A Lifetime Ago

Chapter 9

My mind whirred back to Andrew every single time so I had to keep myself occupied and not to think about him. Even when I tried, his thoughts creeped up somehow and I ended up craving to see him. It was a weird inner feeling and his intense gaze from our first meet up had imprisoned my soul that no matter how much I tried I wasnt able to free myself!

I shrugged the weirdness off and took to my studies. Assignments were all popping and I felt more drained even by the thought of it...

Than something hit me. It was Sarah's 18th birthday this Friday! And I still haven't bought a gift for her.

Wow, am such a wonderful friend I murmured sarcastically to myself. What to even gift her?! She had everything she ever desired.

After few minute of tiring my brain with gift ideas I thought to give Jason a call. He picked up in the very first ring.

"Hello Kiara," Jason said in a gentle tone.

"Hi, I was wondering as Sarah's birthday is this Friday and I assume she had invited the entire class for the party, can you accompany me to buy a gift for her".

"Am glad you asked as I was about to call you to help me too", he said laughing.

"Ok great, let's meet after class tomorrow afternoon".

"That sounds great".

After hanging up the call. I went in the living room where mom and dad were chatting about our last weekends trip.

Dad was saying that many of his friends were intimidated by the place and wanted to take a trip for a peaceful get away.

The cave was still on my mind and the thought of it made me shiver. Hunter entered the room that same moment and crawled next to me on the sofa. Touching me with his paws softly reassuringly as if it read my thoughts. I patted him and it again gazed me with his hypnotic eyes...

*****
The next day after class me and Jason went downtown to get a gift for Sarah. I had to dodge her in the last class otherwise she would have tried to come wherever I went during the day.

Jason said he knew a place where there are unique antique items that would really make a place in Sarah's heart. He said he got a love for antique artifacts and keeps an eye for those kinda places. So he drove us almost an hour until we reached our destination.

There was a small store sitting at the very edge of a riverside. The place had a spooky outline. It looked very old and it seemed it had endured a lot of storms and disasters from many years but still it stood in pride.

I took a step in and an old man greeted us. He looked so pale & wrinkled with age. His aged eyes seemed to know a million stories secretly embedded within. He had an old scar near his left ear. His grey hair shimmered in the dim lighting of the store.

He greeted us gently and than fixated his gaze on me. I think I have seen you before dear. I cant fully recall but did you ever come here.

I was surprised from his remark and gazed at Jason who rather stared at me to answer.

"Um, am sorry but I have never met you before and this is the first time I came to this place", I said in a soft voice.

The old man took a step closer examining my face and shook his head. "Seem my old age is getting the best of me but I swear I have seen your face before", he said in a low voice.

Jason cut the conversation and asked the old man to help him find a antique gift for a friend. 

The shop was full of odd looking artifacts, jewelries, ornaments, tools and many more. There were some old books sitting on the dusty shelves.

As I was a book worm I quickly made my way to the shelf looking for anything which can capture my attention. I picked up one book and started flipping the pages. The book was old. By the word old I meant very old! The book was dated back 1885! Almost two centuries back!

"Holy moly", I said with an excited smile.

I slid my hands over all the books in the shelf trying to think which one to pick next.  Suddenly, something pricked my finger. A slight drop of blood fell on the floor. My finger was bleeding! I watched in disbelief as blood was oozing from it when the old mans voice cut in.

I think you need help he said. I spun around facing him. He had a packet of band aid and some wool in his hand. He gently wiped the blood which was still oozing and put on the band aid. He smiled warmly and than said rather in a whisper "theres a lot you need to know..."..

I was about to say what when Jason's voice interrupted me.

"Hi Kiara, what happened to your finger. You alright".

"Yes, am good. It's just maybe I pricked in something sharp".

Alright. I found something which will make a great gift for Sarah. He pulled out an odd looking necklace. Something was engraved in the oval shaped stone but definitely wasn't English. The stone was deep black with a lustrous texture.

"I think you should gift this to her" Jason said handing over to me. It looks really ancient and I think I have read about it somewhere. It's like you have to slightly blow air from your mouth to form the vapor in the necklace before you hand it to your loved one. The significance of it is that you are passing your breath with all your heart which the black stone absorbs for an eternity and reminds the wearer of your love.

I laughed at his theory and jokingly said and what if I put poison in the necklace will the stone absorb too.

Jason looked at me with a strong gaze as if for a sec his eyes seemed to be burning charcoal hot...

Than he joked back. That sounds fun too but polish it with some drug. He laughed hysterically and walked to the counter where the old man now stood to cash it out whilst I stared at my finger and the odd looking necklace.

Than I gazed at the shelf for what had pricked me but I cant make out anything as there wasnt anything sharp or sticking out... weird I murmured...

Jason made his way to the car whilst I went to cash the necklace.

The old man looked at me and sighed deeply.

He than said " Is he your friend".

"Oh Jason, yeah."

He had a confused expression on his face and I said what were you saying before at the shelf....

He gazed at me deeply and whispered "walls have ears, you need to come alone to know all"....

I just stared at him blankly.

He didnt speak another word and went to do his work as if I was invisible.

I made my way to the car and the necklace safely gift wrapped in a jewelry box...

My finger pricked again suddenly and started oozing blood...

My mind was juggling a hundred thoughts again....