#ficitonal

x If my f/o (at least two of them already know how) learn to write in calligraphy and wrote me hand written letters.

Sona was in class twelve when she felt her heart beating for someone for the first time. It was the time of the Board exams. She was sitting in an examination room. On the other row there were students from some other school.  While she was busy filling in her answer sheet, the examiner came to her and started checking her desk. He found nothing. Suddenly, she saw a boy sitting in another row,…

The Rain Over My Window

As a young 8 year old boy I was amused by the rain I saw . It was as quick as my childhood, but took many of my outdoor games and gave fevers and chills instead. My mom used to bake me fritters and cookies with tea, gulping it along the raining shade and listening to an Ilayaraja song was nothing but heaven. Years passed and I was in college, I was wandering with my friends for no reason and…

Chapter 27 - “Stones are thrown, to your head and heart and backbone. Your skin is your armour but you need more. You need a saviour, to surround you like a shelter. Then you are never sore, even in the war.”

Myra

6:03 in the morning. I woke up before my alarm so I sat on my bed, reached for my clock and set it off. Everything from the previous night rained on my mind. We kissed with Fred! I told him about my problematic past in relationships, my suspicions about the possibility of facing them once again. He said he will be beside of me regardless of anything. No crises, no cries… After what happened with Jay, I was petrified to see what would it be like to experience it with Fred. But it felt so natural. I couldn’t help my pleasant smile. Afterwards, it vanished as I remembered today is the day my mom and sister come to stay a week. I yawned and got out of my bed.

I had to greet them at the airport first. Then I had to go to D.I.D. secondly. Awkwardly, I was so cool driving towards them, lip syncing to the songs on the radio. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5exsScaHWo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqsiJPK-94Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COwkCW38J54

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7VK0WwAoXQ

When I arrived and parked in the parking lot I saw them from a distance. There my joy faded. Like my blood was sucked by a vampire or my brain melted out due to an excessive exposure to radiation. I exhaled. My sister, Laila was wearing a black dress and a huge hat, looking like a bad version of Audrey Hepburn and my mom, Kieryn, was standing next to Laila and near the bags, gazing behind her enormous grey sunglasses. I stopped the engine, left the car and walked towards my a-week-long-misfortune.

Baldie

Another day, Fred and I pretended there was nothing odd and our intentions were quite the same. Or we were just playing a hush game. We kept working in the kitchen with a solid silence. It’s been this way since I asked him about Myra. If Fred were to accuse me of illogicality, he would be right. Last night, after Cleito told me not to sneakingly jar those two, I looked for a path to reconciliation. She has a point in believing that Fred lived a mysterious love life for a valid reason. Looking from above, I was more concerned about Cleito’s emotions than Fred’s reasons. Why 2 most important people in my life had to love the same person? I don’t want to act unjustly. I was preparing a herbal tea for an order when Fred broke our long-lasting silence.

“I think we should start acting like adults.” What could I say? I put down the cup and turned to him. That’s when I saw we were alone in the kitchen.

“Being adult is really hard though. You act according to a belief in yourself but another truth comes and collides your mentality so you don’t know how to behave at the end of the day.” I was alluding and hoping he could understand me. But not the whole situation, hopefully.

“Could you be more specific?” I knew he would ask for clarification.

“I was surprised. You never talk about your private life, I haven’t seen someone next to you and one day you came up with Myra. There, knowing nothing about your inner feelings, I had biases, or… well, I don’t know how to name it. Anyway, it’s you, Fred.Surely, you cannot hurt anyone. Or can’t have dark secrets, ha?” 

“So finally we’re being outspoken. I… It’s harder for me.” That’s the moment that it hit me so fast. I was his friend and never tried to grasp his circumstances.

“Man-to-man. Don’t allow frustration to prevent you. I’m your friend, no judgments here. We all go through tough times, especially in love.” I tapped on his shoulder to encourage him.

“Oh man! C’mon…Have you ever looked in the mirror? You have a fit body, a charming face, you know how to be romantic, you’re patient and gentle and who am I? I’m just a newborn next to you.”

“I didn’t know love was all about appearance.”

“I counted your personality too.” We both stared at each other and started laughing. It was our sign of peace. The ice melted out. Sun rose up.

“Believe me, dude, it’s not foolish to be a fool in love. I had hard times too. And talking about the mirror, I think you don’t have one. Underestimating should be the last thing you do to yourself. Don’t be ridiculous.” He smiled, looking at a point on the floor.

