Unwanted Days of HOLY HOLIDAY

BIRTHDAY PT 2.

I was about to explode in panic after realizing they were his parents, and he didn’t tell me we were coming to see them. She instantly gave me a hug which at least kept me in place. “Hello Evelyn?” she said.

His parents know my name, while I know nothing about them. I felt so stupid. “Hello Ma’am.”

“Welcome. Feel at home.” She welcomed all of us to the living room.

All of the faces looked happy. Except for me, I guess, who looked confused. I hope it is not that obvious. Xavier put his hand on my knee, making me notice my leg was nervously shaking. I smiled as I put my hand on top of his.

“Evelyn? Meet my Mom and Dad. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I managed to say. Not knowing what to say to the adults. “This is really a surprise,” I mentioned, and they all chuckled.

“He can’t stop mentioning you, and we suggested you guys visit us one day. I’m glad you came.” Mrs. Ryan said calmly. Sounding more polite than any woman I’ve ever heard.

“Actually, it’s Eve’s birthday,” Xavier announced.

They were not the only ones surprised. I was too. I hardly remember my birthday since the death of my parents. I don’t know why, but I really find it hard to remember.

“Why didn't you tell me? I would have baked her a cake” Mrs. Ryan looked disappointed.

“Don’t worry Mam, she too had no idea.” Xavier said the truth. Mrs. Ryan looked at me pitifully. “I used to remember all the important days at my age. I wonder how you forgot?”

I ended up smiling, not knowing exactly what to say.

“You used to?” Mr. Ryan asked her. Xavier chuckled, turning to me.

“With my Mam in the house, we don’t need a calendar.” And the whole room chuckled.

“Let me grab something.” She excuses herself.

“Miss Evelyn?” Mr. Ryan called.

“Yes Sir.”

“I hear you are studying?”

“Yes Sir. Undergraduate at the university of Xenonia. Taking Bachelor of Community and Development Studies.”

“What a great course.” He smiled. “What are you going to do in the future?”

“Paint, or write.”

He chuckled. “I’m impressed by Evelyn. When I was your age, I didn’t know what I wanted to do after studying. You must be really smart.”

Xavier looked at me proudly. I smirked. “Thank you, Sir.”

Mrs. Ryan walked in with a tray of glasses and a bottle of wine. “I didn’t know today was such a special day to you darling, I would have prepared something nice myself.” She apologized as she was placing the glasses on the table. And pour everyone a drink.

“Xavier didn’t tell us at all.” She added.

“There’s no problem, Mam. I myself couldn’t remember my own birthday.”

She sat down. “Cheers to Evelyn’s new age.” She raised her glass for a toast, and we all did the same.

“Cheers.” We said in unison. Making the glasses with one another and sipping from them.

They kept asking Xavier and I questions about different things, until dinner was ready. Mrs. Ryan welcomed us to the dining area, Mr. Ryan said Grace, and we all started filling our stomachs.

“So, how did you guys meet?” Mr. Ryan Asked.

Xavier and I exchanged looks and smirked. Hardly do I remember how we met.

“Do you mind answering Xavier?” Mr. Ryan asked.

“Well, I was at the library, working. Didn’t realize how dark it was already and the hall had started to be empty already. The lights went off. And I heard a scream from outside.” He looks at me and smiles. “I instantly realized I was stuck in the library, and how unlucky I was, I was stuck with a cowardly little girl who hadn’t gone home yet.”

I felt embarrassed as he said that. I remember those days when I didn’t want to go home because Mom was not there, dad was not there. I wanted to spend my life alone. The idea of going home to Aunt and Uncle was suffocating to me. I’d rather spend as much time as I can reading in the library.

“It didn’t take a lot of time before the crazy coward lady followed the light from my PC, and walked to my table. I had no idea where the librarian was. She quietly sat next to me. At least, she didn’t make a sound. She let me keep on working.”

I now remember that part. I just wanted to sit there until the lights were back. Seating with a stranger was not a good idea, but at the moment, it was the best choice.

