How I fell in love

He’s here again, staring at me with an amusing look on his face.

I look down clasping my palms together. I look at him from the corner of my right eye.

He’s wearing a black shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows with blue jeans and a pair of white converse shoes.

We’re the only two silent souls sitting on the floor encircled by a dozen of loquacious people.

I have seen him here before; I have seen him sitting on the same floor facing me. Sometimes I see him read; sometimes he plays poker with my other friends. Sometimes he talks about world famous issues.

 I have seen him staring at me. He smiles, but he never talks to me. I have seen him enough to know his name.

And he’s looking at me again

I stretch my legs looking back at him.

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes

I smile back tentatively and slowly. A little smile won’t hurt I realize.

“Let’s watch The Hunger Games” I hear someone suggesting. I divert my gaze at others.

I hear certain people scowling.

“The Hunger Games suck. Let’s watch the Avengers. It’s cool” Another one suggests.

My friends eventually start arguing. I hear swear words, I hear various movie names, and I hear slapping and rattling.

And then there’s me wrapped my arms around my self speechlessly.

“I’d rather read a book than listening to this shit” I hear him saying patiently.

I sit straight and look at him. Now he has my attention. He looks back at me with a puzzled look on his face.

“You read?” I ask

“One of my hobbies” He says shooting a full wide smile.

“Cool, I read too” I reply with a serious face.

“What do you like to read?” He wants to know

“Everything, I read everything” I reply without a hesitation.

“I like fantasy” He says running his fingers through his hair.

“Have you read The Hunger Games trilogy?” I ask

“Yes. You?”

“Yea, I have”

“Another reason not to watch it” He says running his fingers to brush his neck.

“True that” I feel a hard knot in my stomach as I look away timidly.

“It’s my home, my DVD player. We’re watching The Hunger Games” I hear my best friend warning ridiculously.

“You want to read a book? He’s got a good fantasy book collection upstairs” He says pointing at my best friend’s brother who’s gorging on a pizza.

I look at his eyes. There’s something in them. Hope? Sarcasm? Anger? I don’t get it well.

“Yea sure” I say, lower my voice suddenly.

He grins as he uses his hands to stand up.

I signal my best friend and she winks. I ignore her.

We both scoot upstairs. He takes slow steps behind me.

We find my best friend’s other brother playing poker with friends and we wave at them.

“Do you read fantasy?” He asks, putting his hands in to his jeans pockets.

“I watch fantasy, but I haven’t read much” I reply as we enters to the room where my best friend calls the study room.

“Supernatural?” He raises his eyebrows

“Yea and Once Upon A Time, Vampire Diaries, Haven”

“Hey, I too watch Once Upon A Time. It’s my favorite” He’s delighted now. His eyes are sparkling and it’s too much to watch them.

I give him a wide smile.

“So what you want to read?” He asks looking down at the small unarranged messy bookshelf situated at a corner in the study room.

I walk near him, my hand brushes his hip and he stills.

I move a bit away looking down.

“There’s Time Traveler’s Wife, The Notebook, This Charming Man and all sorts of Meg Cabot’s books. I’ve read them all.” I say throwing my hands in the air slowly.

“You sound like an addictive reader?” He smirks and I nod.

“There’s a good fantasy fiction collection here” He says pulling out a book named a clash of kings. Oh that I haven’t read before.

“You like” He says showing me the book and I nod slowly.

He hands me the book and chooses another book for him.

He grins and we both set ourselves on a couch next to the bookshelf.

I open the book and flip over the first few pages. I try to concentrate on the story but I feel uncomfortable to do so with a strange man sitting next to me.

“What else do you like?” He asks me breaking the silence.

“I like Books, Cricket, Music and Bollywood” I reply in a glance

He keeps the book away as he sits facing me with an interested look on his face.

We keeps talking I don’t know for how long but well enough to know him better.

We talk about books, we talk about life and how we see life, we talk about love.

He tells me about his family, about his passions, his dreams, what he likes and what he doesn't’t like. We talk for seconds, minutes and hours about him, about me and about us. He’s witty, he’s intelligent, he’s patient, he’s strong and the list is endless.

I look at my phone to check the time. God, it’s been more than an hour since we came here and I can’t believe I spent so much time here without moving a single organ.

“I think we should go downstairs. It’s getting late” I put a clash of kings back in to the bookshelves and he follows me.

I walk towards the door and I hear him calling me

“I’d love to see you again”

I turn back at him confusingly.

He stands there in front of me with a hopeful look laid on his eyes. None of us say a word, none of us move a single muscle, and we just stare at each other speechlessly.It may have only taken a minute but I feel like days,months,years and decades have gone passing by us. .

And then I realize that he’s waiting for my reply. I want to giggle so loudly yet I control myself with much patience.

I want to say no, I want to say yes. Mostly I want to say yes more than anything. I want to see him again too. He’s not just another ordinary guy with a pretty face, there’s something that beguiles me about him. Maybe I will find out what it is if I see him again.

“Yea sure, why not” I reply shyly

He shoots me a thrilled look. “When?” He walks closer me.

“Are you free anytime soon?” He asks before I reply.

“I’m not sure”

“Can I call you? So we can arrange a date” He asks me, there’s something cute in his eyes

“Are you asking me on a date?”  I ask him in a ridiculous way.

“Never denied that” He grins.

I laugh. Gee, he’s witty.

“Good lord, I thought you’d slap me” He sighs with relief.

We both laugh.

I ignore him and walk towards the door.

“Hey” He says

“What now?” I shoot him a wry smile

“It’s just nothing big. I’m so glad we didn't watch The Hunger Games” He says shyly through his laugh.

I blush and by nightfall I’m in love.

