Destiny

CHAPTER 6

"Listen to me, when I say Run, you have to Run. Look at me." He says, his fingers clenching my face in its tight grasp.

"No, no, no. Please stay here with me. I won't let you go", I say, embracing him, my voice sounds hollow even to my own ears.

Liberating himself from my hold, he disappears down the stairs into the darkness of the basement.

I stood there in silence, afraid to breath, trying not to make any sound.

Unexpectedly, a hand covers my mouth, cool metal of a pistol felt at my waist.

"Got ya" He whispered.

--

I wake up, panting, tears gushing down my face. Heart wrenching sobs raking my body, shaking my entire being. It was like living in my own personal hell. Events of that night came hurtling down at me, forcing me to reminisce, the nightmare, which I had forced myself to forget.

Taking a deep breath, compelling myself to calm down, I got up from the couch, where I had fallen asleep. Padding barefooted towards the kitchen, I fetch water for myself. Looking around I notice Evan sprawled on the cot, fast asleep. His face serene, Oh! What I wouldn't give for a peaceful sleep like that.

Turning around I head towards the door, to the swing placed outside on the porch. The morning sun peeked through the grey clouds, as if playing hide and seek. Cool breeze gushed through the trees, making them dance with glee. The ambiance of the place was merry in contrast with my poignant mood.

I sat there drowning in my own thoughts, thinking about this unexpected turn which took over the course of my life. Before, my life had been colourless, dreary, just going through the monotonous activities of the day, I never looked up to what next day would bring, but now sitting here I had this yearning to know what tomorrow might bring. I could feel the taste of upcoming adventures in the air.

I knew either this will Make Me or Break Me!

--

I watched as Evan came through the door, now dressed in fresh clothes, his hair matted from the shower he might have taken.

He stood there for few seconds before clearing his throat awkwardly.

"So what do you suppose we should do today?" His voice sounding awkward, like the posture in which he stood, he seemed unsure about this whole state of affairs. Well it makes two of us then!

"We could start by getting to know each other." I say giving him a smile, suddenly feeling amused by his unease.

Nodding he steps forward, sitting beside me on the swing.

"So what do you wanna know?"

"Let's play twenty questions." I suggest. "I will go first. So where are you from?"

"I was born and brought up in London, . Where are you from?"

"New York. What do you do for living?"

"I own a chain of hotels in London. How old are you?"

"I am 25. I'll be 26 in December. How about you?"

"I am 28. So what do you think about this soulmate concept?" He asks me, his eyes fixed on mine, daring me to tell him what he doesn't want to hear.

"I don't believe in it. I tell him flatly. I believe in love and the connection you establish by going through the journey of falling for someone."

"So what are your hobbies?" I question him, moving on to clear waters, away from the soulmate conception.

We sat there for hours talking about endless things, about our lives, our likes and dislikes. I perceived, Evan was easy to talk to, despite his cold outward appearance, he was pleasant from inside.

My gloomy mood from before forgotten, I basked in the attention he was giving me, laughing at his jokes, sharing our childhood memories, laughing at the most senseless things. I felt I was whole again, the emptiness that I carried around beginning to fill slightly, from the sound of his laughter.

It was a moment of total happiness, and will have a proud place in my heart forever.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt his hand brushing mine, my breath hitched in my throat. I like him as a friend, I like him as a friend! This mantra kept repeating in my head. I was not ready to feel like this, Yet. I knew there will come a time in my life where I will have to move from my petrifying, haunting past. But this moment right here was not it.

I looked towards him to find him staring at me, his stare so intense, like trying to solve a mystery.

I stood up, all of a sudden feeling emotionally exposed to him. Giving him an incoherent excuse, I bolted towards the cabin.

Looks like I am spending rest of the day holed up inside the cabin.