Mathematicians and Scientists (Saanvi×Ben)

Chapter 15: Stolen Moments

Ben

I am still half asleep when I feel a soft touch on my shoulder.

"Ben wake up. " A voice whispers.

I hear the voice, but I can't actually move. It must be a dream.

"Ben come on. The man that came here -Zeke- he is awake."

I feel someone grab my hand and gently tug.

I open my eyes and see Saanvi.  It takes me a minute to fully wake up and understand what's going on.

"Zeke is awake." She tells me, and I follow her groggily into the sitting room.

I see Zeke and Mick talking when I enter. I don't trust him. Why is he here and how did Cal know?

"Hello. My name is Ben. And you are?" I begin.

"Zeke. My name is Zeke. "

"And what brings you out to the woods?" I ask him.

"I was camping and then I almost froze to death. Your friend here tells me that I've been missing for a year, but I went camping 2 weeks ago. "

"That's my sister." I say in a challenging voice. I suddenly feel protective of her.

"Well, Zeke here was just telling me about the magazine that was speaking to him and telling him to 'find her'". Mick says as she hands me the magazine.

It's a picture of her.

"Where did you get this?" I demand.

He fills me in on the whole story and the callings. He must be returned too.
Mick gives me a look like I'm being too harsh.

"We need to get you to a hospital." Saanvi says.

"No. I'm fine. I would rather just stay up here. " He replies

"Well we need to be getting home today, and I can't leave you here alone."

"I'll stay with him." Mick says.

I shoot her a look and she grabs my arm and pulls me back towards the bedroom.

"Why are you being so harsh?" She asks.

"You don't even know this guy! I'm not about to let my sister stay in a cabin with some stranger. "

"He's hardly a stranger. Just trust me. The callings led me to him for a reason."

"Fine. You can stay with him, but be careful. I'm coming back the moment you need anything."

"I'll be careful. Don't worry." She replies.

I head back into the bedroom for a second.  I really don't like the idea of leaving Mick here with a stranger,  but she's got a point.  The calling connected them somehow. I trust the callings.

I look at a clock. It's just past 7. Well...I got a few hours of sleep. I don't think Mick has had any in a while. Hopefully she will soon. My thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Hey." Saanvi says.

"Hey." I answer.

She sits down on the bed and I sit down next to her. She looks at my face for a few seconds before she speaks.

"Tell me what's going on in that mind of yours."

"I'm worried about Mick. And I'm confused how there can be more incidents like 828. First Griffin. Now Zeke. We don't know anything about this guy. What if he is like Griffin?"

"It's okay, Ben." She says as she puts her hand on mine." Mick can take care of herself.  And if it makes you feel any better, this guy seems nothing like Griffin. It's all going to be okay. "

I grab her hand and she lays her head on my shoulder for a second. I feel a rush of emotions. I just want to pause this moment and not have to deal with this Zeke situation.  Saanvi just has a way of making everything be okay. She's that little bit of stability in my chaotic world.

"You're right." I finally say. I really don't want the moment to end, but we need to get home. Most importantly,  we need to get Cal home before Grace rings my neck.

"It's a 9 hour drive home so we better go wake up Cal and get going. " I say. 

I stand up and she squeezes my hand. We share a soft glance before I let go and go to wake uo Cal.

I head to Cal's room, but the door is open. I go to the sitting room and see him talking with Zeke and Mick.  Saanvi follows behind me.

When we walk in, Mick gives us a quick smug look. I just roll my eyes and she gives a quick smile. It's such a sibling thing. I wonder if Saanvi notices all her looks.

"Well Cal, we better get heading home.  You're mom is going to be worried. " I say.

"But what about Zeke?" He replies.

"Auntie Mick is going to stay with him." I reply.

He nods his head.

"I'm leaving my backpack here in case you guys need any of this stuff. " He says.

"Thank you Cal. " Mick says. He gives her a hug, we say our goodbyes, and head out the door.

***

The drive back isn't crazy exciting. It involves Saanvi making up a lot of games for Cal until she falls asleep. Once she falls asleep,  I let Cal pick what songs he wants to play, and he is entertained.

***

We finally pull into the driveway around 5. I put the car in park and realize that I am exhausted.  I take Cal in, but Saanvi stays in the car. When we get inside, Grace has a billion questions.  I start to answer them, but it's too much. 

"Mom, I can answer the questions. Let dad go home." Cal says.

Grace nods, and I tell her goodbye. I hug Cal, and Olive comes downstairs and gives me a hug too.  I tell them I love them and head back to the car. Saanvi is in the driver's seat.

"Before you try to argue, I am driving, and that's final.  You're exhausted. It's only a 15 minute drive to your place anyway."

"Okay." I say, "but just this once. "

She smiles smugly, and drives to my house.

"I can go so you can get some sleep." She tells me as we pull in.

I am exhausted,  but I really don't want her to leave.

"You don't have to go." I say. "...if you don't want to."

"Okay. " she says, "what do you have in mind?"

"Want to watch a movie?" I ask.

"That sounds nice." She says, and we head up stairs.  I hold the door open for her and she smiles at me.

I let her pick the movie. She looks through the movies for a while before picking Titanic.

"Good choice." I say.

I sit down and I grab the remote while she puts the movie in. She sits down close to me, and I put my arm around her. I see her smile out of the corner of my eye.

We watch about 10 minutes before she leans her head on my shoulder. It feels so natural....so calm. So perfect. I make it until the part where Jack and Rose are on the deck and Jack is holding her up before I lean my head on Saanvi's and fall asleep.