All she wanted

She saw him as her future,uttering the words with her lips closed to his ears, "Baby this is forever"
Her heart was fluttered with his intoxicating eyes along with the strange addiction she had for his words and his smile.
All she wanted was his hand around her arm, holding her tight that no one could ever pull them apart.
Her mind wandered through every corner, with ambitions full of life promising her a happy ending she fancied every minute.
She believed in her love leaving all the negativity behind with her hopeful eyes laid on his warmth and care.
She emerged above darkness accompanying him through thick and thin with a consistent belief to never leave him alone.
She soon became his other half,deprived of a single reason to look back and regret with all the happiness and affection she was already embracing.

Life with books

A rebel I notice, fighting for her territory, fighting for her family, fighting for her race.

Going after a love that never exists, sometimes I see her as a hapless romantic.

Or maybe she’s glamour but bounded by dirty dark secrets.

She’s a companion with promising dreams.

She’s a hand for a one in need.

She’s lustful, she’s bold, she renovates, she loves, she gets wounded, she cries, she’s everything.

I see her everywhere.

I see her everyday.

I see her every time.

She, that’s me, She’s me.

She’s who I am.

She’s the fighter I desire to be.

She’s the confidante I try to be.

I see her in me with every word I read,

I feel her in me with every page I turn.

I desire her in me, with every book I read.

I hunt her to everywhere; I want more of her.

She’s the one I find myself with, the one I survive myself with.

She’s me.

And that’s all I could be.

That’s all I ever desire to be.

That’s all I ever try to be.

She’s me! 

Dear You

Wherever my soul tried to escape,I ended up being back in the same place and that's you.
Whatever my heart tried to deny,I hated myself admitting my love and that's you.
Whenever my feelings tried to change,I lost the battle waiting for someone and that's you.

You are my favorite mistake

You are the story I never want to end.
You are the silence I ever want to break.

You are the sunshine I never want to fade.
You are the loneliness I ever want to eliminate.

You are the good luck I never want to waste.
You are the dreams I ever want to chase.

You are my favorite mistake I want to make, again and again!

The YOLO poem

You care too much,
You care too much that you end up being heart broken.
You think too much,
You think too much that you end up missing all the fun.
You worry too much.
You worry too much that you end up getting sick
You surrender too much,
You surrender too much that you end up being someone else, but yourself.
You fear too much,
You fear too much that you end up forgetting you only live once.

It's a thing called Luv-Part 1

“You need to hear this Kelvin” Emma’s voice shrilled as she spun across her busy rich boyfriend Kelvin Warner. “Later” Kelvin replied coldly concentrating more on his Blackberry. “Oh come on! I've already decided where to go for our holidays. We’re visiting our farmhouse in Wennington. They call it the Buttercup farm. I haven’t seen it from years. I left Wennington when I was 7 years old. Those times were golden. After my parents passed away my uncle took care of everything and now their son, my cousin, Jason’s in charge. It’s going to be so much fun” Emma’s eyes sparkled as she waved her hands wildly.
“Listen, I’m in middle of something important. I don’t think this is a very good idea Em, because I don’t have time for mooing cows and hens and mud. Plus can’t you find any other time for those stuff like when you’re old and retired? You’ll have plenty of time to visit your hometown when you’re old. We’re not going”
“Then where are you wanted to go for our holidays? Do you have any better plans? Emma said with hope
“Well, I just forgot to tell you. Our company’s getting a big deal from a Japanese company. This might be our chance to earn some extra bucks. So I have to stay here in London. Em you know this is important to me right? I mean I can’t let this huge opportunity to slip away”
Emma started at Kelvin, galvanized.
“What’s happening to us Kelvin?”
“What?”
“You’ve changed so much that I can’t tolerate it anymore. You’re so selfish. You don’t have time for me. You never listen to me. This is so you!” Emma tried to sound calm while looking in Kelvin’s eyes. “I think you’re overreacting” Kelvin didn’t look at Emma. Instead he typed on his phone. Emma felt a raw hurt with Kelvin’s behavior.
“It’s the truth. When will you ever have time for me?” Emma’s voice trembled and she tried to calm herself.
“I think you’re being immature. I’m not like you, I have a job and..”
“What do you mean?” Kelvin’s words were cut short by Emma’s voice
“Oh, you’re telling me that my job is nothing? You think writing for a magazine is nothing?” Emma replied. She got hit by Kelvin’s words.
“What? No I didn’t mean that. I mean I’m responsible for lots of things in my company. You’re free to do whatever you want. But I’m not. Every move I make has to be wise and accurate. I work 24/7.Why are you so upset Em? You have to understand me” Kelvin looked baffled.
“I understand you, I always do. But you don’t give a damn about my feelings” Emma breathed hard trying to keep her tone down.
“This is completely absurd” Kelvin looked vivid.
“Oh yes, I’m absurd. You are 100% correct as always” Emma gave a little sarcastic look as she set her coffee mug on Kevin’s desk, at his office, Universal solutions.
“I think this has to take an end” Kelvin said impatiently. His eyes were burning with an annoyed feeling.
“You’re wasting both of our time and that too over a stupid holiday” Kelvin utterly baffled. Emma stood there for a while silently. She was badly hurt inside.
“You know what…” She broke off “ I think I’m done. Done with you. I’m done with us” Emma felt erratic when she spilled out the words
“What?” Kelvin asked loudly trying to get over from the shock he just had. “Yes, this doesn’t have to go any further. Enough is enough. I think I should go now” Emma replied taking a deep breathe. Emma headed towards the door so quickly that she could hear her heels hitting the wooden floor hard.
“What the hell Emma? What’s wrong with you?” Kevin asked with a self conscious look on his face. Emma turned around raising a finger.

