29

HOPE WELLINGTON

I was hungry, and I realised that when food was kept before me. I don't know why it is our first instinct as humans, that whenever we are sad/angry or depressed, we are quick to abandon food, even when it is a necessity. It was way past midnight, but my growling stomach knew nothing about it. We can definitely cheat on few days, especially when it comes to food.

This restaurant was a high end in Rome, but served authentic Italian pasta, I can safely say the best pasta in the whole world. And I was cherishing every bit of it.

"I know food is good, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't look at me."

I spared him a glance and then looked away. I may be back here, and I understand his reasons all too well. Aurelio was manipulative and he was vulnerable, because it was about Venus. But my heart isn't ready to accept this. It is like I have realised that nothing but heartbreak would come for me. The night I left, I was feeling very heavy, like the weight of the world is bestowed upon me. But then I realised, how can I let any man dictate my actions? Not that he was doing it intentionally. It has happened with me before too. When I left school, wasting my year long progress, because I couldn't take the fact that he won't love me. And then I regretted because that proved I am a coward. For once I believed I am no more that girl, but time and circumstances proved me wrong.

I looked up at him, "I am sorry."

"Huh? Why are you sorry?"

I took a deep breath and rested the spoon in my hands, "I am sorry for leaving so abruptly. I'll be more cautious now. I know I am equally responsible for Oliver, and it's a huge commitment. But I.."

"You don't get it, do you?", his question puts a stop to my words and I look at him curious. Taking that as a cue, he continues, "I am not a fool Hope. And you may think of me as some random over friendly dude, but this dude knows you since years. I saw you first when you got admitted in school. You were hard not to notice. And then the day I protected you from those chipmunks, that was the very day I felt a protective instinct for a woman, who wasn't family. That was a new thing for me. Very new. And then, as I got to know you, that instinct turned into a pledge. So imagine what failure i would have felt when you left all of a sudden. From school that is. I have not told you this- but I searched for you, in the whole California for about a two and a half month. My search stopped when James got me an information that you had applied for a transfer certificate and the reason was you preferring to live with your parents.
Your sudden disappearance scarred me bad. And it didn't hit me suddenly. I felt occasional spells of missing you badly. For years to be exact. No contacts. No messages. No notes. I even planned to fight with you whenever in life I see you again. But then life made me mature, and I realised you had your own reasons. The resentment died, but the longing was always there. You know, the night two days ago, when I felt the bed for you and you weren't there, it all hit me again. I felt as if you left school again. Like I wouldn't find you this time too."

I was left speechless at his monologue. I had nothing to say. But I definitely had one question to ponder- Why did I never think my leaving could leave as big an impact on him as it did on me? Why did the possibility never crossed my mind? My appetite was gone, and he definitely noticed it.

His eyes were a little hesitant now, probably because of opening up. And they consistently shifted between me and my plate. When he had enough of me being an idiot, he shifted his chair closer to me, picked up my spoon and shoved some pasta in my mouth.

My attention was surely diverted and my heart- hyper aware of his actions. I was still processing the newfound information, and he was 'kind' enough to feed me food like I was one like Oliver. I wanted to kick myself for feeling bad when my plate was finally clean. Have some ego Hope! You need to fight with this man, not go gaga on his antics!

I remained quiet even after we returned, and he didn't pester me much after sometime because he was really sleepy due to the effects of his medicines.

But when I got into bed, he pulled me towards himself by my hand, "I am sleepy but don't dare leave this bed before me Hope! Or I'll kill you by cutting you into small pieces."

His threat really made me still, and I looked at him questioningly, "You know you are practically threatening me?"

He nodded and yawned, holding me tight, "If you want to lie here decently, fine by me. And If you don't, I might just go to a sex toy shop and bring handcuffs for you."

I looked away from him, cursing under my breath, "I hate you David Wellington!"

He hummed, "I love you tooooo..."

*

Erica laughed, "You should have seen him Hope. He was getting so hyper seeing your pictures with Louis! Even after I explained him that he is just a friend."

"Did you do just that?"

My dear friend shook her head innocently, "I might have mentioned a bit about your chemistry with Louis. And a bit about the rumours of you and Louis dating."

I sighed, "You know he doesn't care."

She looked at me bored, "If he doesn't care, then why was he asking about Louis to you?"

"You know Erica? David even asked me to inform him if I meet my 'lover boy' and want to settle down with him."

