Lydia- The Pet Communicator (Wattys13- Finalist!)

Chapter 16

Lydia- The Pet Communicator

Chapter 16

After dropping Lucky back home, Drake took me on a long ride to exactly - I don’t know where. At one time, I got scared with the darkness as we entered a cozy getaway, nestled deep in the woods. Also, the rainfall got less with time, there were only mild showers that gave the wet soil a magnificent and luscious smell.

We both were silent all the way. It felt quite odd after the kiss, however I couldn’t stop thinking about the wonderful person sitting next to me. He definitely brought back the colors in my destroyed life, yet he was still a stranger for me. I eagerly wanted to know more about Drake, like his family background and why was he doing a teaching job at such a young age. I never dared to ask him any day, it's just that I always trusted him with all my heart.

Drake stopped his car at one point, and then shoved out a white hankie from his pocket and requested me to turn my head around and also, to close my eyes. He draped the cloth material around my eyes carefully and carried me out of the car in his arms in a bridal style.

In a little while, he put me down and removed the material around my eyes.

“Surprise.” He whispered in my ear, while standing too close to me that I could feel his breath on my cheek. I was astonished to see the scenery around me. 

In front of me was a beautiful landscape of green trees and shrubs lined with gorgeous flowers that surround the crystal blue lake. The reflection of the moon was hitting the water, causing its ripples to be glittery. I could hear the birds sing their songs and multi colored fishes jumping playfully out of the lake and going back in. If we stayed longer, there might be a chance for us to see the wildlife roam the area.

“Drake, it’s beautiful. I loved it. Thank you.” I spoke while clapping my hands in excitement. Praying that, I didn’t scare the birds away. He gave me a huge grin, and asked me to walk extra with him, so we could sit somewhere peacefully for a while.

We sat on a rocky edge of the lake and the view was over-whelming. It was like a beautiful dream. I rested my head on Drake’s shoulder, and spoke “How do you know such a beautiful place? Tell me more about yourself Drake. I want to be a part of your life.

Drake looked away, he didn’t reply and his facial expression changed, to sorrowful.

“Is anything wrong?” I looked up at him and saw a tear roll down his cheek. The moonlight coming on his face made him look like a seraph. 

Why isn’t he talking to me, is he hiding something too?

I stood up and walked away. I wasn’t ready to get hurt again but suddenly, Drake grabbed my arm and pulled me into a tight hug. “I am sorry, please don’t go.” He spoke, while running his hand smoothly over my back, “I shall tell you everything today, let’s sit.”

I nodded, and we both sat in the same place again. Drake cleared his throat and spoke, “Don’t judge me until I don’t finish explaining everything please.” I didn’t give any comments, it was his time to do the talking and I assumed he went through a hard time in his life by the depressive look on his face. There must be something he was hiding from me, us.

“I come here every alternatively for some mental peace, after my girlfriend named- Lydia Robbins committed suicide out of depression six months ago. She had breast cancer, and we didn’t have enough money for her treatment. I promised her that I will find a job and she will get her treatment done. So I joined your school on that very day you met with an accident, that time your exams were going on. It was surprising that you both had the same names.