The Restaurant

I never fell in love, may be because it is not that great how novels and people describe it. I can have my own take on it, seeing a daily fight between mom and dad, ever increasing since I came into existence till I left them.

Yes! I ran away from home, I couldn't tolerate those words, bitch, whore, slut… Many other intended for both of us, mom couldn't believe how a sweet and one of kind person turned into a monster just over few years of marriage, still she wanted to give it a try if things settle eventually.

It didn't!

I miss Toronto, especially those winter days when I used to curl in my super velvety, smooth, strawberry printed white blanket rolling over the ever sinking bed, resting my head upon heavenly pillow caressing my long and shiny hair, though they scare me in morning but I love 'em. My school days with Emma, Larry and Ron. My first kiss at hidden garden, frequent landings at Cinesphere with all of them, the museum, Go trains. Everything, just everything!

Don Mills, that's where I went, it being a diversified school where English wasn't the first language spoken, I was among the few who could. I'm grateful to God that he sent Em, La. and Ron otherwise I would have died talking French.

Only thing I regret is leaving 'em midst of their lives and moving without a clue, sunken, alone as if threw on the street like a piece of meat. More than my parents I cared about friends simply because they understood me better!

I didn't make any good friends at York University while acquiring my degree in Creative Writing, since childhood I had my desires, gargantuan to write poems and stories, which I chose to be my career. Em was too much caring like I always wished my mother to be, La being a famous person for his flirting attitude, mostly crowded by girls, sometimes guys too! Hahaha...

Ron..

"Hey Cathie! How you doing today? What's cooking in your mind for next series?" A giant man wearing chef cap comes to me shouting, "... I'm talking to you. Hey! Are you paralyzed?"

I hear a loud question to me.

"Oh Bob! I'm so sorry. I was..." I refrain from saying anything more

"Oh c'mon, not again. Here is your favorite thing to start you day with. I'm getting strawberry milkshake sweetened to the extent you like." He heads to kitchen, winking at me after he pat my shoulder.

Bob is such a great man, he owns 'The Restaurant' a unique one, where I sit down mostly to brood over past, things I liked, overlooked, expected immensely. There are many people who serve breakfast on table but to me it is served by Bob only, whatever I order is made by him alone specially the Strawberry Shake. I owe him too much for the place he helped me choose as well for helping me settle down in Del Rey, morally, financially and actually. I discovered this restaurant and Bob soon after I came here, it was new then with few customers, mostly empty, may be that why I dared to enter. And since then you can find me here almost every day, unless my office calls me for unknown reason. Bob lives at Venice with his wife, unfortunately they do not have any children in spite of their great efforts and treatments. They always wanted a daughter, I guess that’s the reason I gets pampered at “The Restaurant”. Aah! This place is the best where I get to put my thoughts on paper other than work place, magazine office, 'Creative You!'

I chose Del Rey only because it has relatively less crime rates as I’m scared of violence though familiar with since childhood. I had gone through the internet before I flew here, Los Angeles, California. But I never had a chance to think if it’s going to happen soon after I step out of York on last day. Secondly it gave me a good beach to look at, walk on, and build my castle of dream to stay alone, work more in an open environment always invited me than being stuck in a room to roll ink over papers. Cherry beach being one of my lovely at Toronto, times spent there was of much value to me, may be at that time Ron…

“Here is your Strawberry Milkshake.” His statement un-linking me with my thoughts

“Thanks Bob! You’re just great.” I bend my head and give him a sweet smile.

I had just finished my Butter croissant with Organic Jam. I’m a house of sweet, yet slim and beautiful. Taking a sip from my shake I ask Bob a bit louder as I’m slightly away from the counter, “ What about tomorrow? Is this place closed, you were saying you gonna make a trip to your friend for a day.”

“Yeah! But it’s postponed for a day, place will be closed day after tomorrow.” Bob replies from the counter.

I see something different in his tone, something unusual on his face, something distinct in his eyes when they 

meet mine. I put my glass of shake on table and try to get up.

“Wait, be there. I’m coming.” Bob says with his voice heavy.

“I want you to meet someone” Bob says by taking my hand and holds it firmly between both of his palms.

