“Is it true Gemmy?”, I spoke in a timid voice while lying on my bed half awake- half asleep.

“Of course! You don’t have to worry. Just make sure you reach the site on time.”

“He won’t come right?”, I tried to clarify.

“It’s been months after your break-up. He precisely vanished somewhere. He won’t be present there ofcourse.” He stumbled.

I stared at her, “Are you sure?”
“Come’n! It isn’t necessary to react to everything near you, Dorsy. Just go there today and enjoy. And don’t worry he won’t....”

“Stop it Gemmy. You fart when you lie.” It irked me to think how my bestie lied to me. I tossed the pillow on her and went out of our bedroom.

The house we cohabit, we two have been living since our graduation. Three years have passed and now here we are with our underpaid jobs. Luckily the house was affordable and congenial.

I went back to my room after having a coke from the shop downstairs, explored my closet and took out the garments. It was evening and I was ready for my job. I worked as a host in Glaston Wally  Restaurant in Norway. Before leaving I glimpsed near my bed where a bookmark was attached.

It read, ‘Don’t miss the good time honey. I’m off to my work and will go there directly. Don’t be late. And if you try to ditch me, I’ll get back and murder you. ’

I know Gemmy is a darling but sometimes she can be too bothersome. She can easily drain out my energy and morale. Moreover she loves gossiping and I can already assume the topic of this gathering today.

It was cold, dark and miserable outside. I felt lucky to have bought my umbrella with me today. My accommodation was close to my work place so I routinely walk by. In no time I reached the spot and put on my attire.

Handling reservations, direct walk-in guests and coordinating between the customers and kitchen stuff were my prior responsibilities.

As I was dressing up, I suddenly heard some vague words. It was coming from my counter. Putting on the neckerchief, I ran. A middle aged couple was enquiring about their reservation with a staff.

I rushed near them, “Hello! Good evening. How can I help you?” I gasped.

“We made a reservation today. But she is denying.” The man uttered in a coarse voice.

I looked at my colleague and her eyes yelled for help. I squeezed her left hand with my right hand and stood near the computer screen.

“May I know your name sir?” I smiled and asked.

“Troy Benze” He spoke in a harsh and annoying tone again.

I scrolled down the excel sheet of the reservation column but didn’t find the name. I cross-checked again in case I may miss out his name.

“Sorry sir, there isn’t any reservation made under the name Troy Benze. Can you tell me the name of the person who made the reservation?”

He was visibly anxious now, “Seriously? Stop with the repeated vexing questions. I have already told that my mother, Lina Benze had made the reservation.”

“Sorry for the inconvenience, sir! I’ll check again. Just a few seconds.” I tried to calm him.

Scrolling the whole sheet of data, I was obscured. The name was still missing. I asked my colleague to check the other computer as well.

“Sir, Do you remember the day or date when you made the reservation?” I was hoping to get an earful. But to my surprise, his looks seemed unclear.

He glanced at the woman standing near him. Her eyes met mine and I could feel the iffy air surrounding the place.

The couple looked perplexed. The woman hurriedly opened her satchel, scrolled down her phone and made a call to someone meanwhile the man was busy fixing his burgundy hair while staring at the wall clock behind me.

Few couples came and went in as per their reservations. My counter got busy as usual. I was handling the new guests so I ordered my junior stuff to check the missing reservation of the couple.

The orders, follow- ups in the kitchen; I was handling them all. Validating the orders of the customers, I returned back to my desk.

Twenty minutes passed by since the woman went out making a call. The man now seemed restless. He was moving to and fro from the entrance to my desk. His walk with that cargo pant with white tee and denim shirt made him look like a perfect mannequin. The hazy and mystified look of him made me melt down. Unhurriedly, I went near him.

“Sorry for the inconvenience, sir! The stuff is working on it. It would be a great help if you could remember the date when you made the reservation. But don’t worry we are looking at it.”

“It’s fine. You can carry on with your work. My girlfriend is on a call. We’ll let you know soon if we remember anything.”

Ohh! What a shift of emotion. Wasn’t he vexed? Was I misjudging him all this time?

Behind him, I saw the woman with creamy yellow bodycon dress coming frantically. The wind was ruffling her blonde hair. By the time she reached us, she was already panting. We both waited for her to say something. But she only gave us a blunt gaze.

“Maam, have you got the ....date...or ...anything...?” I asked hesitatingly.

“Noo... How can I remember the date?” She looked at him and continued, “Shouldn’t you call your mom? Wasn’t it she, who made the reservation?”

“Oh! But mom is out of town and I’m afraid the call won’t be possible right now.” He replied nervously.

“Then try calling your aunt. She might know something. Or do you want to move somewhere else?” She suggested while scrolling her phone.

