Past Redefined

PART FIFTY

Cole Brandon's POV

The alarm went off. I shut it down and kept tossing on the bed for next five minutes. Realizing I have a flight to board, I dragged myself to the kitchen to make coffee. I was packing my bag and the doorbell rang. It was my cousins and after all the chitchat, they dropped me at the airport.

Thorough out the journey, I sat down trying to write a speech. I sighed as I just got struck in the first word...

Pondering on this, I dosed off as I was just able to get a three hour sleep, prior which I had a twenty hour draining shift. Air hostess woke me up while landing in New York.

That touchdown... The first step... I felt home... I inhaled deeply and reached my home.

It was early morning and I walked inside to see my mother awake.

"Good morning, Mom!" I walked to hug her, surprising her.

"You didn't tell me you were coming now?" She asked and kissed my forehead with a smile.

"Yes. Because I know you would have stayed awake..." I said and walked towards my room. "I will freshen up and come..."

~

When I walked out of the bathroom, I saw my father sitting on my bed.

"Good morning, Dad!" I said and he turned towards me.

"Good morning! How are you?" He asked and stood. I made him sit and replied to him as I walked to the cupboard to put on a shirt.

"All good dad. Vancouver is amazing. I bought us a house just next to them. Everyone keeps asking about you two. They just want you there so much that they even planned to kidnap you both. Shall I book the ticket for you?" I asked and he laughed.

"Kids..." He said and shook his head. "How is everyone?"

"All good..."

We both walked down the stairs and mom was there in the kitchen. I helped her and we three sat having breakfast. The door crashed open and someone barged in, shouting, "We are here!"

I turned to see Katy and... Sky!

"Hello there..." I said and they walked in to hug me.

"When did you come?" Sky asked as she sat next to me.

"Just an hour back." I said and continued to eat.

"Did you cook?" Both asked and I saw them looking at mom.

"I did... He had just come and it's his favourite..." Mom shrugged and looked at me. I smiled and blew her a kiss. She then went to grab the plates for Katy and Sky.

"No aunty, I just ate and..." Sky was saying and Katy interrupted...

"Smells good. At least taste it." She said and I passed her the plate.

As they joined us for the breakfast, Mom told me how they both came here often to check on them. And even cooked sometimes, turning the whole place upside down. I thanked them.

"Since you are here, when are you getting ready?" Katy asked and I looked at her.

"For what?" I asked, having no clue about what she was talking.

"Dude... We have a party... Don't tell me you didn't check our messages."

"No... I am yet to..." I said and checked my phone. There was a party arranged by Katy and all our friends were coming.

"I just reached... Give me some time!" I cried and she shook her head in disbelief.

"What were you doing without checking the messages?" Sky asked and I looked at her. I just shrugged and averted my gaze back to the food. After sometime they got up to leave.

"Sleepyhead... At least drop in for few minutes... By evening?" Sky asked and I nodded. "I'll try to...."

"I'll be waiting for you..." Sky said and I smiled.

I walked with them till the door and I stood there.

"You still look at her the same way..." Mom said, grabbing my attention. She was standing right next to me.

"Why not? He is he and Sky is Sky... Something never change..." Dad replied on behalf of me and I wondered whether it was true.

~

After few hours, I went to the party to see all our friends sitting. It was in a party hall at Rodriquez's restaurant. I saw Sky and Olivia sitting in a corner of the table.

I walked to greet them and Olivia ran to hug me.

"How are you, sweetheart?" I said as I kissed her and she nodded cutely. "I'm good. Where did you go? Why are you late?"

"Ah... I was away... I am back now just to see you..." I said and kissed her cheeks, making her giggle...

"Let's go..." I said as I walked her to sit next to Sky.

"Hey! Glad you made it..." Sky said and I sat next to her saying, "Of course, I will..."

"Where is Chris?" I asked.

"Apparently, he is not allowed." She snorted, disinterestedly.

"Says who?" I asked and she signalled behind me. I turned back to see Katy standing with a tall man and dancing her ass off.

"Erm! Yup. He is not allowed..." I said, making her chuckle.

"Can you do me a favour?" Sky asked after few minutes. I was playing with Olivia and I popped my eyebrows looking at Sky.

"I will be gone for some time. Just cover up for me, if that Hitler asks." She said looking at Katy and stood up.

"Where? Why? Will you be back? And Olivia???" I asked and she just smiled.

