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He stands next to the pool in front of me and starts to undress. I shamelessly openly gawk at him. His defining abs glistening under the sun, he had swimming trunks beneath the layer of his trousers I hadn’t known. He tosses his clothes to the side and my eyes sparkle at the opportunity. I dash towards him and hit his back, which caused him to slip and fall into the pool. He surfaces brushing his hair back from his face. Laughing hysterically, with tears running down my face, I cross my arms over my stomach in an attempt to catch my breath. My laugh was contagious, and to me it sounded more like an evil cackle than an expression of amusement. I look at his no nonsense expression glowering at me and I burst into fits of Laughter again. He was grinning too, at least his eyes were smiling. When I regained my composure he was already standing beside me. “I hope it wasn’t too cold in there.” I think it’s heated but I had to tease him.
He says nothing and only steps a little too close killing my amusement and to my surprise lifts me up, “Why not check for yourself?” and he Tosses me to the pool.
I wipe my face and my ruined styled hairs.
This! Is! Not! Funny! I glare at him.
A coy smile plays at his lips, his eyes beaming at me. “You are so Gone now!” I bellow.
He raises a brow, his smirk in place and walk backwards then runs in this direction and with a jump he dives right in splashing all the water on me. Again.
It wasn’t just a splash. It was a downpour!661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2erdBSXfMt
I hurl at him the moment he comes up the water to breathe. I clasp my legs around his neck but he is fast enough grabbing my thighs he dove back in with me, my grip loosen and he turns and took the chance to Grab my waist instead, now I was facing him nose to nose, his eyes dark and he’s too large to hold all of him at a time, I throw my arms around him for balance, I am starting to notice how muscular he is, I was at a loss of ideas now. I was calming down now, I become aware, aware of his touch. He is touching me too much, too many places. I never let anyone touch me. And this sequence of touching each other, I started. I am feeling him, I am not annoyed at him but angry at myself for liking what he is doing to me.
I didn’t realise this whole time we were laughing and cheering are lungs out. We competed which one of us can bold our breath underwater for longer and who wins the race etcetera etc.
“This trip might not be as boring as I thought.” He takes a seat on the chair next to me and faces me instead of the pool.
“Thanks to you.” comes his smile. I purse my lips. Wrong feelings, wrong place, wrong man. Smouldering, I crack a smile.
“honestly. I don’t think I could have enjoyed this day alone any better either.” Our drinks and food arrive and we lay back sharing our hilarious incidents from day to day life.
In between laughs afternoon had faded and I realise it’s going to be dinner time soon.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHb2rPRvN7
We bid our goodbyes though he still had work to do here.
Changing into my casuals I made my way down to the restaurant area when it was time.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zXvwuKrBO
Around this time the hall was bustling, I spotted the table where an elder elegant lady sat with a beautiful designed jewellery around her bare neck. That was my mom. When does she not wear her own works.
With afresh bounce to my step I start towards her but as I closer and I get a better view of her surrounding I find Allie sitting next to her, her apprentice. Her favourite, closest to her. Like a second daughter to her. Slight bitterness coat my tongue. My had excitement disappeared.
“Hello maa. How have you been?”
“Great actually. I believe know Allie?” her forehead creased trying to remember our childhood, for this girl? She sips her drink661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVXj9OADej
I smile at the outsider.
“Yes. How can I forget Allie.” I turn to mom. “She use to spend her whole day in our house. Especially with you, momma.” I laugh and they both smile. Her long silky black hairs and sharp eyes, I have developed a hate towards that kind but my mom appreciates her so I can’t object her either.
If my nose is flaring right now, don’t blame me. I was expecting a lone time with my mom. She butted in.
Everytime I use to ask mom to step out of the house I’d always find Allie beside mom, either they are working together on some project or she’s teaching something out of my arena of interest. Both the girls are all about beauty, art and products. I on the other hand a money chaser, obsessed with programming and management. I never fitted the school crowd and sucked at maintaining relations as well.
Waiter appears for taking orders and I say mine “Wine please.”
My mom objects, “before meal?” Allie stays quiet, observing our exchange.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Oh.. Okay.”
She doesn’t even try to convince me.
“How is your dad?”
“We haven’t talked in a while.” Can you guess how much while has it been?