“Well, that’s a question you have to ask from yourself. Good Luck”

____________________________________________________________



“Wennington? Well, Em I don’t like the idea at all” Justin Emma’s best friend cried while they were taking breakfast at Emma’s apartment. Justin sounded worried than never before.
“What’s wrong with Wennington? It’s where I grew up as a kid. It’s my home town. I was 6 when mom and I moved in to London after dad’s unexpected death. I think mom was too depressed to stay in Wennington. I never saw Wennignton after that. Mom wanted to visit Wennington one day, but with her sudden death I forgot all about it. I just got this letter from Jason my cousin. He’s invited me to visit our old house. He’s expecting me to be there by tomorrow night.I’ll be back in a month or so. I’ve been working hard for the magazine and I really need this break” Emma replied calmly, grabbing a bite from her toast.
“But you haven’t talked to him from years. You know no one from Wennington. You’ll be all alone. Emma those people are old fashioned and they think in a different way. You won’t fit in that easily” Justin pointed.
“Is this about Kelvin?” Rachel, Emma’s other best friend piled on. Rachel’s words were too solid that they woke Emma’s sadness which was sleeping for a while deep down inside her.
“Oh I don’t know. I always wanted to visit Wennington. Well, not alone like this but Hey, who cares? It’s all over between me and Kelvin now. I think this trip to Wennington will help me to get over Kelvin. I need to start over, forget my past and move on. After all Jason Brooks is my family. It’s true that I don’t know anyone from there except Jason. But I’ll get used to it” Emma replied in a positive way. She was already too frantic to live in London after the whole Kelvin incident. He was her family, well that’s how she thought until they broke up. She thought she could count on him, but instead Kelvin was running after materialistic pleasures. She wondered how drastically she wanted Kelvin to call. But he didn’t. He was too arrogant to accept his faults. He never wanted to make it up for the heart break he caused inside Emma.
“So when are you leaving?” Justin said raising his eyebrows
“Tomorrow morning. I’ll leave early because it’s a long journey and I have to drive by myself” Emma replied.
“No ways you’re doing that. I’ll drive you” Justin slapped Emma’s arm.
“That’s so nice of you guys, but I can take care of myself. I’m 23 now. Also it will be a good change for me as well” Emma said with a positive vibe on her face.
“Hmm” Emma saw a tear rolling down from Rachel’s eyes. Emma pulled Rachel towards her and hugged Rachel tightly.
“Oh Rachel please, it’s not like I’m going to die or anything”
Justin pat Emma’s back with a chuckle. Rachel laughed wiping her tears as Emma let go of her.
“It’s just that we’ve never been apart like this and I’m going to miss you so”
“Oh come on, we can have our little chit chats over the phone” Emma replied.
“Yea,right”
“Our beloved friend Emma Rosemery Brooks is going to spend her holidays inside a messy farm alone” Justin screamed in a ridiculous way.
“I’m not alone. There’s Jason and there are people who works at the farm as well” Emma corrected
“Bummer, I was going to scare you about ghosts” Justin replied in a defeated tone.
“Haha very funny, Oh you guys. We are taking like forever to finish our breakfast. I have so much packing to do” Emma stammered with her eyes huge. She ran towards her bedroom.
“Let us help you” Rachel replied following Emma to her room.
_________________________________________________________


 The long drive to Wennington was too tiresome for Emma and there were only few services along the way. There were a few gas stations, but nowhere even to eat a proper meal. Emma saw a supermarket along the way but she was too exhausted to stop by. All she could see was creamy paddy fields glowing along the road. Emma was fascinated by the view of the paddy fields and flower orachards when she drove all along.

