Steve and Mary

Boy and Girl

Chapter 1: Mary and Steve

"Hey Mary! Can you keep this book there ?" asked Steve in his yet to become a man - tone of early fifteen. Blushed been spoken to, Mary, fasten the book from his hand and kept the book over the nearby table.

"Dude ! the table is right there! You could've kept the book yourself! - Oi! Miranda say something" said Hinas his buddy from the school.

Miranda kept mum keeping to her books. 

"Hinas, shut up and do your homework" barked steve trying not to look from Mary.

Mary blushed more.

"Hey Steve, I'm going to meet Mrs. Melody's home this weekend. Would you like to join us?" asked Mary.

"Of course,! wait, what! Us? who's us?" said Steve annoyingly.

"Well, Miranda and Hinas are coming. we are planning to visit Mrs. Melody's home for her birthday party- actually it's just us invited to the party." explained Mary.

"Oh... Hinas and Miranda?" Steve striked an angry look at the laughing Hinas and Miranda "so its just 'Us' then. When are we leaving?".

"Tomorrow at 11 AM, meet us near the park, oh and hey Steve! I'm wearing blue tomorrow" blushed Mary.

"Blue it is !! " said Steve.

All four of them gathered near the park at 11 AM the following Sunday morning. 

"Oi Steve ! I'm here" shouted Hinas sitting in a tree.

Steve and Miranda walked toward him.

"Where's Mary ?" asked Steve.

Hinas Shrugged. Meanwhile, Mary entered the park gates. 

Steve noticed and ran toward her and took her hands. She blushed red and try to get loose from his hands, but his grip is too strong and gentle at the same time. She felt people looking at them and couldn't control her blushing and her face go more red. Both Steve and Mary never expressed their feelings about each other. Mary is a year elder to Steve. Even when some one bring up the topic that she is elder. Steve had the guts to say "Well its her fault to be born earlier than me. Not mine." It some how seemed to convince Mary as well. She never cease to steal a look at him whenever possible. 

All four of them reached Mrs. Melody's house. She was waiting for them, preparing lunch. The party was surprisingly playful, and not as Steve expected, he definitely believed it turn out to be a tea party with a bunch of kindergartners. All of them enjoyed their stay with their teacher. Steve enjoyed the most, he played basketball, talk to Mary, play card game, talk again to Mary, beat Hinas, Make Mary blush, help Mrs.Melody for the party, almost kiss Mary, try to run away from Miranda, Hold Mary's hand, Eat and dance, get close to Mary. It was almost as Steve went on a date with Mary rather than a birthday party for Mrs. Melody. It was fun all together for Steve.

Steve was expecting to spend some more time together with Mary. But Miranda finally over her limit crossed her eye with Steve and he understood. The party has reached its end. Miranda is the only one who can keep Steve at bay when he is so... let's say enthusiastic.

They left late that evening. Hinas and Miranda walking in the front, Steve still refusing to leave Mary's hands. They reached Mary's house. Mary stood said good bye and watched them leave. Her eyes and heart painfully following Steve.

Steve couldn't even dreamt in his wildest dreams that would be the last day he would ever saw Mary. Mary being a year elder had to moved out of town to pursue higher education. 

As an untold feeling and the first ever bloom of love still lingering in the bottom of his heart, Mary's face and her voice stayed with Steve in his memory forever.

Chapter 2: Mary's Good Bye

Later that night after Steve, Hinas and Miranda left her house. Mary went straight to her room. Crying her eyes out. She couldn't bear the thought that she can't see Steve anymore. It was already difficult for Mary, to not express her feelings for Steve, with others around always pointing that she is elder than him. She knows deep down she likes him, but she just couldn't muster the courage to confront her own feelings. 

Even though she likes the way he looks at her, the way his voice sound when he's calling her name, the way he treats her like a girl his age, the way he thinks that she belongs to him, the way his attention never waiver from her. Steve is more in to her than she imagined. 

The thoughts of that big stupid dumb head who does not care in the slightest, what others say about them, is rooted deeper into her heart.

One thing she liked and hated at the same time about him is, How can he be so THICK about their relationship and act like if its NORMAL. 

Their love is not Normal or Common is it? 

She is elder. E-L-D-E-R. PERIOD. 

He should atleast say words of comfort to her, if he really cared how she felt. When someone says something about them, he is supposed to react to them or in the least, he should show some signs of it. He doesn't care about me, does he?

At the very moment, a thought strike through her heart. "I can no longer see him". Her eyes filled with tears and all her false anger melting and her heart longing to see his face one more time to sketch his face deep into her heart, one last time.

Her heart cried " Just one last time,please let me see him one last time". 

