Summer That Never Came Back!

I am the owner of a cafe and book store in the town of Surrey, UK. I feed on music and books. And that was what my dream was. To own archives of books and share them with people at the later stage of my life. However, I got retired a bit early. After making a fortune as a web designer in Sydney, I had moved back to my town in the UK. My parents had passed away and I was a single gentleman going through mid-life crisis. All these years, I never had time to find the one. When I sat on my chair sipping a cup of coffee in my store named 'Cafe Chronicle', I tried to find my soulmate in the lost faces of my book store.

One of those days, a woman in her late 20s and petite features entered my book store asking for clinical research books. “Excuse me”. She said in her high-pitched tone. “I need 4^th edition of the book 'Fundamentals of Clinical Trials' by Lawrence Friedman. Do you have that, in any case?” She said the entire sentence without a pause. I could sense the lack of patience in her tone. Perhaps, she was desperately looking for the book. “Ammm...let me see.” I started looking through my collection of 'Clinical Research Courses'. After looking for about 15 minutes and realising that it's of no use, “Sorry ma’am, I don't have it.” I said. “But maybe I could provide you with it sometime during the next week.” “Okay, I will come next week then.” she said promptly and before I could respond to that, she stormed out of the book store.

There was something about that woman. Apart from her striking looks, the curiosity, eagerness and anxiety in her tone were quite childlike. Even after she left, I kept thinking about her for hours together, anticipating her presence at my book store the next week. I made sure that I could give her the book by calling numerous book stores and getting in touch with the book providers near my area and beyond. I finally found an online forum where the book was available. I quickly ordered it feeling that I had struck a fortune. One of the sunny afternoons, as I heard the sound of chimes hung at the door of my book store and looked back, my heart skipped a beat as she entered. Walking with her tiny steps and a smile on her face as she approached me, “Hi” she said. “It's me again...any luck with the...” “Oh yes ma’am, I got it.”  Said I giving her a chance to breathe. “But can I know the name of “me again”. “Oh, I am so sorry, my name is summer.” “Oh no no no, don't be, why are you so hanky panky and always in a hurry?” “It's nothing...I am a medical student and I have so much to accomplish you knows...” “I understand. But why not have a cup of cappuccino with me and breathe a little over a chat.” “Sure” she said. I was quite surprised that she accepted the offer.

As we sat at the table, I asked her about herself. And then, she started speaking at reckless speed, “I live in the next street, a few blocks away with my mom and she owns a company that offers outsourcing payroll service. She is a divorcee and since there is no one to take care of her, I live with her and am willing to become a doctor.” “Wow, it's fantastic that you are willing to become a doctor and you take care of your mom so well. But tell me one thing, if you speak so fast, how will you offer treatment to your patients with patience?” I asked as I winked. “Oh, the people who speak fast are very intelligent. You know why, 'coz they think fast.” She ended a sentence with a smile “Phew! Now that's something new.” When she spoke without full-stops, I would keep looking at her and smile. I loved to be a listener. After about an hour, she stood up to leave. “Keep coming at Cafe Chronicle” I said. “I for sure will...and thanks for the book...and why don't you come over to my place sometime? My mother has a fantastic collection of Moorcroft Pottery. You will love to see it.” Yet another sentence that pierced through my heart. “I will” I said as she left. She was in so much hurry that she invited me without realizing that she did not give me her address. But I didn't feel like stopping her. I felt she was very cute and I was not desperate either thinking that she would come again.

Days have passed since I have seen her. I keep mulling over what she must be doing. None of the streets that I pass through have her presence. Neither have I bumped into her. Although her voice keeps lingering in my ears and is difficult to concentrate on work, I am not a desperate college going kid any more who would ask girls out or ask for their phone number and addresses.

Work and thoughts have drained me. Perhaps, I should call for a mobile massage service and get over the stress. Or maybe go for an outing...Yes. Outing sounds great. Thinking that, I dial the number of a company offering London Luton Airport Service. Cafe Chronicle gave me the privilege of meeting summer that never came back. I thought as I locked my book store and left for the journey.

A Scar of Love

In high school, life seems fascinating! Isn't it? Boyfriend, dating, movies, sleepovers, picnics and fun! But for me, life was fragile, horrible, full of bullying and miserable! I was a nerd. My name is Carol. I like to keep to myself and have my own life. I live with my parents in the county of Surrey. My father owns a company that offers fencing services in the area and my mother is a home-maker. Here's an incident from my high school days that changed my life forever.