Wennington was a lovely town. It looked historic and proud. It was around 6pm when Emma arrived at Buttercup farm. It was a huge land with an old looking giant three storied house standing on it. There was a narrow path leading to the house through a huge fruit orchard. She drove her car through the narrow path slowly while watching the trees which were standing raw upon raw bearing beautiful apples. She could also see a huge storage situated in a corner of the land along with other buildings which she realized as chicken coops and barns. The whole land was stuffed with various looking trees she could barely recognize. All of them were bearing colorful fruits. She could identify a corn yard far away behind the barn. It was her home, but it didn’t feel in that way. The entire picture was unfamiliar yet beautiful. The farm she saw was quite different from the farm she grew up. Everything was changed in a positive way. But Emma couldn’t remember anything, she 6 when she left the farm. So Emma wasn’t worried why she forgot everything .“Jason have done a good job reconstructing it” Emma thought as she parked her in the front yard
The best part of her journey so far was seeing her old home. It was perfectly picturesque. It was better than her crummy apartment back in London.
Waiting to greet her in the front yard was Jason, her cousin wearing a flannel blue shirt with faded jeans. He was tall and average with brown hair and brown eyes unlike Emma’s dark hair and eyes. He was growing a goatee and he looked very boyish.
“Emma?” Jason urged dubiously.
“Hey Jason” Emma replied uncomfortably. She didn’t want to sob or scream, because seeing Jason didn’t change anything. He was just Jason after all, not Santa clause.
“Oh my god! You have changed so much.” Jason cried animatedly. “Well you too, you didn’t have that goatee those days” Emma replied in a funny tone.
“Haha, I was 15 back then” Jason laughed.
“It’s good to see you again Jason” Emma hugged Jason, assuming it as the most appropriate move.
“Oww, it’s great to see you Em. You are the light to our darkness.” Jason said in a poetic way.
“What?” Emma winced.
Jason winked in a funny way
“Look who’s here” Emma heard a high pitched voice coming from the house.
Suddenly a tall woman came over. She appeared to be in her early twenties with blond straight hair. Without speaking a word she hugged Emma. Emma had no clue about the lady. But the strange lady acted like she knew Emma.
“Oh she’s so pretty, just like when she was small. Isn’t it Jason”
Jason smiled nodding. “Thank you, but do I know you?” Emma stared at her with curiosity. Both Jason and the lady looked at each other completely dumbfounded. “Oh dear, it’s me. Helen? We used to play together”
Emma stared with a blank expression. “It’s me Helen McIntosh? Maid McIntosh’s daughter, Emma you and I played together. We played a game called the dolls.”
Emma’s mouth wide opened “Helen McIntosh? Helen McIntosh, Maid McIntosh’s daughter? Oh I remember Maid McIntosh, but I can’t remember you”
“Oh how bad!” Helen said in a disappointed voice.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m staying here for a while and you can remember me everything right?” Emma suggested. “That sounds great!” Helen clapped her hands.
“Hold your chit chat for another time, I don’t think Em wants to stand outside forever” Jason said smiling.  “Oh dear, you must be starving, let’s get inside. I have delicious food prepared for you. “Helen said pulling Emma’s hand.
Inside the house, it was really warm and cozy. It was a fully structured Georgian styled house with nicely arranged furniture including a huge flat screen placed on the wall. The entire house was much larger than she expected. The house had more than 5 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms. Each room was separated by a large corridor and it felt quite creepy to walk through them.
Emma was given her old bedroom in the 1st floor with plenty of furniture. There was a small bathroom in a corner with a large bath and a separated shower. There were two large sliding windows in the room. She could see the entire farm from those windows. She looked at the pink canopy bed which was in the middle as she threw her jacket on to the futon cushion aside.
“Jesus, I remember this room. But this pink bed was not what I had when I small” Emma sighed.
Emma lied on the bed and rang Rachel’s mobile. “Thank god, you’re alive” Rachel’s familiar voice appeared from the other side. “Yes, I just wanted to say that I made it alive” Emma said in a funny tone. “So how’s it there in Wennington? Your cousin and everyone else?” Rachel asked completely ignoring Emma’s sarcasm. “Good, a bit dramatic I would say. Our old maid’s daughter live here. She was sad when I didn’t recognize her” Emma replied casually. “Oh poor thing, well good luck then” Rachel sounded worried. “ Yea, I have to go now. I’m starving. Will ring you later. Tell Justin, I’m fine” Emma said before hanging up.
It was around eight o’clock when Emma changed her clothes and went downstairs. She could see Helen and a small girl arranging the plates while Jason brought a crusty golden bread plate to the table.
“Oh Emma, meet Melanie. My sister” Helen said while grabbing the girl’s hand. The little girl whose name was Melanie looked thin and short with blonde hair tied up using a ponytail. She was wearing a green sleeveless dress and she had a weird looking teddy bear and it was dressed up in a weird looking pajama.
“Hi Melanie. I’m Emma” Emma said giving Melanie a sweet smile. Melanie blushed as she replied Emma “Hi Emma. Your T-shirt is nice”
“Oh thanks” Emma said looking down at her T-shirt. “How’s London” Melanie kept asking.
“Well. London’s being London.” Emma replied numbly.
“Oh, I think London is the prettiest place I can ever imagine. Have to been to madam tussauds?” Melanie wanted to know as they sat around the dining table. The dining table was oak dark and had dark cabriolet chairs. The dinner table was stuffed with delicious looking food. Emma was totally hypnotized with the ravenous smell. “Ah huh, it’s boring” Emma said.
“So how does it feel to be home Emma?” Jason asked. “Oh, good” Emma replied shortly. “What do you think of my dress and my teddy bears pajama?” Melanie interrupted. Emma stared at the Teddy for a while and went “I think they look fine” But the truth was she thought the Teddy looked stupid.  “So what’s new with you? How’s your work?” It was another question from Jason for Emma’s annoyance.
“Everything’s fine Jason.” Emma smiled.

“That’s enough I think. Let Emma eat. She looks tired. You can spill all your questions another day” Helen said giving Jason and Melanie the eye. And then they all could see how hungry Emma was.
The next day was very productive for Emma as she could make a few couple of friends at the farm. Melanie was her first friend and she didn’t have the heart to ignore the poor child who blushed whenever Emma talked to her.
“You have to see outside Emmy, You’ll love it.” Melanie cried with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Don’t call me Emmy, that’s stupid” Emma groaned. “I’m really tired”
 “Well, I think that’s a very pretty name” Helen replied defending Melanie. “You’ll be alright once you breathe the fresh air”
“Emmy I have so much to show you.” Emma couldn’t say no as she could clearly see Melanie’s enthusiasm.
“Okay fine” Emma said while jumping out of the futon couch.
_________________________________________________________________
 Emma and Melanie became best friends soon and Emma was introduced to other employees at the farm by Melanie. A guy named Nevil became her favorite as he was interested in books just as Emma. The other workers Gerogory, Stephan,Simon and Larry were too shy to look at Emma as she was the most good looking lady they’ve ever seen.
“We’ll show you around” Nevil cooed.
“Oh maybe I can watch some TV inside” Emma suggested lazily looking around
Completely ignoring her, Nevil and Melanie pulled Emma inside to the barn.
“I can’t remember any of these” Emma said while staring at the mooing cows.
“These are new, no wonder why you can’t remember these things.” Nevil answered.  “These guys are happy more than me” Emma sighed pointing at the cows.
“Well, it’s up to you to decide whether to be happy or not. Sometimes you don’t give happiness a chance to blossom and instead you worry” Nevil replied in a poetic way.
“What do you mean?” Emma asked
“You can’t find happiness if you stare whole day at cow poop. Buttercup farm is more than that” Nevil replied.
Emma stared at Nevil for a while. Somewhere inside her she knew he was right. The whole Wennington trip was about changing herself in to a better new person but she wasn’t ready to give up her old drastic self.
“Hey,fancy taking me a tour to see the farm?”
Both Nevil and Melanie smiled broadly as Emma turned to them.
They took Emma on a tour to show her each and every corner inside the farm which was fascinating than Emma thought. Emma liked their calmness. She could feel the freshness coming from the corn yard and the beautiful fruit orchard which were way beyond beautiful. Emma helped Nevil and Melanie to collect the ripen fruits as she put them neatly inside a basket. She almost forgot about Kelvin and everyone else back in London. For once she felt like she’s in home.