But her brain denied her plea with reason "No,you can't. you have to leave. He is younger and you cannot spoil his future. you have to act mature. He will find some one his age, his young mind will adapt, he will change"

With that, her mind clearly won the battle. She killed her already bleeding heart and got ready to move to the city. 

Chapter 3: After 10 long years - Steve

(alarm beeps)

"Crap, I'm late for work again" 

[noises of getting dressed up]

"Mr. Polaski is going to kill me"

[Sprinting across the street]

"Run Stevey Run... excuse me.. excuse me... coming through!"

[Pushes the building door.]

"Hey Paul! Is the boss here yet?!" asked Steve.

" Yes he is and you are going to get ****** buddy" shouted Paul.

" No, this time it's his turn. Come watch it's free." Steve shouting back.

"Hey! hold the lift"

He entered the elevator and to his side. There stood a very familiar girl.

"Thanks!" he muttered staring awkward at the girl. He was pretty sure he saw her somewhere and couldn't seem to find exactly where. It was her short figure and blond hair and eyes and skin complexion, which felt too familiar. He couldn't Stop the urge to hold her hands. He could be wrong and may land in trouble if he did hold hands of an unknown person.

At the exact moment, the lift door opened and his boss was waiting. 

"Ah, Welcome !! Welcome. I hope you didn't have any trouble finding the office. I'm really sorry I couldn't come down to receive you. I had to prepare here."

His boss's voice was too formal and silky for some reason. Steve was not sure what exactly was happening. Is he being nice or is he mocking him? Probably the latter.

Steve braced for impact. He opened his mouth to speak. 

"No Mr. Polaski," he spoke but for some reason, his voice sounded like a woman. 

"it's quite alright. Thank you!"

It was not his voice, instead of the woman standing next to him. She got off the elevator and shook hands with Polaski. They both were discussing in a formal tone with Steve staring right at them.

Mr.Polaski eyes turned towards Steve.

"Are you not supposed to be at your desk Steve.?" 

Steve nodded and went inside the office.

All afternoon he was thinking about the girl. She may be 24 years old, pretty eyes, blond hair, short, nice cheeks, pretty skin complexion too.(whistling) what a girl.!!! But something is missing. Steve was pretty sure he had seen her somewhere, but where? where? where?

There was a distant sound of his manager Mr.Polaski speaking to the staff.

Steve couldn't hear anything, already lost in thoughts, except catching few words like New Head- Branch- Strictly- Rules- blah - blah- be on time- "Mary"- welcome. There was a sound of claps.

Mary...Mary...Mary..." MARY"

His eyes shot in the direction of the introduction. He saw the girl from the elevator.

His heart raced like an engine. His mind trying to solve the current reality. Her name is Mary. It can't be "Mary." Come on! what are the odds of seeing his.... his.... ? his what? Steve and Mary never expressed but they only understood what each other felt.

It was 10 years ago. She probably wouldn't even remember him. Does she.? How can he say that it is her? It could be anyone with the name Mary. It is a popular name. But he can confirm it with the last name. what was Mary's last name ? Mary Travers. Yeah. great! 

Hold on ! wait, what if she's married? Her Last name would have changed. Steve's heart sunk at the thought. 

What if she's married and not the Mary Travers he knew? Steve did not want to discover that. He did not want to interrupt her life in any way...He coffin'd all his thoughts and sank back in to his chair.

Chapter 4: After 10 long years - Mary

"Mary-you are going to be late" 

"Yes- I'm up..." replied Mary to her friend Jenifer.

[took one hour to get ready]

"Oh my god, it's 7 already. Got to rush, Thanks Jenifer"

"Mary Hold on just a second!" asked Jenifer

"What?! " Mary asked in a rush.

"You know...about the date yesterday !, he is interested in you. He likes you so much" said Jenifer

"Jenifer, I told you. I'm not ready yet. He really is a nice guy, but he's not for me" in a tone so low she barely hear herself.

"Hey ! I know you are still feeling bad about your decision of leaving that guy, what's his name again? Steve?. But the guy would have moved on. I'm sure he would've wanted you to move forward with your life as well." said Jenifer positively.

"Thanks Jenifer. I know Steve very well. He'd kill me if he saw me with another guy and I'm pretty sure that he's also waiting for me."

"How can you be so sure.?" asked Jenifer

"I just know" said Mary knowingly.

"If he's really waiting for you,then that confirms it" said Jennifer.

"Confirms what?" asked Mary

"That you guys are total Nuts" said Jenifer irritably.

Mary laughed "Yes we are !!!" and left the house.

Mary entered her new Office still thinking about the conversation this morning.

"What made me say that he'd be waiting for me.? I told myself clearly that he would grow up and he'd be moving on with his life. Am I still thinking he'd wait for me? If he really did wait, what then?"

At the exact moment, there was voice coming from the lobby.

"Hey! hold the lift."

