Chapter-18
Aaron
Two weeks passed and we all got busy in our lives and I don’t know why are we going through this? It is just like storm has passed and we all friends are trying to understand what’s left behind. I go to salon and doing my job but my hands are not working properly as my mind is not with me. I keep thinking about Nora. Gloria told me about the death of her aunt and she left New York city and decided to stay in Texas only. She is all alone and sad and we all just abandoned her even none of us care to call her. Why did we people split like this or why our friendship sank like a boat in the misunderstanding of sea. I want to see and ask from her what she is going through. But first I need ask others also. Aaron be fast man other customers are also waiting. I come back from my thoughts and listen to the words of Mr. Robinson and do it fast. After the haircut of this teen girl is done, I switch on to another customer who was a school boy. Mr. Robinson today, you made huge money by putting discount on haircut. I say in tired voice. My boy, you know competition is increasing day by day and you will also get your share apart from salary. He smiles at me. I smile back and leave the salon. It was 8. o clock in the evening.
I have to go to Actor Garfield. I am so excited and happy because this marks the beginning of my career as celebrity hair stylist. One of my known gave my reference to him. I didn’t talk about this to anyone not even my friends. I want to give them surprise and will throw a big party if it works the way I am thinking. I will definitely talk to Nora and we all will come back together again. Reconciliation is important, first we fight and again talk this is the law of friendship. I reach Andrew’s huge beautiful house. His manager asks me to wait in the drawing room. It was all made of French marble on the floor and drawing room was decorated with beautiful paintings. One of the workers gave me orange juice. I drink and feel relax on the soft couch. Dude, one day I will also have this kind of home and very soon I will be marked as celebrity stylist, I was thinking just then Andrew came in front of me and greets me with politeness. He takes me to his personal salon. I take out a pair of my lucky scissor from my bag and with my magic hands creates magic on his hair. In fifteen minutes, I finished and he looks in mirror and happily says Aaron, ‘you have done a good job, I am impressed and want to pay you more than what we decided’. Thankyou! Mr. Andrew it’s my pleasure to do this for you. Hope you give me another chance in future. Sure, in fact I will give your number to other friends. I was astonished and feel grateful.
I reach my home and see my mother writing something. Hey mom! What are you writing? I am writing a letter to your dad. Letter why? You can email or text him. I was surprised to hear that in the times of internet she was writing a letter. He likes to read my letter as our love story started with exchanging notes says she. Cool, I kiss her on her cheeks my father is in military and after two months he will retire. Currently, he is in Syria and my mother talks to him. But sometimes she writes letter because of the network issue. I always tell her to write an email. But she always writes letters. I miss my dad and brother who is in Italy as he is a designer and he has gone to participate in some fashion shows. I see my cell phone some messages arrived. One was from Marlin and other from Grace asking about hangout this weekend. Now there is no school group left. All left the group one by one. I reply them Sure; I will call you. One message from April, my neighbour, a sweet girl but right now in Germany for some professional reason. The day she will come back I will propose her and when right time comes, will marry her. I knew that when my dad comes back, I am going to open my salon and make it a brand for celebrities. I miss you April! I want to tell you something. I write and send it to her. Next week She replies with a smile emoji. One message comes from an unknown number I open it and read;
Hi Aaron, I am feeling alone. Can we talk.?
Nora.
Nora? It’s Nora! she has changed her number. I surprised and smile and reply her back, Yaa! Sure, we all can meet on weekend. Why have you changed your number?
No, I only want to meet you, because you are only one who didn’t say anything and I changed my number to keep myself calm but from past few days, I miss our friendship and I want to talk to you.
It’s fine Nora, I understand, you tell me the place, I will come. Are you in Texas?
No, I am not in Texas. You can come to “Musket theatre” tomorrow around 7pm in the evening.
Okay, I will be there, no issue. Can I call you right now?
No, I want to talk straight and don’t tell anyone that I asked you to meet.
No problem, please take care.
Yes, I will.
I really want to talk to her and again we all will be together. Presently, she is upset but I will convince her to meet all group. I keep my phone in bedroom and go to bathroom.
Next morning, I have breakfast with my mother. What about your plans today? she asks. I am going to meet Nora in the evening. Oh! good, I am glad that you people are talking after all she is your very old friend. So, it is a reunion. No mom, she only asked me to come but we all will be together soon. I want to give you good news I say in excitement. What? Yesterday, I did haircut of Andrew Garfield and he referred me to his acquittances. Early morning, I got a call from Robert Patterson and Leonardo di Caprio to do some hairstyling on Monday. I tell her in one breath. Oh my gosh! my loving son you are on right track, she shouts and then kisses on my hands. Mom! Life is going fine; dad is coming back and I am going to be a celebrity hairstylist. April is also coming from Germany. I am going to propose her and today I am going meet Nora and we all will be together once again. I start jumping and she laughs. Yes, my son, God is Great. I am happy too.
In the evening, I go to meet Nora, I don’t know why she has called me here maybe it is a peaceful place. After sometime I feel someone following me as I walk because no cab was ready to go inside that narrow street, so I had to walk. My car was in garage. I look back and find no one and thought that maybe this is just an illusion but this time I heard the footsteps. I again turn back. No one was there. I reach the theatre and was shocked to see Mr Davis, Nora’s neighbour. What the hell is he doing here? Is he following me? but why?
He constantly stares me; I was unable to comprehend what he was up to and what was going in his mind and suddenly he turns his face in other direction and talks to some stranger. I ignore him and come inside the theatre. I expected Nora waiting for me. But I was disappointed not to see her. I sit on one of the empty chairs in the theatre room with dim light. It was difficult to recognize anyone until and unless someone comes close. I decide to call her on a number through which she sent me a message. Bell rings and I heard the ringtone in the room. Is she here? I look everywhere in the room and there she was where the phone was ringing. Oh Nora! Are you there? Are you in a mood to play hide and seek? I laugh and go close to her and as I reach to her, light fades as it was already a dim light and this light doesn’t reach in the corner. Nora, can you come towards me, I cannot see you properly. Your shitty neighbour was following me, come I tell you in detail. She did not answer my talk. As I reach close to her. Hey! Nora, she stood from her seat and I smile but my smile fades and I was in much pain and touch my stomach and see blood flowing and I lost the balance and fell on the floor and my eyes closed and I could only see the darkness.
Mr. Davis walks fast as if he did some crime and reaches his apartment. He locks the door and take a long breathe. He washes his face and drink as much water as he can and then slip on the couch and say ‘so sad, I feel sorry for him’ and closes his eyes with weird expressions comes on his face.