“Maybe… But I was… Shit, it sounds so clumsy to talk about it!” He got closer to me and looked into my eyes directly. “I have never EVER felt like this before, Baldie. I was a loser in love. Of course, I loved several times. No one took me seriously. This time, it’s kinda the opposite. It’s unforeseen. Myra was someone I didn’t even bother at the first sight, now she is all I want to dwell on. I admire her. God yes, I LOVE HER Baldie !” He covered his head with both hands. I knew he let go of something huge for him. Something precious. I punched his arm.

“Congrats.” He loosened his hands and threw me questioning eyes.

“Are you kidding me?” He was looking confused.

“No, seriously, congrats. You just opened up to me. Plus, you tasted a burning love.”

“Man, I hope you won’t have to be collecting my ashes.” I laughed at his stoic face.

Cleito

I came back to my table from the meeting and found 10 unread messages. In a panic, I opened one of them. Seemingly they all were from Myra.

Two bitches…ooppss I mean witches, at my home now. Pray for me. They might make potions.

Late to office because Laila had to criticise my furniture! Why doesn’t she jump into her potion and drown?

Hey, where are you? 

Guess you’re busy, write me when you’re back.

Ugghhh now Kieryn, my mom, got lost trying to get to a market. I am at work, hello?! She’s unbelievable.

Oh, Cleito you have to write me soon!! Urgency!!!! :((((

Ok since you’re still away I have to tell this: Kieryn wants to meet my friends today, at a dinner, in my house!!!!!!!!!

Dear, you need to team up and come to me tonight, please. Otherwise, she will eat my brain until she reaches to you.

Cleito, can you convince Baldie and Narius for me for today? 

You don’t have any other plans, right? Please tell me you all are coming.

My heart bruised. I shouldn’t have treated rudely to her on that day in Happee, Baldie shouldn’t have questioned Fred. She had a lot of troubles. We added another one, selfishly. Thinking about Fred, why didn’t she mention Fred? Not to piss me off? But she didn’t know my feelings. To call him herself? Oh, I had to get accustomed to this if it’s a…thing. Suddenly I felt like I should do it. Almost like a trigger to allay my fault. Decisively, I sent a message to Baldie then wrote Myra.

Sorry dear, I was at a meeting. I told Baldie and Fred, I don’t think they will find any excuses. I will tell Narius in a minute. Thinking the same for him too. Relax, we have a witch repeller, we’ll handle them together tonight. :)

I knew she won’t object to the presence of Fred. I owed this to her. I was shooting myself but … I inhaled. I put a song on my computer and turned the volume down a bit to not to disturb anyone in the building.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUIiAurzKL0

If I care her then I had to be happy for her, had to stomach the bitter fact that we can never be together. With a forced smile, a charade, I climbed the stairs to the office of Narius.

Myra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p5O0LlpgIQ

I put a song on my player to bear the unbearable in my house at the moment. My mom was sitting on the sofa - not helping anything as if she was a queen, fanning herself with a purple wooden & cotton authentical fan which she said she bought in China. Laila was wasting time with shaping handkerchiefs, vocalising the flaws she found in everything while I was preparing the dinner. I didn’t know if any lamer this could get. Couldn’t imagine a week between them either. 

“Can’t wait to meet the people you call as friends.” Queen Kieryn spoke. She was the one to insist to invite them now she was making fun of them and indirectly of me. It reminded me of a session with Ashley. - “Myra, last week you said you needed acceptance by your mom for your choices. You also said you wanted to independently make your own decisions. Now I want you to trace yourself back and think of an example that you changed your own decision to be able to be accepted by your mom.” - “Hmm… I can’t recall one of them, Ashley. I think… Actually, I guess there’s no example. I did a lot of things, changed my mind a lot of times but none of them were related to her. I did them for myself. ” - “You mean, you never changed yourself for acceptance, am I getting it right?” - “Yes.” - “Would you do it, from now on?” - “To change myself? Uh, I… I don’t know. I can’t know unless there’s a concrete situation.” - “Alright. Let’s assume that your mother didn’t like the house you rented or anything about Island in general, would you change or leave it?” -” Leaving the Island? My friends here? My lovely balcony? I don’t think so.” - “So you want to decide freely and your mother to be ok with it.” -”Precisely. At least not disapproving all of my moves.” - “Would you like to bring your mother here and tell her all of these?” - “Maybe… Maybe I can find the strength with you but I don’t think she will come. She wouldn’t take an inch of the problem on her. She is stubborn. But I’m too. Maybe that’s the reason we can’t get along.”

