Due to Destiny

Birthday

We settled down, and I started pouring scotch for myself. The familiar warmth of the amber liquid was comforting.

Chris - "Can I also have one, please?" He asked, looking hopeful.

Amara - "Sure," I replied, pouring another glass. "Ava, do you want something?" I asked, pointing towards the small bar in my room.

Ava - "Do you have some gin or tequila?" She inquired.

Amara - "Yes, we have both. What would you prefer?" I asked, curious about her choice.

Chris - "Let’s have some shots of tequila," He suggested enthusiastically.

Ava - "And why would we drink shots? Are we celebrating something?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

When Ava mentioned celebration, I paused, suddenly aware of an unease I couldn't place.

Amara - "What date is today?" I asked.

Chris - "Fifteen minutes left, and then it will be July 8," He replied, checking his watch.

Now, I realized what felt strange about the day. Honestly, I hadn't kept track of the dates, except for July 7. That date was seared into my memory, a day I could never forget.

Ava - "Amara, where have you lost now?" She asked, pulling me back from my thoughts.

Amara - "Nothing! Let’s have some shots because we have to celebrate finding the ancient Oracle Temple and the Oracle stone," I said, forcing a smile.

I poured three shots and handed them over to Ava and Chris. We gulped our shots, clinking our glasses together in a quiet cheer. Ava and Chris began talking about the Temple, while my mind drifted to a different time, a different place.

Amara - "Happy birthday, Noah," I whispered almost inaudibly, lost in my thoughts.

Chris heard it.

Chris - "Who is Noah?" he asked, curiosity in his eyes.

Ava quickly changed the topic, sensing the tension.

Ava - "Where is the stone? You said we could ask one question each."

I looked at Ava, grateful for her intervention.

Chris - "Yes, that’s true. Where is it?" He echoed.

Amara - "Wait, let me get it for you guys," I said, walking over to the safe.

I pulled out the Oracle stone, still glowing with an eerie luminescence. I placed the stone on the table, and the room seemed to dim as its light grew more intense. Ava and Chris stared at it, mesmerized.

Amara - "You can each ask one question," I reiterated, trying to keep my voice steady.

The weight of the day and the memories it carried pressed heavily on me.

Ava was the first to speak.

Ava - "This stone holds incredible power. We need to be careful with our questions," she said, almost to herself.

Chris, however, was more direct.

Chris - "Can it really answer anything?"

Amara - "Yes, but we must be precise and thoughtful." I nodded.

Amara - Remember, only a person who truly needs answers can get answers. I added.

Ava - "Who goes first?" She asked, looking between Chris and me.

Amara - "Let’s take a moment," I suggested. "Think about your questions carefully." I added.

They nodded, falling silent as they contemplated their questions. I took another sip of my scotch, feeling the familiar burn as it went down. The Oracle stone's glow seemed to pulse in time with my heartbeat, each beat a reminder of Noah.

Chris - "Amara," he began hesitantly, "who was Noah?"

I took a deep breath, the memories rushing back.

Amara - "Noah was... someone very special to me. Today would have been his birthday."

Chris - "I'm sorry," He said quietly, his earlier curiosity replaced with sympathy.

Amara - "It's okay," I replied, though the ache in my heart said otherwise.

Amara - "Let's focus on the stone.

Ava placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

Ava - "We’re here for you, Amara. Always."

I nodded, grateful for their presence. Despite the shadows of the past, we had a mission ahead. The Oracle stone was our key to answers, but it also held the potential for much more. With careful consideration and unity, we would face whatever lay ahead together.

Amara said, "Now, you guys decide who is going to be first and what question you want to ask. Meanwhile, I'm going to the balcony to get some fresh air and drink my Scotch in peace."

Chris and Ava nodded.

I went into the balcony. After some time, I felt a strange feeling, a restlessness.

-------------------------------------------------------------AT THE PUB--------------------------------------------------------------

After countless drinks, Alan realized we were too drunk to drive back home. Alan called the lady host who had taken care of us earlier.

Alan - "Sweetheart! Can you please book a personal cab for us and two rooms in a good hygienic hotel? And once done with the request, please let us know and keep our checks ready," He said, his voice slurring slightly.

