Forbidden

Ch 9

KIERA

There was a Italian restaurant just beside the hospital. I was limping so we didn't try to go much far. There was too many types of pizza to choose but I controlled myself. Caleb ordered a pasta dish.

Caleb: Why did you come to Minnesota?

Kiera: Just because. I wanted to rest a bit.

Caleb: How have you been lately?

Kiera: Just spending time..

Caleb: Oh goodness.. Can you speak without the word 'just'.

Kiera: I guess not.

Caleb: How long are you staying?

Kiera: Uh.. tonight's the flight.

Caleb: Let me drop you off to the airport then.

Kiera: No. it's fine I have to go to the guesthouse. My luggage is there.

Caleb: Then I'll take you to the guesthouse.

Kiera: It's okay.

Caleb: Do you want to be limping in both legs now? Judging from the earlier dance you did at the staircase, you will have my help even if you don't take it.

Kiera: I don't want to bother you.

Caleb: Don't think about others. Think about yourself. Calculate how much less you can be at loss. Humans are selfish . They always think about themselves first. There is no one in this world who thinks of others before themselves. Not even parents.

I think Caleb still didn't sort it out with his parents.

Kiera: Still.

Caleb: If you are not uncomfortable with it, let me give you a drive.

Kiera: It's not because I'm uncomfortable.

Caleb called a guy to take the Lincoln home. We got onto his car. I was busy looking outside the window. The sceneric beauty of Minnesota is why I came here. It gave me pleasant vibes. Boston was great but it always in a rush. This place could calm my nerves.

Caleb: Why are you holding onto to your bag like that? You can relax. Is there something precious there?

Kiera: That's what I thought this was but it's more of a nuisance anyway.

Caleb: What is it?

Kiera: This? Calligraphy postcards.

Caleb: Why do you carry them around?

Kiera: I wanted to deliver to bookstores around here so I made celebratory ones for more orders. But only three bookstores took them and I doubt I'll get any orders.

Caleb: Give me one.

Kiera: You want to celebrate something?

Caleb: I want to remember this. I missed you. What is the name of your guesthouse?

Kiera: Ramada guesthouse.

He smirked. After a very long time I had seen his smirk. I think it was a crime but I did miss it. We reached the guesthouse but it was dark.

Kiera: Thank you. I'll get going.

Caleb: What kind of a human says thank you and leaves her savior? Is this what they taught you in school when I was away?

Kiera: My mom taught me this.

Caleb: Your mother raised you uhh pretty realistically.

Kiera: Do you really think she taught me that? Get a funny bone man.

Edgar: You're here. How do you two know each other?

Truth be said I said him I like you twice and he rejected me TWICE.

Edgar: He is like a son to me. He's staying at the private house you cleaned earlier. But how do you know each other?

Kiera: We umm. know.. we know..

Caleb: We are friends.

Edgar: Are you someone who would let someone who is a friend sit on the passenger seat next to you? Jack would say otherwise.

Caleb: It's not anything like that. Don't tell dad anything weird.

Edgar: Yeah. Yeah. What a prickly punk. So Kiera you are leaving tomorrow?

Kiera: Yes sir. At 6 pm is my flight.

Edgar: Okay see you later.

Caleb was staring into my soul for some reason.

Caleb: Tomorrow? Running away and lying. You're doing all the things a criminal does.

Note to self: Never lie. It will come a full circle to hit your ass.

Kiera: I uhh I wasn't lying. I was mistaken.

Caleb: I think you are uncomfortable.

Kiera: I told you I wasn't.

Caleb: Well then follow me.

Kiera: What?

Caleb: We got to do only one of the things you said you could do earlier.

He brought two beers and we laid down on a hammock.

Kiera: There are lot of stars.

Caleb: Yeah.

Kiera: You are lucky. You will be able to see this again tomorrow

Caleb: It won't be the same tomorrow.

Kiera: The stars won't be there?

Caleb: You won't be here tomorrow.

Caleb doesn't realise how much his words have a hold over me. The more I am far from him the more safe I will be.