The Sunset (Coming Out Strong 2)

Chapter #16

"Come", he said pulling me," let's get you something to eat"

I rubbed sleep out of my eyes and let him lead me to the cafe. They said Mom was doing just fine but no one was allowed to see her. Dad, without my knowledge, had stayed with her at night (And Kurt with me, I thought slyly) and had gone home at sunrise.

Kurt pulled out a chair for me to sit. That's when I saw him properly for the first time since yesterday. He was tired too but managed a smile all the time his eyes met mine. His shirt was creased, obviously because of me and my emotional wreck the previous night.  I wondered how he still managed to look gorgeous with his hair all ruffled.

He ordered for coffee and breakfast. The cafe at least did not have the awful smell of hospitals and people with dangerous and sickening colour of clothes. It infact smelled almost...delicious.

"Soo..", he began in a drawling voice.

Okay. Here goes nothing.....

"I'm glad you stayed last night Kurt", I said managing a small smile."Honestly, I thought it would be Nicky but she probably doesn't even know about this."

"She does. She's just not in town at the moment. And I just stay five blocks away from you Reyna".

My name sent a jolt through me. Woah.

"Well... Then i'm happy that you do", I said twirling my straw through the coffee trying not to meet his gaze.

Silence prevailed for some time as we gobbled up our cakes and cookies. I realised that I hadn't eaten anything since last evening....

"Why don't you stay for Christmas?", his voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Well, yes. I was planning to. And then there's mom as well", I say.

He asked me to stay for Christmas yaye !

"Great! You can meet Jenna then!", he said excitement clearly evident in his voice. I raised my eyebrows at him as if to say Jenna who ?

"Oh ! Jenna is my girlfriend", he said grinning from ear to ear.

I couldn't help raising my eyebrows a little more but he obviously didn't notice my expression. Oh my God Reyna Kane you are screwed. One more goddamn time.... There goes your chance right into the bin. Oh wait.. Did you even have a chance?

"She is absolutely gorgeous. And her smile is the best thing in the world you know... The way she moves her hand while talking is so adorable. And me ? I am such an idiot ! She laughs at the most lamest of my jokes. Oh ! I love her,man ! And you know........."

Well, no NO !! I don't know and I don't want to know ! Who the hell is this Jenna anyway? How come I didn't even know about her until today ? He looks so happy talking about her.... Does someone out there talk about ME like that ? No.

But did I say all that ? No,well, of course not. I just sighed and nodded politely occasionally and in the end I had no choice but to hear what followed "and you know..."

When I couldn't take it anymore, I surprised myself by saying,"Kurt I am not here during Christmas. I just remembered that I had an important assignment and it just has to be done you see?", I said putting on a sad smile that looked as real as possible.

"Wha....what ? But didn't you just sa..."

"Yes. I did. But I just remembered."

"What assignment?"

"Umm... Er... ",I stammered trying to think frantically. "A Himalayan trek", I said with a nervous laugh.

"Can't it wait ?"

"Umm.. No."

"What about Christmas dinner?"

"Count me out", I said trying not to sound too cold.

"What about your mom?"

"Oh ! There's always Nancy and the others. It'll be okay I hope", I said. And to avoid any more awkward questions I said,"We should leave. Mom must be awake", with a tight smile plastered on my face.

He nodded. Keeping the money on the table, we headed towards the exit. As we entered the hospital, all I could wonder was what challenge was I actually facing --- climbing the Himalayas or my screwed up love story.