Alejandro's Hombre

Ch.50: HIRAETH

"Leaves will soon grow from the bareness of trees

and all will be better in time..."

---Leaves, Ben and Ben
****************0o0*****************
5 years later....

"here's your order Sir, thank you and please do come again!"

The staff said as he pick up a brown paper bag and made his way out of the long queue of people inside the busy Café. The chimes sounded as he push the door open, and the chilling yuletide wind blew into his face, making him close his eyes for a while. He then blinked and wipe off the gust of snow on his face. Hand on his Parka's pocket, the other holding the paper bag, he walk on the crowded streets. his shearling boots made a crunching noise as he treaded on the snow laden roads, making the place looked like it's covered in white sugar. The snow is still falling quiet heavily and he still feels the cold, though he wore two bomber jackets underneath his parka.

Hark now hear, the angels sing
A King was born today
and man will live forevermore
because of Christmas day....

songs like these are heard all around the City, since it's obviously the time of the year---both locals and tourists are on the streets doing holiday seasons shopping. Near North Side is bustling with people from all other neighborhoods in Chicago mostly everyday of the year, but much busier now since it's Christmas.

He continues to stride, since his condominium unit is only a fifteen minutes walk from the Café. the staffs greeted him, he smiled and greeted back. the lift's door opened, and it's about to close when a running woman and his kids came rushing in. He stopped the doors to close just in time.

"Oh my, thank you so much!"

The woman said, securing her kids. He just smiled and nodded.

3 floors up and the woman with her kids came out first, thanking him again.

"it's fine, Ma'am. You're welcome."

He said as the lift's door closed again. He leaned on the wall, watching the buttons go up.

If he was his former self, his phobia could've made him faint inside this elevator. but times are different now. He has lived in this City of Illinois for five years, where he spend his life working and just simply living---or existing, to say exactly. He has overcome the things that caused him his fears and get on with life as it is. no looking back, only moving forward.

the lift's door pinged, and it opened to a wide hallway. He step out and walk on, stopping in front of a black and gray metal door. He put his right thumb in the AI recognition machine, and the green light appeared.

WELCOME BACK, SIR GABRIEL. ACCESS GRANTED.

The door hissed and opens, closing automatically as he enter the threshold. He took his boots off, his parka and bomber jackets. He only has his black turtleneck on, and place the paper bag on the dining table. He switched the electric heater in his unit, and sighed at the warmth of it. He washed his hands on the sink, and took out the coffee and pastries he bought. He sit down and quietly enjoyed his meal, while he turn the TV on Netflix. He's watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail, whilst sipping on his French Vanilla latte.

He's enjoying the show and his day off at work when his smartphone incoming call alert blared. He stood up and pick it from the sofa, and smiled. He knows who's calling exactly, despite the name that's on the screen.

(Tito Gabe! Good Morning! How are you po?)

a jovial and adorable voice is heard on the other line, making Gabriel smile.