#30 A PROMISE KEPT
This party was strange from the beginning.
Sebastian invited some of his friends and they came with their girlfriends and boyfriends and there were so many people there, but somehow he was alone. He used to party with his friends, he used to celebrate with them, but in the last months, he left out more and more parties and was only a guest at the university, so he didn't know what was going on anymore. Then Julian was missing. He was usually the one who makes a party the best party you have ever been to. In addition, Anna was missing either. Sebastian sneaked from the kitchen to the main room and back, he shook cocktails and brought snacks. He kept trudging here and there.
People were talking, drinking, eating, music was playing, but Sebastian didn't participate much. He was standing there, sometimes he even sat down for a while and it looked like he was listening to party stories, he was even laughing with his guests, but they noticed he was waiting for someone.
Karolina and other guests thought it might have been Julian. Julian was “the better half of this duo” and took care about all people. If you met him, you got that impression that he’s caring about you and he is listening to you, as if you would be the only person on earth. It was hard to explain, but he really seemed to be interested in who you are, in what is on your mind and what you already experienced. He was taking your story literally out of your mouth and you were happy that someone like Julian was listening to you so intently.
Then the doorbell rang and everybody was relieved about it. Sebastian opened the door. Julian was standing in front of him. Sebastian was disappointed and Julian didn't have to read his mind to see it.
Julian looked great and handsome as always. His hair was a little bit wet because of the rainy evening. He looked into the room and just saw well-known faces. Sebastian’s face wasn't the happiest one indeed. Sebastian was apparently wishing to see someone else.
-How is the party? – asked Julian and didn't have to wait for an answer, because you could see at one glance that this party was just a talking round between friends. He looked at Sebastian and noticed his tension. At the same time, he noticed a specific smell, very delicate, almost imperceptible and he thought about the girl he was looking for. This was her smell. How was it possible? Maybe he didn't see her that long, there are so many people and there are so many similar smells. He didn't want to show that he was confused as well as his friend.
-She will come, don’t worry! – He added and he didn't say this to comfort only his friend.
Then he went into main room where everybody was waiting for him. He started to talk with girls and boys and everybody was laughing. The atmosphere was saved and became better minute after minute. Even if you knew Julian, you wouldn't notice his illness. He looked gorgeous. Girls –although most of them were in a relationship – looked at him with a kind of seductive fire in their eyes. Boys could just be jealous, but they already got used to the girls' reactions and accepted them. They knew Julian wouldn't start anything that would cause relationship troubles for his friends. From the very beginning, everybody knew he was a guy who was better than others. Girls dreamt about him, always thinking they were not good enough for him. Guys were mostly impressed by his strict attitude towards relationships: he didn't want to have any. He was happy as he was: alone. That way he gained his friends' trust.
Sebastian watched his guests and took care about food and drinks. He was a little bit nervous but it was easier for him to cope with the situation knowing his best friend was there. Somehow, you always need someone by your side to feel better in bad situations. At least Sebastian didn't have to worry about the party’s atmosphere. Finally, the guests were really happy and enjoying themselves.
-And, where are the presents? – Julian asked and laughed.
He had a great surprise for Sebastian.
-Why don’t we wait until midnight? – said the housekeeper although his birthday was ending at midnight. Nobody opposed, but people looked confused at each other. If it was the wish of the birthday child then you had to accept it.
Shortly before midnight, the doorbell rang the last time for this day.
Sebastian jumped and ran to the door. He was so excited that he couldn't keep his excitement to himself. Everybody knew this person had a special meaning for him.
It was a girl. She was pretty wet and frozen as it was cold outside. It was the middle of March and weather kept changing between cold and rainy days and cold and sunny days. Still, most of the days were not as nice as you were wishing for.
This girl was standing there and spoke to Sebastian very quietly.
-I am sorry I am late. I will not stay long; I just wanted to congratulate you. Happy birthday.
Then she hugged him lightly.
-Please, come in, meet my friends.
-Oh no, I am already on my way home, really.
-Please, do it for me. Just come in and see how I will blow out all candles. – Sebastian was very polite and very friendly. The girl didn't want to come in but finally she let him convince her.