"Promise... I'll be back in an hour." She said and walked out of the hall.

"No wait..." I said and followed her along with Olivia.

"Where are we going?" Olivia asked.

"Ah... I'll tell you..." I said as I followed Sky towards the car parking. As she reached her car, I ran and stood in front of the car before she started.

"Don't go alone..." I said and looked at her.

"I..." She sighed and grunted, "Get in."

I did and the car moved. After twenty minutes, we stood at the cemetery. The same place where we were four years back. She sat in front of her mother's and was silent.

"What is Sky doing?" Olivia asked. I was carrying her in my arm and shushed her to keep quiet.

"She is... praying..." I whispered and we moved away to stand afar.

I kept looking here and there. Olivia patted my shoulder saying, "Look CB... Mom is crying..."

"Ah... Well..." I was surprised. "Can we go to the car and wait?" I asked her and she shook her head.

"I want to go to her." She said as she pointed at Sky. She was right! We should be there with her.

"Okay!" I said and walked her to Sky. I let go of Olivia and she went to stand next to her. Sky hugged Olivia, crying her heart out. I caressed her head and shushed her.

"It's okay, Sky... All of us are good now... Everything is better... Don't worry!" I pacified her and she nodded, wiping her tears.

"Yes... Sorry. My bad!" She said. Olivia wiped her tears and Sky smiled at her even through the tears. I picked up Olivia in my arms again.

"This is where my mom is. That's my father. My brother and sister..." She pointed at their cemetery and telling Olivia.

"Where are they?" Olivia whispered in my ears and I pursed my lips.

"They... are... not..." I stammered and she looked at me confused.

"Like my mom?" She asked and I nodded.

"Does my mom have one?" She asked.

"What?"

"Sky's parents are here. Where is my mom?"

"I don't know... Erm! Well, your mom is here..." I pointed at Sky.

"Sky... She is your mom. You just said few minutes back. Right?" I asked and Olivia nodded mouthing, "Mom!"

"Yes. She is..." I said and Olivia looked at me. I kissed her forehead and saw Sky stand up.

"Let's leave." She said and we walked to the car. The silence when we came here differed from the silence while I drove back.

~

As we reached the party, Katy stood outside the hall, arms folded and cussing out loud that we heard it resonate through the car parking.

"Shhh..." I said and pointed at Olivia, making her shut.

Sky put her head down and walked in with Olivia, silently leaving me with Katy.

"Where did you go?" She asked me as I walked in trying to dodge her.

"Ah... Nothing..." She glared at me and I admitted. "We went to the cemetery. She is upset..." I shrugged and Katy turned back to look at Sky. She sighed.

"You could have messaged me... I would have stopped her." She bickered.

"I didn't know where? She was just going alone. All I could do was jump in and stay silent..." I said as we walked in.

"What do we do now?" She asked looking at Sky who looked broken.

"Call Rodriquez!" I said and looked at Katy. She sighed and left.

~

It was about sunset. I was in the car parking attending an important call. When the call ended, Christopher's car swayed in and he walked out.

"Cole... How are you? I didn't know you were here! When did you reach?" He asked as he walked towards me.

"Good... All good... Just landed today morning." I said and we both walked in.

"Sky is upset..." He stopped in his track and turned towards me. "She went to the cemetery and then... You know..." I said and he nodded understanding.

"I'll... I will take care. Don't worry!" He said and walked towards her. He stopped again, turned back to thank me. I nodded and walked to sit in the corner of the hall.

I looked at Sky and Chris talking. Katy walked in between them and all the three laughed. Katy then took Olivia to the dance floor.

After few minutes, I heard Katy's voice blaring in the loudspeaker and turned to see her holding the mic.

"This was supposed to be a bachelorette party for my best friend, Sky. But since her fiancé is here. It is just another party..." She pouted making everyone laugh.

Katy gave a long speech about Sky. It was the alcohol talking but the words were deep and heartfelt. Well, she always talks from heart and never from brain. Idiot!

It started from Day 1 of how they met and became first to till date. In the end...

"... My best friend is getting married tomorrow and I wish her all the happiness in the world... And Mr Rodriquez..." She snapped at him and I face palmed. What is she doing?

"You better make sure, she is happy... Else I will..." She was searching for the word and when she did, "...be the hell for you..."