My classmates always bullied me. “Hi freaky Dumbo!!!” “What are you doing nerdy girl?” all these voices were quite normal to my ears. They haunted me even at night. Of course, until John came in. John was like a breath of fresh air in my life. I remember the day when we met. I was being bullied by my classmates. They had all stood in a line each in front of their sports locker slamming their doors and shouting “Nerdy, nerdy, fly away birdie!” I had shut my ear drums with both my fingers and as the slamming grew louder, I started running towards the corridors. While running I collided with one of the pillars and fell. My specks fell. “Excuse me, what are you all up to?” said the boy who was quite average looking. What made me happy was that he had the guts to protest.

“Who are you!” shouted Duncan, one of the head boys of my class and headed angrily towards John. “John Simons. I just got admitted to this school.” said John. “Ahh...the new kid on the block.” said Duncan rolling his eyes. “You!” Duncan raised a finger towards John. “Don't you dare to stop me and my friends okay? And if you are very brave, try to blow me down!” said Duncan as he stormed out of the sports room with his fellow mates. I was a mute spectator to the scene. As soon as he left, John rushed towards me saying “I am so sorry, are you hurt?” “No. This is normal for me, said I wearing my specks and ruffling my hair.” “Thank you so much. If it was not for you, I would have been in a real mess.” I said. “Let’s be friends, your name?” “Carol” I said. “Carol”. I had heard my name several times before. But it sounded a bit different when spoken by him. What was that I couldn't figure? But there definitely was something.

For the first time in my life, I was excited about going to school. John and I got talking and I got to know that he lived at Kingston which is quite near to my place. “Why don't you come over to see me play basketball at the club near my house sometime? I live 30 minutes away from you” said John during one of the lunch breaks at school. “I would love to.” said I. “Then come over tomorrow evening. It is weekend. We will have fun” He winked. For the first time in my life, I had stepped out of my house. Although my parents were never restrictive of me going out, I liked to stay indoors. I hired a taxi to Kingston and left all excited to see his match.

I reached at the basketball court near his place and saw him playing with all due passion and enthusiasm. His team lost but as far as I got to see him, it was all good for me. After the match was over, he came running towards me gasping for breath. “Hi” he said. “Good to see you.” “Hi” I waved back. “I am all free now. I will change and then let’s go for a walk at a park nearby.” “Okay. Sounds good.” said I. We went to a lush green park and it was a dusky evening. While munching on our everyday lives, he suddenly asked with a smile, “Ever tried to experiment with your looks?” “What do you mean experimenting with my looks?” I asked. “I mean without specks, open hair and all.” “Never.” I said. “Never do that. I like you the way you are.” I blushed.

John opened up about his life and told me that his father worked as an advocate at a firm that offered asset protection. “Wow! Protecting your assets sounds good.” I said. “Oh yes. It is a wise decision mostly taken by the elderly. There are times when they have to sell gold for cash to fulfill their financial requirements as the children take away all their assets.” “That's bad! I said.” “Yes, and that is exactly why they should choose to protect their assets through a good trust.

“What is that?” he suddenly remarked pointing his finger towards my forehead. “Oh nothing, it's a bruise.” I said hiding the mark on my forehead with my hair. “Spoiled, good for nothing brats! I will see all of them tomorrow.” he said angrily. “Oh no no no...it is from that day.” “Which day?” he asked. “On the day we first met. Oh. Does it hurt?” he asked. “A bit.” I said. “I felt really bad for you that day. I think you are the most interesting person I have ever met. And beautiful of course.” said he. I felt that the bruise had turned out to be a blessing for me that day. “The feelings are mutual John.” I said. “We should keep meeting often.” said John and walked me till my cab. We said good bye and departed.

Days passed and John and I grew closer. We were in a relationship and our joy knew no bounds. One day my mother broke the news that we were shifting to Scotland. “Scotland? Why?” I asked annoyingly. “Honey, your father is expanding his business and we have to go with him.” “This is really bad.” I said and I was into tears.” My mother of course, was unaware of my relationship and had already made her decision. “We are expecting the staff from a house clearance firm in Richmond to come and help with emptying our house. You can start packing your stuff.” said my dad.

I was completely broken. I had no idea how to let John know about it. Still I broke the news to him the next day with all my might. We both hugged and cried. “Long distance relationships just survive in books. I don't think it will be possible to see you anymore John” I said. “No problem Carol. Perhaps, you can experiment with your looks now.” said John as he smiled. We departed on a happy note. No one had ever accepted me the way I am. John was the first guy to do so. He had changed my life in many ways. He had taught me to accept myself the way I am and had left behind a scar of love.