Emma and Melanie spent rest of their morning feeding the cows and hens. Emma volunteered to help the workers. Emma was enjoying the whole thing to the fullest till she heard a bell ringing for lunch.
“Let’s go, it’s time for lunch” Melanie grabbed Emma by her hands as they both ran towards the house.
“That was so awesome Mel” Emma laughed as she squeezed Melanie’s tiny hands. “Really? You liked it?” Melanie replied with her cheeks turning red with happiness. “Yes I loved it” Emma replied
They both giggled while running in to the house. Emma’s high pitched giggle went down as she saw a guy sitting at the dinning table. He looked up startled, as Emma came walking by. The strange guy had dark curly hair and dark puppy eyes. None of them spoke as they stared at each other for a while and the strange guy looked down. Jason broke the silence as he entered to the kitchen

“Hey Em, how was your day?”  “Oh, it was perfect” Emma replied looking away from the strange guy. “I’m so glad you’re adjusting. Oh I almost forgot to introduce you to my friend Danny. Danny this is Emma Brooke my cousin sister and Emma this is my good friend Danny Adams.” Jason clapped Danny on back.
Danny stood up and gave Emma a shy smile and Emma nodded in the similar way. Danny was around 6 foot 1 tall and he was lean. Emma thought Danny looked really cute with his dark puppy eyes. She assumed he was really shy and silent with the way he behaved.”
Jason invited Danny for lunch and he accepted. Everyone sat around the table and Emma got the seat next to Danny. She could feel a strong perfumed aroma coming from Danny. “So Emma, Danny owns a pub here in town named The Dungeon. Danny’s a good cook. Well Emma’s a writer and she writes for a magazine. Right Emma?” Helen said passing the bread to Melanie.
“Yes” Emma chimed in. Emma could see Danny looking at her and looking away her soon as she looked at him.
“Danny, why don’t you take Emma to your pub? You can take her to see the town as while right?” Jason suggested.
Both Emma and Danny looked up at Jason. I don’t want to go anywhere with this shy stranger. Emma wanted to say.
“Yea, okay” Danny mumbled looking down at the floor.
Then Jason’s gazed turned towards Emma waiting for an answer.
Gee whatever, she wanted to say but instead she replied in a polite way “If only Danny don’t mind”
“No that’s fine with me” Said Danny with a wry smile on his face. “Can I take Melanie as well?” Emma added. She could see Emma beaming with happiness.
“That’ll be fine Em. Melanie loves to go with you” Helen nodded with a smile. She was happy that Emma was finally making a bond with someone from the family.
“Danny can take us right after lunch, isn’t it Danny?” Melanie wanted to know.
Danny nodded smiling at Melanie.
“Emma, Can I have a word with you” Jason stood up signaling Emma to follow him in to the kitchen. “Sure” Emma stood up and followed Jason, with a curious feeling
“Listen Emma, before you talk with Danny. He’s a very shy guy. He doesn’t talk with women at all unless it’s something special. But he’s a very good man. I hope you’ll be kind to him.” Jason said after closing the kitchen door.
“You mean he doesn’t even ask women out?” Emma asked curiously.
“Never, I have never seen him with women.  I don’t know whether it’s a mental thing or what but please he’ll become shyer if you treat him indifferently”
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to make him blast so that I can go search his brain parts” Emma chuckled.

The dungeon was an old fashioned pub with dark oak tables and chairs. There was an old Elvis Presley song playing inside the pub which seemed to be loved by most of The Dungeon customers.
Emma could see people glaring at her like preachers disturbed in the middle of a prayer. She didn’t like the atmosphere at The Dungeon at all.
“Who’s this beautiful young lady” A guy wearing a cowboy hat appeared out of nowhere. He looked like someone from the nineties.
“This is Emma, Jason’s cousin sister. Emma this is Rick” Danny replied.
“Hey” Emma replied quickly as she pretended to ignore Rick. She didn’t like the whole idea of visiting the town at all. All she wanted was to stay at home with the cows and hens. Because they didn’t ask any questions and they didn’t stare at her in a scary way
“Come on Emmy, Let’s take a seat” Melanie suggested. But Emma wanted to get out from the horrid place anyhow. She didn’t like the cigarette smell or the staring eyes of wicked looking men. “Hey, Mel. How about ice cream? You know we can take a walk outside while having ice cream. How’s that?” Emma said in a soft innocent voice.
Melanie’s was thrilled with Emma’s idea. “You’re the best sister in the whole world. I love ice cream”
But Emma’s relief was short lived though. “Well, I’ll come with you” Danny said while running his fingers through his thick dark curly hair, a gesture Emma was starting to realize he always did when he was shy.
Emma felt flushed. “That’s so nice of you, but we can walk alone.”
“But you don’t know anything here. Melanie’s too little to tell you ways. Also I know a good place where you can get good ice cream” Danny interrupted.
Emma looked at Danny’s face with a blank feeling. She could hear Melanie making happy noises. “But you have work here right?” Emma tried to come up with an excuse. “Rick will take care of everything. You know Jason won’t like the idea of you two going alone for the first time”
“Okay” Emma managed a fake smile on her face.
Danny walked them to a fancy looking ice cream parlor named Chocolates. It was a tiny place with multi colored wall papers. The parlor was decorated with tiny baby rose pots and photo frames. The place was quite decent and Emma appreciated Danny’s choice. “Not so cowboyish” Emma murmured to herself as she went near the counter.
“I’ll have chocolate chip cookie” Melanie said. “What are you having Emma?”
“Umm, I’ll have Rocky road” Emma replied. “I need Rocky road then” Melanie cried.
Emma felt sad for how Melanie tried to impress her. She was already in love with Melanie. She accepted the truth. Melanie was too sweet to hate.
“No, we’ll have double scoop ice creams. Chocolate chip cookie and Rocky road both” Emma suggested.
Melanie nodded as she grabbed emma’s hand which was her favorite thing to do since Emma arrived.
“What are you having Danny?” Emma asked turning at Danny. “Uh, I don’t know. I don’t eat ice cream normally” Danny muttered. “What?” Emma sounded alarmed.
“Everyone eat ice cream. Ice cream is one of the best things in the entire world you can’t deny.”
“Well….”
“Hey, we’ll have three double scoop ice creams. Rocky road and chocolate chip” Emma ordered ignoring Danny.
“Wait, I’ll pay” Danny interrupted taking out his wallet. Emma nodded because she knew he had to do it. It was a rule in her life. When you eat out with a man, he has to pay. No matter whom he is.

