Maybe I'm Mesmerized

Chapter 21

London! What a scene. The chill in the air is evident as winter is only just coming to an end. Paul and I have been here for a week. He has been showing me around London. I haven't been here for years and so much has changed, or maybe my memory has just faded.

He booked a room in a little hotel for the week and wore a big coat and hat everyday to disguise himself. It's weird to think that he's actually famous. Sometimes I forget because I know that he is just a normal guy.

Right now I am locked up in the room while Paul is out meeting some people for a meeting about The Beatles next album. He's been telling me that it's going to be a really long album and they are going to record it soon. I can't wait to see the process of a Beatles album being recorded.

I've been strumming on Paul's guitar, but suddenly there is a knock at the door.

It can't be Paul. He wouldn't knock. The only thing I can think of is room service.

"I didn't ask for room service?" I call out and regretting it immediately when there is a hesitation before a voice answers and I figure that it isn't room service.

"It isn't room service, Abby." a deep voice calls out.

I put down the guitar and walk up to open the door. My heart stops. "John?"

"Abby." he says uncomfortably.

"Um, it's great to see you again." I say pulling him in for a quick hug. "How did you know I was here?"

"Oh, Paul always stays here with his girlfriends - I mean... Paul always stays here." he says awkwardly.

I don't care what he says about Paul and his past girlfriends. Paul is with me now, that's all that matters. "Oh ok." I say, "But, why are you here?"

"I just came to see you." he says, "And Paul." he adds quickly.

"What about India and meditation and all that?" I ask.

"It was good while it lasted but I've got other things on my mind." he shifts uncomfortably.

I don't want to admit that I have had my thoughts drifting to him too. Ever since we left, I can't help but feel strange about John. I don't want to think about it. I've pushed the thoughts away and that's okay.

"Oh." I get out.

"Do you wanna go and get coffee?" he asks.

I nod. "Sure, okay, let me just get my bag." I say and walk to the bed where I left my handbag. My mind is racing. I know what John is trying to do. He's trying to pursue me. So why am I going with him? If Paul finds out that I went on a spontaneous coffee trip he will be pissed.

No, I'm sure it's fine. It's just coffee.

"So how have things been?" John asks, taking a sip from his drink.

"Good, Paul has been showing me around London. Soon we are gonna go back to the place I grew up, Oxford, and look around there." I say before taking a gulp of the hot, bitter coffee that slides down my throat and burns my tongue.

I silently ask myself why I ordered black coffee. I was too anxious to decide what to drink and just ordered the first thing I could think of. Smart move.

"That's nice. Any chance I could steal you from him and take you there first?" he says with a slight chuckle.

I laugh in response. How do I reply to that?

"Are you going back to India soon?" I blurt out. It's the only thing that came go mind.

His smile fades slightly but he recovers quickly. "Depends on how things go here."