Everybody was standing in the main room, waiting for this girl. They were curious what she looked like and what was so special about her. So far, Sebastian didn't have any long-term girlfriend and his relationships were not deep. This time was behaving a bit weird. This girl had to be special.
Only Julian already knew who she was. He was listening to their conversation at the door and he recognized her voice. He recognized her smell as well. It was still very delicate and still almost imperceptible. He was shocked. He couldn't move for a moment. Luckily, the others didn't notice it. Everyone was waiting for this girl to come into the main room.
Sebastian came into the room like an English conqueror. He was smiling with all parts of his body. She followed right behind.
And there she was... She was wet, frozen and tired. She was wearing an old, dark blue sweater and dark jeans. That is how Julian perceived her, and he could see more than anybody else in this room. She made a small step forward and smiled a little bit. As she came into the room, she waved and said “Hallo”.
Everyone answered with a “Hallo”.
Then she looked at every face in the room and saw girls and boys and amongst them, someone she already knew.
Karolina was surprised to see Julian right behind her. One minute ago, he was standing right next to the doors and now he was near her. However, she didn't follow this thought. She was more focused on the great happiness in Sebastian’s face. He was the old Sebastian again who could smile an honest smile. Then there was this new girl, rather grey and inconspicuous. She had nice brown hair, a nice face, she was standing straight, but she was quite small. She seemed to be very thin, but you couldn't say it for sure because of the big sweater she was wearing. The blue sleeves were too long and you couldn't even see her hands.
Somehow, she was cute. However, her eyes didn't show any specific emotion. She didn't directly look at people in front of her. She was looking at some point above their heads and you couldn't say whether she was happy or sad, astonished or surprised. Her look was a specific one, there were many emotions and her eyes were bright as stars. This was her strength: her eyes. They took in every detail and you were almost forced to look into them. Hypnotic... Sebastian hugged her once again and got closer. Mia just followed his actions – without resistance.
-Everybody, this is Anna. –he said proudly.
She didn't move and didn't blink. She didn't smile.
Then Sebastian introduced his guests and talked about each person’s qualities, as he would like to integrate his new girl into his circle of friends.
-This is Magda, she’s a very nice person and loves mathematics. She can imitate signatures so it is quite useful to have her in most of my lectures. That is Karolina. She is the artist in our group. She can paint and use pencils not only to make notes. Let me introduce you to one of the most well known party girls, Joasia, and this is her boyfriend, Stefan. – Sebastian continued and didn't n
otice that she didn't only listen to him, but looked at Julian more than once.
Finally, Sebastian said:
-Last but not least, this is my best friend, please meet Julian.
They almost had to move through the whole room to speak with him. Julian was standing at the window and didn't seem to be interested in small talk and starting to gossip with his other friends. He looked bored and was the worst birthday party participant ever. All his charm and his ability to connect with people was gone. He turned to Sebastian and Anna as they came towards him. Sebastian didn't manage to say a word and he had all Julian's attention. Julian didn't look at Anna aka Mia. He was only concentrated on how Sebastian would introduce her to him.
-Julian is our playboy, he is charming and he is most suitable for a best friend. That’s Anna, we’re working together and running during the week, as you already know.
She tried to look into Julian’s eyes to find out something. He was the guy who helped her to get to her aunt some weeks ago and everything started with him. She was mixed up but she could hide it easily. There were more problems now, than thinking about a guy, who was fascinating, over and over again.
She said “Hallo” and he replied the same. That was it: game over. They didn't connect on any further level.
People gathered at the round table, which wasn't used very often and surprised Sebastian with a home-made cake. They even put candles on top and lit them.
-You have to blow them out! –Joasia screamed enthusiastically.
Then everybody started to sing “Happy Birthday” and Sebastian was happy. He was wishing for such an evening. Anna wasn't much interested in Julian, Julian wasn't much interested in Anna and everybody had fun.
He didn't have a wish. At the moment he was happy and only wanted for the situation not to change.
In the meanwhile, Anna had disappeared. She only said, she would be back in a minute, but she wasn't back, not even after 3 minutes. Sebastian knew she was wet and surely wanted to dry herself. He gave her a towel and remained relaxed. He even focused on his guests and participated in funny discussions.