“Tell me about what you write Emmy” Melanie asked as she licked on her ice cream greedily. Danny stared at his ice-cream for a while before he took a lick. “Well, I write stuff” Emma replied. “Like what?” Melanie asked.
“About life,feelings,love”
“Do you have a boyfriend Emmy?”
Emma could hear Danny choking on his ice-cream.
It only took a second for Emma to reply “Noooo!”
”Everyone have boyfriends. My friend Christine has a boyfriend from 5th grade”
Emma was surprised at how matured Melanie was trying to be.
“Well, do you have a boyfriend Melanie?”
“No” Melanie answered in a shy way. “Well that makes a pair then” Emma winked.
 “I had a boyfriend but we’re not together anymore”
“But why?” Melanie wanted to know. “Because, we are going in two different paths” Emma replied trying to manage a smile on her face. But inside she was hurt by her own answer.
 “Do you have a girlfriend Danny?” Emma asked gently. Danny looked up and stared at Emma “What, no. I don’t”
“See, He too doesn’t have a partner. Have you ever had a girlfriend?” Emma sighed. Danny shooed his head.
“Well, I do not doubt” Emma giggled. But she knew it wasn’t appropriate because it was his problem, not hers.
“Hey, what do you mean?? Is there any problem that I haven’t been with any women” Danny muttered in an embarrassing tone.  “Oh no, I was just saying” Emma tried to sound sorry.
But Danny was waiting for a long answer and she trailed off “It’s just that I thought it’s funny to be shy around women.”
“I’m not shy, I’m talking with you. Can’t you see?” Danny complained.
“Yes, but you don’t even look me in the eye. I kind of feel like you hate me. Are you gay?” Emma regretted that she had a big mouth to spill those words.
“He’s not gay. He’s really sweet. I’ll marry you Danny” Melanie said nervously.
Danny looked implacable. “Do I look like I’m gay?”
“No” Emma replied, observing Danny’s face. He had a strong impression; in fact he didn’t look cute. He looked manly and handsome as his eyes glowed with a bright darkness. 
“I’m sorry” This time Emma was real.
Danny barely nodded. Emma felt a lump in her throat as she tried to finish her ice cream. “So what kind of a woman, do you like?” Emma asked. Melanie was listening to every bit while she ate her ice cream peacefully.
Danny silently thought for a second before he answered. “I don’t know, some one strong enough to love me for who I am” Danny’s words hit Emma deep inside. All she could think about was Kelvin. Well, Kelvin didn’t love her for who she was. Kelvin thought Emma was immature and needed to grow up. Kelvin thought Emma’s job was rubbish, Kelvin thought Emma doesn’t understand him.
“I hope you’ll find her” Emma said. Danny smiled looking away. It was his usual shy behavior and Emma was getting used to it. “You look worried” Danny asked bluntly. “No, I’m fine. It’s just certain memories haunt me sometimes” Emma said with a fake smile on her face.
“You can tell me if you want”
So Emma was all opening up to Danny about her relationship with Kelvin. Danny listened to her with a calm expression on his face till the end. “Hmm” Emma breathed hardly as she finished her story.
Danny stared at Emma for a while. He had a strong impression on his eyes. Emma felt her eyes getting hot. She was crying. She could feel tears flowing through her eyes.
“Oh I’m sorry. I’m a piece of a shit. This is so ridiculous to cry over a man who never cared about my feelings” Emma took a sip from the water glass kept on the table. Danny handed Emma a tissue as she wiped her tears.
“I think crying is fine, sometimes you have to cry to realize that you’re a human not a robot. I think what’s wrong with people now a day is they don’t cry much often. So they’re like machines and they run after money. The world is too much commercialized that you don’t even know you have people who are counting on you” Danny’s words impressed Emma.
Danny’s eyes had a different sparkle she couldn’t understand.
“Don’t look at me like that” Emma muttered. “Like what?” Danny asked curiously.
“I don’t know. Don’t look at all” Emma cried.
“Okay, I won’t” Danny replied looking away. “I’m sorry for bringing you all my misery. I don’t know why I opened up to you in the first place. We hardly know each other” Emma said taking another gulp of water.
“its fine, being silent and shy doesn’t mean I don’t understand things.” Danny said in a much more gentle voice. “You’re lucky that you’re heart’s not broken” Emma said looking away.
“I am”
“Could you both stop being sad. Please be happy. It’s the happy our at Chocolates” Melanie complained.
Both Danny and Emma laughed at what Melanie said. “It’s true, every dark cloud has a silver lining” Danny smiled. He looked cute, Emma thought.
“I suggest that we take a nice walk through the town. I’ll show you around” Danny said grinning. “That sounds really nice” Emma grinned back.
The next few hours were best of Emma’s life.
 Emma respected the efforts Danny took to impress her. Because no one ever has done a similar thing in her life, not even her best friends. Danny was not the shy, silent guy whom she thought,  though he was old fashioned he had his own way to impress people. Danny took Emma and Melanie to see beautiful fruit orchards and dairy farms. Emma stuffed herself with deliciously smelling cheese. They took a boat ride in the beautiful wenning river. Danny showed them the box tree farm camping cabins and Emma already fell in love with everything she saw during her entire tour.
“That was WOW” Emma cried as she ran through the narrow path as they reached home. Emma and Melanie was doing a ridiculous hopping dance, they created by themselves. She saw Danny staring at her with a broad smile on his face.
“What?” Emma asked controlling her happiness.
“What?” Danny asked looking around. “No I mean that look you gave me a few seconds ago?”
“What about that?” Danny asked looking down at the narrow path.
“Oh never mind…. You know what. You are an awesome,funny,cute man. Please, do me a favor. Never ever change okay?” Emma cried grabbing Danny’s arm like she was his best friend.
Danny’s cheeks turned in to red hot as she tried to look at Emma. Emma felt a tickle going through her spine as he stared at her.
“Well, we better get going. It’s getting dark. Hey aren’t you coming Danny?” Emma asked while Danny stood near the gate like he was glued. “No, I have to go now. Rick must be worried with all the cooking and managing. The place gets worse during the night time. So Good bye then.” Danny said in a tone that suggested he enjoyed the time he spent with Emma and Melanie. Emma gave him a smile “Thanks Danny. I had so much fun” Danny nodded as he saw Emma and Melanie walk towards the house holding each others hands.
He was staring until they disappeared in the dark.



