by Priyal Jain
The next morning I woke up and was still angry at Jake. I hurriedly took a shower and dressed in my best clothes. I did my makeup and combed my hair. At the end I was looking really beautiful. I went downstairs and even mom noticed my new look.
“Somebody is looking impressive.” Mom said.
“I am always impressive.” I said it in a very high profiled manner.
“You are looking very pretty darling.” Mom said.
“Thank you!” I said and did a little twirl.
“Anything special today!” she asked. I wanted to say that I want to make Jake jealous but of course couldn’t say that.
“No nothing special, just usual. By the way, where is dad?” I didn’t saw him anywhere.
“He had to go a bit early. Some urgent work!” she replied.
“Okay!” I said. “Mom I won’t have breakfast today I really have to go early today.” I said and hurried out of the house. “Bye mom, see you later.” I shouted and banged the door shut. I wanted to take a taxi today but Jake was already standing there with his car.
“I am sorry!” he said but I ignored him.
“I hope you are busy so I would take a taxi, you don’t need to worry at all.” I said and he smiled.
“Why are you smiling?” I asked, rudely.
“Because I was sure you’ll behave like this and I was also sure you would be taking a taxi that is why I am standing here, early.” He said. To be honest I was really impressed but dude, I do have an ego.
“Come on Ash, I said I am sorry.” He repeated.
“I was so enthusiastic to talk to you and you just ignored it. I mean how rude and mean is that?”
“I was genuinely busy. Do you think I could do that without a reason?”
“Okay, what were you doing so late at night?” I became a typical girlfriend.
“Our band is going to play at a wedding. It’s a grand party. My dad’s friend’s daughter’s wedding. They really liked our performance, so we are going to play at The Plaza.” He said. I cannot breathe. Jake is going to play at The Plaza. Oh my God!
“That is amazing.” I said and jumped into his arms.
“So you are not that upset.” He said.
“Not at all. It’s The Plaza, everybody’s dream wedding destination.” I said.
“Yes, it is beautiful!”
“When are you playing?” I asked.
“The date is not finalized yet. The groom and bride haven’t agreed on a same date.”
“Okay. Jake I am so happy for you.” I kissed him.
“Well, easiest kiss ever earned.” He flaunted. “Well what were you gonna tell me?”
“Let’s first sit in the car. We are getting late.” I said and sat in the passengers’ seat and Jake rushed towards the drivers’ seat.
“You know I told my mom and dad about us…..” I narrated him the story of yesterday.
“Seriously! Henry said that all about me. I don’t believe this.” Jake was totally shell-shocked.
“Yes, he said that you are perfect for me and that you are a very caring and loving guy.” I was so excited.
“I am so glad your father doesn’t hate me nor that he could once he saw my charming personality.” He flaunted.
“Of course! Jake I am on the seventh cloud, everything is going perfectly.” I was glowing with happiness. Jake got so turned on at that moment that he stopped focusing on the road instead kissed me softly on my lips. Suddenly, we hear a loud, screeching horn and Jake instantly shot back and stopped the car.
“Watch out chap!” An old lady shouted at us.
“We are very sorry!” we both said to the lady, who could eat us away with her cold stare.
“Get a room!” she snapped at us and then rode off. Jake didn’t start the car right away; we had to calm down first.
“You nearly killed me!” I shouted at Jake, still shaking all over.
“Your father nearly killed me.” he joked.
“It’s not funny!” I said all cheesed off.
“I am so sorry, really sorry. It won’t happen again, ever, I promise. I just got distracted. I am very sorry, sweetheart.” Jake looked genuinely sorry.
“From now on, no talks when you are driving. Your concentration should be on the road always.”
“Deal!” he said. I know he got a bit scared too. One moment we are kissing and the other we’re killing an old lady. He could never bear doing something this wrong to someone. I know I have to calm him down.
“Jake relax, okay. Everything is fine. We are fine; now just drive a bit more carefully!” I said placing my hand on his shoulder and pressing it a bit.
“Thank you Ash, I needed to hear that.” He took a deep breath and started the car. We drove in silence, when—
“You know, I guess I have to make up for my fatal mistake. So what about tonight, we go to some place nice.” He flirted. Seriously he still can flirt. He is a gone case. But I liked the idea of going out.
