And Dreams Might Win

Chapter 16

"How is your nose now?"

"My nose? Whatever happened to my-

I began my impetuous rambling when a little awake part of my brain forced my feet in my mouth.

-Nose is better now. Thank you." I felt Wyatt breathe again as I ended.

"We really should get going. The sooner we get our lost treasures the better." Wyatt spoke.

"Yes of course, but I wouldn't let you all leave without breakfast." Jenn spoke cheerfully mixing something in a glass bowl.

"Why is it so bloody sunny?" Filip groaned again exactly the fourth time earning a glare from the old man reading the morning news.

"Here, drink water. It'll make you feel better." Jenn smiled uncertainly.

"Advil is the only thing that needs to go through. Nothing else can save me from this torturous slow death." Holding his head with both hands, Filip whined.

"Vera, hon, you aren't allergic to peanuts, are you?"

"No-

A plate full of egg, toasted bread, beans and some kind of salad was put right in front of me. I couldn't have eaten all this in the entire day, alone at breakfast would be impossible. Maybe I could act nauseous and then I wouldn't have to eat all this.

"Oh I don't feel quite-

My act was ruined by Filip who ran out the kitchen to empty his guts out.

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Robert eyed me as if I was a peculiar creature when I held the lump of clothes under my over size sweatshirt. He was received by a shrug and smile from me.

A shrug? Why would you shrug to a man suspecting you to be plain liars? Your fake smile is pretty evident too. You are not the women in position with manicured nails and perfect teeth who have years of practice. Your resting face looks depressed.

Please, I have worked at the magazine enough to fake smile and pretend listen to people's rambling.

You were the least social person at the magazine.

That was the past. I have changed now. I am doing things, real things with two strange men in the real world.

Pretending to be pregnant. Very real of you.

"I am gonna go get some air. Feel really blocked in here." I announced leaving through the door ajar.

The air outside was cold but it gave me a sense of calm.Closing my eyes, I could hear it whisper some magical spells, as if to make it all better. Not just help me find the things lost but also the passion, the love, the determination to take the world over, the eight year old girl so full of energy and good spirits that I somewhere misplaced.

Maple syrup and the smell of old books took over my senses. Robert had joined next to me on the brick wall. We didn't say anything for a while.

"Thank you for joining us two old birds." He finally spoke.

"Why would you thank us. It is us, immensely thankful to you and your wife for helping us."

"No, I thank you for lighting up our simple lives. It's been so long since I have seen her this chirpy. She takes you just as our daughter." Robert spoke looking at his life lovingly through the kitchen window.

"I am sure your daughter is very lucky to have you both as her parents."

The old man smiled. Smiled but not heartily.

"She was."

I turned myself completely to face him.

"We lost our Marie during her childbirth." He smiled teary eyed.

I couldn't speak for until five seconds. I had nothing to say. Why did people have to go though such losses? The loss of their own child. I couldn't imagine the sorrow.

"...and..uh..the baby?" I queried in a little voice still left in me.

"Still born."

Are you even up there? How could you be this heartless? I suppose human imagination doesn't go as far as believing you are nothing but energy. Energy has no heart, feelings. It's better to make our own happiness rather than expecting it from an unknown source.

"I am so sorry-

"Oh don't worry about it. It took a lot of time for Jenn to overcome our loss. I would hate to see her hurt in anyway again." He looked straight at me.Eye to eye. Almost as if he knew that all this was a scam. Maybe he did know. We stayed that way until guilt hit me hard and I had to end the Stare game. I nodded my head in achnowledgment.

He patted my head and asked me to come inside for tea.
.....................................................................
"You take good care of her and the babies." Jenn was talking to Wyatt, a flowery hankerchief in hand,just in case while Robert wished me luck. Filip was simply fighting the elements. Bidding our farewell, we began our journey on foot. Journey towards a nearby police station with the help of directions from Robert.

After I was sure Jenn couldn't see me even from the top of her terrace, I took out the bundle of now wrinkled shirts and a puffy skirt. At this moment, I didn't even care about my appearance anymore. My hair tied down in a decent pony, no make up, nada, not even lip balm, my natural body odour didn't kill anybody yet and my clothes were wonderfully comfortable if not fashionable. I felt great and that's all I needed as I walked in confidence that is until a car drove right past my nose tip. Why do these worldly things end up killing the feel of the moment?

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"You will have to contact embassy for any further help."

"So there is nothing else that can be done?" Wyatt asked in hopes of getting his clothes and other essentials back.

"If someone brings your things back, we can call you. Nothing else" The grouchy man replied.

"Thank you." I replied pulling Wyatt away.

"How on earth are we suppose to get back to the city with no money at all?" I widened my eye and as a slave of habit, began nibbling at my nails.

"Walk." Wyatt spoke instantly rubbing at his temples. 

"We are on the border of the country, how do we get back to its center?"

"I don't know Vera! If I had the clue, I might do something. Why can't you maybe try doing something for once instead of whining?" Wyatt screeched,irritated.

"I was doing this trip by myself so don't tell me I do nothing."

"I don't care. My head is exploding and you are no help." Wyatt walked out.

"Fine. I will get help for us." I screamed after him.

Mind if I ask, how exactly are you planning to prove yourself worthy of anything?

I will think of something. I know I will.

Seems like a great plan.

Bugger off!