Lost soul (Short stories)

The broken window

It was a sunny sunday morning so Hannah decided to go the beach, to the place where she met Amanda.

As she was walking passed Patrick store, he was called out by Patrick.

"Hi there! Going for work even in Sunday?" He jokingly asked because they both know that the store is closed every Sunday.

"Was that supposed to be a joke?" Hannah jokingly replied. "I was trying to unwind, you know maybe I can get inspiration through looking at the sun" she jokingly added.

"Want me to accompany you?" Patrick offer.

"No" but Hannah remembers the broken window. "If you want, do you happen to have a spare time?" She shyly asked.

"Why is there a need for fixing? Perhaps?" Patrick intruguely asked.

"Well, my windows been broken for a couple of days now and your uncle happen to offer to include my needs in purchasing hardware stuffs"

"Oh I see, well to tell you honestly I will go there on the afternoon.

After I fix the countertop. You know Christmas is approaching and uncle is very eager to decorate our shop with white Christmas theme. Maybe for the customer to somewhat feel the northern hemisphere vibes" Patrick explain with some kind of persuassive gestures of hands.

"Do I need to laugh on that one too?"

"No, if you don't feel like it" then they both laugh.

"It is true that being a joker is not my middle name"

"Well, its not what I want to say. If that's what you think then be it" then Hannah gives Patrick a peace sign then they both laugh.

"What's there to laugh about?" As Patricks Uncle join them as he sips his coffee.

"Well I'm just trying to be funny"

"Which i guess, you failed?" As his uncle nudge Patrick shoulder.

"You got it right" Hannah added fuel to the fire then they both laugh.

"Well, I have to head out now. The sun will not be there in a couple of minutes"

"Well then little one, be safe" as Patricks uncle wave his goodbye.

"So see you before lunch?" Patrick asks.

"Ok, I will see you here. So you will reserve your fuel. I heard the striking price of it and I don't want to hassle you up" then Hannah wave also her goodbye.

"It's been a year?" Patricks uncle asks before siping again his coffee.

"What?" as Patrick is puzzle to what his uncle is talking about.

"It's been a year since I heard and saw the twinkle in your eyes. I don't want the fire to subside, so better run for it. You both suit together. Want some help?" as his uncle goofly plays with his eye brows.

"No need." Then Patrick look far beyond his eyes can then place his hand on his necklace.

"Thinking of going somewhere?" His uncle asks

"Me? Nope not after this "as he pointed out his uncle chores to fix the Christmas theme shop. "Well later I will go with Hannah" then his uncle look at him.

"Uhm, I heard it"

"Well your not going to ask me where we will go?"

"Well now that you open it up, drop the details"

"Guess what? We will just go there to purchase your Mr DIY things in the shop"

"Funny. It's just an errand for you but maybe a diversion too."

"The Garlands are not align. You have to place it here in the middle" as his uncle re align the decoration. Well, it is somewhat a diversion to make Patrick focus again.

"Well then, I will go to the back and check what there to check and fix." His uncle looks at him and smiles because seeing Patrick having those smile again makes him assured that maybe somewhere in his heart it can mend by Hannah.

Little did his uncle knows that Patrick still lingers to his long lost love.

"Its been 1 year and 3 months to be exact" as if he is whispering to the wind and he continues to hammer the decoration to secure it position.

It's nearly lunch time when Patrick finished the decoration.

"Done already?" Hannah surprisingly asks Patrick and to his surprise he was aback.

"Uhm" then he place his arms on his chest as if he was proud to what he did.

"Well do I need to praise your piece of art for that?" Hannah asks.

"Well, if you don't feel so. There's no need to" then he laugh.

"You often laugh. Is there something on my face" Hannah asks.

"Well I find you amusing these past few days" as Patrick slightly scratches his head like a shy man.

"He likes you" his uncle intrude.

"Hi Nathan, can I borrow Patrick?"

"No need to ask, if you need also a life partner. I can suggest him too" then his uncle nudge his arms as is he is teasing him.

"Uncleeeee" like a child.Hannah find Patrick and his uncle relationship feels like her lost family and looking at both of them makes her realize that she needs to find them.

Hannah was caught of guard when Patrick snaps.

"Let me get the keys so we can fix your window."

As Patrick was busy finding a good music to play to.

"No need to play music, if you don't feel like it. Relax" Hannah was just teasing Patrick because he was kinda nervous.

After they gather all the things that they need. They head first to the shop then go Hannah's place. It is nearly 3pm when they got there.

"Sorry for the trouble" as they were heading to her house.

"Well then sorry for the intrued. You have a tiny yet cozy home and I can clearly see that window is what your talking about" as Patrick pointed out her broken window.

"Yes. You see a strong wind probably wanted to make her way to my house but my window don't it to barge in" Hannah jokingly tells him.

"Should I laugh on that one?"

"Well if you don't feel like it" then they both laugh.

"Do you mind to hand over the hammer. So we can start fixing it"

Hannah obliged to do as she was told and proceed to carefully look at what Patricks been doing to fix her window, as if she was paying attention to assure she can do it herself.

"Paying attention, aren't we?" -Patrick

"I need to do it next time so your right I am paying attention." -Hannah

"This is just a wild guess, did you run away from home?" -Patrick

"Sort of, i want to make myself believe that I can manage to make it on my own and writing is just my coping mechanism or maybe my ticket to do it. Sorry for the sudden serious story " -Hannah.

"No need to, it's just that I remembers someone to you." -patrick

"Who? A little girlfriend of yours?

Don't be afraid it will be a small secret of us" Hannah teasingly asks.

"No, like you she's someone not from here. Her features still fresh in my mind, her smile and her appreance somewhat assuring that anything is possible. She have that enthusiastic charisma that makes everyone loves her" Patrick stops when he suddenly notice that he is story telling for a minute.

"Why did you stop?" Hannah asks.

"Go on, to tell you honestly I can see through your story that you missed her"

"Am I?" as Patrick shyly asks.

"To tell you honestly I am. That is the reason I am still working in the shop. Hoping someday she can drop by and maybe talk to her about the weather or just random question to make her stay and never leave again" - Patrick

"Why did you never look for her outside the place? You know maybe call for help on the police station" - Hannah

"It's not that simple and just like what I told you. She also runaway from home. Maybe she happen to be bored of this place and realize that there's nothing in here and she makes her way again to her home. Faraway from here" -Patrick

"I see" Hannah realize that the story telling must stop from that moment so he can save the pity heart of Patrick from hunting pain.

"You want some juice?" and give him space to reassemble his thoughts again.

As soon as Patrick finishes the window. Hannah thank her through giving him snack.

"Thank you for fixing my window and for sharing your story" - Hannah

"No, thank you. Thank you hearing my thoughts and for lending your ear." - Patrick

"As long as you need a friend to talk or hear your thoughts about anything, tell me" as Hannah offers her to help him out and waves goodbye as he drives out.

Hannah notices that her broken window, Patrick is hanging even though it is half broken and maybe offering what she can maybe save him too and fix him.