chatroulette's stranger

Chapter Twenty six: Try a little stargazing

Surprise parties are quite strange in a way, you feel flattered with the attention, the efforts put in the initiative but you also don't know how to act, you feel flustered most of the time, although the people present there were all very dear to me, i still had that nervousness. 

After hugging my brother and his fiancée, along with Laken and Esteban, i'm aware that i'll have to talk to Cassie. She was standing there in a corner, a bit awkwardly, as if she didn't know where to stand. I knew her, she wanted to make up, she always acted with utmost confidence but deep inside she too had her insecurities and her flaws. It was clear that she was feeling guilt, and that is exactly what made me forgive her right then. I start walking towards her and stop just a few feet away from her.

"hey", she says

i gaze at her for a few seconds, then not needing the words, i just throw my hands around her shoulders, hugging her tightly, i smell her perfume, it's a smell that's always been familiar, something i have known for a long time, something comforting. i feel her hands around me at the same time, and she whispers:

"I'm so sorry Mel, so sorry."

"Don't worry silly. it's all forgotten", at hearing my words, i hear a soft sniffling sound. The emotionnal hug ends and i put my hand on her cheeks, wiping her tears with my fingers, and watching her draw a small smile.

"Nothing's going to brings us down, okay ?" I see her gently nod, now smiling fully at me. Shortly afterwards, we join the others whom were sitting on the sofas, seemingly conversing but also throwing glances towards us every once in a while. a bit of music was playing in the background, when we join them. I sit next to Esteban putting my hand on his knee, he glances at me before continuing his conversation with Vanessa. I also see Laken leaving a small place next to him and looking at Cassie silently asking her to sit. she doesn't hesitate and installs next to him, rapidly joining the conversation Caleb and Laken were having. Every once in a while, Caleb was leaving to the kitchen from which a delicious smell was coming. 

I had missed this. My brother's cooking, the careless chatter, general warmth from people dear to you.

Caleb comes out of the kitchen, holding a large plate of lasagna, calling for us to sit around the table. No need to be told twice, as the evening goes by, i am so clearly aware of how precious this moment is, i keep staring at them all trying to store away all the memories, not forgetting anything or any detail. Which is why i do not miss the blooming affection Laken and Cassie bear for each other. Strangely, all the pieces seem to be falling in to place. 

Everyone compliments Caleb for his cooking, he is visibly flattered. I am aware he has always dreamed of having a restaurant, a family business he used to say jokingly.

"How are things with work Cal?" I ask him 

He grimaces, "Could be better but," he sighs and adds, "it pays the bills you know. I shouldn't complain"

I smile sympathetically, knowing how he felt about his job.

Suddenly, he turns towards Laken and asks him, with a little gleam in his eyes "Do you still work in that restaurant, Laken?"

"Oh, yes. It's in fact my mother's restaurant, and i help witht he delivries when i can" the other guy answers with a grin. 

Caleb, surprised, starts asking multiple questions about the intricaties of the project, relentlessly speaking question after question, he seemed excited about the subject and i saw just for a moment, the little boy he used to be, before he had to grow for both of our sakes. Laken on the other hand, only looks flattered by the interest of my brother, answering whenever he could. Next comes the birthday cake, with a chocolate flavour and decorated with little candles. Along with the sweet bites, each one of them give me wrapped up boxes of different shapes. Starting with Cassie's gift, i find a book i have been meaning to buy for some time, Laken gave me a bluray version of 'My Fair Lady', rememebring how enraptured i was my the movie when we first met at the café, and finally Vanessa and Caleb gave me a shirt with a picture of us three taken a few months back while on a hike, printed in the front, with the words 'We are Family'. God knows how much these little gifts have touched me, i eve, teared up a little at the sight of the shirt, i admit.

 The evening passes in both a slow and fast way, it seems to be hanging in mid air, away from any trouble, untouchable. But already too fast, it comes to last, Cassie and Laken both leave at the same time, after i hug them both for a few seconds, thanking them again for being there. Vanessa and Caleb, follow them, few minutes later. After they both insist on helping with the dishes which i assured them i had no problem taking care of.

Finally, Esteban and i are left alone in the house, still standing next the front door, i turn towards him and silently take him in my arms. It is crazy how in such a short amount of time, this person became so dear to me. 

"Thank you love. For everything", i give him a little peck on the cheek before adding, "I frankly couldn't be happier"

We separate from the hug, and he leads me back to the living room, still holding my hand. He makes me sit on the sofa before disappearing upstairs and quickly enough, coming back with a long box. From afar, i see the picture of a telescope on it, Oh my...i can't believe it's actually a...

"I'm sorry, i didn't have enough time to wrap it up" he says

"It's a-" i begin stuttering

"Yes, um...a telescope. I noticed you like stargazing so...yeah." he finishes

"Oh my god," I have dreamed of having a telescope for years. years! 

"thank you so much, that's amazing". i lean in giving him a thankful kiss, it is full of every bit of love and gratitude i felt for this human. when the kiss is over, i gaze at his face, noticing the little blush on his cheeks.

"Anything for you cariño"

i wonder how did i get so lucky...

we both take care of the dishes and wordlessly agree on sleeping in his room. Before joining it though, i go to my room, changing my clothes and checking my mobile phone when it suddenly starts ringing, it is an unknown number, the same unknown number that's called before.

In spite of being scared, well frankly, literally freaked out. I decide to answer.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

I try again, "Hello?"

I hear someone breathing on the other side of the phone, but no word is said.

"Who are you?"

Nothing. Still the person doesn't hang up.

"Stop calling me !" I say, before hanging up.

As the line goes dead, i feel my anger slowly transforming into worry. I a deep in thoughts when i hear Esteban calling for me from the other room. 

There's nothing to do now. I just walk to the other room trying to forget about this. It could be a joke, probably nothing.

That is what I say to dismiss it from my mind, but deep down, i know something is surely close. I just don't know what.

Tomame la mano zingara, dime pronto que destino ves...