“No. No. I don’t want to meet anyone, I’m not at all into this, dating and marriage and all.” I deny rudely

“Surely don’t! But that is not the reason I’m telling you, I just want you to meet him. He may inspire you to have a start in your love life.” Bob tries to convince and he excels in this because his eyes speak more than his tongue, he continues, “He’s the one restaurant for whom restaurant is open tomorrow.”

“Is he your friend or son of a friend or friend of a friend or someone like friend or just friend or…” I taunt him as he has used all these terms to make me meet someone every now and then to make me settle in life, but I don’t wish to. I’m happy alone and will be happy alone too!

“No, nothing like that but he’s special” He gets up by saying and walk to his counter and rests.

I don’t ask him anything for now. I’m not into this meeting stuff but for sake of Bob I need to because since these many years we've become family, a different from my previous one, which I left.

Being a Magazine Editor has many tasks obviously to edit, not everything is perfect, Me, My work, My articles, My figure nor My life but Ron was! He was with me since schooling till York, we shared a good time, having fun with Em and La, sometimes alone, hidden garden! Though he wasn't the one I kissed there but he went mad when he became aware of the scene I created. It was just a week’s thing that went off record after the kiss, and then I realized love isn't my take. That was the first time when Ron shouted at me, maybe I deserved it. Since beginning Ron told me not to be with that idiot who just wanted to get laid with me, I took Ron’s initial concern as being over possessive however he was right and I didn't have anything to say to him after the incidence when I denied that sick to get laid after kiss at his apartment, only to get slapped and dumped. After all that mess up only Ron stood beside me throughout years of York till I left Toronto. He didn't know I would go so far from him otherwise he wouldn't have let me. I chose to be free, from everybody!

I get up waving hand to Bob and find my way to office. Soon I’m in there, working through pages, making corrections, planning strategies. Time flies like a butterfly, sometimes here, weirdly there, halting, moving again, it keeps going. Time’s up, even before I complete my day work at office. I head to home tired and dull, thinking about tomorrow. I enter my home.

Nowhere could I get safe home in affordable price on my own, I Love Del Rey!

The morning seems energetic today, I quickly get up, take shower, wear my favorite Little Black Dress, stalking and I’m up to move for The Restaurant. I walk through the streets today, look at sun inviting me to have another type of bath, which I refuse, FOR NOW! ;-)

I enter in The Restaurant.

“Hello Bob! How’s the morning?” I ask giving an over saturated smile

“Don’t be so formal. I know you are irritated.” Bob responds while checking counter machine without looking at me. He continues, “Table No.3 There he is. And one thing, he doesn't know that you’re supposed to meet him, I didn't tell him about you.”

“What? Are you kidding? You want me to just go to him and get started like that? No ways…” I react loudly, a bit loudly that the person on Table No.3 gets it and turn back to ask, “Bob! Is everything alright?”

“Yes!” Bob replies, “Just that she wanted to have a piece of croissant with Jam but I told her we’re closed see the sign that have been turned around to CLOSED.”

“It’s OK to welcome few people sometimes man, you never know if they change your entire life. Let her have it!” Table No.3 says and turns back at his cup of American coffee.

I keep looking at Bob with my jaw dropped down while he shrugs and smile. I can see two Devil horns on his head which soon turns into Halo. He waving his hand in direction to the table telling me to go and talk. I show him my tongue and move to Table No.3

“Hey! Thanks for convincing him.” I say politely, initiating a conversation, unaware if he will continue with or slap me and dump.

“What’s there to thank in this? Any ways he would have allowed you, you’re his regular customer.” He says

I don’t have anything to comment on so I keep quiet.

“You can join me if you wish”

I wished to know how he knew I’m regular here, so I share the table.

“Erich” he says and puts his hand forward.

“Cathie” and we shake our hand for the first time, hope the last too. “…so how do you know I’m regular here?” I couldn't hold my curiosity and ask.

“I visit here every month since the place has started running. There was not a single time, I didn't see you.” says Erich

“Are you like… having an eye on me?” I ask doubting his intentions

He laughs, takes a sip of his coffee and shows me his engagement ring. That’s a cute one :)

“OK. So what do you do?” I ask him while feeling relieved that it’s not gonna be Slap N’ Dump game.

