Palos Heights is a wonderful place to live in. And when love blossoms, it
gets even more wonderful. I remember the evening when I was taking a
walk on the street out of my house when a limo
suddenly
came speeding towards me and came to a halt with a screeching brake.
My heart had dropped to my stomach. But before I could react, a man
in his mid-twenties stepped out of the car and started shouting at
me. “Stupid lady, can't you see?” “Can't I see?!” I shouted
back. “When the pedestrians are walking on the road, you are
supposed to drive with a little bit of road sense!” I said
annoyingly. “You were probably walking on the wrong path.” He
said in a tone even louder. But before I could react, he walked
towards his limousine, slammed the door, blew his horn and left.
“Hell with you moron!!!” I shouted as he left.
The
next day, same time when I was taking a walk on the street I heard a
dog bark loudly and I looked back. And lo and behold! It was the same
guy trailing behind his dog with a belt in his hand. “Hi!” he
waved and smiled. “Oh, its you. Do you always create nuisance in
public places?” I asked. “Why are you always in an annoyed mode?
Don't you ever smile?” he asked. “It is not that.” “Then say
hi to my buddy Pluto.” said he taking his puppy in his hands and
raising the front of his pet's leg towards me. “Hi Pluto!” said I
and caressed his fluffy back. “My name is Bobby. You can call me
bob” said he. “I am Natalie.” said I as I smiled. “Do you
live in the same street?” I asked. “Yes. I have just shifted. In
the lane next to your's, first house, extreme right.” “Okay.”
said I. Since then, we became friends. Going for a walk became a
routine. We used to talk about everything. Right from relationships
to global warming to gadgets. It was fun. I never had any friends in
the area I belonged to. Moreover, I belonged to a rich and
affluential
family and so people were prejudiced towards me. May be they thought
I had attitude problems. But I was pretty happy about the way Bob had
approached me. Although our first encounter was not so pleasant, I
was happy about the way it was going.
One
day as I was checking through my smartphone, I received a Whatsapp
message from Bob saying, “Hi Natalie! What are you upto?”
“Nothing much! I replied. Just preparing power-point
slides for my presentation at the office tomorrow.” “Can I help?”
He asked. “I wouldn't mind.” I replied. “So why don't you come
over to my home in the evening today and we make your presentation
together?” “Sure.” said I as I wasn't very prompt with making
PPTs and it was my first job experience. I visited Bob's place and
when he opened the door, for the first time, my heart fluttered. He
was wearing a purple colored T-shirt paired with grey jeans and his
hair was unkempt. I don't know what charmed me about him. His blue
eyes, his crazy ways of making me smile or his alluring talks. “Make
yourself feel at home” said he as I sat on one of the couches. “You
have a beautiful house.” I remarked. “Thanks” he said. “So
what do you do exactly? I wasn't comfortable asking you about that
all these days.” “Well, I take care of my dad's business. I own a
limo
firm in Palos Heights. We provide limousine
for wedding,
birthday parties, prom nights, concerts and more.” “Oh, is that
why you flaunt your limo on the roads?” I winked and asked. “Well,
not really. But that day, you were walking on the wrong track.”
“Lets not talk about that.” I said.
“Chef
Bob presents, Cob Salad With Buttermilk Ranch Dressing made
especially for my dear friend Natalie.” said Bob as he handed over
one of the plates in my hand. “Wow! This looks awesome.” I said.
“Tastes too. Dig in.” he said as we started having the best dish
I had ever tasted. “And what is that?” asked Bob pointing towards
the third finger on my left hand. “A ring...which binds me.” “Are
you engaged?” came the next question and the moment I was dreading.
“Unfortunately yes.” said I. “Why unfortunately? Aren't you
happy?” “Well, that's the thing with affluential families. You
don't really get to make a choice. And since I had found no one worth
marrying, I agreed.” “That is bad.” he remarked. “All is well
that ends well.” I said. “When is the big show happening?”
“Don't call it a show, it is going to be a huge, grand wedding!”
“Same” he said. “So whom exactly are you cheating on? Him, your
parents or yourself?” “None. Lets not talk about it Bob” I
exclaimed. “Okay. Brief me about your presentation, and I make it
in half an hour while you relax.” said Bob opening my laptop. I
briefed him about the same and sat across the couch watching him make
the presentation. The turquoise blue pupils of his eyes were moving
rapidly on the screen of my laptop and while looking at them, I was
wondering, why on the earth did I get engaged. “And we are done!”
said Bob in 20 minutes. “Wow! That was pretty fast. Thanks a lot”
said I. “No problem. It was my pleasure.” said Bob. “Okay then,
should I leave now?” “Why don't you stay over tonight?” he
asked. “No.” I said. “I need to go through the PPT and catch up
with some sleep for my presentation the next day.” “Fine, no
pressure. Wait, I will walk with you and drop you to your house.”
It was a beautiful starry night with the aroma of cherry blossoms in
the air. I had so much to say but my ring, which sparkled even at
night, reminded me of my relationship status.
I
waved Bob goodbye and he left. In the next 5 minutes, my phone buzzed
and my heart skipped a bit at the same time. I knew it must be Bob.
“You looked stunning today. And I saw you staring at me.” “It
doesn't really matter. I am getting engaged.” I replied. “All the
best Natalie. But make sure you stay true to yourself.” said he.
“We should not meet.” I replied. “Scared of creating
unforgettable memories, huh?” he asked. I chose not to answer. The
days of my wedding
were
nearing and I had decided to end all the conversations with Bob. He
called and messaged for the next 15 days but I didn't respond.
Finally, the day arrived. I was about to marry a man I didn't love.
And grow old with him. My parents, friends and family had arrived.
“Get dressed Natalie, we will be late.” said my mom knocking at
the door of my room. “Give me 5 minutes mom.” said I. While I was
putting on my tiara, something went ablaze inside me. I broke down
and realized I loved Bob and possibly couldn't marry someone else. I
quickly dialed Bob's number and he immediately picked it up.
“Natalie! Where have you been all these days? I looked...”
“Shhh...listen to me.” I interrupted.
“I love you Bob and I don't want to get married to Joey.” “I
love you too.” said he. “Send one of your limos at the back
entrance of my house. I want to run away.” “Whoa! Are you
serious? What about your family?” he asked. “ I will explain
them. Too many questions Bob!” “Okay, one last question.” “Will
you marry me?” “Yes!!!” I replied immediately. “Limo at your
back entrance with a chauffeur in just 10 minutes ma'am!” “Okay.
Thanks.” said I as I smiled. I was extremely happy and guilty at
the same time. In about 10 minutes as my mom was still knocking at
the door, I had decided to become a run away bride. A limo
had
arrived at the back entrance and it was decorated with lovely flowers
and balloons. I opened the back door of the limousine and heard a
familiar voice. “Where do you want to go miss?” I looked at the
mirror and it was Bob! Dressed as a chauffeur! “Wherever you take
me.” I said. We zoomed off in Bob's limo and got married at one of
the nearest churches. I felt love, thrill and adrenaline rushes at
the same time. I had taken the best decision of my life and I
couldn't be happier. I was a run-away bride!
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