My doorbell woke me up from the flashback and I rushed towards my door. Eventually, my rescue team was here. If it weren’t them, I didn’t know how long I could survive. They were all standing before me when I opened up the door. I glanced each one and stopped my eyes on Fred. I had to have a little conversation with him before the devils in my home could envenom him.

“Thank goodness!” It was all I could say. Cleito went first and whispered:

“Don’t worry, we’ll have great fun today!” She winked and headed inside before I could inquire what she meant. Narius put his forefinger on his lips to hush me and got in as rapid as Cleito. What the hell is happening? Is there a plan that I wasn’t informed about? When Baldie stepped inside and looked at me, I allowed myself to withstand the bizarre feeling that settled in me after my misunderstanding. Surprisingly, he was so cool, smiled and saluted me as if he knew I needed a relief. Willingly, I saluted back and took a tranquil breath in. Then there was Fred. One look at him was storm strong. One touch of his hand on my hand was an inner tremble. His smile seemed even warmer after what we have been through. Dismissing the cloud nine emotions, I grabbed his arm and dragged him to the kitchen before anyone saw.

“What’s going on?” He didn’t try to resist but he was naturally curious.

“I need to talk to you alone. You shouldn’t have come here today.”

“Why?” Even his voice was giving away that he was resented.

“Can’t you see? It’s my mother and sister Fred, the ones I told you yesterday. They bite.” He stopped his laughter, pressing his lips.

“I understand that you don’t want to be near them but you are forgetting my vow. I swore that I’ll be beside you.”

“You still can’t see it. They screwed my mind up! I don’t want them to stick their dirty noses in our faces. I don’t want them to screw this too. This…” I took his hand into my hands. When did I become this brave? Visibly, his resentment left his face and a spark sat in his eyes.

“Myra…” He leaned his forehead on mine. For a couple seconds, I let myself to feel the magnetic field between us, the fondness, the passion, the defeat, the triumph… Then I stepped back and met his eyes.

“Please, Fred. Don’t let them ruin this.”

“I got it. You don’t want them to know us. Ok, whatever you need is ok with me. I also didn’t tell those guys yet.” He pointed his head in the direction of my living room. I knew he implied Cleito, Baldie, and Narius. I smiled.

“Well, tell them on the way to your homes.”

“I thought maybe,…” He hesitated.

“Yes, say it. We need to go back in, you know so you-” 

“Maybe you’d like to tell them together.” Isn’t he such a cute romantic?

“Aw, Fred. I’d like to. Ok, let’s do this tomorrow ok? Somewhere away from these two …” I couldn’t help rolling my eyes.

“Deal.” He glanced at the door then hugged me so tight for a second then left me. “Let’s taste your famous saucy steak.”

Suddenly Laila got in the kitchen. I swear it’s like this devil has a power of sense. Urrgghhh!! At least I felt grateful for we were not touching each other.

“What you guys are doing here? Everybody’s waiting for the dinner, Myra.” She kept glancing me and Fred, back and forth, while she was speaking. 

“Sorry my fault, I kept her to ask… to ask…” Fred seemingly had no lies in mind. Neither had I. But I must have extricated the situation.

“The shortest route to the downtown from here.” Hmm… It was a nice recovery in a limited time.

“Yeah.” He agreed and I heard the relief after our narrow escape in his voice. Laila gave us suspicious eyes for a second then she turned her face to Fred.

“We weren’t introduced. I’m Laila. Myra’s sister.” 

“Fred. Myra’s friend.” I thanked a million times inside that he didn’t stumble between my name and the word ‘friend’. Laila put a half smile on her lips, flipped her hair and talked while she was walking away.

“Call me out sis, if you ever need help.” Finally, when she was out, Fred turned to me.

“You’re right. She’s irritating.” I giggled.

“I think you better join them.” He looked into my eyes, meaningfully. But this time I couldn’t figure it out.

“Alright sweetheart.” He said it too quietly that I could even barely heard him. Then he disappeared to the balcony.

