Reach For The Stars

Chapter Three

Aaron looked at the room with inquisitive eyes. It was totally different from before. His mother had changed quite a lot of things. His small shelf which held most of his books he loved to read had been replaced. Several vases filled with white roses were placed on his window and bedside table and instead of white, his room was now painted with grey amidst other rather minor changes.

Not that it mattered. He wasn't planning to stay here for long anyway.

His things had been neatly and carefully arranged in the right places and he didn't have to look for anything.

He was tired.

He showered and wore his pyjamas before climbing into bed.

He was exhausted after his flight and the ride here but he wasn't hungry. And he couldn't sleep.

He reached for his phone on the bedside table and started scrolling through the internet, mindlessly reading articles.

A soft knock sounded on his door and his mother walked in without waiting for an invitation to come in.

She was already in her night gown indicating that she had been preparing for bed.

"I knew you wouldn't be asleep by this time. You haven't changed", she said with a knowing smile as she walked to him and sat on the edge of the bed.

Aaron put his phone down and sat up and looked at her blankly, waiting for her to say what she had come to say. He knew her too well to know that she wasn't here to check if he was asleep. It had to be something else.

Helen scratched her head as she always did whenever she was confused or nervous. She hated the fact that the family had chosen her to convey this message to her son.

As his mother, it shouldn't have been a problem. Heck all she needed to do was talk! But the relationship between Aaron and her was strained. For some reason, they had grown apart and she didn't know how to bridge the gap that had separated them.

" Your grandfather wants to see you Aaron. He said it's important", she said finally.

Aaron was quiet for a few minutes.

"I just got back a few hours ago and he wants to see me?", he asked with no hint of surprise.

"He is even more impatient than I thought. I know what he wants to say. And my answer is no", he said calmly.

"Aaron you barely had any communication with the family for the last six years. Apart from our usual phone calls, you cut off everyone! You're finally back here and they are worried about you. He just wants to see you"

Aaron laughed. This was amusing to him.

"Worried about me? I sincerely doubt that anyone in the family is worried about me. Including you mother", he said as a matter of fact.

"Aaron I...", She began

"You can convey my answer to grandpa yourself. I came back here for something and believe me when I say that it's not because of you or anyone in the family. It's way more important. Tell grandpa that I'm not interested in anything he has to say. He can keep it to himself".

Helen looked at her son. Aaron had grown very distant from her and the entire family. He was totally unrecognizable. He was cold to everyone including her but they had hoped that his return meant a change in his attitude towards them. Seems they were wrong. He was even colder than ever.

"Aaron everyone missed you. I missed you"

"I missed myself too Mom", he replied sarcastically.

"I miss myself and that is exactly why I'm back. To find myself and please tell grandpa not to try and interfere. I'm not the Aaron you used to know Mom and by God, no one will get in my way. Tell grandpa to keep whatever he has to say to himself. Good night Mom ", Aaron said clearly showing that he wasn't interested in continuing the conversation.

Helen stared at her son in disbelief. He had just dismissed her!

She stood up slowly still looking at him.

She sighed and walked towards the door. Just as she was about to walk out, she turned to him again.

"The family and I have your best interest at heart. Being cold to us won't solve anything. Go and see your grandfather and hear him out", she said before walking out and closing the door behind her.

As soon as she left, Aaron picked up his phone and dialled a number. The person picked up immediately.

"Yes it's me. Get the house ready tomorrow. If I stay another night here I might lose it".

Heaven groaned as she rolled over. The sunlight that wafted through her open window told her it was morning.

She stayed still for a while with her eyes closed. She felt like sleeping in.

Her door creaked open and Trish peeked in.

"Are you awake?".

Heaven groaned in displeasure.

"No!"

"Never knew you could talk when you're asleep", Trish grinned walking into the room.

Heaven sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"Why are you ruining my sleep Trish?", She asked grumpily.

Trish sighed and sat on the bed.

"Well for starters, you're supposed to go shopping for new clothes today for your interview. And I wanted to apologize for yesterday ", she said.

Heaven stared at friend.

"It's not about you Trish. Trust me it's not"

"If it's not about yesterday then why were you so mad?"

"I've just been thinking... about him more than usual lately and I think it's affecting my mood ", Heaven confessed.

"You have?", Trish asked very surprised.

Heaven had always been the type to bottle up her feelings. She never spoke about her problems and preferred solving them alone. She always seemed like the type that nothing could wave.

"Yeah I have. I keep thinking about him every time and it hurts. I feel like it's my punishment "

"Heaven don't say that. You did what was best at the time and you shouldn't regret it. He would have done the same thing. Don't beat yourself up Heaven. You did nothing wrong", Trish said and Heaven smiled.

"If I really didn't do anything wrong then why do I feel this way? Why do I regret it so much?", Heaven was tearing up.

"Because you loved him. Heaven you did what anyone in your shoes would have done. You did what was best and you shouldn't regret it"

Heaven smiled and wiped her eyes with her palm.

"Thanks Trish. That helped a lot".

"That's why I'm your bestie. So get up and let's start the day with some breakfast and then go shopping", Trish said happy that the atmosphere was lighter and got up.

" Ugh I'm really not in the mood to leave the house", Heaven groaned.

" Hell no. We are so going shopping. Your interview is tomorrow! You can't go there looking like poor Cinderella. You got to look good and I'm going to make sure of it".

Heaven laughed.

"Last I checked, you were against me applying for a job at the company. You vehemently opposed my decision. Why do you seem so interested now? What changed?".

"Trust me when I say I'm not a fan of the company nor the person that owns it. And honestly, I still don't get why you even want to work there of all places! Like there are tons of companies where you could work and your services would be appreciated", Trish said while waving her hands in the air trying to convey how ridiculous Heaven's plan sounded to her.

"But I looked into them, and well he hasn't been in town for years and he's set up another branch in A city and the business is really growing. And according to my findings, C city is the last place he would want to come back to so the coast is clear and I'm sure you'll be fine there. And their pay is huge!", Heaven laughed at the last part.

"I'm so glad I have a friend like you. I already looked into all of that before I decided to work there. I'll only be there for a few months to raise money so that I can at least save up something for Heath and Mom. I don't know why but I have this feeling that I might need it soon. And besides mom's upkeep and the rent here, including our upkeep is enough financial strain. When I've saved enough, I'll be out of there ", Heaven explained and Trish nodded.

"Better! I can't bear you getting hurt again", Trish said. "Keep that aside. Get up and let's go make some breakfast. Now!"

Heaven groaned in protest as Trish practically dragged her out of the bed.

"Fine fine you win!", Heaven finally gave up laughing.

Together the two girls walked downstairs to prepare for the day.