“I’m a Software Engineer, living at Valley. What about you?” He seems too frank but good person.

“I’m Magazine Editor at Creative You! What about your fiance? ”

“Here is your Butter Croissant with Jam and Strawberry shake” Bob says while placing my favorites on table and I get too high to see them.

“You’re definitely a sugar girl” Erich says and smile, his smile reminded me of Ron, dunno how but it surely did. Ron used to call me sugar girl.

"Yes! Surely am." I say proudly, "Don't you wanna have something for this morning?"

"No, thank you. I'm good with coffee." Erich responds quickly

"Rosalie loved strawberries, anyways you seem more of a writer than editor" He says

I almost drop the croissant from my mouth, only to stare at Erich and thinking to say, "You seem more of a stalker than engineer" but I refrain from my thoughts putting into action.

"Doesn't she love now? Aarrr... by the way who Rosalie?" I question him in confusion.

"Definitely she does, my fiance" He replies

"Tell me something about her, what does she do? When you both tying a knot?" I purposely ask him about Rosalie, making him realize of an existing girl in his life.

"She's not so social, teaching specially abled at nonprofit organization and enjoying life with family that's Rosalie, she's lovely, so much caring for people in need. When I met her for the first time here, had to share a table and she took me as a stalker like you are thinking."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Means you did, it's fine. My frequent attempts to talk to Rosalie resulted in more negative impact on her. I then suddenly stopped talking, it went seven to ten days without any approach from either. One day while awaiting my breakfast, without any hesitation she came to my table and sat down to ask, "Why aren't you talking since a week, maybe more than that?"

"Look who's talking today and to my surprise about what? I'm Erich" I said

"It is only that because of few months I'm used to your efforts to talk. I'm Rosalie, tutor at Specially Abled." She said with some shyness

"Nice name, so what else do you do Rosalie?"

"I live Erich" and she smiles, making me talk more and know everything about her, she continues, "...with my family at Venice"

"I love being at Valley, I work here as software engineering."

"I didn't know restaurants need a software engineer nowadays, I'm sorry I'm just kidding." She puts her fair, thin and delicate hand on her strawberry like lips, glowing to spread rays of happiness out. I personally never believed in love at first site but seeing Rosalie made me believe that it happens.

We went for a movie the same weekend, roamed around after my job and her teaching was done. I lived alone so I didn't have to ask for anyone's permission to propose Rosalie. I met her family which included her mother and father, Rosalie being their only daughter they were too much concerned about her. With the will of God I succeeded in impressing them, I hugged her father and move out to 'Precious Platinum' I customize her name onto a ring, Rosalie Erich Stone!

I planned a meet up the same day I bought the ring.

I see her through the window of restaurant when I reached, waiting for me! Unaware of the surprise, prepared for her by me.

Taking last sip of coffee Erich stops. I being more curious to know the story so that I can put it in my magazine ask him, "Then...?"

Erich's phone rings, I just hear a statement, "Yes! I'm coming." He gets up from the table and head towards cash counter, I follow him and ask if everything's alright?

He's positive, "It's our anniversary today!" He says with much enthusiasm showing his ring, "express you love towards people you love, maybe your friends, you may not get second chance."

And he disappears in crowd outside.

"Then... An explosion because of the leaking gas cylinder which turned the resto-bar into huge ball of fire, before fire workers came and everything was settled down, it took lives of four and left several injured. One of those who couldn't survive was Rosalie! She received a surprise before Erich could give. Three others were not from Los Angeles, LAPD started investigation and this place was shut till I owned it and Erich was the first one to enter when I opened this thing, “The Restaurant". Same date on every month he comes, today being the exact date as well month and in spite of anything I keep restaurant open for him. "Bob completes Erich’s statement and suggests, “ Life is too short Cathie, Live it, Love it, fall in love, or love someone who loves you.”

I succumb to invisible injuries within and only name strikes my head, Ron!

I rush through the doors of Restaurant running like a mad girl on street, this was the longest run I ever ran to get my life, my love back to me. I open my entrance and rush to my laptop to search for Ron as well Rosalie, I didn't find Ron on any social networking site, I rush to Google and search for Resto-bar mishap.