Julian was the only one who was unsettled. Nobody noticed, but he went from one corner of the room to another a couple of times and he still wasn't relaxed inside. He had to calm down. He had to talk with her face to face. He listened to sounds in the house and he tried to make out noises in the bathroom. It was quiet in there, somehow too quiet.
Julian was worried because he saw more than everybody else here did. He saw her hobbling. In his memories, she was laughing for real and not for other people. Something was wrong. He left the room and went in front of the bathroom’s door. Nobody noticed his quick movements. He was listening to what she was doing there. If she had had a shower, everybody would be able to hear it. There was a scary quietness.
He looked at the lock and he was familiar with the trick how to open it from the outside. It was one of these old locks, you just had to turn it into the right direction, even from outside, and you easily unlocked the door. He didn't think about it, he just did it. He unlocked the door.
Then he stepped in. Without a warning, without an excuse... He just stepped in without a word and closed the door.
She was sitting on the edge of the bathtub. Her pants were off and you could easily look at her thin legs. She looked up surprisingly and saw him. She was angry seeing him there but she didn't say a word and moved her hand to her knees so she could cover herself more.
-I already saw it. You are hurt. –he said quietly.
She didn't move.
-If you don't mind, I will help you.
She didn't move.
He came two steps closer and was already standing in front of her.
-They will notice your absence. - She said under pain.
-Don’t worry about it; we have all the time in the world. - He hushed.
She looked at him and shook her head. He looked at her and didn't know what to do. Even in slow motion, it wasn't obvious what she meant by shaking her head. He knelt down and touched her hand under the sleeve. Then he pulled her hand aside and looked at the wound. Her left leg was bleeding and he didn't know how big this cut was. There was even more blood, when she released the pressure on the wound. He put his hand on it and tried to figure out how to help her best. Before she noticed, he looked into the cupboard for some medicine but he didn't find much in Sebastian’s bathroom.
-I have to take you with me. You cannot stay here in this condition.
-It will be OK, don’t worry. I will manage myself.
-No, you will not. It is a cut of 5-7 cm and the wound needs to be stitched. You lost some blood; you have to rest. You will not manage on your own. Let me help you.
-Will you leave me in peace then?
-I promise.
-OK then. – She agreed.
She almost fainted and fell into the bathtub senseless and he easily caught her. As she was lying in his arms, he thought this was the most natural place for her. As she was sitting, again, he put his hanky on the wound and then he swathed her leg with a bandage she brought with her.
-I will do the rest later, but not here.
He helped her to stand up and opened the door.
-I’ll wait for you at the stairs.
Then he disappeared and came back a couple of minutes later with Sebastian who was still in his party mood.
-Sorry, Sebastian, but I have to go home. I don’t feel well. - Julian said and somehow he looked tired at that moment. Sebastian didn't notice Julian’s exhaustion earlier, but he remembered their last call. That is why he was full of understanding. He was even calm until he saw Mia at the door and she was going to leave as well.
-Oh, you are going home, too? – asked Julian as he wouldn't have been in the bathroom with her and he was so surprised, like nothing ever happened!
-Yes, indeed. – She whispered.
-So, Sebastian, we’ll hear from each other. I’ll call you tomorrow. – Julian said and hugged his friend briefly. Instead of “Bye!” he once again added “Happy Birthday” and left the apartment.
Sebastian looked at Anna and tried to smile.
-I thought you‘d stay longer.
-I am sorry, but I already told you before that it’s impossible. I have to go now.
-Are you sure?
-Yes, please, don't be disappointed, but I really have to go now.
-Should I call you a cab?
-No, it is OK, I manage it.
He was worried to let her go into the dark night alone. It is never a good sign. Then he acted spontaneously: he went on the stairs and called Julian, who returned a few seconds later. He didn't look at her. Instead, he looked at his friend:
-What is going on?
-Please, take her home. I don't want her to go through the city alone at night.
-OK.
A simple “OK” was the answer. Sebastian couldn't believe he did this, but it was better for her. In addition, his best friend knew how precious she was for him. Still, her security was the most important now. He couldn't forgive himself if anything happened to her. Besides, he trusted his friend who apparently wasn't interested in her. You don't steal a girl from one of your fellows!