“No! No! I’ll make the arrangements. You please go to the lobby and have a sit.” I abruptly uttered.

They both sat down putting their phones infront of them and got busy with it. I was reluctant to leave the couple behind. I stood near them in courtesy. Just then, one of my stuff members came hurriedly to me, “Maam, we have found the reservation but...”

I waited for him to complete his sentence but he seemed to have no more words. I fixed my glare at him trying to ask him ‘what is the problem now?’

“Maam, can you come for a minute. Mr. Barsh is asking for you.”

Mr. Barsh was our Chief Accountant. He was in-charge of all the billings-payments and the transactions since last 46 years.

“Sir-Maam, we have got the hold of your reservation. We’ll get back soon. Please make yourself comfortable. Our stuff will soon lead you inside.”

I ran to Mr. Barsh after handling the couple.

As I entered his office, I saw a bunch of our stuff catering near his desk while he engrossed his eyes onto the computer infront of him.

“Mr. Barsh, is there any issue?”

“Yes Miss Dorsy! Check this out. We have got a real deal here.”

I zoomed my eyes onto the chart that was popped up on the screen. And the next moment I looked at Mr. Barsh who had already fixed his gaze on me. I checked on the screen again.

“How is it possible? The computer isn’t broke, right?” I asked him.

“How is it possible? All the works are being handled by this computer. It is working fine.”

“Then what about this sir?” One stuff asked.

“Is it possible that somehow the date got misinterpreted?” Another asked.

“How can such an error occur?” Someone from the back of the crowd asked.

“Does the person use time machine or what?” A new stuff uttered giggling.

“Stop it. Time machine??  Are you on your right mind?” His friend near him whispered.

The whispers and murmurs continued for some time.

“Guys stop. Let’s not drag the situation. Please continue with your works.” I continued “Mr. Barsh, is the date correct? Nothing seem to be misinterpreted, right?”

“No! Everything is immaculate. Any error is hardly spotted.”

“Then how is it....” I stopped my words as I saw the General Manager approaching us through the crowd of stuffs that were leaving the room now.

“Good evening sir!”

“Good evening! What have I heard? Is it true?”

“Yes sir!” Mr. Barsh continued “It seems that the reservation was made in 1984.”

“What ? 1984? Correct me if I’m wrong; so you’re telling me that the reservation was done long ago ...good long days ago.” a shocking voice came out of the GM.

“Sir, is it possible for someone to make a reservation ages ago?” I curiously asked.

“If the date of reservation you mentioned is 19---84---  then it is exactly 40 years from now. Right?” GM asked Mr. Barsh.

“Yes sir! Nothing seems out of place. The data is correct. The date is correct. And the reservation is under Mrs. Naty Celen.”

Both I and Mr. Barsh were flabbergasted as GM burst out laughing. Within a few seconds, his laughter turned into tears.

“Sir?” I whispered softly which got echoed in the empty room.

“Holy God! This is the living proof that shouts that our Glaston Wally Restaurant is vintage. It is antique and relic.” He felt contended.

Saying this, he swiftly went out of the room. Both I and Mr. Barsh stared at him until he disappeared from the site.
The room soon filled with utter silence. My mind was still buffering. My thought process got hazed.

I could say the same for Mr. Barsh as I saw him sitting in full vagueness and obscurity.

I cleared my throat and spoke, “Mr. Barsh, thank you for helping us today. I’ll take my leave now.”

I hurriedly went out of the room and reached out to the couple who was eagerly waiting for me. “Sir-Maam, we’ve found the date. It’s 1984 by Mrs. Naty Celen.”

“Your grandmother?”

“My grandmother?”

The couple seemed shocked.

“Reem! So it was your late grandmother who made a reservation? She made a reservation as soon as we were born? How does it make sense?”

“I.. I’m speechless too. So it seems that she made the reservation hoping to tie our families in this way. She might have wanted to tie our families.” She spoke in suspicion.

“All this time I’ve known that our families have constantly tried to set us together. And now this?” He said in disbelief.

“This isn’t my fault.”

“Is it mine? Why is it always that I have to suffer?”

“Su..suffer??”

He sighed, “Sorry! All my built-up emotions are acting up now. All these years I’ve turned a blind eye just to make you all happy? I’ve ignored my emotions....”

“Make us happy?” she was dumbfounded.

“Yes, it was always you who my family preferred. They picked out all your choices, interests and what not. They fancy you, adore you and wished for your happiness. Just your happiness only.”

“My happiness? What are you talking about?”

“Have you ever noticed how they treated me? I was excused from studying at Harvard University  just because they thought you would feel left out here, I had to postpone my schedule  for weeks just because you wanted a vacation. My faith to marriage, my time and my plan for my life...I really regret it.” His eyes were teary.

“But you never said anything?” She sobbed.

