ethan called out and he sighed.
“I have football practice, I will see you after classes”, he pecked my lips and sprinted out of class.
|•|•|•|•|
I read the words that were scratched on desk. We were childish! My smile faded when my finger trailed over the ‘forever’ word.
“Is this you?”, A 17 year old teen girl asked me pointing towards my name and I nodded absentmindedly.
“Are you two still together?”, She asked with hopefull smile.
I shooked my head and her face fell but then she smiled again. “Nothing is forever. God has something more beautiful for you.”, She said and I turned towards her. She is beautiful, soft back hair cascaded down her shoulders, cyan blue eyes covered with thick rimmed glasses but still her contrasting eyes did wonders through those thick glasses. Button nose, small freckles around the bridge of it. Little plump lips that were in full curve right now. Such an innocent and beautiful girl.
“Yeah”, I agreed offering her the same smile.
“Eva! C’mon let’s go. We will miss our lunch”, a blonde called peeping inside classroom.
My eyes widened and she seems to realise as she smiled knowingly. “Yeah, that’s the reason why I was so curious to know”, she said. “I will leave now, it was nice meeting you, Eva!”, She said and hugged me once before turning and leaving me there dumbstruck.
****____****
“I am hungry”, Liza whined and we both sighed.
“You go back home. I have somewhere else to go”, I said and Chloe nodded.
“Take care”, she said and they both left.
I hailed a cab and told him to take me to town’s cemetery. Once reached, I payed and got out.
“Long time no see, mom”, I greeted with a small smile and placed the bunch of lilies on her tombstone that I brought on my way here.
“Hey dad! Missed me?”, I chuckled when a strong wind blowed.
“You angry with me?”, And again a strong wind blowed.
“I am sorry, I missed you too. Well I always do. I have a news to share, I got married”, I said and this time the wind was more stronger than before. I laughed.
“Don’t be angry, he is a nice man”, I said with utter honesty and this time the wind was soft.
I talked with them for another half hour. “I should go now”, I said wiping the dust off my jeans. Picking up my backpack, I kissed their tombstone and headed towards exit.
A sense of déjà vu ran through my nerves when I heard someone sniffing.
I turned and my eyes widened when I saw a man’s figure behind a tree. He was sitting under a tree, only his brown hair were on display as his head was between his knees.
The fuck!? Did I just had small trip in time machine? Why this feels so freaking familiar.
Shoving all the thoughts aside and to feed my curious mind, I tiptoed towards that man. Damn! It’s getting chilly now, I should have brought my hoodie with me. He too is shaking due to cold atmosphere.
The moment I placed my hand on his shoulder, his shaking form turned rigid and I regretted the moment I thought of feeding my curious mind.
What if he is a thief?
What if a murderer?
Ohh god, I love my parents but I am not that much keen to meet them so soon.
His head rosed up and he turned towards me. I frozed when those familiar, very familiar green-blue eyes met mine.
My world nearly stopped when a glint of happiness ran through his green-blue orbs, which until now were filled with pure sad and loneliness.
_________
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