“We’ll talk about it when I am on solid ground.” I didn’t want to distract him from driving.
“Coolio!” he said and continued driving safely and quietly.
“We are almost there, so you can answer.” He got all afluttered.
“No, not till we are inside the restaurant.” He replied nothing but continued driving. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He’s having a steady expression but I could tell that he is a bit disappointed. I control the urge to smile; he is looking so cute getting all impatient. We reached the restaurant and the moment I got down of the car Jake jumped in front of me.
“Jeez, you scared the bejesus out of me.” I kept a hand on my chest to steady my heartbeat. He gave me a mini-heart attack.
“So, what is your answer?” he asked.
“Are you going to kill me today? Is that your today’s goal.” My heartbeat twice than normal.
“I am sorry, forget about it, we’ll talk later.” He said and looked too disappointed. He turned back and was about to leave when I shouted from behind------
“But, what if I want to go out with the person who might have plans to kill me?”
“Well maybe that guy is very lucky and I am sure he’s going to do something so special that will take your breath away…” he kissed me on my cheek and shuffled his hair.
“You’re at my work place and I have no intensions of getting fired.”I said. He laughed and we both went inside and parted our ways to fulfill our respective duties.
“I will miss you.” he muttered before leaving.
“Me too.” I sent him a secret flying-kiss.
I went inside the kitchen and saw Emma having a fight with her apron. She was unable to tie the apron behind her back.
“Let me help you!” I said laughing.
“Please, do the honors.” She replied. I got hold of her apron strings and tied them up nice and tight.
“There you go.” I said, patting her shoulder from behind.
“Thanks a ton!” she said. “These stupid aprons are so hard to tie.”
“Oh, come on they are so cute.” I replied. They are very nice, seriously.
“Ya, okay!” she said showing zero percent interest.
“Forget about the aprons. You wanna hear something great?” I asked, gleaming with happiness.
“Always!” she said getting curious.
“Jake and I are going out tonight, for a dinner date.” I said, pumping up.
“That is great news!” she said, hugging me. “Oh, I am so happy for you!”
“I know, it is like….. I don’t know….. I am feeling magical. This feeling is awesome.”
“I understand and you deserve every bit of it.” Emma exclaimed.
“I love my life and the beautiful people in it.” I said and kissed Emma on her cheek.
“Awwww…. Honey, you are the sweetest person I have ever met.” She said.
“Thank you, thank you!” I bowed a little and she laughed.
“I guess, I should go and start working or that demon Justin is
going to lecture me for an hour.” Emma said.
“Okay, I will join you within a minute.” I replied. She nodded and went outside.
Oh God, I am so happy and delighted and pleased and basically I am going insane. Note to self: relax, breathe and for God’s sake behave normal. I wore my apron and went out to work. The restaurant is not buzzing as usual but a few customers are chatting and laughing. A lady entered the restaurant and sat at a corner table.
“Excuse me, miss.” She called out and I went to her.
“Good morning, Ma’am. How may I help you?” I said in a sugar-coated tone.
“I would like to have a Risotto and a Martini please.” She replied sweetly. I noted the order in my diary but I was distracted by the lady’s dress. She is wearing a knee length dress with tight stockings and wearing high heels. She is also wearing a jacket over her dress which is giving it quite a classy look. I am also thinking to wear something like that to my date today…….
“Excuse me, that’ll be all.” The lady said, feeling uncomfortable by my icy glare.
“Sorry.” I said embarrassedly and rushed back. While going back to the kitchen I shot a glance at Jake but he was already staring. I smiled at him and looked away. I didn’t want to spoil his performance. His song was amazing, well it is always amazing.
“I gave the order to the chef and I took a Martini from the fridge. I went to the lady and gave the glass to the lady. When I was returning I saw a beautiful couples sitting—oblivious of the world, busy amongst themselves. They were holding hands from across the table and their eyes burning into each other’s. The guy was speaking something and the girl was smiling softly. According to my lip reading power they are talking about some fat guy Smiffin, orange juice and apple pie which I am guessing is completely wrong. But the point is that when I see them I see, Jake and me. Just like them, sitting in the corner, not caring about the world and lost in each other’s eyes.