Next day Emma was awaken by a loud noise. “Whaaat!!” Emma cried jumping out of the bed. She raced downstairs hurriedly expecting to see something horrifying.
But there was no one downstairs. “Jason? Helen?” No one replied.
“What the hell? Melanie?” Emma was too angry now.
“Grraaahhhhh” A scary sound startled her and she turned.
Emma gave her a painful cry with what she saw. In front her standing was a huge ugly looking creature. Yes it was an ugly looking creature so big and so green. A monster was standing in her very own living room.
Emma nearly threw herself at the back door speeding her steps. Emma heard herself screaming as she ran as fast as she could. Suddenly Emma felt strong hands coming around her as they grabbed her from the front making her scream more louder.
“Emma, It’s me” It was familiar, the voice. It was Danny.
“What the hell was that?” Emma trembled as she pointed at the house. “What was what?” Danny asked with a blank expression. “I saw something inside” Emma said trying to catch her breathe.
She could hear roar of laughter. Emma looked up. She saw Melanie and Helen coming out from the house. They were holding their stomachs as they laughed out loud. Behind them was the ugly looking monster whom later appeared to be Jason,wearing a costume.
“Happy Halloween” Three of them cried as they squeezed Emma with their gentle hugs. “Oh my god! You guys scared me to death” Emma said with an angry yet impressed feeling. “You should have seen your own face” Jason said trying to control his laugh.  “It was a joke Jason suggested.” Melanie confessed, she looked apologetic. “Oh it’s okay sweety. That was funny anyways” Emma said, and she really meant it. For once in her life she wasn’t angry at all for what her cousins did. She enjoyed it. She took it as a nice memory to take when she leaves Wennington. Wait leaving Wennigton didn’t sound very nice to Emma.
“its Halloween next week and we’re having a party at Danny’s pub. We all have to wear nice costumes” Helen shot Emma a bright look. “I’m going to be the snow white” Melanie said. “Sweet” Emma replied patting Mel on the back.

Later that day Danny invited Emma and Melanie for a walk.
“Tell me about your writing” Danny suggested as three of them walked through the narrow path passing the beautiful fruit orchard at the Buttercup farm. The wind was getting in to its nerves and making Emma’s curly dark hair go back and fourth. “Well, I write for The Arc magazine. I write stories, I write poems, and I write about places I visit, I write about people. I know it’s boring, but I like writing” Emma replied.
Melanie was enjoying their conversation as she looked from Danny to Emma.
“It’s not boring, Writing is not boring. It makes people intelligent. People learn things when they read and you guys are the reason behind it.” Danny said, he had a twinkle in his eyes Emma couldn’t help staring in to. “Kelvin thought my job was useless. He thought I need to find something else like working at an office 24/7. I don’t like desk jobs, I don’t like big duties. I like it this way. But still Kelvin doesn’t approve my idea of working as a writer. I want to publish my own book someday.”
“It’s not about what he wants; it’s about what you want. He’s not your boss. When I was about 21 my parents wanted me to get in to a medical collage. But my life was cooking. I love cooking, it makes people happy and it makes me happy. Everyone in this planet got their own unique talents. We call them talents because we have to work our talents; you have to make them your living. And life will eventually become easy to live. It’s good trying but I think one must fall in love with their work if they want to succeed in it”
Emma stared at Danny for a while “I wish Kelvin thought the same” She meant it; she knew Kelvin was all about money. Kelvin always looked at Emma in an insulting angle. For the time she realized coming to Wennington was one of her best decisions. She knew she had the mentality to get over Kelvin, yet some where inside she was still in love in Kelvin.
“Kelvin and I’ve been dating since 2010. He was different but charming. I thought it’s because he was busy and I forgave him. Maybe that was my biggest mistakes.”
“I think you should take it as an experience so you won’t rush in to any future relationships” Danny said looking down at Melanie who was enjoyed their conversation. 
Emma gave him a cheeky smile.
“Hey, where are we going Danny?” Melanie wanted to know. They were standing in front of an old fashioned Georgian style building. Emma could see the words “THE WENNINGTON” printed on a golden plate on the wooden wall. “The Wennington?” Emma asked. “Yes, it’s a newspaper. This place is not ordinary. Let’s go inside” Danny said pushing the wooden door that led them inside.
Danny was right; the wennington was not an ordinary office. It was more like a book. It looked like a 4th grade class but in a poetic way. Emma could see cream colored imaginary bubbles painted on the light brown wallpapers and all the imaginary bubbles had a quote. Also there were giant looking book shelves down the hall way making the place more poetic. Emma walked slowly through the hallway reading each and every quote written on the imaginary bubbles as a wide smile came across her face. “Is this wonderland” Melanie jumped.
“Yes, its is” Emma replied. “I thought you would like it” Danny said waving to a young guy who was sitting at a table in a corner.
“Is this the library?” Emma asked. “Yes, but it’s a private library owned by The Wennington’s editor Mr. Matthews. He collects books, news papers and magazines as a hobby. This is a very interesting place for literature and history lovers. The Wennington’s office is in upstairs while he uses downstairs as a library” Danny explained.
“This is so cool, can I take photos?” Emma asked as she took her iPhone from her jeans pocket. Danny nodded
Emma took a considerable number of photos till Danny called her. “Emma, look at this” Danny said pointing at a bulleting board next to the guy who was sitting in a corner down the hallway near the staircase. Emma walked near the bulleting board and she could see that Danny was pointing at a vacancy note. The wennington had a vacancy for a writer.
“I think you should apply” Danny suggested. “Oh no Danny, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I mean I’ll be leaving Wennington soon and I’m already working for The Arc.” Emma said in a desperate voice.
“Daniel Adams” A high pitched gentle voice appeared from the staircase as  a short averaged sized man who appeared to be in his late fifties came down taking slowly steps. 
“Oh hello Mr. Mathews” Danny said with a broad smile on his face.
“Who are these pretty ladies?” Mr. Mathews asked looking down from Emma to Melanie. “This is Emma Brooks, Jason’s cousin sister and this is Melanie McIntosh, Helen McIntosh’s sister” Danny made an introduction. “I know you young lady” Mr. Mathews exclaimed. Emma rolled her eyes as Mr.Mathews woke his eyes. “I have seen your photo in the news paper. I read your articles” “Oh yes, The Arc” Emma improvised in a surprise. “You have talent, your writing has got emotion” Mr Mathews explained in a rhythmic way.
“Thank You sir, I was just wondering whether I could publish an article about your library on Arc. If you don’t mind” Emma asked shooting a bright smile at Mr Mathews. “Why not, why not” Mr. Mathews said in an approving way.
“We just saw this vacancy note and I was suggesting Emma to consider it.” Danny interrupted running his fingers through his hair which was one of his common gestures. “Oh no, Thanks. But I don’t think I will find enough time to work for The Wennington. Not that I don’t want to. The Wennignton sounds so fascinating but I’m currently working on another project for the Arc, so I’m afraid I have no time” Emma explained.
“I understand dear, but you’re always welcome here. Call me in case you get some free time for The Wennington. My staff will be extremely happy to work with you anytime” Mr Mathews said handing Emma his card.
Emma nodded in a grateful way.




