The Dream - Part 5

Chapter 5

Date Me

I slowly opened the door a little and peeped inside to check whether Steve was inside or not. Suddenly someone tapped on my shoulder, I didn’t pay any attention to it. Again there was a tap, this time I softly jerked my shoulder to remove the hand without realising who was at the back. This time a face crept in, over my shoulder and asked very softly “Are you looking for someone?” That time I finally realised that someone was standing behind me and watching me. I looked at the face from the corner of my eyes without turning my face. Oh my God! It was Steve. I was shocked to see him beside me and lost my balance, was about to fall. He suddenly caught me from my waist and saved me from falling. His face was just 2-3 inch apart from mines. His eyes were deep and intense. Oh my so cute small nose and his lips…. Kathy buzz off what the hell are you thinking now.

“Are you Ok? Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.” He said.

“Ahh. I’m fine. No..no no problem.” I replied clumsily while removing his hands from my waist.

“What were you doing?” He asked smilingly.

Damn, why was he behind me? What should I say? I am screwed. “Oh! That ….. I was looking for my earring.” I said with I’m innocent smile. He smiled back and said “Let me help you.” “No no No, not required I think I lost it at home I would check there.” I hastily replied and went inside. Steve followed me.

Damn, yesterday I agreed to go out with him and today … Oh man I’m dead. He is too sweet, and I cannot stand such sugary person. Then why the hell did I agree. Dad did you cast a spell from above.

“Kathy, this is for you?” Andrew forwarded an envelope.

“Me?” I asked surprisingly while taking it. I moved to my desk and kept my purse on the table. I opened the envelope. Again there was two newspaper cuttings, but this time a letter was also in it. The letter was quite weird. It stated:

Only you would know what to do. And only you can do this. Just trust yourself, because our hopes are on you. You would do it. I know.

Love,

Magicman

“Magicman? Who is that?” Andrew asked. “I don’t know.” I answered confusingly staring at the letter. “What are you going to do?” asked Steve with a concern. “I’m not sure. What am I supposed to do? It’s the third envelope I have received. But none of them make a sense.” I said and took all of them out from my drawer.

Eight newspaper cuttings. Two about some disease, three about the elections 8 years ago and rest three was about an agriculturist. I gave a puzzled and curios look to Steve and was about to ask his help. Suddenly I realised that it would be a bad idea. No ways. “I would think on this. Let’s think of the cases scheduled this week.” I said assertively. “Any other cases for us?” I asked Andrew. “Yes, a minor supplying drug was caught, his parents would be meeting you today. And Steve, attorney Shin wants you to assist in a murder case, it’s a jury trial.” He answered.

Wow, I solved so many cases and murder cases are always in his kitty. Old man dare not come in my sight today else you are dead.

Day was quite tiring today. But as we were winding up, I was worried about my date tomorrow. I thought if I slip out quietly without being noticed, I can make an excuse for tomorrow. When Steve went out for taking some photocopies from the nearby office, as ours was not working. I stepped out. I sighed out of relief. And started to walk comfortably, when a voice stopped me. “Attorney Browns.” Oh god it was Steve. How did he managed to come out so fast? What should I do? I turned towards him with fake smile trying to cover up. He smiled at me and slowly walked towards me.

“You don’t have to run from me. If you are this uncomfortable, let’s not go out then. It was stupid of me to suddenly ask you like that. You should have rejected it in first place.” Steve said. Oh no, he figured out everything. Was I so obvious? How could I do this? “Steve..” I was trying to explain but he cut me off. “It’s ok, I understand how you felt. But I would be glad if you can become comfortable with me like before.” He smiled and walked away. Ahh! Really you are an idiot Kathy. What should I do?

“Steve..” I called him. He stopped and turned towards me. I walked towards him aggressively. “I like action movies and shrimps are my favourite. And fountain show with ice cream. And dare not come like this. If you do, I don’t know you.” I said in a single breath and crossed him. He looked startled. “And dare not wear these grandpa specs. Ok.” I came back and added up. He stood there smiling while I walked up to the bus stop. I don’t believe I said this. Ahh!! I agreed to be his date.

Afternoon at one, I got a text from Steve. ‘Movie starts at three, when should I pick you up?’ ‘Send me the address I would reach the venue on time.’ I replied. What should I wear? It’s Steve what does it matter. Still I have a pride as a girl. No matter with whom I am going I should look the best. But if I dress up well, would he not misunderstand. God, what do I do? I took shower and finally picked a pink sleeve less shirt, with a white floral skirt till knees. It’s my dad’s last gift to me. A perfect outing dress. I reached theatre about half an hour before the movie. I was looking for Steve but couldn’t find him. I texted him asking where he was. “I would be there in 10 minutes.” Was his reply. 10 minutes, 10 minutes. Calling a girl out for date and being late himself. I should not have agreed to come. How insulting? 15 minutes passed but there was no sign of him. I was boiling with rage. So I decided to leave. I was heading towards the door, when I saw a guy running in with a bouquet in hand. He was wearing a white jeans with a blue-white striped T-shirt and a white coat. He looked quite handsome from far, lucky girl who so ever is going to receive the bouquet. The man was looking for someone and then suddenly he turned towards my direction and ran towards me.