“You okay, Ash!” Emma said shaking me a little.
“I am fine!” I was talking to Emma but my eyes were glued to the couple.
“Well, it is quite obvious that you are mentally in the Ashley Land.” Emma made quote marks with her fingers.
“Look at that couple. They are looking so cute.” I said, pointing towards the couple.
“You know, we are not allowed to stalk our customers.” Emma teased me.
“Shut up, they look like they are deeply in love with each other.” I said making an awe face.
“Excuse me!” the guy called and I rushed towards him. Emma came with me too, just to watch me do something stupid or say something silly. Well, jokes on her, because I am just going to do my waitress thing.
“Hello sir and ma’am. How may I help you?” I said in a perfect waitress voice.
“I will have lasagna and my very beautiful sister will have penne pasta.” He placed their order.
SISTER?!? How the hell can they be brother and sister? They have been behaving like a typical couple. All romantic and holding hands stuff.
“Sister, she is your sister?” I asked, all though I don’t know why I did ask this question, I just blurted out.
“Is there a problem with it?” the girl asked trying not to raise her voice.
“I was just… curious. You…you don’t look similar.” I tried to cover up. Emma was trying her hardest to control her laughter still I could hear her shrieks.
“It’s okay, we have heard it before too.” The guy gave me a smile.
“I am sorry; I will just get your order.” I said, completely flushed and rushed out of there. I don’t even dare look at Emma. She followed me inside the kitchen and was laughing hysterically. Tears were coming out of her eyes. Happy tears.
“Ash, that was too good. They look so cute, so deep in love.” She said in a singing tone.
“Em shut up. They weren’t looking like brother-sister at all.” I said defending myself.
“I would agree with you but then we both will be wrong.” She said and started laughing again.
“Ha Ha Ha, very funny.” I said. Truth be told, even I am not able to control my laughter.
“Okay forget about it, tell me how is Emmet.” I changed the subject.
“He is doing great. Doctors said that we have every reason to think that he will be fit and fine one day as his tumor is first stage and can be operated. They will take the tumor out from his nose.”
“That is incredible. I am so looking forward to the day when he’ll be completely healthy.” I replied feeling great that we could help Emmet.
“The doctor also said that Emmet is happier than before and that is the main thing which is helping him recover.”
“Emma by telling this you have given me the joy no one can give.”
“I have given you joy?”
“Yes, the joy of giving. It’s this amazing feeling that comes from within and I am able to experience it because of you. I just hope and pray that Emmet fully recovers soon.” She passed me a huge smile but I could see tears forming in her eyes. She blinked them off and resumed her duty, I too started my job. From now on I am not having any mental perceptions of a girl and boy sitting together.
“I will give this to the guy who has come along with her lovely sister.” Emma teased, bringing their order.
“You should hurry up, they must be waiting.” I ignore the sarcasm in her tone and then we both laugh. I know we are crazy.
Emma she is so different from other people. Sometimes she amazes me a lot. I don’t understand how she can change her mood so quickly. She can cover her face like a mask and show the world she is the happiest person alive when from inside she would be breaking. She is such a vivacious and free-spirited girl. She is just 24 and yet so mature for her age. She takes care of her brother so nicely. Frankly, if I would have been in her place, I could have never done it. She is a big inspiration in my life and she has taught me the art of living. I really want her in my life, forever. She enters the kitchen and I am standing like a ghost in the middle of it.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yes. Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot right away!”
“Before I joined this restaurant you didn’t talk to anyone then why did you choose to make friends with me?”
“Ashley, when I saw you I saw a pure heart. I have seen enough cruelty in my life that now I can judge people from just one look. All our relatives ran away when we needed their support. No one offered to help us. We needed help after all, back then, we were still kids. Then I saw you, a kind soul. I thought it would really help if I had a friend like you.” She answered.
“Thank you so much, Emma. Nobody has ever said that to me.”I hugged her tightly. So tightly that I could have squished her.