My heart sinks, blood rushes to my head, body becomes numb, unable to hold myself anymore I cry out loud pulling my hair, at the verge of going insane, my hands tremble while turning screen of my laptop down.

“Four dead in Resto-bar mishap”

A young lady tutor from “Specially Abled” Institute, three friends from Toronto assumed to have come for their friend to meet, their personal stuffs revealed, two of the friends succumbed to death on the spot a lady and a guy, while taking other guy on its way to casualty closes his eyes with cessation of breath.

Names of the deceased are Rosalie, Emma and Larry respectively.

It was difficult to fetch identity of fourth deceased. The only thing he left behind in his pocket a partially burnt box containing a diamond ring with a message card: Marry me Cathie!

The Last Stand

It's a regular morning to get up, stretch my arms, yawn and scream out loud to throw the laziness out of my box and wonder how to start my day? I take a glimpse of my apartment, it's all messed up!

We partied without consideration of neighbors and laws and all those restricted environmental protection. We were playing 'Up All Night' and we did everything according to the lyrics to enjoy our heart as well head out. We went mad, Clara fell, Simon jumped over, Ted tried jumping off window naked, Luna kept taking the video with floor shaking laugh instead of holding him, Grey got the situation covered safely,  Ruby puked,  thankfully she ran into restroom, not making the apartment stink but only after she threw the wine glass which contained nothing but soft drink and that made us think what's wrong. No fire alarm was raised as we do not suck the stick to make our lungs to tan, permanently!

I throw my vision on wall clock, 6AM, Aaahhh!
It's been more than a week I haven't changed batteries of that awesome looking clock beautified by the wooden finish at the borders, Ruby really has a great taste when is comes to interior. Clara is damn opposite, she's not that selective about anything whatever she gets is fine for her, not to mention that her first choice is always best so she need not opt for second.

Simon is the coolest girl one can ever see, skirt to gowns, flats to heels, hair never been identical with previous meet up, and we met everyday, outspoken, bold, adventurous and sometimes illogical, need to mention only till now! Otherwise she's gonna be the busiest of us.
Simon T. MD (Prosperity Bancshares)

My cellphone rings, I doubt the audibility of my ringtone if my ears are ringing. I try searching for but unable to see it, ring goes off. I get my android wear from the corner of my sofa which I slept on, plant it on my wrist, trigger to find my phone alarm through it and there is it, deep under the my chair across the room. I lead to it crossing the glass barrier, broken standing table, pizza boxes, mashed tomatoes from last night's Tomatina Festival, not forgetting to mention that Grey came equipped with spray and sprint guns, the giants, all three of 'em. No, no water... Champagne!
Later they served their original purpose though, water pool!

The phone rings again.

"Hey! How you doing? Not well o' what?" A lady on the other side asks

"Yeah! By the way who's on the line?"

"You fucking idiot it's me, Ruby! That's why I don't let you get drunk, you don't remember anything of previous night nor present, in future you won't remember the future things too, sick!" Ruby screams out loud

"Hey Ruby, I'm sorry. I didn't see my phone, chill out!"

"Shut up and stop making excuses. How can you not see name on screen, say?" She's still angry with, like always she's after I get high and forget things.

"See it's like some shitty yellow thing is making its presence on my phone and I'm using my wear to talk to you and its display is going wild, may be since last night when it slipped out of my wrist while pulling Ted."

"Oh c'mon! You and your elucidations. That would be cheese that you people were throwing at each other nothing else."

"What?"

"Leave it. It's already 2pm, your flight is at 7pm."

"Oh yes! Thanks for the call."

"Shut up you idiot, I'm coming to your apartment. Now don't deny cause I know it'll all be messed up and filthy."

"Okay"

And I hang up call, find myself under shower soon I hear noise of my apartment's door getting opened. I know it's Ruby, she has the key to everything that I own even my life when I met with an accident and lost huge quantity of blood, she was the one to handle the whole situation and luckily she was my match.

Ted and Grey always say that there's something special about Ruby, I don't know why they say so, didn't bother to think on that ever. Who knew I would be realizing that reason soon...

"Hey.." I say as I enter kitchen, "there's no coffee, I'll get it from the store downstairs, sugar too. Lemme get dressed up, gimme 5 minutes Ruby."

