Chapter 06 : Some research..
1372 Words
DECLAN
Eloyan family home sold years ago. I couldn’t help but go visit the house where I had my best childhood memories.
I don’t know what I was thinking, it’s clear that Alyanna doesn’t live here anymore, but at least I thought I could find her parents and Alysanne. If I’m correct, her birthday is coming up.
Thirteen.
I was seventeen when she was born, but it feels like yesterday. Alyanna loved her sister so much, and she was our daughter. She was her second mother and I was her second "dad" in secret.
Why did they move? Where do they live now? I would like to ask Alyanna any questions that cross my mind, but I don’t know how to contact her and I doubt she will want to talk to me.
« Do you know where the people who lived here live? The family was made up of two girls, the Eloyan. » I asked the new owner.
« I bought it five years ago from a Spanish family. They had no children so I think you may be referring to those who owned it before this family. I don’t know anything about them. »
How long have they been out of the house? It’s a house full of memories and her parents loved it very much. I feel that a lot has changed and I’m not yet at the end of my surprises.
« That will be all. Thank you. » I say to the owner before I leave.
The best solution was as I thought to organize an event with her group to talk to her again. She said she didn’t want to see me anymore, but her eyes told me otherwise.
Even though this woman broke my heart like no one has ever done, I care about her and would like to understand why she never wanted to wait for me and left me.
The party I’m organizing is scheduled for this weekend and I used a fake name so as not to receive a rejection from them.
Alyanna can’t run away from me, I tried, but everything brings me back to her.
I decide to stop at a cafe not far from the company for lunch, just to get my ideas in place before my meeting. I bought a building in downtown Philadelphia to make it the new Hill Tech Center.
The main reason I came back was to open another branch and move here to be close to my parents. A tiny part of me hoped to see her again, that she would still be living in this city and that’s what happened. I want to continue this conversation that we had not finished at the party organized by Vincenzo and after, I may be able to get her out of my head for good.
I enter and take place away from the eyes. I decide to reply to my messages since I have been ignoring them for three days. I have been very busy with work and my phone outside of business has not proved to be useful.
« Hello, sir, have you made your choice yet? »
I look up at my interlocutor and she seems surprised, to believe the confused expression on her face. She is smiling to hide her surprise, but it’s too late, I’ve already noticed.
Does she know me? I look at her face and then her body, and i definitely not know her.
I would remember such a beautiful woman. Maybe she saw me in a newspaper.
« No, I haven’t made my choice yet. What do you suggest? » I asked, gauging her reaction.
She seems surprised by my request nevertheless, she gets into the game and seems to think.
« How are you today? Are you happy? Sad? In love? Angry? »
I sketch a smile
« Everything is fine. My business is doing great, my family is doing great and I have a perfect girlfriend. » I started.
« In that case, I would suggest.... »
I don’t let her finish her sentence and continue
« But I’m sad. »
Her gaze does not hide her surprise and becomes more and more curious about my person. I feel like hearing me say that I’m sad seems to be an impossible thing when she doesn’t know me.
« …but you have a perfect girlfriend, you said it yourself earlier. » She says slowly.
My comments are contradictory and totally illogical. But that is the case. I have everything to be happy in life: my family, money and a lovely girlfriend.
But I’m not.
Something is missing. Even though I don’t know this void, it grows bigger every day and I’m not an i***t, I know why no one can fill it.
« It’s not her fault. To tell you the truth, it’s been thirteen years that I have my heart broken because of a woman who spat on the love I had for her. What do you propose, then ? » I asked the waitress again, who seems to be thinking, if i believe the expression on her face.
« Mushrooms. They contain vitamin B1 and iron to help fight depression. »
« That’s what I need ! »
She notes it in her notebook and leaves. She returns a few minutes later with my dish that I taste while looking at my watch. I’m going to be a few minutes late, but my visit was worth the price.
Seeing the garden where I ran so many times behind Alyanna and where we played several games or my room as well as her and kitchen have revived old memories.
I realized that I needed to talk to her, that it was no longer just an option, but an obligation.
Whether she likes it or not, we’re gonna have to talk. When I get up to leave, I find that the waitress from earlier is staring at me with as much curiosity. I signal her to approach.
« May I know your name ? »
« My name is Jodha Chatur... and you? » she asks after a few seconds of silence.
« Declan Hill. Enchanted, Miss Chatur…and Thank you ! » . I said before leaving.
ALYANNA POV
« Thank you and have a nice day! » I say to my last customer.
It’s time for my break and how can I tell you that I only want to take a nap?
After this work at the cash register, I have another one in the evening in a shelter for battered women where I must stay up all night until 7:00 a.m.
It is as if I am not ready to take my nap now. I only do this second job three times a week, but if you count the rehearsals with the Warriors, the shows on Saturday, my time that I devote to Alysanne, I no longer have time for myself or my own leisure.
Since my parents died, Alysanne and I had to give up our old lives to start over.
It wasn’t easy, but I do my best every day to give her the best and try to make up for everything she lost.
I am an adult so I can do without some things, but I refuse that my sister lacks anything.
My phone vibrates and it’s a video call from Jodha.
It’s true that I saw that she had tried to reach me earlier, but I was still on duty. I pick up and smile when I see her head on the other side of the screen.
Jodha is half Indian, half south african. Her family immigrated to the U.S. years ago now. Jodha looks like she’s straight out of a Bollywood movie. She is beautiful and there is not a single time that a man has not turned on his way.
« You will fall to the ground if I tell you who I served this morning. » she said, her mouth wide open.
I pretend to think,
« Beyoncé? Celine Dion? Ian Somerhalder ? »
« Declan Hill. »
My smile fades and my happy look of earlier gives way to misunderstanding.
« Declan? Have you seen Declan? »
- Writer
