Prologue
“This is the day that I’ve been waiting for since you’ve left me”, Alex said, squat on his bed and holding an old photo frame in his hand.
After brooding it over for a couple of minutes, he placed it back to the place and stepped off his bed. He moved towards window and moved the velvet curtains aside. The dazzling light from the distant skyscrapers of San Francisco paved its way into Alex’s magnificent mansion “Viva La Vida” and filled his dull and lethargic room with unknown serenity.
“Can I make it as amazing as I dreamed when I was 17”, the 24 year old Alex questioned the same question to himself for the nth time.
‘Bird’s chirps’, Alex phone alarmed.
Startled by the alarm, Alex grabbed the phone placed on study table and turned it off. Yet again, like every other morning Alex woke up before his alarm. It was 4 of early morning and the only thing that has preoccupied Alex from the last 7 years was going to end this day. It was an ordinary Sunday for the rest of the world but for Alex it wasn’t the same. It was the day he had a promise to place with someone special.
He scrolled his phone and checked his inbox and chats, which were filled with best wishes by those who once ignored him and tried their best to drag him down. Even his ex CEO played all his aces to kill his aspirations by increasing the work load but he ignored it and headed toward his dream like a bullet fired from a rifle. A gentle smile paved way to his face, like a trophy for all those hardships he underwent for one thing.
Because of lack of sleep he was feeling a bit dizzy and nauseated. He thought for few seconds for solution instead of Googlingout the solution like the rest of the world. He took his hoodie, grabbed a pink colored diary from his study table, a carton of mix fruit juice and ran outside on his bicycle. It was little windy outside and the dark clouds brightened by the city lights were trying their best to hide the sparkling stars and gleam of moon, cautioning about the approaching storm.
As the time passed the atmosphere grew wilder. The once serene flowing wind, now, was roaring accompanied by thunders. Alex had no choice but to stop at a safe place. He cycled against the cruel wind. He parked his bicycle beside an electrical pole which was opposite to his favorite take away GoodFella's Pizzeria & Bar.
As soon he entered, the cheesy aroma acted as catalyst and made him feel ravenous. There were only three people including Alex. The restaurant had decadent leather sofas, dim lighting and song playing at low volume. It was One Direction’s Hey Angel.
Oh wish I could be more like you
Do you wish you could be more like me!
“This is her favorite song, isn’t it?” Alex whispered seated on one of the leather sofas beside a window. He looked outside and noticed that the wind had picked up outside as it howled through the gaps between buildings. Passing his ear towards the window he could hear the trees violently swaying in the wind, few cars running through water and a sign board thrown violently into the ground. Scenes of raging wind outside made their way into Alex’s mind – roofs exposed to the roaring winds, empty roads, deserted building, cracking lights and Caroline, his best friend.
“Mr. Richard Branson of San Francisco, can I have your order?” Sarah, an Armenian high school student and part time worker in GoodFella’s leaving for home from night shift asked Alex.
“So you’re working late night too these days? I hope everything is alright”, Alex said looking at menu; even though he’s goanna order the same thing.
“Yeah. Fifty percent”, she yawned.
“A cheese sandwich with two cups of cappuccino”, he ordered. “Two cups? Are you accompanied with someone?” she looked around.
“I thought you would like to have a cappuccino with this geek”, Alex smiled.
“Okay, anyhow it’s been a longtime talking to you”, she answered swiftly.
She returned with Alex’s order within few minutes and sat opposite to him. Alex took a large bite of sandwich and was too engrossed to look at Sarah’s poignant face.
“I’ve seen you carrying that girlish pink diary every time you come here. If you don’t mind, can I know about it?” Sarah asked curiously.
“Hmmm”, Alex took a sip, “It belongs to my best friend”, he answered.
“She must be lucky, after all his best pal is owns one of the most creative companies in the world”, she smirked.
“You are right Ms. Sherlock Holmes! Actually she is the one who is responsible for where am I right now” Alex exclaimed.
“I don’t think I would be able to go home with such heavy rain out. I would be delighted if you share your story with me”, she said.
“Of course”, Alex said after a quick look at watch clock striking ten past five.
“So let’s Begin!” she exclaimed.