"I knew you don't have these, I had seen it last night itself and knew you would be needing it, got them along. Go find your suit, it's on bed. Thankfully you people spared bedroom."

"You got everything girl, I owe you."

"Get lost"

I give her a hug from behind while she makes a strong coffee for me.
I see my wear's blinking LED, Clara has dropped message on IM.

"It was fun with you guys last night. I'm boarding my flight. Mwaah, love you all."

Clara is flying to London, Cambridge for further studies and she has good opportunities for her as her father is at one the associate position in University. Clara - The Master, that's what we told her, best person to make things understandable, her hobby, her to be profession.

We all did our high school together apart from Simon who met us at reunion of our school. Ruby was always there, so was Ted and Grey, Clara loved Grey but she never told him, reason being that she didn't want to be an obstacle for Grey's Golden Gate goal. Grey has achieved high what he wanted but he's not willing to find a partner, he's best as live-in while Clara wants a secure future and family.

Ted being the silliest thing that could happen to us in school, his ideas, behavior, logics, excuses, not to forget bathroom singing passion and the list goes on. Ted is happy with his own business company which makes thousands of dollars per annum, Publishing!
Last night wasn't the first time when Ted tried jumping off window but third, cause she got dumped by some online dating girlfriend, he felt it's true love and that gave his penalty of $50000, yes she was clever to fool this Ted who kept chanting Luna.. Luna..

This is the reason whenever he sees our Luna he gets a kick back to past and makes him do more sillier things. Last time we took Luna for her birthday party to Ted's place as surprise, next thing which we remember is Ted jumping out of his apartment window...

Arrr.. He stays on ground floor!

My apartment could prove really fatal, 14th.

Ruby and I graduated from the same university, I love to write and she loves to read. Having Ted with me was a cherry on the top because I didn't need to impress any publisher with my stories, Ted is ready blindly for it to publish.
Ruby has got a golden opportunity to rule the whole chain of international firm which means she has to travel whole world which she dreamt since childhood. Strategy planner and executor sounds complicated but she good at it, her plans always worked. She was at top of the world when she got the call letter soon after interview, she ran to me and jumped on, we fell hugging each other on the lawn outside the campus and cried.

Luna being a web developer at Google Inc. had to stay here and we're scared that the chances of meeting often with Ted are as high as 200% and Ted jumping out from terrace 500%.

I being a HR specialist at Popular, fly more often to Singapore, previously I was at Canada where it is one of the best publishing and retail company. Now I'm being called at the base branch, Promotion!

I get into clothes quickly as Ruby shout, "What the hell are you doing in there since last half an hour?"

"Ya I'm done, coming!"

I step out of bedroom to feel as if I'm in a new apartment which never belonged to me. Sofa cleaned, floor wiped, table at its place, garbage out, dustbin full, windows shining, lamps corrected from their altered position. My phone a brand new, like just now out of the box piece...

"How do you manage to do all these stuff, Ruby why do you do it girl, you have your own life, live out loud. Also you have your own flight too tomorrow for Paris, do your packing, plan your journey."

"Will you stop now? Get the plate from kitchen and our coffees."

"You will never listen to me, Stupid girl."

I bring the well garnished cheese sandwich with two mugs of coffee, we love coffee that's the only thing common in Me and Ruby I guess. From Head to Toe we differ a lot, telling each other things we dislike about, mostly she makes me say about her by nagging and kicking off, but the things I say don't appear in her that day onwards, strange... But truth!

We have our final chat over coffee, lock the door, put a notice and my contact details then leave for airport. I get into her BMW Z4 and urge to drive which she refuses when I ramped my SUV into a tree late night, I don't wanna remember that night not because of accident but the fact that Ruby had to through a tough time, I dunno how she traced me, alone she took me to casualty, did all formalities and gave me life by sharing her blood to save me.

"Shift and let me drive." She says with a firm voice and angry look

I don't argue and move aside, she drives carefully, minding each and every rule to be followed while driving, letting the people cross before her car which I never allow. I get my lone blue bag from car, she parks the car within minute and come to me, telling me to hurry, walking ahead of me running by holding my hand, she's more excited than me for the promotion. Finally we reach the Customer Care Desk and inquire few things about flight, now beyond that I'm all alone. She is holding my hand since we got down from car, I never had to leave Ruby anytime, she was always there when I needed, even though when I didn't need she was there as a helping hand. I think of all small to big things she's done for me, my house to clothes to kitchen to grocery to toilet to bedroom, throughout my career too she was there telling me plans for my future, bright one!
As if she's writing my future with her own hands, I turn back to look at her.

