The Soulmate Guide

Chapter-19

"It's not funny. Nobody laughed Ethan," I rolled my eyes at him.

"I guess I did," Rachel tried to speak between her giggles.

"Why are you so dressed up anyway?" They both spoke in unison.

" I just wanted to look good. Nothing wrong about it, I suppose?" I spoke indignantly.

The three of us got distracted by the sound of a car halt. The door clicked open and Marc got down from the glossy-black, stainless car. He extended one of his hands inside and aided Leah to step out. Leah wore a plain white t-shirt with a little cherry on the top left corner. Her t-shirt was tucked perfectly into her cerulean ripped denims. Her hair was tied into a messy bun and she wore funky, high-topped sneakers.

"Hey guys!" She spoke in her usual chirpy tone.

"Oh my God Leah! Is that Marc?" Rachel exclaimed excitedly.

"You must be Rachel. Leah has told me a lot about you," Marc smirked as they both shook hands.

"Yes, she is Rachel." Ethan smiled sarcastically. "You can get rid of her hands now" he continued.

Ethan has surely mastered the art of impertinence.

I couldn't control my snickers which diverted everyone's attention towards me.

"Blake. Is that you? I can't believe it.You look amazing," Leah spoke with sparkle in her eyes.

There was a sudden adrenaline rush in my body and my cheeks tightened, my dimples leaving a tint of deep crimson over my cheeks.
"Thanks Leah," I forced a casual tone.

"Your watch looks old-fashioned though," Marc said examining my wrist.

"It's Rolex. It used to be my father's favourite." I spoke, taking pride in the fact.

"That's pretty cool." He gazed at me with perplexity.

"Leah, I'll take leave now. If you need me to pick you up, remember that I'm just a call away." He put a hand on her shoulders.

I clenched my fists as sweat trickled down my forehead. She definitely needed to get rid of this man. I hated it, everytime he portrayed himself as Leah's close friend.

"Jealous much?" Ethan whispered into my ears mischievously.

"Of course not. Why will I be jealous of this brat? He got nothing on me." I replied to Ethan, trying to keep my voice low.

"You look more jealous now. What's cooking Blakie?" He played with his eyebrows.

"You're cooking up unnecessary stories in your head Ethan." I shook my head.

I turned my attention towards Leah.

"How long will Marc stay in New York?" I couldn't help asking.

Leah shrugged. "He won't stay here for long. He will board his flight early morning tomorrow," She spoke softly.

Leah really is close to him. She seemed extremely disheartened at the thought of him leaving NYC. It however calmed my racing heart. Marc was finally going away. I couldn't stand him for God's sake.

The day passed by quickly and it was time for home.
                          
                           ******

I trudged up the stairs, being extremely fatigued from the whole long school day. I slammed the door open and steadily headed inside my room. The olive green satin sheets stuck to the bed in a haphazard manner. The bookshelf was ready to collapse anytime. The breeze that made it's way inside from the ajar window was suffocating.

I rearranged the sheets and the shelves  and shut the window to obstruct the entry of the breeze accompanied by minute sand particles.

Another storm I wasn't prepared for.
                          

I changed into a cosy, loose t-shirt and and paired it with comfortable bottoms. The boy in the shirt and trousers wasn't me. This is me.

I exhaled the air in my nostrils and bowed my head in a state of bewilderment.

THE SOULMATE GUIDE

I opened it slowly, hoping things would be clearer. This is the third-last characteristic of my soulmate.

Hey Blake. Your dad's clothes suit you so much.

I let out a chortle at the silly side of the guide.

"Yes. Yes. Why not?" I mumbled to myself.

Okay. Jokes apart, let's get started.
Your soulmate has a tattoo. A very little one, yet a beautiful one. It signifies the purity of your relationship. The tattoo wasn't something she had always wanted to have but fate plays good games, my boy. Your connection is very strong, almost unbreakable. Your bright future is near. Remember,one wrong girl and all gone.
 
I closed the guide. Another very uninformative characteristic.

How was I supposed to find her anyway?

I sat on my leather couch and started pondering over the fact. I got up and strolled anxiously about the room, failing to come to a concrete conclusion. There was one just one way things could be sorted.

I took out my phone from my pocket and dialed the most frequently contacted number on the phone.

I heard a weary yawn followed by a dull hello.

"Hello Ethan. I need you at my place, right now." I instructed him.

"Are you okay? Look at the storm outside. It's gonna get worse in the next few hours," Ethan replied.

"I don't care. If you can't come, I am coming to pick you up."

"Okay stop. You won't go anywhere Blake. I am coming right away," He answered in a grave tone.

I waited impatiently as the clock continued with it's annoying tick-tock. Amidst the sound of the clock and the noise of the winds, I heard the doorbell ring. I didn't wait for my domestic help to do her job. I hastily ran down the stairs and opened the door. Ethan stood right on the doorstep, his brown eyes widened with suspicion.

"Come upstairs. Quick," I ordered as I made my way up the stairs to my room.  Ethan followed me up.

Once he came inside, I quickly latched the door from inside and made him sit.

"What happened Blake? Tell me first," Ethan spoke restlessly.

"Wait here. I have got a lot to tell you." I told him as I took out a red, velvety book from the shelf.

THE SOULMATE GUIDE.

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