“I pretended... I didn't wanted to create a scene out of everything. But I’m done for now. I can’t pretend more.”

“So what was all these. What about us?”
“Us? Do you even care?” He smirked “I won’t ask you about my favourite colour or food or my likes and dislikes. But tell me genuinely have you ever thought about me...my emotions?”

The woman seemed confused.
“Tell me who was on the call few minutes ago?”

“It was Ben. He was concerned when I didn’t receive his call this morning. Ben was worried...”

“Ben this...Ben that...stop for the heaven’s sake. I fail to understand you and your so called friend.” He sighed.

“What happened Troy? Why are acting up like this?  Ben is my friend.” She tried to get a hold of his hand. But he shook off her hand.

“Because I can’t turn a blind eye anymore. I’m fed up. Your prime concern was always him. The day I was having a severe cold, you chose to go for his birthday bash. You ran to him when he felt low because of his grades, you were watching some random classic movie the day I was mourning on my father’s funeral.” His cheeks were drained with tears.

“Troy!!”

“We both like each other’s company, we had gone through our tough times together, we feel secure and homely with each other. This is us."

"But this is not love. I've been running  away for too long. The lock to my heart have already rusted.”

“Troy! I’m sorry. I love you. You know that too.” She patted him softly on his cheeks.

“No! I’m sorry.”

“No! No! This can’t happen.” She choked.

“I’m sorry Reem. Maybe I failed to protect our relation. It’s all me and my insecurities that are wrong. I can’t justify your likings. In this course of time the one thing I’ve understood is that maybe the thing we thought love; was only concern and an act of fondness.”

“What do you mean?” she sobbed.

“I mean I never had butterflies on my stomach with your intimate touches. I never felt melting my heart to you. But.... I don’t know why we’re saying sorry....as.... it was both of us who came into this relationship. It was our moments and our past. It is nothing to be sorry about.” He took a deep sigh.

He continued, “But ...love shouldn’t be misjudged. My concern should not be seen as an attachment or love. This would be wrong for us. Now I want me to be free from us. I want to leave this filthy situation and give myself a life.”

The woman wept her face dry. Her withered lips could hardly say a word.

With her bewildered emotion she spoke, “I know it’s contrary to what you’re feeling inside.”

“Reem, I know it isn’t a good feeling at all. Trust me; it was harder for me too.”

“Troy, You are the most sassy and feisty person. All these years I’ve always admired your veracity. You know too well that you have illuminated my life. I badly need you in my life.”

It felt like a plea; as if she wanted to hold the last bit of sand that had already slipped through her fist. 

“I want to slough off this old skin and become a new person. I want to know myself...love myself...more.”

What he said might be true. But people don’t slough off their old skin. Isn’t that a snake?

As I was placing all my thoughts on the plate, I saw Troy leaving. Reem wasn’t crying now. She sat down on the ground with her deep thoughts.

Some people are addicted to pain. They need to suffer until they can’t take anymore and that’s when they finally admit that they are being foolish.

I went near her. Putting my hand on her shoulder, I said “What happened was good for both of you. You needed closure.”

“But how can he do that? What will I say to my parents?” She sobbed again.

“At certain level, you’ve to be grateful to his prejudice. If not because of him, you might get imperceptibly influenced to walk further with him...to continue with this mistake, have fondness for his good traits, get used to his company and treat a habit as love. If that’s the case, it is more unfair for him and you’ll hurt him more.”

Maybe my pointers made her mind think in a right way.

Brushing her hair strands at the back of her left ear she looked up, apparently looked at me. All I could see was her lips curving up a little. Little did I knew what was she up to.

I tried to smile back at her vaguely. She leaned near me and spoke, “Thank you. Your words may not heal me now but it surely put an ointment on it. I met a good soul today. I am happy...happy (sigh)”

She stood up and started to move straight to the exit gate. I looked at her back as she walked away swaying her hairs. Taking a few steps, she stopped.

She glanced at me and uttered, “Although stars don’t show itself at daytime, they are there. Maybe he feels this way today but he’ll come back.”

Saying this, she started to move again.
What? What was that? What the hell was that? I didn’t see that coming though. I suddenly doubted my whole existence.

I was still in the midst of this confusion, when she peeked through the double door from the lobby and yelled, “Are you enduring philophobia?”

Saying this she continued walking. This time she didn’t turn until she vanished from my sight.

Wait!! Philo...what?? Philophobia?? What the hell is this word? Who says such majestic and grand words these days? What the hell does it mean?

A phone swiftly swayed near my eyes. I read the screen, “Philophobia is the fear of falling in love. A negative aspect of this fear of being in love or falling in love is that it keeps a person in solitude.”

I looked at the hand that made its way to the person holding the phone. It was Gemmy. She came to pick me up.
                                 
                                                              End.