Generally children who are close to their parent would know what are their folks are upto. I don’t. We have become so busy, our calls limited to business.
Who knew the business I thought would become a bridge of connection between us turned out to be the expanding valley of our relations.
“Oh okay. I guess he must be doing just fine.” She says casually and takes a bite from her plate and so does her companion.
Allie lips are naturally curled into a smile I can never tell what she’s thinking.
“I forgot to tell you one of our clients demanded their order early, their wedding got scheduled ahead of time because it was clashing with the other function and so Allie being my helper in this project she had to tag along too, I booked her flight with me and brought her along to meet you, thinking why not return together too?”
And thought to adjust me in between your schedule? I was gritting my teeth by now. You brought her along.
“yeah. Two birds, one stone.” Gloomy, I say in support. I was running my finger along the rim of my glass, not even interested in the drink.
“Exactly!” she chirps. She is glowing and noticeably looks more cheerful than she was right after the separation.
Certainly my memories with her doesn’t remind her of the good time. She didn’t even ask how I was, only dad, she’s not really bothered to know about his wellbeing either but her early good memories are sure attached with him. Her underlying love for him Is instinctive.
I lie at the boundary. Not on her particularly good side neither her bad side.
My jaw clenches. She only met me because I happen to be present on the way she is passing by because of urgent work.
How ironic.
My throat becomes dry but just to keep listening her voice I ask her random questions.
Allie must’ve gotten bored because she excuses herself to visit the restroom. Finally getting the chance, I ask mom the real Questions, the questions that've been bugging me since long.
“Don’t you miss me?”
She slows down her eating and that old expression befalls her face. “Yes. I do, Mila.” She says quietly.
“Why can’t you call me then?”
“I thought you’d be busy, darling. Don’t take it to heart, my baby. Be mature, okay?”
“I’m fuckin’ Mature! alright?” maybe that came out a little loud. Her eyes widen a fraction and I tsk muttering under my breath “damnit!”
“When you were just a little girl I tried to build a bond between us. But you always seem to be occupied with something beyond my understanding, you use to be happy when you were engrossed in your virtual life, I didn’t interfere. But as you started growing older you got busy with your life so much so you stopped picking my calls. It’s your growing period and I don’t wish to distract you either, so this time after mustering up some courage I contacted your office. I’m trying to talk all the odds so you don’t feel awkward with us. It’s my opportunity too.” Tears were brimming her eyes and her nose, cherry. I swallow a lump in my throat.
“I..I-” I stammer, she cuts in.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rfzVkURfp
“It’s okay. Drink some water.” She flashes a misty-eyed smile and I melt picking the glass of water.
I felt a push on my elbow and all the water spills over my dress. I turn around just as quickly as I rise from my chair, stunned.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR7tbTg4ar
Allie stood there, right in front of me. I catch her eyes flicker just before she veiled herself in sympathizing look. Maybe it’s just me or my resentment towards her or what, but Something ticked in me, I explode right after she says sorry making a sorry face.
“Who The Fuck You Think You Are?”
Mom rushes to my side, whispering. Squeezing my arm lightly, “she apologized right? Have it in your heart to forgive people, yeah?”
She defending her?
I ignore her plea attracting everyone’s attention. “You fuckin’ third wheel!” I don’t stop and her lips form a thin line proving me a mental case in front of the public.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fpqtHgkiX
She keeps repeating her apology and I, my curses and her faults.
Until, Edgar arrives on scene and goes on about cooling down in the background but we go on I am deafened by the rush of blood buzzing in my ears, she playing the victim card with tranquillity, so in the end scooping me off the floor he exits excusing us from the crowd formed and ordering the workers to manage the rest.
I couldn’t even say a proper bye to her. Yet I didn’t protest on the contrary I tighten my hold around his neck, I wanted to run away and hide myself in the attic or under the blanket and cry my heart out.
He doesn’t know my room number maybe he didn’t even wanted to ask me, so he just carries me to his and deposits me on his bed.
“I’ll be right back taking care of some matters. You stay in the room.” I nod curling into a ball, if he sees he knows I am listening. “Good.” And I hear the door click shut. So he was watching me.
I am Mortified.
Laying flat on my stomach I grown. WHY!??661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GseRoL071
I roll on my back and find a whiskey bottle on the bedside table. Filled. Unopened.
