Binded Strings

Chapter 10

As I walked out of my room, I could feel the serious pain in my neck. I got into the kitchen and made myself green tea when Hilly joined me.
       “Hi sis”, She rubbed my back, “I'm so happy for you guys and you know what?”.
        “Hmmm”.
       “And gonna be the one to plan the wedding if it ever works out”.He whispered.
       “Whatever”.
       “Though you were acting weird yesterday, I mean you rushed out of the party just after the announcement and judging from your mood, you weren't really happy about something.
        “I don't get you Hilly, I think you are wrong”.
        She held my hands and squeezed, “I would always be here if you need a pal to talk to or rely on, you've got me”.
        “Sure thing, if you say so then”.
         I pulled at my breakfast and headed for the dinning with Hilly still pondering on what to make.

      “Try cereals”.I said.
Hilly shook her head, “Peter isn't gonna like that”.She turned her back and set to making breakfast for her husband, “Maybe when we are done, we could play puzzles”.
       “Am going out”.
       “What?”She turned to me, “Okay then, would come with you, I am dying for another stroll, like the one we did when we first got here, it was really awesome”.
        “Yeah”. I bite my lips. “But I would've to go alone, I need ”.
        “I get it if you need some privacy you could have it but if ever you need a partner I am always here waiting”.
        
      I walked into the familiar street, feeling the sweet scent of fruits brush against my nostrils, one thing I like about the outdoors.I stopped right in front of his house, knocking it gently.
        “Mitch”.I called, I know it's silly, he didn't tell me he was going away but I couldn't stop thinking about him all week, I just wanted to stop by and see how he was doing.

I sat on his front porch staring at the people happily chatting and the tourists making their way to wherever they were heading to.I couldn't stop thinking about Mitch, I didn't know what to do and I have to admit I was really feeling so bad.
        “Kathy”.A familiar voice called out and I looked up to find Mitch staring at me and looking really confused, I rushed into his arms.
       “Mitch”.I held him tightly.
        He drew back and held me closely, “What are you doing here?”.
       Suddenly realizing what I was doing, I backed away, “Where did you go off to?”.
       “You noticed I was gone?”.
       “Of course I did, do you have any idea how many times I have been looking for you?”.
        He beamed, “Thanks for caring but let's go inside and I will explain everything to you”.
We walked into the house and I took a seat on the couch while Mitch prepared snacks for me even when I protested I had breakfast before leaving the house.He brought the snacks and I couldn't help but wonder what it was.
       “It's a deep fried dough, in Greece we call it loukoumades”. He smiled as he placed it on my hands, my ring brushed his hands and he flinched.
       “I will leave you to your snacks”. He said.
       “Hold on, I hope you aren't angry about the ring?”.
        He smiled, “How could I?We are just friends and you can do whatever you want Kathy”.
       “Thanks I appreciate the fact you are here, I don't want to lose such a great friend like you”.
        “I will always get your back, friend”. He highlighted the friend in an odd way, “Who's the lucky guy?”.
       “It’s Jacob”.
       “Isn't that the guy you despise so much?”.
       “Yeah, you're right”.
       “But you accepted him?”.
       “I did”.
       “Why?”.He asked.
       “Because I felt like doing so”. I quickly changed the subject, “Where did you scurried to?”.
        “Fair, I was called by the men my dad used to work with”.  
        “Woa”.
        “They needed to go into business with me and the money we decided is huge, I reckon I would get a bigger house with it”.
        “Lucky, I am really happy about it, you deserve it and I know your dad would be so happy about the news. 
        “Yes I hope so”.
        “About the ring thing, I didn't want dad and mom to be decided with me and I didn't want to hurt Jacob, he's been a good friend lately and I can't deny the fact I had a crush on him back then in High school and I was always looking forward to dating him, here we are, he asked me out and I did the right thing by accepting, I think it would work out for both of us”.
        “That's good to hear and if you ever need a friend beside you or you need anyone to talk just know I will always be right here”.
        “I did think I made the biggest mistake of my life but after laying on the bed and thinking for a while, I realized I made the right choice by accepting to be his girlfriend and I really look forward to getting to know him more”.
       “Your right, you guys being rivals back then in high school doesn't mean you can't amend everything and start afresh but wouldn't he be angry if he sees you around me?”.
       “You mean when he saw us kissing when you came over to our house?”.
       “Yeah”.
        “It doesn't mean anything, we were just being crazy”.
        Mitch laughs loudly, “Your right, the kiss didn't mean anything, it was just silly Mitch being himself, so he shouldn't worry about me, we are both in the friend zone”.
       “You're right”.I smiled sheepishly, “How about you, no girlfriend yet?”.
        He pulls a document from the cabinet and begins to write something and then he looks up, “No girlfriend”.
        “You are being too lonely”.
        “Am not, I have you know”.
        “Huh?”.
        He grins, “I have a friend now, I know that you would be leaving soon but it's nice having someone to talk to”.
         “But still..”.I tried making him see my point.
       “I don't have time for such Kathy”.He says irritably.
       “Just being friendly”.I smiled widely.
        He stared at me, “Yeah thanks for the concern”.He murmured softly.
        I stared at my phone, “I think I should be going, I told everyone I was going for a nice stroll, I bet they would be worried by now”.
        He walked towards me and pulled me In for a quick hug, “Thanks for being all concerned and please if you wanna visit me, I will always be here”.
       Smiling widely I replied, “You take care of yourself too and please whenever I come, could you make me more of that ?”.
        “It's loukoumades and sure I would”.He corrected and we both laughed at my mistake.
         “I really should be going, goodbye."I said, rushing out of the building and heading to our house as quickly as I could.Jacob stood on the front porch looking obviously worried. When he caught a glimpse of me, he pulled me into himself.
         “Kathy, gosh we were all scared”. He pulled me into the house.
         “She's here”. Hilly called to the others and rushed towards me, “Thank God you are okay”.
        Dad rushed down looking really upset, “There she is, running around when she feels like”.
       “I needed time to myself and I got it, can't we just move on, am I right?”.I snapped.
       “Okay sweetheart, I bet you might be hungry so I made you some snacks”.Mom said.
       “Am not actually hungry, I just need to go upstairs and you know… do what I wanna do later?”.
       “She's weird”.I could hear Dad murmur to mom, mom shook her head in response.
        I climbed the stairs hurriedly not wanting anymore questions, I rushed into my room, looking pretty relieved I had avoided them.