That made her laugh, "Tell him that you are already settled with him."

Like it's that easy!

Oliver wiggled in my lap as his bottle finished. I looked down at him and took his bottle placing it on the table.

Rubbing his stomach, i playfully asked, "Tummy full?"

He nodded, "Fuuull" "Ummy fullll."

"He's saying more words this day.", i commented looking at Erica.

She nodded, "These days, he's catching every word and even saying it here and there. I read yesterday that for boys this is the appropriate time to learn words. Girls are a bit faster compared to them."

"So my Strawberry?", I turned to him, and asked, "Tell me the new words that you have learned?"

He looked at me, puzzled clearly not understanding what I said.

By that time, David came back in the dining room as his call was probably done with. And at the same time, Eric came from the kitchen, "Hope? Erica? C'mon the lunch is done? Olive? You too."

We all noticed he ignored David, but I guess it would have been an even more serious thing if he hadn't.

Oliver forwarded his hand towards him, and he smilingly came forward and took him, "What is this little devil going to eat?"

"Pattaaaa!"(Pasta!), he exclaimed loudly making us all chuckle. Seeing us all laughing and enjoying, he got encouraged even further and started saying random works.

"Tain!"(Train), "Olii baboy!"(Oli bad boy), "Nonnoo!"(Nonna),
And last but not the least, "Puck u Dadda!"

We all were laughing at his antics but stopped abruptly when we heard him say this. Seeing us all shocked made him grin wide and he looked at David, "Puck u Dadda!"

Only Eric was looking at him with a proud smile, like his son has just won a Grammy and dedicated to him.

"C'mon Papa will feed you chocolates!", and then the pair of demon went towards the kitchen.

"I am not going to leave Eric this time. He needs to know you can't teach an innocent baby such things."

"When is Eve going to speak?", David asked looking at us. I could see he wasn't offended, may be because that was his way of accepting Eric's retaliation.

"Don't worry she'll speak earlier.", I told him, as we all moved towards the dining table.

*

"Jacob Robinson you said?", I asked Rebecca.

She nodded, "Yes. He's the same guy who was recommended by Mr. Hills. He had a good CV and his personality was examined. He's just fine to deal with sportspersons. He will be able to understand their circumstances and manipulate conditions accordingly."

"Okay fine...it's his first day today? Tell him to meet me. Also schedule a meeting with the basketball team coach. He was really desperate about the solution."

An hour later, a man entered the room, after i permitted to come in. As he came and took a seat before me, I greeted him. I could see some recognition on his face, as if he was expecting me to acknowledge him. And like the name, the face looked familiar too. I don't know but he looked like a blast from the past.

I took his CV and started going through it.

"What can you provide my company Mr.Robinson?", I asked gliding my eyes on the papers before me.

But before he could answer, my fingers stopped at the name of his school. And then I looked at his year of passing to confirm my doubt.

Jacob Robinson.

The same guy who had a fight with David when he was bullying me, and David tried to protect me.

Wow.

*

DAVID WELLINGTON

My phone was vibrating viciously when I woke up from my little nap. I swear I sleep more than this one year old devil. Making him sleep, is more like making myself sleep while allowing him to fall asleep on his own.

I sat properly and carefully because he was sleeping just beside me.

And then I saw it was Hailey, Hope's mother calling.

I moved out of the room and recieved the call.

"Hello Hailey Bailey!", I called out playfully only for her to laugh.

"Hi Mr. Hope Ricci!", Wow. My mother in law has some great comebacks.

"What's up? You left Georgia yet?"

Hope's parents were shifting here in Italy, at Hailey's hometown because Georgia was too far and both Harry and Hope were apparently begging them to do so from years. Edward's parents were based in Georgia and Hailey went to live with them after marriage. But now, with Edward's parents dead, there was no point staying there. They were keeping the house for the sake of memories, but other than that, now they will live here.

They had wanted to buy a house, a real house for that matter, and would for now settle in Hope's penthouse.

"I have already reached dear. And I have a box of Hope's stuff, which she specifically asked to be picked. I don't know if she wants to keep them here or in your place."

"Ofcourse in my place Hailey!", I said immediately, "Because my place is now hers. I was thinking about selling her penthouse and then buying her a necklace with that money. But since you are staying, I'll let it be under her name."

That made her laugh, but she must know I was damn serious.