Well that was a decent one... I expected worse. She then glanced though the crowd and still holding the mic she said, "Where did this idiot go?"

And her eyes found me, "There you are..." I cleared my throat and before I know, she walked to stand next to me. "Here... Speak..."

"Me? What? Now?" I was astonished. She dragged me to the centre and gave me the mic. Chris, Sky and Olivia were sitting right in front of me.

"Hey everyone! This is awkward. I don't know what to say?" I stammered and Olivia cheered up for me. I laughed and nodded.

"It has been about ten years since I know Sky and I guess everyone here know how much she means to me..." I said.

"You love her..." Katy standing next to me said in the mic. I threw my arm around her shoulder and closed her mouth.

"Yea... Well. Everyone knows I do... And you..." I pointed at Sky and asked, "One last time, Sky... Can I take you for a dinner?"

Her eyes go wide and I winked at her. She looked at Christopher and then at me, shaking her head in negative. Christopher laughed and mouthed a sorry.

"Anddd my heart hurts again..." I said and held my chest. Katy pulled the guy who was serving drinks to get one for me. I gulped it in one go and continued.

"Thank you, K. Well, Cheap shot. Your loss, lady." I said looking at Sky and heard everyone chuckle.

"Jokes apart... Sky! You are very very... VERY special to me and almost to everyone in your life. Ask anyone in this room today... They will have a smile on their face while hearing your name... That's what you are to people around you."

"And Christopher... The lady next to you... She is... Well, 'WAS' my heart. Today I will tell you something that is just between me and Katy."

Katy looked at me curiously and I smiled.

"We were at a bar... Full crowded and music blaring... I was drunk till my neck... But those words I still clearly remember. I said to Katy that..." I looked at her... Paused... Her eyes pleaded me not to. But I did. I took a deep breath and continued. "... When Sky is there with us... She smiles and laughs but that is never the same when she is with you... Something was very different when she is around you. He is happy... I could see that on her face. Whether you both accepted it or not! You guys were just meant to be together. And these words were before you both admitted your love... These came from the man who had his soul crushed to pieces by his own words. But those words are damn true..."

Katy nudged me to divert the topic.

"And here you guys are! Mr Rodriquez, you don't need to be worried about Sky's happiness. If you want to escape the wrath of Katy... Just be with Sky... You make her happy!" I said.

Christopher nodded and kissed her hand that he was holding tight.

"Happy Marriage you both..." I said and walked down. Sky walked to hug me tight.

"What should I do for you?" She whispered in my ear and I stood there looking at Christopher.

"Nothing..." I patted her hair and backed from the hug. Her eyes were moist.

After few minutes, I decided to leave the party and silently walked away without anyone noticing. I had dinner with my mom and dad.

"What time is the wedding?" Mom asked.

"Evening, Mom!" I said and they both looked at each.

"Don't worry. I am good."

"Yes... You will..." Mom smiled.

"Well, when are we leaving New York?" Dad asked. I looked at them and replied, "Whenever you want to..."

And the talk went on, we retired to our rooms and I tried to sleep... I damn TRIED!

~

It was afternoon,

I walked into the Rodriquez Mansion. It was silent and I walked to the backyard and found everyone running here and there, arranging everything.

"Katy!" I called out as she walked past me.

"Idiot! Where the hell did you go yesterday and what time are you coming?" She shouted as she kept the things. I helped her and caught her to stand for a minute.

"Do you want me to do something?" I asked and she nodded.

"Go and get the minister. Will you? His car broke down. I will message you his address." She said and got her phone.

"Okay..." I said and went to pick him up.

When I reached the mansion again, everything was set.

The path filled with white petals. The seating for about hundred people. The music band in one side... I walked in and asked the minister to have a seat.

Everyone gathered one by one and it was almost the time. I looked at Chris walking in with his daughter. The little one was dressed in a beige gown and had a tiara on her head. She waved at me and I did the same getting to see a big smile on her face.

I got a call from Katy and I picked up.

"Can you come in here...? Hurry!" She said and I knew she was with Sky. As I rushed in, I stopped to notice Sky in the wedding dress. I smiled as I walked towards her.

"You look gorgeous..." I said and kissed her cheeks. "What is the matter?" I asked Katy.

"Nothing... I wanted you to stand with us." Sky said and smiled. I nodded and suddenly we heard someone walk in.

"Sky..." Someone caught our attention. The three of us turned back to see him.