51 On That Winter Day in December (2/2)

I closed my eyes and felt the sleep seeping back into my eyes. If only I could drop my head back and not have a murdering pain in my neck tomorrow, I would do it.

Something cold touched my hand and I slowly opened my eyes back. With concerning eyes, the clerk was looking at me. I nodded to prove that I was fine. He handed me the bottle of water he touched my hand with and smiled at me. Then he turned back and started walking back to his register.

”Hey,” I shouted to get his attention. ”What is your name?”

”Ri-Rish. You can call me Rish. I am from India.”

”Oh really. Nice to meet you Rish, I am Madonna. Those two dum-dums up front are Mapalla and Trigman. And the lady with them is my wife,” I said proudly.

”Ah, so you are, you know, that- ”

”Hmm? That? Did you mean gay?”

The guy put his hands in his pockets and replied,” I have never met a gay person. I have been in Canada for two years, and this town is so small, you don't get to meet a lot of people. So, I was taken aback as well as surprised. I don't have a problem or anything with it. Its just- ”

”Too realistic from the porn you watch, huh?”

I could see his cheeks turning red. I smiled at his innocence. Or was it ignorance? Whatever it was, he seemed cute with all his confusion.

”Tell me, if this town is really small, maybe you have heard of a lady. A little old, gentle woman. Her name is Gian. Gain House.”

Rish's blush went away and he calmed a little bit.

”Yeah, I have heard of her. She is really nice. She is actually on her way over here.”

”What? Why did you have her contact number?”

”Why wouldn't I? She owns the place.”

My mind broke once I heard it. It all makes sense. After that night, that makes all sense.

Her starting a new life, because of my stupidity.

Shit.

I heard a car screeching and a door slamming. The nearest door flung open and a woman entered. Her black hair was wet. In the December winter, no less. Her maroon jacket and a cream shirt under suited her mature body. She darted her eyes from one end to look at my friends to the other end where I sat with water in my hands.

She had not aged a day.

I saw Gian, in all her glory, walking slowly towards me.

My body started shivering. I could not control my body when I saw her. All those memories, all those times. They came gushing back to me.

I lifted my shaking arms to touch her face.

She held my arms with her soft hands and kissed them.

Tears came out of my eyes when I felt her lips against my palms.

I have met you, at last. I have seen you once more.

”Bunny,” Gian said as she went down on her knees. Through my fingers, I saw her face in tears. Even while crying, this woman was pretty. Those tears looked like gems all over her pretty face.

”Bunny, you are here,” Gian said while sobbing slowly.

I could not take it a moment further and broke down as she held my arms.

”I'm back home…”

The cold winter day felt a little warmer in our hearts.