The Place of Love

Confessions

Excited noises filled the space. Everyone started congratulating them in one voice. Elaine, love struck as she always was, seemed to be more excited than the Mistress herself. Shane was sure to make a face asking her to stop the uncalled excitement.
The Mistress blushed seeing everyone's reaction. Master Blake smiled at her and nodded at us. "We will be getting married this year and all of you are invited" he said which caused cheers in the crowd. I wondered if it was just a statement. I'd be waiting for a wedding invitation anyway.

He gestured Mistress Sarah to continue to which she obeyed him. "We've experienced a lot in our life and we know you all will too. Before we say goodbye to you we thought of sharing a few things that might help you in your life together. I'm so glad we are successful. Each of you here we're able to find someone that you chose to be with." At this Steve reached out for my hand and squeezed it without meeting my eyes. Though his gesture took me by surprise, it made my heart do a summersault.

"When you go ahead in life, things might change. Change and transformation is the rule of nature. But you and your partner will have to understand each other and accept the changes. That doesn't mean all changes will be good. Some might take you out of track but your partner will help you get back and for that, you need to love each other endlessly.

Self transformation becomes easier if you have the power of love. Love is something that cures all addictions of man. When a man becomes committed in love, he can withstand the biggest hardships. Another important thing is, get used to each others silence. Sometimes silence is beyond speech and thoughts."
She continued more about how love was important and how it made us feel like we have someone. But with me and Steve.. was there even love? I turned to look at him. His eyes were shinning for some reason and I chose not to ask him why. I'd grown closer to him now but I didn't want to consider it just a sense of attraction. I wanted more. If he shared it with me.

After the session was done, a few girls who had become attached to their teachers got emotional and told them how important this place was for them. There were people chatting and enjoying the last night here.
Amy and her boyfriend went away to spend some time in their tent. My tent was destroyed so I knew how sad leaving a tent that belonged to you was. Shane and Elaine also walked away to get something to eat. Shane always seemed to be hungry and Elaine sometimes complained that he seemed to be attracted to food more than her.

That left me with Steve. Never before was I this uncomfortable around him before. In fact this was the first time I felt uncomfortable with him. The only reason was that I wasn't sure what was waiting for us outside this place. We never discussed about our life outside his little tent and further than this beautiful bonfire much. I knew I was ready that both of us never spoke about it and I never seen him after this.

I turned towards him and smiled. He didn't return my smile but said something in return. "Cal.. let's go to the place I opened up to you for the first time. We won't be able to sit there together again." He said with an expression I'd seen on him last when he argued with Shane. I remembered the bonfire place where he opened up to me last time. It kept our hearts at peace. I wondered why no other couple made it their spot. It was so calm and comforting, I'd shift out tent there if I could. "Yeah sure." I said smiling. He entwined his fingers in mine and led me to the corner.
Just like the last time, the area was empty except for a few helpers around who were also beginning to leave. We sat on the same log we were sitting on before. For a few minutes we sat there in silence. I wondered who would break the silence first and he answered my thoughtful questions. "How was this place for you Cal?" he asked without looking at me. "Quite unexpected." I answered. He nodded in reply. "What about you? You looked very inspired today" I asked taking my turn.

"I am. This place changed things for me. I wasn't going to listen to my grandmother's orders and come here, but she used my mom. She told me how happy mom would be if only I was happy. Mom's name was enough to get me to do anything." He smiled to himself before he continued.
"I loved my mom a lot but I always felt a sense of anger against her. She did one mistake which ruined many lives. I wish she knew how much my dad loved her. She wouldn't have taken that step." He was whispering now but it was audible enough from how close to him I sat.

"Unlike I had expected, this place gave me a lot Cal. I can't even believe I can tolerate Shane at my side so much now. I believe in something called love which I hated because of what happened to my parents. But now, when I see the Master and the Mistress, when I seen everything here, when I see you.. mom's mistake was summed up to only one word, love." He concluded.
His last sentence lingered in my head longer than it should have.

'When I found you..'

I argued with myself about whether I should ask him directly if he loved me or not. Maybe I could talk about Amy and her boyfriend.. or about Shane and Elaine! I could tell him Shane was taking Elaine to meet his mother. But didn't he already know that? Shane would have told him.

Just as though Steve could read my thoughts he turned gazing at my eyes and started, "You know Cal? I wish mom was here. She would love you" I couldn't believe his words at first. I had to look at him closely to find out whether he was joking. But as soon as my eyes met those cloudy grey ones, I blushed. They had a sense of happiness in them. "You think so?" I asked shyly. "I could never doubt that." He replied. I couldn't wait too long now.

"Why did you want her to love me though?" I asked hinting my intentions with every word I used. By the looks of it, he got my hints all too well. He looked ahead at the fire again, a small smile playing at his lips. "I know you want me to confess what I feel for you Cal. I've tried too but.. everything that happened to me makes me feel so low about love. Not just that.. Amy told me you were not in great concepts of love either. She said you were very casual about it and haven't really fallen in love. A reason for this was that your dad left your mom when you were little. I was afraid I would be one of your trials, someone you wouldn't trust as much and I just didn't th-" before he could complete, I grabbed his chin in my hand, forcing him to face me and pressed my lips to his.
It was like as if a little cupid's spirit came inside me.

He grabbed me by my waist as if he forgot everything he was saying a few seconds ago and kissed me back passionately sucking my lips. We pulled away for breath which he used to say something my ears thrived for. He looked into my eyes and before starting to kiss me again he moved his lips saying "I love you Cal"

My happiness had no bounds. That minute when those words escaped his lips, I was happy that he confessed to me. I told him I loved him too after that. But there was something I hadn't told him yet. The Mistress always said, your love needed to know everything about you.

I closed my eyes still kissing Steve, hoping this moment never ceased, hoping time stopped right here. But playing in my mind were just a few words. He didn't know my past yet. And as much as I wanted to tell him, I feared it wouldn't be the right thing to do.
Maybe later? Maybe when I know I won't have to let him go?

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And this is it guys! It's the end of 'The Place of Love'
I had too much fun writing this and I hope you did too reading it.
However, it's not the end of Steve and Cali's story!

I'm working on a sequel!! Yess I am but I'll need some time to get my best on it.

Do comment and let me know how you liked the story. I promise that the sequel will be pretty exciting and fun!
Love you guys so much!
Until next time,
Bbyee!