Forbidden

Ch 7

CALEB

Nightmares were gifted by my parents as a present of being born. I took anxiety pills to calm the nightmares. So sleeping was a routine. This medicine, That medicine. I was an old man before actually reaching old age.

(next morning)

Edgar was my father's friend. I was staying in his lodge. So he was with me everywhere. I was trying to click a nice sunrise reflecting on the blues of the sea.

Edgar: Why are you being so moody so early in the morning?

Caleb: I didn't have a nice sleep.

Edgar: You came from UK. It will take you time to adjust.

Caleb: Yeah some more days. But I'll probably leave before that.

Edgar: You still have that camera? It's more than 20 years old.

Yeah it's normal for photographers to be moving with more than one camera. I was clicking the sunrise with my brand new one. But there was something about these vintage cameras which called for me. Though they were old, they still worked. With a Sepia finish.

Caleb: Why did you teach me to click pictures? I was only eight years old.

Edgar: I didn't like that as an eight year old your only hobby was to collect awards.

Caleb: I wanted to look good then. Shouldn't have done those.

Edgar: Are you going to Boston?

Caleb: I'm not going.

Edgar: Am I a messenger bird? I'm getting exhausted relaying messages between you and your dad.

Caleb: You don't have to relay any message to me. And it's best if you don't report to him either.

Edgar: I shouldn't have taught you to click pictures. I taught you so that you won't be lonely, but you have turned loneliness into your career.

Caleb: It's fine. Loneliness is what Caleb Rivera stands for.

I returned back to my room. Freshened up and left for more photography. I wasn't out the gate went I stepped into mud. My sneakers were dripping mud and I didn't want to continue my day with that. I walked back to my room. I could see the housekeeping girl cleaning the room but only her back. I changed my shoes and left the room. Today was Yacht day. The Tourism Travels wanted me to take pictures for them. They sent their manager Rob to help us. Jack was my bud from college. He was my PR kinda guy. Not that I needed a PR. Three of us boarded on the yacht.

Jack: With pictures that he has taken from all over the world, he's won many awards from many competitions and has been sponsored by multiple corporations. He even took the outfit pictures for Harry Styles.

Rob: I know! He has the photographer look to it. That's why we brought him on the Yacht.

Rob came near me and started blabbing.

Rob: We have one mission for this project. People should be like 'Wow I need to be in this place before I die'. As for the composition you know, Grand but also fine. How should I put it? umm.. like Cold but also comforting? I want to run and dunk my body on the ocean but i also don't kinda vibe.

Ignoring this shit was tough. But I was doing it.

Rob: Are you even listening to me?

Jack showed him the photo I clicked.

Rob: Ohhh you were listening to me.

Caleb: It's not something that would come from listening your words. So, please be quiet and just watch. Stop interfering and wait.

Rob: This punk thinks of me as a joke.

Jack: That's not true, he ignores everyone.

The rest of the Yacht drive was quiet. The manager wasn't much hospitable when we reached the port. Jack talked with him for sometime and then we left.

Jack: Hey! He is still an employer of us. Don't you think that was a bit rude? What if Minnesota Tourism company decides to switch photographers?

I really didn't care if they did. I did great what I did. If people didn't care about my photos, I didn't care about them. But Jack was talking to himself at this point.

Jack: Right. Who would ask for a different photographer? Who cares if you are a bit rude? You have great talent. When shall we head to Boston? I've already got some few contacts from the advertising firms.

Caleb: I've already told you I'm not going to Boston.

Jack: Hey what about me then?

Caleb: Why are you asking me what to do about you?

Jack: I came all the way from London trusting you. You have always ruined the advertising opportunities I've gotten for you. But since you said you are going to the states, I thought you were looking to stay there for good or maybe your parents are finally setting up a studio for you. I came all the way here just for you.

Caleb: I didn't tell you to come. You are the one that insisted on following me. And advertisements? Really? Did I not do that? Did I ruin it on purpose? You always put money first and not my pictures. You used my pictures however you wanted, sweet-talking those advertisement firms.

Jack: What could I not do for money?

Caleb: I think you are thinking of yourself as my business partner, but don't be mistaken cause you are not. You are just feeding of the money.

Jack: Do you think you are saving yourself from useless connections? No. Because you are incapable of making any. You don't know how to receive goodwill. You only care about yourself. Sure. I hope your good for nothing self will live a long successful life but it sure will be lonely.

He abruptly left after saying that. How do I end up in situations like this? Either people say me to leave or they just leave on their own. I am a lone wolf but I don't want to end up lonely.