Love Across Universe

A Break

Soojin

I needed someone to listen to my internal conflicts. As I dialed Alex's number, a hope of getting an ear who could listen to me made me feel confident again. Sooah was off on a date with Kabir.

"Hello ma'am, what's up? Working hard?" Alex asked.

"Where are you?" I blurted.

"226B Greenfield street at Cafe Renior," he replied casually.

"Stay put, I am coming," I hurriedly cut the phone before he could say anything.

 Whenever I needed advice on inventions or experiments, Alex was always the first person who came to mind. He had a knack for offering insightful guidance and was truly the best adviser I could ask for.

After 30 mins I reached there.
He was seated at the corner, sipping on a strawberry smoothie. His black leather jacket draped over the chair added a taste of luxury.

"Hey, I needed your help," I stated, sliding into the chair he pulled out for me.

"Hanging out with someone before me?" I teased in an attempt to lighten up the mood.

"Yeah with a guy named Alex," he said with a playful glint and I chuckled.

"I got inspiration from the stars from my solo project," with a deep breath, I confessed gravely.

"Oh, thinking about making a huge absorber to absorb light from those stars? Don't do that! The stars will lose their precious glow," he said dramatically and I lightly hit his arm.

"I am thinking of making a search device which can search for humans in spite of not having their cell phones with them," I said seriously and he listened intently, fully concentrating on that one sentence of mine.

"How would that machine do this job then? We know only dogs have this ability but there are certain limitations," Alex said with his hands on mine, being skeptical.

"I am so stupid. I didn't think about this. This idea can only exist in my imagination. Maybe, I should just leave this department," I said putting my head down, being defeated.

"For God's sake, please don't, Soojin," he pleaded with concern. "Take a break, clear your mind. You'll come up with something amazing."

The idea of giving myself a break appealed to me and I nodded. We both started writing our applications. Miss Stephen would agree because she believed that break could flourish the ideas of scientists.

"You both have applied for a vacation application together, at that same time?" Miss Stephen said as we were standing in front of her to get her approval. Usually she sent an email, but she wanted to meet us.

"Well, there's a thing called coincidence and it exists," Alex replied smartly. Smart of him, I had always sucked at giving quick appropriate replies.

After she showed us the green light to our pre-planned vacation, Alex called me that night.

"I have got 2 tickets to France. Wanna join me?" he asked me knowing that I would never deny a trip to France.

"I-I would love too but is that okay?" I stuttered feeling unsure.

"Why? Don't you love me?" he asked.

My mind went blank. Despite our outings, I'd never spent this much time with a guy. Those little weekend dates, our random hit-ups at karaoke, cinemas - those certainly meant a lot to me.

No one had ever shown interest in me except for Sooah and Alain. Even our relatives and my friends like Alice and Anna distanced themselves from me. My friends thought that I was cursed, fearing that those who got close to me would meet unfortunate fates. Sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to their beliefs.

"Alex, I have to go," I blurted and hung up.

That night went pleasant for me, no vivid dreams of past or nightmares. I could finally get a sound sleep after years.

"You're late, love," he remarked, glancing at his watch. Dressed casually in a yellow sweater and denim jeans, he looked like a typical guy-next-door.

"Sooah was giving me some safety tips; I promised her souvenirs," I explained, earning a chuckle from him.

We boarded our flight and spent the journey engaged in light bickering, sharing childhood memories  and savouring tasty snacks.

I stepped outside the airport and the soft cool air blew my hair. Paris, a romantic dream destination.  Romance was visible in it's air. Blue sky, bright sun and soft cotton clouds. I took a deep breath but I didn't exhaled it out when I felt someone's hand on mine.

I got an electrifying spark and I coughed.

"Are you okay?" he asked chuckling. "Not your fault, it's the magical effect that I have on girls," he smirked feeling very proud of his stupid achievement.

"How many girls have you dated that you have so much knowledge about all these?" I asked crossing my hands against my chest.

"5 but you're my real date."

"We haven't started dating, so I think it's quite stupid of you to assume it," I pointed out the fact to let him know about the situation.

"We would eventually start," he winked and pulled me in a car.

We reached our lavishly decorated 5-star hotel. It was a huge building that I have only seen in books and movies. It was a giant oasis adorned with soft dimly lit candle-lights and expensive furnitures. 

Alex had reserved  separated bedrooms. I entered mine. It had a the king-sized bed draped in silk and a marble-clad bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub. My mouth made a small 'wow' as I went to the balcony. The view of the Eiffel tower was clear.

All the arrangements made me feel somewhat guilty. Alex had gone to great lengths for me, yet I hadn't been honest about my feelings towards him.

At 7 o'clock the next morning, there was a knock on the door. Opening it, I found Alex standing there with a tray holding two cups of coffee.

"Can I come in, ma'am?" he asked politely as I stepped aside. He placed the cups on the coffee table, and I took one, asking him about our plans for the day.

A trip of 5 days - Could it make an impact in my life?

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