#csaloka

       she remembered the day she left, she almost turned back. she remembered when she’d found out she was having adhira -- she’d almost called him. she remembered gathering every memento, every picture, every hand print.. just in case. but when they’d made their way back to each other -- he was gone. physically there, but the part of him that had been the only man she’d ever loved.. that was disconnected. 

    today she left again. he had a new life to go back to, the life he’d made after she’d left. but today she would say goodbye, even if she doubted it would mean anything. he’d always been good at that -- the disconnecting. if only she’d learned that instead of running. 

     tears on her cheek she smiled through it, her bag at her feet -- she’d never see him again. but she wanted -- whatever part of him that was left to know the truth. the truth she’d tried a thousand times to write him in a letter, or leave a message on his phone. 

           ‘ ---tomas i need -- to say something. i know it won’t really matter, and it certainly won’t change anything. but i need you to know that every day i was sorry i left, every day i knew you deserved better than what i did. and i’m sorry -- that i never told you about her.. ‘ here her voice broke, a choked sob as she fought back the tears. ‘ she was so much like you. i am so sorry. that i failed you both. that i left. that i never told you about her. that you never got to hear her laugh. that she never got to see your smile or hear you read. i -- don’t know if you want it but.. i want you to have this.. ‘ 

     kneeling she retrieved the shoebox from the top of her bag, it was decoupaged with drawings of flowers, stickers, buttons -- anything adhira had thought was pretty. 

        ‘ i got to love her and know her while she was here. but i want you to know her now... its silly --- i know --- i just.. she’d want you to have it. she made it for you. its got most of her drawings, and pictures. we made paper sailboats last year, they sank almost immediately.. ‘ this time her smile was stronger. ‘ please, its for you. ‘ 

     He stepped into the office, eyes quickly landing on the Indian male that had sought his services. Perhaps it was ill that Tomas Malek had contacted Leonhard about experimental services, but Leonhard was hardly one to turn down such a delicious prospect. Dressed in dark khakis, a white button down, and a navy blue sport coat, Leonhard looked every bit the respectable doctor that was known for his advancements in cardiovascular studies.

     Standing in this office however bespoke the fact that Leonhard held a morbid secret. One that he wished to expound upon and enhance. A chance he was being offered if he came to work for the Malek enterprise.

( @csaloka )

     “Mr. Malek,” Echo greeted him with an outstretched hand as she stepped into the small office. There wasn’t much, two book shelves overflowing with books along the back wall. A large framed diploma of her law school above the shelves. Before the shelves was a small, dark wood desk that was stacked high with folders. In front of the desk, in a half circle were two wing chairs for clients. A worn rug decorated the floor. Two windows allowed light in from the wall opposing the shelves. 

     Echo herself was bright; dressed in a light grey suit with a yellow blouse, matching heels. Gold hair adding to her air of lightness and friendly demeanor. She was new at her job, but she was good. Then again, not many people specialized in what she did.

His eyes remained on the rather large sum she’d offered to employ his ship for an indefinite duration. Kallan hadn’t seen that much money in quite some time, but of what he couldn’t be certain was whether she’d actually pull through and continue to pay should he and his crew do as she asked. She just seemed like one of those women who demanded perfection and held back if anything less was given.

That money was enticing though and the ship desperately needed repairs.