_____________________________________________________

Emma’s holiday at Wennington was really memorable. She enjoyed spending time with Melanie and Nevil. And Danny was there too, yet he looked really shy in front Emma. Days passed by and Emma was making her bonds strong with the entire buttercup farm members. She talked hours with Nevil about books while she helped everyone else at the farm. Emma also didn’t forget to help Helen at the house hold works. Both Helen and Jason were amazed with Emma’s quality improvement. The entire buttercup farm loved Emma and she was their star. With time Emma got used to Danny’s rare behavior and she started liking Danny a bit more than she expected. Emma thought Danny was a joy to have around. Emma was amazed by Danny’s simplicity. Comparing to Kevin, she thought Danny was a real gentleman. She wondered why Danny never dated anyone as he came out as a nice man in the end.
“I will never be a good house wife” Emma complained while was doing the dishes in a gloomy Thursday afternoon. “Why are you thinking like that” Danny baffled as he sat in a dinning chair sipping a cup of coffee. “Have you ever seen how Helen does the dishes? She’s like a machine and here I am like a snail”
Danny stood up putting his mug aside. “It doesn’t matter how long you take to finish things as long as you have the same intention and the same courage”
Emma stood there staring at Danny for a while. “Are you always like this” Emma questioned. “Like what?” Danny’s black eyes were gazing at her. Emma felt the familiar tickle reappearing in her spine. “Being nice” Emma looked away. “I’m not being nice. It’s how I am.” Danny replied grabbing his coffee mug.
“Yea, gee. Sorry. So with whom are you going to the Halloween party tomorrow? Emma changed the topic easily.
“With whom? For your information I’m not going with anyone. Besides it just a Halloween party not the prom night”
“Would you go with me” Emma asked without thinking twice.
She could see Danny staring at her, astonished. “Uh?” Danny tried to say something yet he was out of words. “I’d like to go to the Halloween party with you Danny” Emma made herself clear.
“Yes, sure. I mean why not” he replied shaking his head. He ran his fingers through his hair which was familiar for Emma.
“So I better get going” Danny said reaching for his keys on the coffee table.
“Yea, Okay” Emma said starting to do the dishes.
“Uhh Emma” Danny muttered. “Do I have to wear a suit or something?”
Emma cracked a little laugh. “It’s Halloween not a prom. Something Halloween friendly I might say”
Danny smiled and nodded as she opened the kitchen door for him. “Good Night”
The Halloween day was extra hectic with Melanie. She wanted to wear like Snow White in a different way, which was much scary and creepy according to Emma. Melanie’s idea was totally ridiculous. “No ways you’re going to do that. You’ll look really beautiful if you wear something sweet, instead of garbage bags and whatever you just told me few minutes ago” Emma said calmly.
“But Emmy, Mary Beth from my class told me that Snow White was funny for Halloween.” Melanie was so disappointed. “Don’t listen to your friends Mel,  I think they’re being ridiculous” Emma said. 

“But… they’ll laugh at me” Melanie started sobbing. Emma felt sad to see Mel in that way. “Hey, just don’t cry. That makes me so sad. I’ll give you a nice idea. You don’t have to be snow white this time. You can make a unique princess out of yourself. You don’t have to be anyone” Emma’s suggestion seemed to be working for Melanie as she clapped her hands vigorously.
“What am I going to wear?” Melanie wanted to know. “Well that, we’ll find out after we finish our shopping” Emma replied.