Tracing Memories

37: J i n x

"You're late." You smugly declared as I finally arrived at the designated place.

"Just this one time...unlike you." I retorted sarcastically.

"So what's the plan?" I asked as I sat down on the bench. I was still feeling a little sleepy.

"First we need to get the sleep out of you." You said as you helped me stand up again and we marched towards a cafe.

I immediately flopped on the first chair I saw as soon as we reached our destination. You made the order for the both of us, cold coffee for me and a Vienna for yourself. You know I love cold coffee.

"How are you still sleepy?!" You exclaimed in astonishment as I yawned after taking the last sip of my coffee.

"I have been sleep-deprived for months. One cup of coffee can't help it." I commented carelessly before resting my head on the table.

"I worried you that much?" I heard your voice turn gloomy and looked up, "I'm... sorry." You said with despair, taking my hand into yours.

"All that's in the past now." I replied with extra enthusiasm to cheer you up, "Let's not jinx our present happiness by talking about all that." I put my other hand on top of yours. You smiled and nodded.

"Where do we go next?" I changed the topic.

"I don't know." You responded.

"I thought you had a plan!" I exclaimed with some annoyance.

"I never said that." You shrugged.

"Let's get out of here and we can figure along the way." I said as I hopped out of my chair and tugged on your hand.

We began walking aimlessly, observing the buzz of the city that grew more and more with each passing minute as people rushed to their workplaces and other important places they had to be, and making casual remarks on it. We passed by the Riverbank and saw some kids having a soccer match. Your feet stopped as if on their own and with you I did too as I was walking holding your hand. I glanced at you and found an inadvertent smile etched on your lips, your eyes focused on the kids laughing with joy as they kicked the ball around.

"This is what soccer should be like." You commented to no one in particular.

"And that is restored thanks to you and the team." I said.

You then broke out of your trance and directed your attention to me again. "Let's go." You said and we started walking again.

"I'm tired." I said after a while, sitting down on the sidewalk.

"Already?" You blurted.

"'Already?' We've been walking for 30 minutes!" I was annoyed.

You stood thinking for a while with your index finger resting under your chin. I remained staring in cluelessness and anticipation. Finally, you thought of something and made a small exclamation.

"Kira, get up..." You said taking both of my hands in yours and pulling me up, "... and go home."

"What? I thought we were going to spend the day together." I protested.

"Go home and I'll come pick you in a while." You directed.

"So you have thought of something." I commented with a smirk.

I came back home and thought to fix my appearance a little bit. I had gotten ready in a hurry and half-asleep. Now I also realised that I was wearing mismatched clothes. I switched into an all-black outfit, entirely eliminating the issue of a mismatch and combed my hair once again.

A notification popped up on my phone. It was a text from you telling me you were waiting outside. With hasty steps, I approached the front door expecting you standing there but I was wrong and the sight outside my house made me have a huge gasp.

"Since when do you have that?!" I screamed loud enough for my neighbours to hear, eyeing your shiny splendid red sports car intently.

"Get in." You said instead of answering me, tilting forward to see me through the window.

"You never tell me anything." I pouted and mumbled as I got into the car and off we went.

"So where are we going?" I finally asked when I found us seemingly heading towards the outskirts of the town.

"Why do you ask so many questions? Just enjoy the ride will you?" You said not breaking focus from the road. I had to admit that was the smoothest car ride I had ever had. The day was shaping up to be really interesting.

We drove for another fifteen-twenty minutes after leaving town when you took it off-road and then finally stopped facing a cliff. I slowly got out, awestruck by the scene present in front of me.

"So?" You said vaguely gesturing as if asking if I liked the place.

"You are full of surprises today." I answered, wide-eyed.

We hopped on the hood of the car and enjoyed the natural beauty we were surrounded by. The city was still visible a little below us and rain clouds seemed to be approaching from the opposite direction.

"You know what would make this perfect?" I began.

"Food?" You answered without missing a beat and materialised a bag of fries and burgers.

I immediately perked up, "How did you know?" I eagerly asked.

"Because you always say that." Your deadpan reply came immediately.

"Well, it's true." I said setting down a pack of fries in the space between us on the hood.

We spent the remaining of the day, eating, talking and observing the clouds and trying to find shapes in them. The serenity that was mixed in the atmosphere of that place made it seem no less than heaven.

When the sun began setting, we began our way back. As we made way towards the city it began drizzling. The sound of raindrops steadily hitting the rooftop of the car felt like a lullaby. There was an indescribable whimsy in driving down the empty wet road with the pitter-patter of the rain.

The rain hadn't stopped by the time we were back. I quickly got out of the car and rushed to my door with you following close behind. The sun had completely set by then and the dark hues of dusk were thickening rapidly.

"Today was wonderful." I quietly said, looking up at you. You didn't say anything and pulled me in for a kiss.

"Now it's perfect." The words escaped my mouth effortlessly.