“Sorry, I’m late.” That man said as he stood in front of with his head down and arms resting on his knees. He was out of breath because of running. I looked around to see to whom actually he is speaking to, but there was no one near me. “Excuse me, I think you got the wrong person.” I said and was about to leave when he caught my wrist. “You didn’t say that you would not recognise me if I was late.” That man said and slowly raised his head. Oh my God. “Steve!!” I exclaimed in surprise.

His smile confirmed that it was him. What a transformation! I was speechless for few seconds and was staring at him.

“This is for you.” He offered the flowers to me. I took it, but I was still in shock. “Let’s go in, else we would miss the start.” He said and grabbed my hand and rushed towards the hall. While watching the movie, my mind was focusing more on him than on movie. What spell did he cast to change like this? Am I dreaming? I pinched myself twice to confirm it’s not a dream. He caught me a few times while I was staring at him. “Am I looking so good that you cannot take off your eyes off me?” He jokingly said looking into my eyes. I was so embarrassed that I turned my face and didn’t look at him even once after that.

“Come let’s eat something, what do you want to eat?” Steve asked as we were heading out of the theatre. “Anything would do?” I replied. “You said you like shrimps, right?” He asked. I nodded in yes. “I know exactly where to go?” He said and grabbed my hand and started to run. After 20 mins of running we reached central park. He looked here and there for a couple of mins and then dragged me again. Finally he made me sit on a bench and asked me to wait for 10 mins and ran back. Once he left and I looked the view in front of me, I was mesmerised. I was sitting in front of the lake that’s at one end of the park. There were a lot of birds at one end of lake, probably drinking water before they fly back to their nests. There were quite a few lilies in the lake as well. While I was completely lost in the beauty of the place, Steve came and sat by my side.

“Here you go?” He handed me a food packet. I opened it. “Fried Shrimps, I have not eaten shrimps for ages it seems.” I cried out like a small child. Steve smiled as he saw me gallop a couple of shrimps at one go. Shrimps is one of those things that make me lose my so called girl pride. “Look at you, is it your last meal in this world?” Steve laugh

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ed and asked. Hearing that made me realised that I was on a date and my mouth is stuffed with shrimps. Man, how can I be like this? I slowly tried to gallop what I already had stuffed in and turned my face other side because of embarrassment. He tried to look into my face jokingly and suddenly I got choked. He quickly forwarded me a soft drink he brought along and sat on his knees in front of me and patted my back.

“Oh, you should have eaten slowly. Now drink this slowly.” He affectionately patted my back. “Are you ok now?” He asked with concern. “Yes I’m.” I said slowly while swallowing the remaining shrimps in my mouth. “You scared me. Drink little more and now eat slowly.” He said caressing my hair. For a moment our eyes were locked. I suddenly changed the topic “Well the shrimps were so yummy that I couldn’t resist.” I said with a childish smile. He smiled back and sat back on the bench. We chatted for hours. Then went for the fountain show, where he got me some candies and other stuff to eat.

“What do you want to eat for dinner?” Steve asked while we were walking from the fountain show. I made faces as if I was thinking and finally spitted out the answer “Anything would do as long it has shrimps in it.” “Seriously.... You already had so many shrimps.” Steve said smilingly. I stood in front of with my hands folded and blinking my eyes just like a 5 yr kid pleading for candy. He giggled and said “Okay, Ok, Lets go then.”

After dinner he walked me home. We were just near my house when Steve suddenly grabbed my hand. “Kathy, I know that today you came with me because you felt bad for me. But you don’t have to burden yourself.” Steve said with his eyes facing the ground. I felt strange, though it was a burdensome date but all the things he did for me today made my heart flutter. Still how can I show that, it would hurt my pride wouldn’t it.

I bend down and tilted my face to look in his eyes. “All ruined, I thought I met a new version Steve but it’s all ruined.” I said with a disappointed expression. I hold his hand and told him, ”Today I didn’t come pitying you. I came for a good friend of mine who stood by my side in difficult times. It was a small bribe to keep him by my side.” I smiled with attitude. Then we both laughed. “Let’s be good friends Steve.” I said and put forth my hand to him. He smilingly shook hands with me and waved me off as I was crossing the road.

Suddenly a men from nowhere bumped into me. As I was the one looking at one direction and walking in other, I apologised “Sorry, I was looking ….”. “If you don’t want to be sorry for your rest of life don’t you dare come in our way” The man threatened me. That man was strange and more stranger were his words. “What?” I said in surprise. “Oh so you don’t get it, let me make it easier for you. If you want to live handover all the proofs you have or else you would end up like your father.” He said. What the hell was going on? Why in the world such strange things are going on with me. And how the hell is my dad related to him.