I couldn't imagine Hope going anywhere, not today, not tomorrow.

"So? How do I deliver her box? She's probably at her office, ignoring her mother's phone like always.", She huffed.

"Don't worry. Since your daughter is so negligent towards you, me and Oliver would come and fill her place. He's sleeping right now, but as soon as he wakes up, I'll bring him over."

As his father, i would like him to get acquainted well, with both sides of his family because it is very important for his overall growth. Since I have missed a lot, I'd like him to not miss anything.

And so when he woke up, I packed his little luggage, "You want to go to your Nonno and Nana?"

Seeing his bag being packed, he got excited, and nodded his head a little too many times.

I shook my head, and fed him his gooey sticky baby formula. Once he was well fed, I left Hope a message that we are going at her previous penthouse and if she gets free earlier than expected then she can join us there.

"You know behave well, and don't whine when Hailey pulls your cheeks. You know she's Hope's mother? You should leave a good impression on her."

He was alternatively moving his head, listening to me, while not wanting to miss the scenery outside the car. I bet he knew nothing about what I was saying, but since I was taking Hope's name again and again, he was trying to pay attention.

Today morning, Hope spent an hour explaining how 'Puck you Dadda' is a bad thing to say, and that he won't be a good boy if he says it again. I hope he doesn't say that again, but I know he may be my little sperm, but he is still that devil's spawn. And however much i despise that fact, I can't do shit about it. He's always going to love his Papa a little more than his Dadda.

We were warmly welcomed by Hailey and Edward. After a long conversation, and after Oliver put on his show for his new viewers, showing off his tactics, while I sat back like a proud father. I received a message from Hope that she will come here directly.

When I saw Oliver getting busy with some new toys that they brought with them, I stood up and looked at Hailey, "Tell me where is Hope's stuff? I shall get it all packed before she comes."

She stood smilingly and took me to the room where some boxes were kept.
"This is all her stuff. I have brought it here as it was kept there. God knows how much useless stuff she owns. Now, you see what is important and what is not... Whatever you will keep as waste I'd get her to check it once before throwing."

That way, her work would be greatly reduced. And I hope so. She has a problem with me littering around. I will do this then throw it on her face about how efficient and kind I am.

She left and I went in to get on to the work. And after a ten minutes, i realised Hailey was absolutely correct. Hope owned a lot of useless stuff.

What is the point of a broken tea cup, kept in a transparent pouch like it was some murder evidence. Also, she has lot of small clothes, I guess when she was somewhere in her toddler age. The clothes were adorable so I kept them in the good section. She had a lot many books too, a set of answer copies where she scored full. Then I moved to another set of things where a hoodie was kept neatly folded. It looked familiar but I kept it aside. And then I saw a few pictures kept in an envelope.

These were from school because I could see a picture of me, her and Eric. It was from a sports day, where she was supporting our team. Eric looked bored, like always. And I was grinning, again like always. And she, she was gently smiling at the camera.

Next picture was the same setting, same picture. Only the difference was I had my arm around her shoulder, and her smile was gone, eyes wide and a red blush on her cheeks. Eric was looking at me with like he was done here. He literally was. Because I remember him leaving me alone after that.

Another picture looked like it was taken from a phone camera, where I was sprawled on her bed, sleeping, with my hair all over the place. I remember she was very happy after clicking an 'ugly' picture of mine. And I can see her happiness as she got it printed. I chuckled at her antics and moved to another picture.

It was from her birthday. She was far from her mother, and her father had just died before she entered the school. I knew this day would be heavy for her, so I arranged a little party for her. She was surprised for sure. And I recall it as the first time she ever hugged me.

Another picture was of her smiling at the camera, the camera being in my own hands because I clearly remember taking this picture. She was beautiful for sure. A majority of boys were behind her, some as admirers, some as bullies. Bullies were the ones who did not want to admit that they liked an extraordinary looking girl. Because she was clearly out of league for a majority of them.

Then there were some pictures of her dad, of Edward and Hailey, of her as a baby, and ofcourse of hers and of Harry.

As I kept the pictures in the box labelled important, I picked up another thing that was a sketch book.

The first sketch was of a guy looking confusedly at his book, and a pen scratching his head. Looks like some fool. Then there was a basketball, drawn in all its perfect shades. Next one was a basket, and then a guy standing far from it, pointing the ball on it.