      +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
  “Now take in the beautiful environment of the Erechtheion temple”.The tour guide announced to everyone and I could see the tourists' gapes as they took pictures. The tour guide begins to explain the history of the temple, her voice calm and authoritative.
She speaks slowly and clearly, making sure we can all follow along. She points to the Caryatid statues, explaining their significance and how they were carved from marble. I listened with wide eyes, taking in the history and beauty of the ancient structure. The tour guide continues to share her knowledge.As the tour guide continues her explanation, her voice becomes slower and more intense, emphasizing every word. She points to the intricate details of the Erechtheion, explaining the symbolism and meaning behind each element. We all listened with rapt attention, hanging onto every word. The tour guide describes the Caryatids in minute detail, noting the intricate folds of their robes and the soft expressions on their faces. She describes the temple's architecture, the columns and archways, the light that filters through the windows. The
family is completely absorbed in the experience, and
Time seems to slow down around us.
The tour guide's words become a gentle flow, a steady stream of knowledge that flows over everyone like a warm wave. She speaks of the myths and legends associated with the temple, describing the gods and goddesses who were worshiped there. For a moment it felt as if I had been transported back in time, to a world of ancient rituals and beliefs and I was living my own story. The tour guide's voice is soothing, her words like a lullaby that lulls the family into a state of complete absorption. I know it was the same for everyone else, feeling as if they are no longer in the present, but instead in a timeless space where history is alive and tangible.
     As we stood in the shadow of the Erechtheion, the tour guide's words washed over us like a cool breeze. She speaks of the statues' lifelike expressions, as if frozen in time. She tells us of the temple's construction, the challenges and triumphs that were faced in its creation. The little children stared at the statues in wonder, imagining the artisans who carved them so long ago. The adults listened intently, fascinated by the
intricate details of the temple's history. I felt a
connection to the past, a sense of connection to the people who built this place and worshiped here for so many years. I know it's a weird thing to think of but trust me to go the extra mile with my imagination.
The tour guide's words continue to flow, and our connection to the past grows stronger. She describes the sounds and smells of ancient Athens, the bustle of the marketplace and the aromas of spices and food. I can almost imagine myself walking through the streets, surrounded by the sights and sounds of a lost world, the feeling of being in the past, no electronics and no phones. The tour guide speaks of the gods and goddesses who were worshiped in the temple, and we could feel the presence of these mythical figures. It is as if I am living a waking dream, transported to a place outside of time.
The tour guide's words become more evocative, more poetic. She speaks of the temple as a gateway to the divine, a place where mortals and immortals intersected. She tells of the stories of the gods, of their love and their fury, their jealousy and their sacrifice. I am enthralled, spellbound by the power of the words. I felt as if I am standing at the threshold of another world,
a place where the veil between the living and the dead is thin. The air around them seems to shimmer and shift, as if the boundaries between reality and imagination have become blurred.
I am now completely immersed in the moment and I could say the same for the other tourists, senses heightening, our awareness of the present moment fading. The tour guide's words paint a vivid picture, and I could almost feel the heat of the sun on my skin, the soft touch of the wind on my face. We could hear the faint sound of waves lapping against the shore, and the smell of incense and myrrh hangs in the air.

The tour guide's words have transported our minds to another world, a place where myth and history intersect. Experiencing the sights and sounds of ancient Athens, the touch of the sun and wind, the smell of incense and spices. In the brief span of a few minutes, I have been given a glimpse into another time, a glimpse into the eternal. Now, as the tour guide's words come to an end, we return to the present moment, feeling really satisfied and knowing the tour was worth it and I hoped she's going to be our tour
guide throughout our trip in Acropolis.
        I looked across the temple and caught sight of Mitch heading towards a house, I looked around and my family were distracted for a second and I rushed over to the house still looking back. I knocked quickly and the door was opened, an old lady smiled at me.
      “Well, Hi there young lady, how may I help you?”.
      “Am looking for”. I swallowed, “Mitch”.
      “The young man will be down in a minute, do have a seat please”.
       “Sure”.I walked into the house which seemed pretty old and it wasn't in a very good shape.
       Mitch walked down the stairs, holding some tools, he stopped dead when he caught a glimpse of me and then smiled, “What are you doing here Kathy?”.
      Being speechless had always been my thing so I decided not to answer.
       “Nonsense, she's always welcomed”.The old lady began knitting.