The Soulmate Guide

Chapter-23

"I guess I need to go home too," I stuttered, disappointed.

"What happened Blakie? All cool?" Ethan eyed me warily.

"Yeah, I am cool. Just a little weary. Fiona, come with me.
I'll drop you home."

I started walking towards the exit, my mind forfeited in the chaotic situation. I was trying to mend the broken pieces of the unsolved puzzle, but I failed miserably everytime I attempted to do so. It was all in all a farrago of tangled strings, trampled hearts and broken promises.

Fiona struggled to catch up with my walking speed. She spoke to me breathlessly, "Where do you think you are going Blakie? You need to wait." She settled her sandal straps and mumbled something in an annoyed tone.

"Why don't you participate in a tortoise marathon? You'll at least be the runner-up." I let out a chortle.
She placed both her hands on her waist and narrowed her eyes at me. "Are you done?"

"Let's go," I snickered and motioned her to follow me to the car.

We both hopped in and fastened our seatbelts. The lemon fragrance of the car freshener almost smothered our nostrils. It mingled with the silence of the cozy atmosphere inside the car. I was dying to escape the awkward silence that lingered. Switching on the stereo, I averted my gaze to the road in front, randomly humming the soft melody. Fiona subconsciously tapped her finger tips on the dashboard.

"You know what Blakie?" She spoke softly, her gaze never meeting mine.

"Hmm?"

"These little moments spent with you are precious." She whispered softly. The muscles of the apple of her cheeks flexed, causing them to form a shallow dimple.

"Oh my God! What has happened to our girl? She is being deep and all." I tittered nervously at my atrocious attempt of dodging the conversation.

"For God's sake Blake--"
"Grow up?" I chuckled teasingly.

"You'll never understand my feelings," She briefly squeezed her eyes shut and turned away, her exasperation visible with every moment of her body.

I stopped the car in front of her apartment.
"We've reached," I smirked at her.
She got down from the car and settled the creases on her dress.
"You can at least say goodbye?" I eyed  her innocently.
"Night," She spoke and turned away. Her tone remained unaltered: vexed and disappointed.

I sighed and accelerated my car.
                        
                             *****

I recklessly shut my car's door and entered my house through the main gate. I waved at my mother and melancholically made my way to my room, hoping that I'd find some peace in the solitude. My mind wandered aimlessly through my not-so perfect love life.
Fiona is my best friend. She has been by my side since the past five years. Why am I doing this to her? She is beautiful, charming, rich, talented and just perfect, but I have a chemistry with Leah.

Chemistry so fierce that it makes me want to cling on to every sweater, every diary that reminds me of her. Chemistry so fierce that it makes me want to play with her hair, to pull her cheeks, to witness the sparkle in her eyes when she does something she loves. Chemistry so fierce that it makes me want the friendly banters between us to last for an eternity.

I sighed triumphantly at my poetic side.

I sat on my study table and cautiously opened the soulmate guide. With just three more characteristics to unveil, the day was close. Very close.

Hello Blake. Are you confused? Are you vexed? Are you anxious and troubled? Fret no more my boy. I am actually giving you a chance to see the three characteristics that you missed at the time of Charlie's death.

"Wait. Does that mean I'll get six characteristics instead of three?" I spoke excitedly.

No my boy. Had the three characteristics been revealed at the time of Charlie's death itself, your work would have been over by now. You are being given a second chance. Play cautiously.

I rolled my eyes.

You are so confused, so I thought that I should maybe give you a simple and less confusing characteristic. Listen to me carefully.
You soulmate has a guy friend. That guy friend has a crush on her enemy.  Cool, isn't it?

My mind was blank. There was nothing I could think of at that moment.
A guy friend?
I scratched my head in exasperation when suddenly, I realized something.
What if that guy friend is me? It makes sense if my soulmate is Fiona. I am her guy friend, and I like her enemy, that is Leah. Is this what the guide means?

No one knows what the guide means, my boy. Keep a track of all the  characteristics and you'll find her soon.

I closed the guide and took a deep breath.
They all say that true love finds a way. Let's just sit and ponder over these characteristics until my heart finds what it has been searching for all this while.

I headed towards my bed and switched off the lamp on the bedside table. It had been a tiresome day and I needed some rest. Both physical and mental rest.
I drowned under the sheets and gently put my head on a fluffy pillow. Every muscle of my body seemed to relax as I yawned and pandiculated drowsily.

I jerked at the sound of my phone ringing.
Who is calling me at such odd hours?
Half-asleep, I picked up the phone from the bedside table.

I gulped and stared frantically at the name on my screen.

LOSER.

I answered the call with shaky hands.
"Blake. I need you. Please come to my house right now. I'm very scared," She spoke breathlessly.

"What happened?" I asked her anxiously.

"I can't tell you. Just come."

"I'm coming," I whispered gently.

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