“The Librarian woke up, noticing the only light in the hall was coming from my PC. ‘Who are you?’ He asked, and I shouted my name. ‘At least you are a man.’ he said. I looked beside me, puppy eyes staring at me, pitifully. ‘With a girl.’ I shouted back at the librarian. He then forced me to take the lady home and, boom, we know each other.”

“That was one of the lamest ways people met I’ve ever heard.” Mr. Ryan concluded. Earning a laugh from, me and Mrs. Ryan.

“Where did you meet Mrs. Ryan?” I found myself curious to know.

“You wouldn’t want to know,” he simply said. I gave Mrs. Ryan a quick look and she was just smiling.

“At the flower shop,” Xavier said. I laughed.

“That must be a joke.”

“No, it’s not.” Mrs. Ryan added.

“That’s the lamest to me.” Xavier said, focusing on her plate.

“At least, I was romantic. I bought flowers, handed them over to the florist and asked her if she do delivery. She said yes, I handed her a note and asked her to deliver the flowers for me. She puts the flowers well, and…” He stared at her; His eyes were speaking everything we didn’t need to hear.

“Only to find it was my address.” Mrs. Ryan added.

“Wow.” I was impressed.

“You see. I was not lame like you to be forced to take the poor lady home. How stupid.”

We laughed, while the men kept on eating.

We headed out as soon as we were done eating. Appreciating Mr. and Mrs. Ryan for making my birthday beautiful once again in two years.

We got back to the car hand in hand.

“Your family is lovely,” I complimented.

“That’s why you felt comfortable as soon as we got here.” That’s his rudest way of appreciating a compliment. But, he was right.

“You have never mentioned them?” He opened the door for me and I slid in. He went back to the driver’s seat and, again, the car was given life.

“You have never asked.”

I felt attacked, but he was right. How selfish was I to not know about his parents all this time?

“I am sorry.”

He chuckled. “Never mind.”

He reversed the car and started driving back. Heading to my place right now. I always feel a little down when it comes to me going back home.

The place is always empty without my parents. Especially because of the fact that I have to live with my Uncle and Aunt, whom I have never seen earlier, but on the funeral day.

“Don’t be like that, you should be happy. It’s your day baby girl.” He started cheering me up.

“Why did I have to meet your parents?”

The question shocked him, I assume by the look on his face. “What?”

“I mean, people allow their partners to meet their parents when they want to engage them? Or marry them?

He shrugged. “What do you think?”

Honestly, my mind was blank. Not before, but as soon as he asked the question. I felt blank in there.

“I have no idea,” I replied.

“Find out.” He simply said. Take the road that leads to my home.

“Thank you, Xavier.”

“By the way, when do you guys start vacations?”

“Today.” Vacations start as soon as one is done with exams.

“Where would you like to go, Senorita?”

I have never given it a thought. Apart from Paris being the city of my dreams.

“I don’t know,” I said honestly.

“I see. Then, what about going for Literature courses in Guentemalla? For three weeks, take them as vacation, enjoy the new city, and then will you be back?”

“I don’t get it.”

He stopped his car in front of our house and both of us dropped off.

He put his hand in his coat pocket and handed me an envelope.

“What is this?”

“Open it.”

“A ticket to Guentemalla?” I was thrilled.

“Don’t you like the idea?”

I jumped on him with a hug. How can I not like the idea? How terribly I wanted to be at least a day away from my place. And here is the chance of being away for three weeks.

“I would love to,” I said, fighting back my tears.

He places a kiss on my shoulder bone. “Everything is well taken care of. It’s just up to you to decide.”

I have never dreamed of being anywhere outside Xenonia. Xavier is actually a piece of blessing in my life.

Mt happy moment was interrupted by a cough. We immediately break the hug. Turning to see my uncle at the door.

“What are you doing in front of my house?”

“I am Sorry Mr. Mosa. I brought her back.”

“Okay. Leave.”

Xavier smiled, walking back to his car and I watched him disappearing.