She pushed the open button and while waiting for the voice to reach the lift. "Hold on, the voice sounds oddly familiar," she thought.

The figure arrived at the lift. Stood next to her.

"Thanks" said the voice.

She froze. There was no thoughts crossing her mind. She was totally blank. 

Next thing she knew was Mr. Polaski inviting her. She was trembling while speaking. She couldn't cross eyes with him.

Next thing she knew, she was sitting at her desk. Still Shocked and unable to do any work, she thought to take a look at the person to confirm if it was really Steve. 

To her terrible surprise, he was sitting straight opposite her desk. He seemed to be mad about something.

Chapter 5: "I'm not going to the office"

Steve didn't turn up for the office the next day. He was lying there in his bed recollecting everything that happened years ago. Thinking of Mary back at school gave him a warm feeling that he would give anything to get that back. But the new Mary, she wasn't anything like how he knew her. That way of talk and walk like the headmistress of a school. He hardly remembered her speak.  

In his dilemma to face this new Mary and how would she react after knowing that he is the Steve from High school. How would she react seeing his face, will she give friendly hug or just shrug and leave like she doesn't remember. what would she do?

He was flustered and didn't know what he would do. This wasn't like him. Why is it so hard to face her. It's not like I did anything wrong.

Then he remembered it was her who left without saying anything to us...to ME... Shr should have atleast gave a hint, that she had to continue her education. I would have waited for her. 

Truly Steve did wait for her after she left. He waited for her return till he completed school. He did have a girlfriend during college but he couldn't forget Mary and very reason made him broke up. He thought to himself that once he is out to work, he would find a girl of his life and settle down.

But he didn't expect to find the girl, he missed would come back and not certainly this way. He would have wanted to meet her in a restaurant or park or movie theatre or anyplace else. Of all the places, she has to turn up at his office as a head of the regional branches and would be stationed here in her room, exactly opposite to his desk. 

"I am not going to the office" Steve told himself.

Chapter 6: Empty Seat

Much to his own surprise, he found himself at the office door. His mind pulls him away from the office, his heart is not going to lose the battle again. His own body doesn't respond to the commands and he marched straight to his desk facing the empty seat where Mary sat the day before.

His heart sunk a bit and feeling relieved at the same time. He still doesn't work out the part how he would introduce himself. Should I grab her like I used to or should I just walk up to talk casually or should I just invite her for a cup of coffee? The possibilities are endless and he doesn't seems to come to a conclusion.

But when things are more complicated he always let his heart workout the remaining. This time he decided he would do the same.

At the exact moment, Mary entered the office. People were greeting their regional head. She was slowly moving towards her room. She found Steve, unable to look, she tried to walk a little faster. For some reason her legs are giving up. She reached her desk. 

She was not sure if it was her imagination or a daydream, it looks like Steve is looking at her. She diverted her vision , avoided line of sight, turn around, look at the file... For the whole day, whenever she peaked, he was looking straight at her. 

It was 5 already. She got up to leave. She looked up but Steve's seat was empty. Well she was not expecting anything. It was not like Steve found who she was and he's going to held her in his arms again. Like how they used to sit in the park or play or simply talk. All these thoughts made her forget that she's been standing for 5 minutes without leaving.

She took one last look at the empty seat and left the office.

She started walking, She felt great pain. That empty seat was too painful to watch. It was too painful as the day she left him. Though he was there the whole day looking at her, she couldn't forgive him for not being with her when she left the office. 

'This is just stupid, Mary" - her mind reminding her. 

"He doesn't know who you are… even then you expect him to look at you.? 

Just think. If he looks at you now, not knowing you are Mary. Will you be fine. ?

Doesn't that mean he looking at some other girl and the Not Mary.'"

She definitely didn't want that. 

"I don't want him looking at other girls. It makes me feel weird and angry". she murmured to herself.

"You know talking to yourself is the first stage of going crazy" a voice behind her.

Final Chapter 7: I love you

Mary turned around, her head down unable to look at him. she wasn't surprised. she exactly knows who's standing behind her. 

Steve's looking at her. His heart decided he's not going to waste any more time.

Both knew what is exactly going through each other's mind.

She leaned forward on his chest. He stepped closer holding her in to warm hug. 

Tears started flowing down both their eyes. It is the pain again but this pain somehow seems to heal their heart. It was the pain of missing each other for a long time. 

Like a gentle breeze, flowing water, just rained earth, warm fire, free sky, everything seemed so light and fresh around them.

Slowly, very slowly the pain faded and started filling their heart with happiness. 

The happiness filled their heart. It overflowed. The love knew no bound. It flowed all around them. Filled the streets, buildings, trees, birds.

They knew nothing happening around them.

Mary wiped her tears. Looked at his eyes. she murmured: Sorry.

Steve: I know.

..............

I Love you 

..............