Narius

Such an interesting night ahead of us. All of us. When Cleito suggested messing with Myra’s mother and sister, Fred said that he would try. Baldie said he was in. I couldn’t understand what’s with Myra’s family. Somehow Cleito realised that I’m clueless then she told me about how she was influenced badly due to her mom and sister’s attitudes. I glanced Fred and Baldie in shock but they were seemed aware of it all. But I didn’t miss that Fred was slightly scrunching his fingers, something he has never done before. 

Time was passing fast on the contrary of my presume. We were already halfway through our dinner. Baldie and I exchanged gazes whenever Cleito chuckled after Fred’s jokes. Both of us were feeling, I could tell, stuck in the middle of a crossfire. But Cleito seemed more joyous to me. I smirked though, I did it. Because I saw what Cleito was doing. Myra was maybe unaware but Cleito was occasionally blocking out Kieryn and Laila -Myra’s mom and sister with her inside jokes. They were like strangers in this group whenever Cleito took the lead. Fairly speaking, Kieryn seemed like unbothered and she never gave up on her glorious air but Laila was evidently annoyed. 

When we all finished eating, a long silence took place. I watched people one by one. Myra was looking happier than the beginning of the day, Cleito was sipping her wine, thoughtful… Baldie’s phone rang so he left the table. Laila was playing with a dessert fork, still annoyed. Kieryn was watching around like me. Our eyes met once and I forced a smile. She just nodded. I tried to understand her. I tried to understand why she was such a pain for Myra instead of a good role model. I left these thoughts behind for a while. Just before I turned my head to Fred he spoke. 

“Everything was delicious Myra, thank you for tonight.”

“Oh, thank you actually for coming.” It was so obvious, the little flirtation between them. Or it’s just me. Baldie came back to the balcony.

“Myra to be honest, I was expecting this steak from you after those meatballs.” Cleito did it again. We all were laughing except Kieryn and Laila. “I’m just kidding dear, everything was just perfect today.” 

“Agreed. My favourite is that salad, we should add it to the menu, don’t you think so Fred?” Baldie and Fred seemingly were doing better. I felt happy for them. Suddenly, before Fred answered Myra’s mother snapped. 

“You guys have a restaurant?” Suddenly she and Laila were more into the conversation with eager eyes.

“A tiny cafe, not a restaurant.” Fred was parrying the question. Not even mentioning that he actually owns the cafe alone. I got why he needed that, he was as indisposed as I was. To help him with that, I changed the subject.

“I don’t want to be excluded from the tributes Myra, the steak was amazing. And I can’t pass without saying that your skills can be seen even from the arrangement on this dinner table.” Kieryn bent her lips as if she was...despising it?! Laila was looking at me as if she could burn me with her stares, I didn’t believe that my unintentional contribution to Cleito came out of the blue. I really messed with them, apparently. Didn’t know why or how but, yes! Driven, I wanted to squirt the wine in my mouth and laugh. But I didn’t, fortunately. These women are so pathetic. I never get why people choose to be cruel. Especially in Myra’s family case, I couldn’t get it at all.

“That’s so nice of you Narius.” Abruptly, Laila jumped on her feet. Her eyes were full of flicker, still. I was dreadful of what she could do since I was a stranger to her capabilities.

Myra

When Laila stood up in a rush, I thought she will start a family drama right in front of my friends. She used to do it anywhere. In a library, at a concert, in a bus... This time I decided not to let her preventing me from building good friendships. Or to scare them with her infernal fire. I clung to my wine glass with my right hand and to the chair with my left hand as if materials could give me strength.

“Leave your praises to my brownie cake, guys.” Fortunately, it wasn’t something I was afraid of. But still, she was the typical Laila. Attention whore!  She headed to the kitchen. She didn’t even take the trouble of telling that she baked something in my house. Urrgghh whatever...

When she got back and started serving slices from her brownie, I caught Cleito winking her eyes to Baldie, Fred, and Narius. I still didn’t understand what the hell was going on. She was acting a bit different today here though, I sensed it. Not the sort of our Happee situation but somehow... She was so much more tender. And the way she laughed at Fred’s jokes made me inhale in comfort. It’s better she and Baldie think positive about him before we ... well before we confirm it all.

“Looks good my honey.” Of course, my mom pampered only her assistant devil, not me, huh.

“Thanks.” She was already looking flattered. But her eyes were directed at my friends. Suddenly, Cleito spat out the brownie in her mouth, with a loud voice in accompany. We all turned to her with horror. I thought she was suffocating and approached her in a second. 

You see those male fictional characters? See how awesome they are?