A BLISSFUL REUNION

A BLISSFUL REUNION

Zeath pats my back as I move toward the exit door. Christopher covers some space as well to meet me at a point.

My arms snake around his waist, and he clasps me tight over my shoulders. I shed the remnants of my tears on his chest, my shudders racking through my body like a shock.

“You motherfucker, how dare you run away and leave me like that!” I wail while pounding my fists into Christopher’s back and stomping my feet on the ground.

I feel his fingers rake my hair as he leans down to set his chin on my head, whispering, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for leaving you in danger and in pain. I found out Saltusa was a traitor and you were marrying Zeath. I didn’t know what to do cos I’d fallen for you and couldn’t bear the self stigma of being alone. I was a coward. For that, I’m so sorry.”

Christopher caresses my back, a gesture that encourages me to slowly calm down. About two minutes later, we disengage from each other as I wipe my tears while sniffling.

“You seem shorter now,” I joke with a smile.

Christopher chuckles. “And you’re as gorgeous as always.”

Is it just me or has his accent changed, even the way he says his words. He now speaks with Country P accentuation.

“Your hair, it’s shorter,” I say while gesturing at the hair.

Christopher’s fingers rakes through it as he shrugs.

It’s no longer chin-length like before. He has it styled in a pompadour. And, though it’s not too visible, I can see the once rich brown of his hair dimming, stray gray strands streaked out here and there, likewise his stubble.

As for his eyes, I don’t think they can ever change. Even though faint wrinkles are crawled up at the sides, they will still maintain that ethereal look that charmed his audience.

I watch him exchange side-hugs with Yolie before moving across the living room to Zeath, shaking hands with the latter. Nectar seems to have disappeared.

“Let’s stroll?” Christopher asks while gesturing to the exit door. And we proceed together out of the house.

Yolie went for the most pleasant scenery when she chose this house. Being surrounded by gardens is what anyone would wish for. And she tends to the gardens very well.

It’s beside one of its flourishing flowers that Christopher stands now. When he asked for a stroll, I thought we would really stroll. Who knew we’d end up in the garden that’s just a few feet away from the porch of the house.

“The last days that we met twenty years ago, Eryis was gone, why didn’t you tell me?” he asks calmly.

I sigh. “I couldn’t accept it.”

Christopher nods. “I understand. Have you now?”

“From time to time, the good memories surge in. So I’ve come to terms with it. But then once in a while, the reality of her death hits me, and I would shed at least a tear. Thankfully, Zeath has been by my side to comfort me. Plus, I have new kids too.” I can’t help but smile at that last sentence.

Christopher does too. “You did a good job shielding them from the internet. They would have been damaged by now, considering how much your name pops up from time to time.”

“True.” I can’t help but think he may have reflected on Nectar when he said that. I won’t deny that my influence online has hurt the girl in many ways. When I had a phone, I used to see the posts and comments trying to shape her into me. But even I am restless to defend her against that. “About the rumors going on about us online, don’t you think it’s time we clarify that? It’s certainly not one of those things one would give a rest and let time solve.”

“I know. Revealing that drawing in a convention that housed hundreds of reporters, I knew it would be a huge risk. But I was desperate. Now that we have found each other. I’ll later tell the world who I really am.”

For the next few minutes, Christopher and I may have fallen in a pit of our own thoughts, as crickets echo between us as we stare at the pretty butterflies hovering around the sweet flowers.

However, Christopher later breaks the silence. “Mellow, about what I said earlier, I meant it. I didn’t mean to leave Saltusa to you,” he mumbles. “I guess I was mostly confused then. She had brought forth the pen and asked me to reset it. I didn’t even know what it was. But I checked it out and found out that it had the blood of my father. Somehow, I reset the pen after studying it, but I failed to see that there was a memory card as evidence of the bad things the pen was used for. It was only when she started using it to haunt you that I found out that it was a weapon. So I stole it and reset it again. Because I couldn’t grasp much of what was going on around me anymore, I chose to just let it all go. Like I said, I was a coward.”

“I’m more grateful that you’re alive, Christopher. You don’t know how much life span this has added to my existence.”

Christopher smiles. “On a positive note, you became the world’s hero—the one who exposed Project Empire.”

“Well, I couldn’t have done it without Cross. You remember Cross and Chelsea?”

“I do.”

“You may not know this, but Chelsea was the Yesli Toorsman whose story went live years ago. And Cross was Zeath’s missing brother, Zachili.”

Christopher huffs. “Wow.” Then his tone changes as he slowly nods. “It’s sad they’re both gone.”

I press my lips into a thin line, the corners tipping down. “I know.”

“Because of this blissful reunion, and to lighten the mood, what do you say about organizing a ball. Three men. Three women,” Christopher says out of nowhere.

“Except it’s two men because I don’t know where the fuck Beavan disappeared to,” I reply with a chuckle.

The man shrugs. “We’ll find him.”

“Alright. Alright. You always did love dances. Is it like a ritual to you, or…”

“It’s my way of celebrating. And I’ve missed it a lot, since I haven’t found a notable partner yet.”

I look at the man with a knowing smile. “There’s Nectar now.”

Christopher’s smile widens as he nervously looks away. He must have fallen for the girl.

I find them cute, and I’m happy for them. Hopefully, they grow to be each other’s comfort, just like Zeath is my comfort.

~

Hello, guys. I just realized that I made a mistake in Nectar’s age. She’s supposed to be around twenty-three years, not twenty-one. Also, since this book will end in about three or four chapters, can you guys please do me a favor and share the book to your social medias—if you feel it’s worthy. Please recommend to your friends. I need your votes too. Badly. Your reviews or comments will help as well. I wish you all a happy new month. Cheers.