Then there was a tangled earphone, that speaker having a D and a W written on it. I was about to turn the page, when my thoughts suddenly halted.

DW? That is David Wellington. I had an earphone of this sort. Back then, I had an obsession of engraving everything with my initials. This was the same. She drew this!?

And then another thought struck me and I looked at the hoodie that I kept aside, the light blue and white one. I unfold it and find the same DW engraved near the neck. This is mine. And then a memory struck me.

*

I was calling her from the morning, and it was late afternoon now. I even went to her department to see if she came to attend the classes but she didn't. She even missed the mathematics class. And today that class was unbearable for me. It is another type of fun to irritate and disturb her as she solved those vicious problems. She even scolded me a lot many times about how I don't focus on classes, and that is why I face problem in solving the problems.

"Should I go to her dorms?"

Eric wore his jacket, and went for the shoes, "She is not the only girl who lives in dorms."

"I am not scared of other girls."

"You are. The deer doesn't go in the lion's den."

I sighed, "But I am getting worried."

"Don't you have her roommates' number?"

I shook my head, "Her roommate is a senior. And she's almost always out with her boyfriend."

He looked at me for a few moments, and then left the room.

Ours was a well furnished apartment, a little far from the school and the dorms, but cool enough.

An hour later, he came back and threw a set of keys on me.

"Ouch! What is this?"

"The keys of her dorms."

My eyes widened at that, "Eric! What sneaky shit did you do to get her keys??"

He looked at me bored, "I asked Hunter to threaten her roommate and get the keys."

Hunter was our bodyguard, assigned by James to take care of us.

"You know Hunter is our bodyguard, not our goon."

"Same thing."

I rolled my eyes and prepared myself to sneak into her dorm room. I was a hypocrite. I knew.

"Don't get caught. And if you do, don't call me."

"Okay honey. I'll surely call you at the smallest of inconvenience."

-

After a long walk, and making about thousand calls to Eric, I reached her room but was unsuccessful in finding her because she wasn't there. That worried me more. What if those bullies did something serious to her!?

I then thought of the lake side that I often saw her sitting at and scribbling things on her notebook. But it was drizzling right now. She wouldn't be sitting there. It's not a good time as the sun was already down. It wasn't practical but I still went ahead to clear my doubt.

The light drizzle was on, and my eyes widened in shock when I saw her sitting hunched on her usual bench. Is she sleeping?

I went closer and saw her move a little. I went even closer and stood next to her.

"Hopeless? What are you doing here?"

She looked up, startled at my sudden appearance. Her hairs were sticking to her face, her pony very loose. She looked dishelved and her eyes were red. It wasn't hard to guess what happened.

"Hope? You were crying."

I immediately sat beside her and took her face in my hands.

That brought more tears in her eyes and she started crying, making me feel a strange ache in my heart.

"Please don't cry!", I tried to convince her, and hugged her. She immediately reciprocated and held me tight. After crying for a ten minutes, she finally gained her composure and sat properly.

"Why were you crying? Did someone hurt you? Those chipmunks?"

She shook her head, and a cloud of distress surrounded her, "My dad. It's..It's one year since he left us."

As much as I wanted to console her and say 'its okay this is life', i could not. Because I have myself felt the loss of my parents, even when James and Jessica tried their best.

I looked at her, and took her hand in mine.

"My parents. I don't even know when I last saw them. I don't remember them at all. You know you should use this day to cherish his memories instead. Celebrate his life. Think of him. Talk about him. And I am telling you this, because I can't even do that."

That moment we connected. I saw admiration shining in her eyes, and I knew I'd never be able to see her sad and survive.

I removed my hoodie and made her wear it over her flimsy white top. Then we walked back to her dorm room, and i stayed there over the night, making sure she keeps on talking to me. The next day when I returned and narrated it all to Eric, he only said one thing to me.

"Don't hurt her with your recklessness. She already has a weight to carry."

*

-----

Hi all,
Your writer here.

The update got delayed because I got busy in something. That something was a little achievement. You can see me crossing a very big hurdle in the journey of fulfilling my dreams. It seems like the last two years of hard work started making sense. Although I have a lot to accomplish right now, and plenty more hard work to put. But this success, however little, had made me beyond happy. With a new spirit now, I shall continue with everything. Thank you for your patience and support. It means a lot more than I can express here in words.

Next update will be in two days.