Fair, sweet, bold girl with inviting eyes to hold my flight to return to her, I stop and take few steps back to her which she gets and nod her head to deny what I'm doing. Far from me, still I can see her eyes filled and her face turn into cherubic one, tears flowing down her soft strawberry appearing cheeks with glossy gloss on smooth lips, presses upon each other to hold her intensive emotions for me.

She keeps messaging till I board my flight and sink into my seat, business class. Then she calls me just before an announcement is made to switch cellphones to flight mode.

"Hey listen! There is something in your bag. Do have a look at it." She says in a heart shaking voice which can melt anything on earth and heaven.

"Yes, Ruby! I will see..." I think of her being my best friend ever, can she be more than that? I continue, "Ruby, I wanna say something."

"Ya say, I'm listening." Her voice showing her attentiveness to mine.

"I..." I maffle

"Sir I request you to either switch off your phone or put it on flight mode. We're about to take off!" The air hostess says politely.

I nod head in agreement and continue, "I... Really thank you Ruby. Wish to see you soon!" Knowing the fact that my proposal could hamper her progress and shatter her dream, also to meet again will only remain a wish because of our schedule and profession.

"Shhhh, anything else you wish to say?" She asks if she expect something more, something more precious, something like magic which will change the things work around.

"Just that you take care of yourself."

"You too."

I hang up the call, put phone on flight mode and pull my bag from over head compartment.

"Sir, please sit down and tie your seatbelt. We're about to take off." The same air hostess informs

I look at her name badge and say, "Yes, Alice! I just need a thing from my bag, that's it!"

"Let me help you Sir."

She takes bag from above and give it to me, I quickly take a small box wrapped up in white paper with red dots out and ask Alice to put my bag up in there and she does the same.

The flight takes an easy off, I open the box when clouds are running along, may be we're faster than the clouds.

It's a digital photo gadget, I turn it on to see it greeting me welcome followed by a blank screen! I find myself confused about it, there has to be some pictures into it. She could have put any picture, why will she give it blank. I try restarting it but result is the same, I think she may want me to put pictures I like rather than forcing me to look at what she's put. I shake my head in disappointment and attempt to put device back into the box.

"Hello Sir! Do you need any help?" It's Alice again

"No, thank you! It's just that device I couldn't find working."

"Sir, that is a crypted message deliver as well digital picture framing device."

I looked at her with my jaw dropped and she continued, "It is the one I had gifted to my friend for his birthday to surprise him with our childhood memories initially and then it turns into a single picture digital frame."

"Okay. I didn't know such thing existed."

"Just be sure of paying attention while you decrypt it because the content is visible only for once, it could be a picture, pictures or a message. You may like to click a picture of it with your cellphone if the message is long."

"But how do I decrypt it?"

"Oh yes! You have to draw it on screen, it will be the name or nickname that you call her by"

"Thanks a lot Alice!"

"All the best Sir!" She ends the conversation with a smile

I turn it on, start drawing...

R..
U..
B..
Y..

A picture emerges from the dark background, covering half of screen where I'm lifting Ruby on a beach in my arms and laughing while the other half played a scrolling message,
"I can never thank you for the love you gave,
The care you have taken when I rudely behave.
You never knew, why I nagged,
To meet you expectations, where I lagged.
Thought when at airport I will ave,
That would give you a realizing wave.
I hope you see this message when its not late,
I hope you don't get angry on reading this slate!"

The screen changes to our picture in lawn where we're hugging each other and crying with laughter, rolling on, an animated message appears over picture.

"You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
I Love You!"

That made my tears flow down my cheeks. I look up to find Alice looking at me and mumbling, "congratulations!"

I reply with a sweet, "Thank you!"

The screen soon changes to our group picture clicked by auto timer from last night, hugging each other, Clara pecking Grey's cheek and me Ruby's!

That was the final moment we all stood together.

The title of picture appears..

The Last Stand!