My Dear Ordinary Life

CHAPTER 12: ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL...

We were now back to gliding on the air to get out of the book. All on the Carpet. And when I say all, I talk about me, Alexandra, Buzz, Sporty...and Bob.

"Hey, John, did we miss something? Why are we taking the enemy with us?" asked Sporty.

"Well, I'll let the enemy tell you his story himself. But let's start by calling him Bob."

Bob glanced at me with a proud embarrassed look. While I was smiling at him, I caught Alexandra smiling at me. When suddenly, we broke out of the book not in the usual way, but with some kind of a burst of diamond dust!

And when we landed (it was not a soft landing!), I got back to my normal size, and my four former figurines completely turned human. The Carpet too, took back its original size. We were elated and relieved. Bob was hiding his tears.

"We did it, guys! We did it!!" cried Sporty joyfully.

Everyone was jumping of joy, hugging each other, except for Bob. Buzz noticed him, stepped towards him and said:

"Bob, honestly, I hated you for what you did, and I don't know your story. But if John decided to give you a chance, I'll trust him." He reached out his hand to him. "Let's shake hands and start over."

Bob hesitated and was greatly surprised, but they finally shook hands. And in the end, he lowered his head and disclosed:

"Before, I thought the world was all about cruelty and hatred. That was all I knew." He lifted his head. "But facing you all, constantly made me sway...between hate and a feeling that I never knew about. Could the world have some truthful beauty after all? Even if it is only one spot of the world? Is there hope? ...And...you saved me in time." He expressed an emotional smile.

He still didn't comprehend those new feelings.

"Will you forgive me...for everything that I've done?"

"We can forgive you for what's past..." began Sporty. "But what comes after, is up to your choices." He first looked at him severely, then slightly laughed and patted Bob's shoulder.

"Is this marriage thing canceled then?" asked Alexandra with a crooked grin.

He answered: "...Officially, I don't need it anymore, but actually that wouldn't bother me--" At his words, I glared at him. "...well, that's- if you agree of course."

"And, she will never agree." I friendly grabbed Alexandra by the shoulders, which made her chuckle.

"Carpet! Carpet!!"

"What's going on Sporty?"

"It's Carpet...! It..."

"..John...w-we did it...I'm...proud of you...really proud." The Carpet uttered, breathless.

"Wait! Carpets can't die, no matter how strange this adventure can be! Carpet! Carpet!!" I cried.

The Carpet did not answer. For a while, we all remained in sad silence.

..........

"Can't you let me sleep in peace? I'm just tired, this adventure was very physical, you know? And carrying five heavy people's not that easy!"

"Carpet!! You're alive!!" We all hugged it (as strange as it might appear).

"Of course I'm alive, why would I die?" He said annoyed and went on sleeping again.

I watched the scene as everyone looked cheerful and reconciled with themselves and with each other. I was glad. I was, very glad. All's well that ends well...