I tried to walk away but the man caught hold my hand. “So, you would not listen to me. You are stubborn like your father.” He said with a witty smiling tone. “I think you got a wrong person mister. I don’t even know what you are talking about. So let go.” I said and tried to get my hand off his hold. While I was struggling to get away from him he suddenly slapped me hard. I was stunned for a moment but then again I tried to get him off me and this time harder. He again raised his hand to beat me but Steve blocked him and punched him. Steve made me stand aside and then he went back to fight with the guy. I was so terrified that I was trembling. Steve was able to chase off that man.

Steve turned towards me and smiled. His mouth was bleeding. He was coming towards me, I was about 3-5 feet away from him. Suddenly his smile disappeared, he looked at me as if something more terrible was to come. I followed his gaze, it was a truck that was approaching me. It was so close that I didn’t knew what should I do? I was frozen seeing it come towards me. Dad is it the end for me? Why did that man come to see me? What is going on? What did you hide from me? Were you killed? No use now, I won’t be able to find answer to a single question. I closed my eyes thinking this was my end. Suddenly I felt someone dragged me from that spot. We both rolled down on the road.

I was dizzy, I opened my eyes slightly. Dad, is it you? “Attorney Brown, are you okay?” Oh it’s Steve. He tried to get me to senses and continuously asked was I okay. The only words that came out from my mouth before I lost my consciousness were “Dad, don’t go.”

A slight streak of light appeared in front of my eyes. I could hear few noises but couldn’t see anything, it’s too bright. I covered my eyes with my hand. Laughter of a young girl, “Daddy, catch me, I’m faster than you?”

“Ah, so you think I can’t catch you, just see.”

The voices seem so familiar. I slowly tried to see who were these people? They seem familiar. Oh!!! It’s me. It’s the playground where I used to go with dad when I was young. He used to run after me pretending that he cannot catch me. I would make him run through the entire playground.

“Wait Kathy, daddy would catch you soon.”

“No you can’t. See daddy I run so fast.”

I was running, looking behind at my dad. I didn’t realise that there was a stone in the way and I feel off. I started to cry. Dad came to me and picked me up. “Kathy are you ok?” he said while wiping off the dirt from my dress. “You are ok dear?” He asked again. “Daddy, it hurts.” I replied in tears showing him my elbow that was scratched. “Show me, ouch my Kathy is hurt. Let daddy cast a magic for you.” He wiped my tears and took out his handkerchief and dressed wound with that. “Here goes the spell.” He muttered some words and kissed my elbow. “And now when we would take it off tomorrow it would all go away.” He said smiling at me. “Really??” I asked. He took me in his arms and said “Really, but if you cry it won’t. So you won’t cry promise me.” He said. I made a pinky promise. “Kathy just remember one thing whenever you fall, dad’s magic spell will heal everything if you don’t cry and stand up again, Ok.” He caressed my hair and kissed my forehead. “Let’s go home now. Dad will carry you on shoulders today.”

And there we go happily. Dad, I miss your magic spell. And slowly everything became hazy again in front of my eyes. Again I could hear some voices this time it was somebody else. I slowly opened my eyes. It was Steve. He seemed much tensed. “Attorney Brown, are you OK? Can you see me?” He asked. “Attorney Brown can you hear me?”

“How can I not, if you are so loud.” I said jokingly and was trying to get up. “Don’t even think of moving.” Steve warned me and forcefully laid me back. “Doctors said that you need to rest.” He said. “I’m OK Steve, Are you fine?” I asked. “I’m perfectly fine.” He said, trying to hide his hand. I got up and sat on the bed. “Show me your hand.” I insisted. “It’s nothing.” He tried to avoid. “Oh, doctor.” I exclaimed which made him turn back and I quickly grabbed his hand. His arm was bleeding. I slowly moved his T-shirt a little up, he had a deep cut. I remembered now that he saved me and when he dragged me out of the way of the truck, I fell with him. “Are you in your senses? See how bad it is?” I shouted. “It’s nothing.” He said casually. “Oh you are awake. Sir, now you can go for dressing. I would monitor her vitals.” She said to Steve. “Your boyfriend loves you a lot, in last 4 hours he didn’t leave your side. Not even for dressing.” She said smiling at me. Steve looked at me once,” I should get it dressed.” He said and went out hastily. He was embarrassed, I think so.

After an hour I was discharged, despite of Steve’s endless efforts to make me stay at the hospital. “I’m not letting you stay alone today. If you don’t mind stay at my place.” Steve insisted. Frankly speaking I was too scared to stay alone still I refused. I got a cab and left first. When the cab dropped me at my door step, I stared the door for few seconds and was wondering would there by anything waiting for me inside. I was not able to muster up courage to open the door.

“Can you open the door fast? It’s freezing here.” I heard a voice. I turned back and it was Steve standing across the road. He walked up to me, standing right in front of me.