What a lovely day this turned out to be. Going to Guentemalla is one among the many chances that I will not let them slide away. I am not fond of new places, but this chance came right in time.

XAVIER’s POV.

Driving back to my house with a grin on my face. But the feeling of guilt can’t stop crawling underneath my skin. Her eyes sparkled when I gave her that ticket. I can feel how terribly she wanted to have a little space of her own.

That’s the last and last thing I can do for her. Though, I clearly know this feeling of guilt will never let me go, even if I die. She did a lot to be treated this way. She deserves someone better, no. She needs the best.

My phone chimes interrupted, I gave a look at the caller’s ID and it was mam. I picked it up.

“Mam?”

“Have you arrived safely?” I can feel the smile though I can not see her.

“Nope. But she did.”

“Uh! I knew you were doing something good in taking your time to choose a partner.”

“That means you liked her?”

“Uh! How can I not? She’s pretty and … your type.”

I couldn’t help to chuckle. “How did you know my type?”

“You looked happy when you came. Not as always when you visit us alone.” What? I looked happy? Was it that obvious? She chuckled.

“Mr. Ryan liked her too. I hope you get to marry each other.”

My heart ached terribly as she said that. I’ll never get to marry her. That is one of the dreams that will forever stay dreams.

“I’ll talk to you when I’m home.” I said to cut off the conversation about Eve and I. Mam looked so excited about talking about her, but my heart couldn’t stand the pain.

“Oh! Okay. Drive safe.” She hangs up.

With my parents liking her, I’ll get punished by the heavens and earth one day. No one will ever forgive me, not even myself.

I halted in front of my place. I walked inside with my mind filled with Eve’s smile, chuckle, random kisses and surprise hugs.

Among all of the days that I spent with her, I wonder why this left such memories. Maybe because I am so certain that we might never meet again. I pray we never meet again, and she might never hear from me, for good.

I took my phone and rang her to tell her I was safe and sound. I should at least hear from her for the last time. I need to start to get used to not seeing her or hearing her.

She picked up. “ Hello.” Her cheerful voice asked from the other side. I leaned against the door. Feeling like a traitor, I really deserve death.

“Xavier?” She called me again.

“Yes. Babe?”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. Safe and sound at my place”

She exhaled. “Anyway, why do I have to go to Guentamalla?”

That was the last thing I expected from her. How stupid I am. “Well, I told you, you had to take literature courses. I hate literature. You know that?”

“but you can come learn it with me, I promise it’s going to be fun.” She sounded excited. That’s how she sounds when she talks about books, poems, and paintings.

I gave out a false chuckle. “Well, I have some work to do here. By the way, I might be very busy here. You just don’t worry about me. Take your time to enjoy and learn and meet new people.”

“Are you abandoning me?” I can clearly see how worried she looks right now, although she is not anywhere near me.

“Why is your mind filled with negativity? Why will I abandon you after you meet my parents?” I felt stabbed right in the middle of my chest after meeting the question. She chuckled, making me worse.

“You better check on me three times a day. Promise me you’ll do that.”

I walked to the kitchen, not knowing how to reply to that. I can not give a word I clearly know I can not keep.

“Well Eve…”

“I am not making any kind of excuse Sir.” She interrupted.

Lucky me, the bottle of beer was set on the table. I poured some into the glass and gulp a little.

“I’ll give it my best.”

“okay. I have told Uncle and Aunt about the trip.”

“What do they think?”

“It’s an opportunity.”

“That’s great. Hope you saw the date. Your journey is in two days, baby girl.”

“Yap. Anyway, good night Sir.”

I smiled. She always prefers to call me Sir or Xavier. “Can I ask for a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Can you at least call me Babe?”

I don’t think if I said anything funny, but she busted into laughter. “I’ll do that when I want Sir.”

“Okay,” I said and she hung up before I said anymore words.

“I love you Evelyn Lawrence Mosa.” I whispered after the phone call ended. She’ll be the best woman in my life.

I pray Guentemalla gives her a man she deserves. If there’s none, may the skies keep her safe for me. Until it’s the right time for us to meet again.