Forbidden

Ch 6

KIERA

(next day)

Office was the same. It was a trap that had choked me. 6 pm didn't give me relief anymore. I was done with office for today but it didn't seem done. I had to be here again tomorrow with no future purpose. I was walking towards home when a violet jaguar stopped beside me. It was Caleb. He eyed me to get in. I needed a relax. I got in. 

He had One direction songs turned on in his car. He knew how to lift up my mood. We went to Mystic lake for a walk. He had his camera with him. He was fidgeting with it doing god knows what. His love for photography was always there but I never thought that he would turn it to his profession.

Kiera: Why here all of a sudden?

Caleb: I was bored and you were upset so.

Kiera: You developed a sense of consideration during time we didn't meet or what?

Caleb: I was always considerate of you.

Kiera: You were??

Caleb: Really you are asking me. I was so nice to you. Have you forgotten?

I smiled at him. He was nice to me. We stopped at a spot. Staring at the lake was a good past-time.

Caleb: Are you feeling better?

Kiera: Yes, I am feeling better.

Caleb: Nice. I'm happy for you.

Kiera: Why are you happy for me?

Caleb: Because we are friends.

Friends. I don't think we are friends. There is always someone more invested. That's me.

Kiera: I can't be friends with you.

Caleb didn't say anything. He stared at the lake ignoring me.

Kiera: You don't even ask why? You already know that I still like you.

Caleb: Don't do it.

Kiera: What?

Caleb: No matter where I have been, I'm always missing you, as a friend. So don't do it, things like confessing.

If there are 3000 ways of hurting my heart, Caleb Rivera attempts all of it.

Kiera: I won't do this....No...This is so stupid that I don't want it anymore. Let's stop. My feelings and being friends. Everything.

Caleb: I didn't say to not be friends.

Kiera: As for me, You know I said you I loved you and you are the one who said no. So let's agree to reject one thing each and not see each other again. I'm done sorting things, can you leave?

Caleb: Atleast, let me take you home Wood.

Kiera: No. This happened to me twice. I can't be near you anymore.

Caleb never had his word over mine. So he left. Like before.

PRESENT DAY 2022

I learnt something after that day. The heart is something which never does as you wish. Both the heart that loves and doesn't love. My heart that doesn't work the way I want to, keeps getting hurt. Unfairly. I haven't met Caleb since then. I didn't know what he was doing, how he was. I kept myself guarded. I knew I won't be able to take anymore hits.

I was working when I realised I needed a vacation. But I couldn't just go for one. I needed to do some work in it. I called Ryan for help.

Ryan: Hello.

Kiera: Where is that Ramada Guest house that you said was nice?

Ryan: That place?

Kiera: Just text it to me.

Ryan: With whom .. hello hello?

Before he could talk much I ended the call. He texted me the details. Minnesota was a cool vacation place. I booked the tickets and started packing.

MINNESOTA

After landing I said a note to myself. These two weeks will be for my healing. All the stress I take, all the jobs I go through. Everyone needs a break and this was mine. So I was gonna rest and heal. The first week I literally lived on the beach. Ryan's friend, Alfred was the manager of the hotel and he lend me a Lincoln Continental for my stay!!! Oh god bless Ryan!!!! This was an absolute dream. In return, Alfred asked me to help in housekeeping. I would gladly do it. The car was worth millions and the fact that I could drive it beats everything. I cleaned 5 different rooms on my stay here. It wasn't much hard. Like I did household chores, I was doing hotel chores. I took out all the meat from the fridge cause there was a barbeque night organised. The fridge had a lot of volcano photos stuck on it.

Kiera: Why are there so many Volcano photos stuck on the fridge?

Alfred: That's where the boss goes to heal his soul. Where did you go to heal your soul?

Kiera: Just the beach. I am working here so not many places to go. I take out the convertible at midnight and just drive it to nowhere.

Alfred: You don't have to work after tomorrow morning. You can then heal your soul.

Kiera: Well I will still have work left. I will go in books stores to give them my calligraphy postcards.

Alfred: Good luck to you then.

I jotted down all the bookstores I needed to go to and went to sleep.