Host - "Sure, sir," she smiled and left to make the arrangements.

Sebastian - "Alan, why are we staying at a hotel? We can go to my place," I suggested, though the alcohol had dulled my enthusiasm for the idea.

Alan - "I am so tired that I cannot sit in a car for an hour. Your house is more than an hour's journey from here, you know that, right?" He sounded drunk but made a good point.

Sebastian - "True, bro! Let's wait for your sweetheart then," I chuckled, making him laugh.

After about fifteen minutes, the host returned.

Host - "Sir, your cab is ready, and so is your check. However, we couldn't find any rooms available in good hotels for tonight. There's a huge conference about doctors, so almost all the good hotels are sold out," she explained, her expression apologetic.

Alan - "What the f*ck, bro!" He exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice.

Sebastian - "No problem, we're leaving," I said, giving her a thankful expression despite the inconvenience.

Host - "But sir, I was able to find a suite room in TownePlace Suites Clinton," she added quickly.

Sebastian - "It is a good hotel, so why did you say you couldn't find a room for us? We can manage in one room," I questioned her suspiciously.

Alan - "Because it is a forty-five-minute drive from here," Alan sighed.

Sebastian - "No worries, book the room and let them know that we will be there within forty-five minutes, and we need our room ready," I instructed.

Alan - "Also, tell them to put a bottle of champagne in our room," He chuckled.

Host - "Noted, sir," she replied with a smile and left to finalize the arrangements.

We paid our checks and left in a SUV cab. The drive was long yet calming because of the weather conditions. Honestly, I enjoyed the ride. The night air was crisp and refreshing, a stark contrast to the stifling warmth of the pub. Alan, on the other hand, fell asleep within fifteen minutes of the drive, snoring softly beside me.

I gazed out of the window, watching the city lights blur into streaks of color as we sped down the highway. The rhythm of the road and the quiet hum of the engine were almost hypnotic. My mind wandered, sifting through memories and half-formed thoughts. Tonight had been a whirlwind of emotions and revelations, and now, in the silence of the cab, I felt a strange sense of peace.

We arrived at TownePlace Suites Clinton, and the suite was ready as requested. The front desk staff greeted us warmly, quickly checking us in and handing over the key card. They assured us that the bottle of champagne was already in the room.

I gently shook Alan awake.

Sebastian - "Hey, we're here. Let's get to the room."

He groggily opened his eyes, blinking against the brightness of the hotel's lobby lights.

Alan - "Okay, lead the way."

We made our way to the suite, which was luxurious and spacious. The bed looked incredibly inviting, and the bottle of champagne sat in a bucket of ice on the coffee table.

Alan - "Home sweet home for the night," He said, plopping down on the couch and grabbing the champagne.

He popped the cork with a flourish, pouring us both a glass.

Sebastian - "To unexpected adventures," I toasted, clinking my glass against his.

Alan - "To friendship and free drinks," he added, grinning.

We sipped our champagne, letting the bubbles and the alcohol carry us into a comfortable silence. The suite was a perfect retreat after the chaos of the pub, it felt like the right place to be.

As I lay back on the bed, the events of the day started to fade, replaced by a gentle sense of contentment. Alan was already snoring again on the couch, the champagne glass still in his hand. I smiled, knowing that no matter what twists and turns life threw at us, we would always find our way through together.

Before trying to sleep, I took a moment to appreciate the peace and quiet. Tomorrow was another day, another adventure, but for now, we had found our refuge.

After trying for 15 minutes, I was not able to sleep. I had consumed enough alcohol to fall asleep, but right now, I was feeling something strange. I felt restless; it was hard to explain. I felt like something was there, but I couldn’t understand what it was.

I went to the balcony to inhale some air as I was feeling suffocated inside. I started taking deep breaths. My head began aching badly, and my vision started becoming blurry.

Through my blurry vision, I saw a girl standing on the balcony just 1 floor down. I couldn’t see her face, but somehow there was a glowing shimmer covering her entire body.

Before I could do anything, I fainted on the balcony.