Where are you Leone?

FOURTY-THREE

LYNETTE

The heart knows what it wants.

Leaving Leone behind didn’t sit well with me. I was worried that something could happen to him. Jeez! Maybe, I was getting a bit overdramatic. But, could you blame me? Leone has been unpredictable in the last couple of days, and his subtle jokes earlier didn’t fool me. It was like he wanted me to believe that he was ok, when it was evident that he wasn’t.

I had no idea what I could do to help him out.

I wish I could find out how to make him feel better, but I couldn’t. Everything was breaking in different ways, and I didn’t know what to do to make things better for him. There was no way I would be able to bring his mother to him, but something told me that she was out there. She was right where we could see her, but we weren’t able too.

I bought some clothes, a teddy, and a few jewelries. It was not too expensive, but they were so beautiful, and I knew Isabella would like it. For myself, I bought some canvases which I informed them to send to the hotel at 8 pm. I was sure I would be in then, and next was a wristwatch with lovers art on it for Leone. It was a bit girly, but I wanted it to remind him of us. I didn’t know if we would ever work out, but I loved him so much, and I needed it too.

Leone was so important to me, and that was saying something.

I was about to leave, when I had a sudden urge to get the same watch for myself. It made me smile at how silly I was being. Well, this was a risk worth taking. His heart was connected to mine according to what I was seeing on in the artistic watch.

After getting all I wanted, I stepped out of the store. I walked briskly, though there was no form of danger lurking around, but it was out of habit. I just needed to move. I had to get to Leone. He still found a way to make me worried about him, and I couldn’t deny it again.

Outside, I looked through the street and couldn’t see him. He wasn’t at the ice-cream stall too from what I could see from my vantage point, and that made me worried.

“Don’t panic, Leone,” I snapped at myself as I shuffled the bags. There was no way I would let it all get to me. It was going to be fine.

But, still my salsa dried on its own. I looked around, and saw the commotion, but the truth was that it was all abstract to me. I didn’t absorb it one bit. I should call him. Maybe, something happened.

There was no telling with Leone these days. He was like a volatile, and couldn’t be trusted one bit. I couldn’t afford to be lax where he was. I was finally able to get the phone through a lot of manoeuvring. I dialled the number consistently, religiously, but he wasn’t answering the call.

“Oh, no!” I cried.

I can’t afford to think the worst right now. He wouldn’t just leave me here and go hunt for his mom, right? No! He should be around. He had to be here somewhere. He must be here. It was important that he didn’t leave this place.

Yes!

Talking about this made it easier for me to believe that he had not gone so far. I wanted to believe, and I craved it. I tried once more, dialling his number, but it was not reachable.

Tears rose thickly in my eyes, then spilled down my cheeks. “Where are you, Leone?”

This was the second time that this was happening. And, this time, I was chill. I looked around and noted the screams from a distance. The mob were gaining on someone. What was going on? I swallowed hard, as I walked closer to the spot, dabbing my tears frantically with the back of my hands, but I was still bawling either way.

The men wen were tall, but I was also tall, so it was to see Leone. What was he doing there? I sighed in relief at the turn of events, but was still worried about what was happening. Pushing my way though, I noted he stood like he had seen a ghost in front of a woman. I couldn’t see her face clearly from where I was, and I struggled to go further into the group, looking back at Leone.

“She took my baby,” the woman was saying.

I didn’t care for her, but Leone. Was he thinking about his mom now? I had to get him out of here because the mob wasn’t smiling. There were literally throwing curse words.

Finally, I broke through the crowd and touched his arm. “Leone, we have to get out of here,” I said softly.

He said nothing.

“Are you even listening to me?” I asked in worry as I tugged at his hands.

He looked at me then like he didn’t know who I was. Oh, dear! Then, he pulled his hands off and looked back at the woman. In one swift move, he crushed her to his chest. My eyes went round in shock.

“Leone, what are you…”

“Mom?” He said softly.

My heart shattered like glass. Did he think she was his mother? I peered closer to this woman, and she bore a striking resemblance to the crazy Ginevra, difference was her normal getup. I choked back a sob as Leone jeeps holding his mom.

***

LEONE

The woman in front of me was my mother?

Yes, she had to be. Her hair was red like Isabella’s and her face though stained with mud was just like her. There were changes. I had no idea if she had gone lean or fat, but still, I felt a bustling in my heart that couldn’t be put to words.

She was looking at me in confusion, and I was aware that she couldn’t quite remember who I was, and that hurt me so much. I wanted her to remember, but everything was clouded for her, and it hurt so much. I never wanted her to be in this sort of condition.

But, she was here.

I was suddenly aware that Lynn was pulling at me. I looked at her in a daze. Then, turned my attention to mother. With as much courage I could muster, I pulled her to my chest and held her close.

She felt like home. No, she was home.

I had finally found my mother after trying so hard for months. I could not describe how I was feeling at that moment. It was too good to be true. She was here, in my arms, alive and well. She didn’t die like I had been led to believe all these while.

My heart squeezed, and I muttered the only word I understood at that moment. “Mom?’

Saying it, made it so real. It made me feel like this was actually happening, and squeezed at my delicate chest.

“This woman wanted to steal another’s child, so what is all these drama?” Someone snapped in the background.

This brought me back to my senses, but I was so happy. I’ve finally found my mom. I’ve finally found the women I had been looking for. I placed my hand on both sides of my face.

“Don’t cry,” she said softly. “My daughter would come with me now!”

“She is crazy,” the other woman said.

I should be angry, but I wasn’t. Instead, I smiled at mother. “Mom, I’m the one you were looking for. You don’t remember, right?” I asked softly.

She looked at me curiously. “Really? Are you truly Munchie?” She asked softly.

I smiled. “Of course!”

She giggled, and suddenly pulled me down, giving me a firm peck on the forehead. My heart warmed. It was just like when I was a little boy. I felt the affection levels deep within the core of my soul. It made me feel completely right. This was home.

“You are funny, lad,” she said when she released me. “You are a boy, and not a girl.”

I smiled. Despite everything, mother was still so smart. “That should be a puzzle for you to figure out. Let’s get you home,” I said softly.

Lynn stepped forward and held onto her. Mother talked about how she was the one who should be her daughter instead, and if she had a son, he would have been like me. I choked back a sob as I helped Lynn with the bags. Lynn looked at me with a smile, and I smiled tearily. I couldn’t actually believe it.

“You’re safe now,” I told mother.

She looked at me with a smile. “I know. You’re a doll,” she said heartily.

I placed a hand on my mouth to stop the sob. She was the most audacious, and amazing woman despite how dirty she looked.