With Love, xxxx. by Varshitha Kancharla (best adventure books to read .txt) 📗

Chapter 22

Kathleen’s parents stayed with her. Her mother didn’t ask or raise the topic about her marriage with Michael. She didn’t want to force her anymore as she understood her daughter could take decisions on her own. 

After spending two days with Kathleen, they left to their native. They asked Kathleen to go with them for few days but she rejected saying she had works. But the truth was she was waiting for the stranger. She was afraid if she went with them and at the same time if the stranger again think to meet her, then she would miss him. 

Days passed. She was getting recognition from most of the people. She was spending her life like she wanted. But she felt like something was missing in her. She had been expecting for letters from him but she was not getting any letters. From the day they thought to meet, she didn’t receive any letter. 

She got scared thinking something might happened to the stranger. But her heart was saying nothing happened to him and he was safe somewhere. All the thoughts were heating up her head and she couldn’t clear the chaos in her mind. She went crazy with the thoughts about him. Whenever she decided to focus on other things, even when she decided to focus on a new story, she was getting distracted with his thoughts. 

When she was in her thoughts, someone rang the doorbell. Her spirits lifted up hearing that. She thought it was the stranger. She didn’t think of any other person or go for any second thoughts. 

She ran to the door and excitedly she opened it. She saw a tall man holding a suit case in front of her. For a second, she felt it was her stranger and prayed for it to come true. 

With stammered voice, she asked “S-Stranger?” 

The man looked at her with confused face and said “I’m Simon.” 

They both looked at eachother for a moment then he spoke “I came to give this to Ms. Nina. She is my co-worker and requested me to give this at her home.” He said showing his suitcase to Kathleen. 

Kathleen didn’t recognize him as he joined in the office recently. 

He then asked “Is this Ms. Nina’s house?” 

Kathleen put her hand on her eyes to stop the tears from falling down. She kept silent without uttering anything. 

“Is this...” when he was about to ask again, Kathleen said

“Yes. It is. I am Nina’s friend. Give it to me.” 

He then gave it to Kathleen and asked “Ms. Kathleen. The author?” 

She smiled looking at him and nodded her head. 

“I heard about your book. Nina told me.  Congratulations.” He said smiling. 

“Thank you.” 

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you before. I don’t have the habit of reading books and I don’t know ant authors. Don’t mind.” 

“No. That’s completely fine. Come in.” She said gesturing him to enter in. He nodded and entered in. She took the suitcase inside and put it on the table.

She offered him juice and he started drinking. He then said “Your friend Nina always speaks about you. Almost everyone in our office know you. I even heard few people talking about your story. Your friend loves you a lot.” 

Kathleen smiled and didn’t reply anything. After drinking his juice, he stood from the couch and started to leave. 

“Nice meeting you, Ms. Kathleen. I wish you’ll get more success and reach higher levels.” 

“Thank you. Glad meeting you, Mr. Simon.” 

He then left the house. She sat on the couch wrapping her hands over her knees. 

She sat still for many hours not doing anything. At evening, Nina entered in. She looked so happy and her face was glowing for some unknown reason. She stood in front of Kathleen and started shouting her name “Kat!” 

Kathleen raised her head and looked at her friend.  

“Nina! You look so happy?” She said more like questioning. 

“Indeed. I’m so happy.” 

“What happened?” 

“You know, most of the employees who work at the office, read your story. They loved it. They came to me and asked to arrange a meet with you. They said they would be beyond glad if you talk to them. Oh my god! When I heard that, I literally had no words to reply them. But I said I would arrange. How proud feel it is?” 

Kathleen gave a bright smile listening to her. Nina sat beside her and kept telling many things. Kathleen simply kept nodding to her. Nina looked at the suitcase and asked “Simon gave this?” 

“Yeah! He came in the afternoon.” 

“He didn’t tell me. Whatever! He looks cute, isn’t he?” Nina asked smiling. 

Kathleen smiled back and became silent again. Nina noticed Kathleen thinking about something. 

“Kat! What are you thinking?” 

“When he rang the doorbell, I thought it was...”

“The stranger?” Nina asked before Kathleen finished her sentence. It’s not the first time so Nina could guess what she was about to say. 

Kathleen nodded her head and bent her head down. She kept her gaze on the floor and tapped her fingers on her knee. 

“Kat! It’s been many days. You can’t always think about him.” 

“I’m trying Nina. But whenever I try to forget the stranger, I remember him more and I couldn’t stop thinking.” 

“I can understand, Kat. It’s your first and actually a strange love with a stranger. I know it hurts but still... you should try. You achieved your dream and living like you always dreamt of.” 

Kathleen didn’t reply anything. She kept silent listening to her friend. 

Nina then asked “Started any new story?” 

Kathleen nodded her head as no. She then said “I’m trying to focus on my works but I’m getting distracted.” 

“Kat! Months before, he made you focus on your career but now he is distracting you.” 

Kathleen looked at her friend with narrowed eyebrows. Nina then continued saying “You weren’t focusing on anything. If you continue this, you cannot go further.” 
“Nina?” 

Nina stood from the couch and started saying “Kat, you have to forget everything. Your book got a lot of compliments and the people need you. They need your writings. You need to build your career. He is the reason for your beginning, if you don’t focus on it then indirectly he will be the reason for your end. You have to let him go.” 

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