"It was absolutely nothing. I had no ties. No bittersweet memories. I was leaving nothing behind. Never experienced companionship, never been in love. And in that moment, all I felt was loneliness and regret."
But there's always a first time..
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When the day came, we didn't comment on anything at work, we wanted to let Harry think we didn't care about his birthday as much as he didn't. Egssy organized some snacks on the center table of the living room and bought the drinks, I took charge of decorating the room with just a few balloons and a Red Velvet cake that I had ordered ''Do you know how old he is?'' I asked putting some small blue candles on the top of the cake ''Eighty.'' Egssy laughed to himself ''Shut up!'' I smiled and put the cake on the kitchen counter ''I don't know, I think 45. If it's more, he's really a handsome granpa!'' Egssy winked at me, I bit my tongue and thanked me for having Egssy's trust, I couldn't ask for such loyal friend.
''Good night guys!'' Merlin came in the door smiling ''Look at him! You look stunning!'' I smiled at him that was wearing a brand-new brown shirt ''You are very kind.'' He laughed and left the poker case he was carrying next to the coffee table in the room, since I didn't had a dinner table ''Merlin, our savior!'' Egssy smiled eating a handful of peanuts ''We want you to have food for everyone, okay?'' I said looking at Egssy, who smiled happily, I never saw anyone who liked parties so much as he did.
"Wow, It's hot in here!" Merlin complained, frowning his forehead and pulling up his sleeves "I know, but if I open the balcony door, Harry will see us." I said taking my cell phone ''And how is he not going to suspect when we call him for a party?'' Merlin looked at Egssy ''She is going to send an invitation to come and stay with her...'' Eggsy held his smile talking softly to Merlin ''Ah...I see..'' Merlin looked at me a little surprised but at the same time intrigued, I smiled and rolled my eyes.
Are you busy?
I sent the message and received an almost instant response.
Not really, can I help you with something?
Harry
''Look how she smiles...'' Egssy spoke softly to Merlin, I realized both of them staring at me with a silly and wicked smile ''Boys, please, you are imagining things.''
Would you like to keep me company?
I sent another message.
I'll be there in 2 minutes.
Harry
''He's coming.'' I dropped the phone on the couch and they both walked to the kitchen, which had a blind spot for the front door, I walked to the front door and waited for him in the hall with the door half closed, after a few minutes I watched Harry coming from stairs in the hall, when he saw me he smiled, this time, whenever I see him my heart beats fast "Hi." I smiled when he approached, still wearing the work suit "Hello." He smiled back softly, I walked in the room and then he followed me ''Happy birthday, Grandpa!'' Egssy appeared screaming, followed by Merlin, I looked at Harry smiling and touching his chest smiling ''You all got me!'' He laughed, I rubbed his arm and then hugged him "Happy birthday." I squeezed his neck. "Thank you." He smiled and then greeted Egssy and Merlin. "Don't remind me again that I'm old." He warned Egssy, who laughed and apologized.
''You guys really worked on it!'' He smiled looking around, Eggsy turned on the music and opened the balcony doors, I was happy to see Harry's face, I knew it had been years since he celebrated his birthday and in previous years forbade us completely. We started the night with drinks and food, we sat on the floor while Merlin and I discussed boxing, I didn't know he liked this sport but I was also not surprised, it served as an incentive for him to tell me the techinques he used when he was part of the army.
''I'm warning you that Harry is the king of cheating!'' Merlin warned ''That's a big lie!'' Harry spoke with the letters ''Wait for me!'' Eggsy spoke, dropping the last empty tray of food on the kitchen, I smiled when he sat on my left at the table and we played poker for hours a few, having so much fun and sharing endless laughters. At a certain point, Merlin had already taken off his glasses and was in a serious discussion with Harry about a supposed cheats with the cards, me and Eggsy laughed non-stop watching the two middle aged men fighting over a game, they really looked angry at each other for the accusations, both were already twisting some words for the amount of drink we had "Help me bring the cake." I smiled at Eggsy, who agreed and brought the cake while I picked up the plates and forks. The discussion ended as soon as we arrived singing happy birthday, Harry smiled and thanked us for the gesture, we all enjoyed the rest of the night before we were too tired for any other activity.
''I really appreciate the night, but it's time to go.'' Merlin got up ''My birthday is in July, everyone is already invited.'' Egssy smiled getting up too, I laughed and agreed ''We have 4 parties a year now!'' smiles ''I thank you all fo everything, really.'' Harry smiled at us, I could tell he was already in another world ''Come on Harry.'' Merlin spoke putting on his shoes, I smiled and opened the door to Egssy "Thanks for the help." I hugged him and we said goodbye "Oops!" I heard Merlin and looked back, seeing that Harry almost tripped over his own feet, I chuckled and grabbed his arm "Let me help, he's too tall for you to take carry him.'' Merlin said helping me ''I'm fine.'' Harry said ''We want to be sure.'' Merlin said as we took Harry over to his house across the street to mak sure he would end up well, I said goodbye to Merlin after helping Harry go upstairs.
I left a glass of water and pain killer for his head on the table next to the bed "Don't leave me alone." I heard his voice, I looked down him lying down and smiled taking his hand ''I'm serious.'' He repeated ''Harry..'' I smiled and I knelt by the bed, he touched my face ''So beautiful.'' He stared at every detail of my face with his eyes, I held his hand that was on my cheek "I'm sorry for being so old." He closed his eyes, I chuckled. "You're not old." I whispered "Yes i am.'' He whispered back "I don't care." I said and soon he was sleeping, I left the room in silence.
Maybe he was too drunk to say something like that, did he really consider a relationship with me? I think this is very unlikely, especially for Harry, I expected this from anyone but him, after years of his life in complete solitude, I think there is always a first time for everything..
