Lumanti (Memory)

Retelling the Forgotten Tale

(This Chapter will consist of Rianne's perspective of Lumanti and Aaron's story. Rianne will be telling the story in first person perspective for this chapter. Lumanti is sitting on the floor crosslegged hugging pillow while Rianne is sitting on the bean bag, ready to tell a story).

I know that you know that how you guys met but I am going to tell you anyways. We were walking out of the building after finishing our individual classes. I was telling you about this moron in my class and you couldn't help but laugh at it. Like always there was a crowd of people with their stall selling stuff or informing people about latest global crisis. And there was Aaron selling honey with honey facts. We never visit these stalls, we go straight to café to grab coffee but I don't know what came to you that day, you just directly went to his stall, stood in front him and asked him, "Hi, how much for these?" pointing out at honey jars.

He just stood there, gaping looking at you. I guess he was just starstruck. I could see it in his eyes the way he looked at you; he was not at all expecting you to come and talk to him. He just fumbled and started speaking all about honeybees and honey. And you just stood there listening to his nonsense which was not the price for the honey. We tasted honey, it was good. I think we bought some but I don't remember. You know, you wouldn't admit it but you are always so unaware of people falling for you. After you guys became friends at Unibar, his friend and our friends hung out for a bit. He would always find a reason to invite you to any group activities that was happening in campus and you would tag me, my then girlfriend and also sometimes Sam.

It was fun days. We also used to go to mini picnic and beach parties. And Aaron used to invite you to these Nepalese gathering or parties that he hosted most of the time. You used to tell me that you were interested to learn about your mom's side of the culture. Then during summer break, all of us planned not to enroll and work instead. But before that all of us planned to go for a trip to blue mountains. Sam couldn't make it that time. It was I think, eight of us who went there. It was me, my ex, Aaron, his two besties and another couple, I forgot their names. We were not that close, but I think you would remember them because, you were talking with them. Till that time, he never invited you anywhere alone, like just you and him. It was always with his group or with us.

Oh my god! that trip was fantastic, we hiked and the weather was amazing. We were staying at this holiday house that we booked online; it came with pool as well and owner was also so cool and let us be young, wild and free, you know. It was, I think, 4 day trip, on the 3rd night, we were playing games and talking about stuff. Next morning, you and Aaron were not to be seen. All of us always assumed that something was going on between you two but you guys never admitted it. It was as if you were in denial. Whenever I would ask you if there was something, you used to say, "Well, he is nice, but I don't think there is anything going on."

You would usually tell me anyways, so I didn't bug you with it.

And that morning, I woke up late and was looking for you, you weren't there so I called and you told me that you guys drove all the way to Orange in the morning to farmers market. I think that must have been the first time that you both went somewhere without bunch of your friends.

When you came back you started telling me, "Ri, you and I should go again sometime, it is so much fun. The strawberries are so good. I am no longer eating strawberries from store anymore."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I have got these many strawberries and also got a jam."

"Are you kidding me that's a lot of strawberries dude."

"I know but I can eat it,"

"So, you went all the way to Orange and all you got was strawberries."