Someday

Chapter One

“I could definitely get used to this!” I exclaimed, reclining back on my seat, looking at the table which a few minutes ago was groaning under the weight of dishes but now cluttered with dirty plates. “I would have married you sooner had I known you cook this well!”

 He grinned at me, his smile spreading over his face. I couldn’t help but smile back as his eyes twinkled. I got a warm fuzzy feeling seeing the look on his face. It was our first anniversary to our marriage and still his smile melts my heart like it did on the first day I met him.

“As you wish princess”

He made a detour around the table and held out his hand. I felt a blush creeping up on my face at the little gesture remembering the memories that it brought on.

I used to be crazy about fairy tales (still am though I try to act more mature now) and in all our days together he never failed to tease me about it. But tonight it wasn’t embarrassment that made me flush red but the feeling it brought. I felt like a princess-happier even.

 I quickly averted his gaze.

“I love this- when you’re shy!” He said softly holding my cheek in his palm and turning my face to meet his.

Bleeeep!!

The loud tone made me jump. When I realized it was his cell phone I couldn’t help but laugh at myself.

“It’s Jim!” He scanned the screen quickly and gave me an apologetic smile. I waved a hand to dismiss it but fhat didn't stop me from feeling irritated with his best friend. Jim would have known better than anyone else what this night signified to us. On top of that, we were not particularly on good terms. I have not gotten over his treatment to my best friend years ago and knowing he felt no remorse for it, he didn’t deserve any better anyways.

A small pang passed through my heart when I thought of Kayla. My ex-best friend-I amended my thought.

I cleared up the table while Jonas made his way to the balcony, listening to the other end of the line. Putting the dishes in the sink, I wiped the table clean. I wondered what was so important that it was taking him so long to hang up. Typical Jim-he would know how to ruin any good day of mine.

However, despite his rather questionable affairs with women, he was the truest of friends when it comes to Jonas. In fact, I had admired their friendship from the beginning. And I had a soft spot for him for being the rock to Jonas many a times though I would never admit it out loud. But that still doesn’t excuse him from taking away my husband on our anniversary; I thought unhappily making my way to the balcony.

Seeing Jonas leaning against the railing with a frown crossing his face, I hurried over: anxiety replacing every other feeling. He looked up and I could tell that something had happened-something terrible.

“Jim-“, His voice caught, “he is in trouble.” Before I could question him, he continued. “I don’t know what that damsel would do without me rescuing him every second!” he chuckled though his effort on the small joke failed miserably.

Stupid Jim! I mentally cursed him. He must have gotten into another fight again! That black eye of his will become a trademark soon. At the same time, a small part in my heart knew that this couldn’t be just another fight for even Jim wouldn’t call Jonas tonight of all nights if it was.

Jim and Jonas are in one of the local ‘gangs’ and they occasionally would have small ‘problems’ with the other gang in town, as much as I hated the idea of it. I should have gotten used to it-being married to a gangster. But ever since Jonas had taken up his job, I knew he hardly hung out with that group of friends: Jim being the exception. On the other hand, Jim always manages to pick a fight-usually over one of the girls who ‘belongs’ to the other gang member. Somehow that is all I understood of these things which I had no inclination to know further anyways.

So many questions popped into my head but I could tell that Jonas needed to hurry to wherever Jim was and my questions could wait until he comes back.

I turned around, trying not to show the disappointment on my face. My secret gift for him was still hidden in the closet. But I guess it would have to wait too.

I heard him taking a step towards me. I faked a smile as he came into view. I could only whisper one word.

“Go!”

Relief washed over his face as he hugged me. I took in his embrace, enjoying the warmth in the cool night.

“Be safe!”

With a quick kiss on my forehead, he walked over to the door, without bothering to pick up his jacket. I watched him from the balcony as he got on his motorbike and rode off into the silent night.

Jonas. My voice trailed off. A tear escaped from my eye as I returned back to the room, closing the glass doors behind me, suddenly feeling empty and cold. The happiness that was radiating over me moments ago was gone and I fell into the sofa, unable to hold back the tears.

I had hardly seen him the past months though I knew he was working hard to save up for our future. My hopes for a much needed quality time with him had all been piled up on tonight. I had spent months getting him the perfect gift and envisioned him opening it up: how his smile would light up his face like a kid when he got happy and also to play the video I had made which had taken me days to finish. Endless hours had been spent on making every last picture and video clip to capture all our moments together as best as they could.

As it turned out I was not the only one who had planned ahead. I thought back on the dinner he had prepared for me by himself-every single dish of the five course meal and his gift: the white flowing dress I had walked onto when I came back from my parent’s home: apparently my mother's sudden emergency to get me there had just been a trick to get me away from home so that Jonas could have his time. I had wondered why my mother’s rose garden idea had become a state of emergency, though I thought better than to question her on it as she gushed out about the exotic flower seeds her friend in Britain were posting to her.

I smoothed a crease on the soft fabric of the dress Jonah got me, realizing for the first time that it was the first white dress I had worn. Jonas loves white.

I smiled ruefully as I got back up. I should not be feeling so pitiful when I have so much to be thankful for. Knowing that he would come back was enough. And this night is not the end-there would be many more years ahead together.

I felt stupid when my thoughts lingered back to what had taken him away from me. Here I am crying vainly when God knows what mischief Jim had gotten himself into. Fear crept into my heart and I prayed that they were safe.

Don’t blow things out of proportions again, Becca! I scolded myself when my worried mind came up with images of them being hurt. They wouldn’t get into something like that. At least Jonas wouldn’t. He was always the one to hold out the olive branch after all. He wouldn’t meddle in small gang fights anymore. I assured myself.

I took my phone with me back to the sofa and sat down, waiting for his call or even better, the knock on the door announcing his arrival.