Perennial Archives

Chapter 6

Arthur and I drove to the far end of the town. I didn't ask him anything about our destination. Neither did he spoke to me on the way. The silence between us was deafening but it was worth savouring his presence.

After about two hours away from the town he stopped the car near a cliff.

"Come", he said to me and got out of the car. I followed him.

I looked around. The cliff was quite high and I was afraid to get closer towards the end. I stood a step behind. All I could see was just sea of clouds and sun shining above them. It appeared like we were at the gateway to heaven.

"Oh my god", I stood there awe-struck, "I've lived in this town my whole life, but I've never been here before, ever."

I looked at Arthur. He had closed his eyes and was feeling the sun and cool breeze on his face.

"Stop staring at me", he remarked with his eyes closed.

"Not fair...how did you know I was looking", I said and playfully hit his arm.

He chuckled and looked at me. The light sunshine making his radient skin glow even more. His eyes more amber than usual. And his hair; his hair flew gently with the breeze. He looked gorgeous.

"Well, I can tell by your presence whether or not you're wondering about me", he replied softly and held my shoulder. I blushed.

He then said, "This place is very close to my heart; if I feel like the world has come crashing down to pieces, this place is my escape."

I looked at the long cliff. And the edge where we were standing. The sun was about to set into the horizon and it left everything very scarlet. I took a step closer to him, he too without any mention covered me in his arms. Slowly after about a minute or two, we both came more close to another.

I had always adorned him with all my heart. With him I felt complete. There was something passionate about him that made him stand out. It was nothing regular. We looked at each other.

I drew my face more close to him and kissed him. He didn't move away, neither did he turn me towards him, but he held on to me like he had been and deepened the kiss.

I felt myself melting at his tender touch. He cupped my cheek and played with my hair. And then, we stood back.

"Come, I'll give you a ride home", he said and stretched out his hand to me. I held it.

Later that night, I was thinking about Arthur when dad knocked on my door.

"Hey dad, come on in", I said.

"I have something important to talk about", he said further. I sat up straight in my bed and he sat beside me.

"Yes what is it ?", I said.

He cleared his throat and spoke, "I have to go to Romania".

"Oh, is something wrong?", I asked wondering about his sudden decision.

"It's your grandmother. She is unwell and is on her deathbed. It's time I meet her", he said calmly putting his hand over mine.

"Dad, it's fine. You should go. I can take care of myself while you're gone", I said with a smile.

"Honey, there's one more thing", he said.

"Alright what is it?", I asked.

"She has asked you to pay a visit to her. She wants to give something to you", he said.

"Me ? But I have only met her thrice, since you know we moved here. What could she possibly want?", I said.

"I don't know that. Your uncle told me this evening", dad said.

"So when are we going to Romania?", I asked figuring out how weird it would be to go back home after all these years and knowing that mom wouldn't be there.

"We have an evening flight tomorrow. I got us the tickets", he said.

"Thanks dad", I said.

"Honey I would've never bothered you with this, you know that. But your uncle said it's important we pay her a visit as soon as we can", dad clarified.

"Yeah dad. I understand", I called it a night.

I woke up early next morning. I felt feisty. I wanted to make this day count. I thought of calling Arthur and telling him about my plans after I finished my morning jog. I plugged in my headphones and started my workout.

When I came back home, I saw Arthur walking up the porch to my doorstep. I called out to him, "Arthur, hey."

He stopped and came down the steps, "Hey, good morning. Wow, you went for a jog?"

"Yeah, I was feeling kind of alive", I said and laughed.

"Never felt that in a while", he said rather mumbled under his breath.

"Huh? What?", I asked.

He shook his head, "Nothing. Are you free today?"

"Uh-no. I have to catch a flight this evening", I said.

"Hmm....are you going somewhere?", he asked with concern.

"Umm yeah. I'm going to Romania", I replied in a casual tone.

"May I ask why?", he said not sounding obvious.

"Nothing important. Just visiting my hometown", I replied.

"Oh, I didn't know you were from Romania", he said and chuckled.

"Well, I never told you", I said. He remained silent.

"I don't know when I'll be back. So, would you like to step in for some breakfast and make this meeting of ours count?", I added. He smiled at me, "Sure."