Endless Chasm

April 2016

I was nervous, anyone who spotted me now could tell you that. I stood in the porch of Kelly's house as I waited for someone to open the door. It was their first wedding anniversary and Kelly had invited some of us to her place for dinner. I wore a dark ink blue dress and got a bottle of white wine.

"Hey, I guess you must be one of Kelly's friend," the man, who opened the door, said. He looked no older than thirty with dirty blond hair and grey eyes. "I am her husband," he said when I made no move to come in or go out.

"I'm sorry, I'm Nora. I'm one of her colleagues. Happy anniversary," I said giving him the bottle of wine after I shook his hands. I stepped inside to notice that the place was decorated very neatly with pale cream coloured wall that gave the place a soothing feel.

"Kelly is in the kitchen," her husband told me pointing down the corridor as he vanished into on of the rooms. I followed the sweet smell of food to her.

"Smells heavenly," I said entering the kitchen. The lasagna had me mouth watering already.

"Thanks hun," she said taking the lasagna out of the oven, "Well Lottie and Cathy are in the backyard. They were asking for you. Go join them, I'll be there in a jiffy."

"No problem, they can wait. I'll help you out here, what can I help you with?" I asked.

"There isn't much to do anyways, just need to get these lovelies out there." she said pointing to the lasagnas and salads. It was a backyard barbecue party, with a few of Kelly's husband, Mike's, friends and Kelly's friends. She had joked about she being sick of just seeing his face for every anniversary dinner and that she needed a break from that routine. In reality it was Mike's idea to celebrate it so.

"Are you a wine, champagne or a beer kind of person?"Mike asked as he stood near the door frame of the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, I don't drink," I said blushing for no apparent reason.

"Oh, it's a good thing we have juices too, apple or cranberry?" he asked opening the fridge.

"Apple, thanks"

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We all were gathered in the backyard, Mike was working on the grill but many other volunteered to do the job. The men did it alternatively. The climate was perfect, not too humid or cold. Kelly introduced me to her friends, who went to uni with her. Lottie and Cathy were talking with Jeff. They waved me to come over and I slipped away from Kelly's friends over to them.

"Hey, look who showed up," Cathy said as I reached them. I blushed guiltily.

"Well I had nothing better to do and I was to tired to cook," I said.

"Well now that you are here, I think a certain someone has to pay me up." Cathy said with a smirk as she looked at Jeff. Jeff groaned as he reached for his wallet and gave Cathy and Lottie ten dollars each.

"Why do I feel like I am missing something?" I asked.

"Oh, well Jeff here thought that you wouldn't come tonight as you said with a certain certainty "she said air quoting it, "But Cathy and I knew that Kelly would make you come some how with her super persuading powers. So we had a bet and here he is losing all alone." Lottie said, "Next time just trust me in everything."

"You do know you are hurting my ego, right?" he said giving her a playful hurt look, pouting his lips.

"Am I now? Well I shall nurse it well after going home." she said giving him a peck on his lips. Lottie and Jeff have been dating for the past two years. Jeff met Lottie in a night club and they apparently clicked off immediately. She is an architect who fast become friends with Kelly when Jeff introduced them to each other.Lottie with her fiery red hair and forest green eyes was as lively as possible where as Jeff was the silent, broody kind of person with dirty blonde hair and amber eyes that always looked thoughtful. It was as though he could see past people, right through their souls.

We four chatted off, they sipping their beer and me my apple juice. The night passed away quickly with us laughing as each of us shared an anecdote from the past. I never thought I would forget this day ever, but apparently I did. The day is still etched in my mind but the pain has reduced. Life is moving on but I feel as though I am stand still. Jeff would be happy to know I am going on. I can imagine him giving me one of his boyish, innocent smile, and that makes me smile even more.

A\N:

Hey there munchkins,

I'm back, with a bang. Exams drained the life out of me but I survived. So what do you think about this chapter? Vote if you liked it and comment your thoughts and suggestions. Remember by clicking on that little star button you make me smile.

-Zainab :)