Jason called an urgent meeting at his place.
Staci and I, we both were sitting in his room, his mother brought some refreshments for us.
As we were eating, he got up and walked towards his desk, picked a picture which was in one drawer.
He handed it over to me,
The picture was of a little girl with young Jason on a train station.
"What?" I asked as I looked at the picture.
I handed it to Staci to have a look.
"Didn't you see it?" he asked, "The thing in her hands, it's a pocket watch."
After listening this I leaned towards Staci to have another look. I don't know why, but it made her face all red.
But it was true that the girl was holding a pocket watch, even though we weren't able to see it clearly but, we could tell that it resembled the one Jason had.
We turned our faces towards Jason for explanation.
*******
(Jason's POV)
[8 years ago]
It was summer,
We had a break from the school. I was playing in the park alone.
I usually would play with my friends, but everyone was either busy or outstation or some other reasons. I was sure lonely, and why would I not? I was playing alone in the park.
The weather was sunny, expected with a summer but, it was mildly windy, a pleasant atmosphere to play basketball. But there was no one to play. That alone was enough to frustrate me a lot.
I sat on the bench nearby glancing in despair,
As I glanced, I saw a girl sitting on a bench across the park. She was alone too.
I walked towards her.
As a kid you don't have any shyness and with my situation at that point I would have even preferred playing with a monkey. I just needed someone to talk to play.
Nothing more.
"Hey," I introduced myself, "My name is Jason,"
"Hello," she replied in a sweet voice.
"Can you play with me?" I asked shamelessly.
Well, I am 10-year-old, who is desperate to play.
"Okay" she replied with a slight hesitation.
It wasn't something I was used to, but I was glad that she agreed.
We played various games, had a fun time. We both were so connected that we even became friends in no time. I invited her to my house and had leisure time.
When she cried, I helped her. When I was sad, she made me laugh.
We both had a great connection.
But this great time never lasted for long, a week after she was reading to depart.
According to her, they came here because of some pending work of her father. It was a week's work, and now it was over. It was time for them to get going to their hometown.
"I don't want to go," she said. It was the same thing I wanted. The sadness on her face was enough to make me cry.
There was no room for contentment, lacking the knowledge to understand these sacred feelings, I didn't know how to react.
I decided to be there when she leaves, at least to say a last goodbye.
I went to the train station in the morning.
I saw her standing in a corner with her mother.
In that little pink dress of her, she was as beautiful as tulips in their full bloom.
I rushed towards her; it delighted her to see me.
We had a small talk about how we spent our days, then soon came her train.
Her mother walked in front, she took a pause as she walked with her and turned backwards,
"Hey, keep this with you. Don't lose it, when we're older we'll find each other. Wait for me-will you?" she said as she handed out the watch to me.
I took it, keeping the watch in my back pocket I said, "I promise."
After that her father came in furiously and took her away, boarding the train. She left.
Time of Departure was 8:31 am.
So many things in that one week,
It was a boon as well as a curse.
I praise the summer to get us together, but also blame it for separating us.
I don't know how I forgot about these moments.
I shouldn't, but I did. How could I?
After everything that has happened, I blame myself now.
*****
[Present day]
(Kyle's POV)
"So?" I asked curiously.
"The dream I used to have — It was an incomplete picture of my childhood," Jason replied.
Eight years ago. Are you kidding me?
"You were there, with her for almost a week," I comprehended, "And you didn't ask for her name?"
"Of course I would have," he answered, "I must have forgotten. I can't believe myself. How could I forget that?" he completed with guilt in his voice, on his face and in his actions.
"Look, I don't if it makes any sense," said Staci as she sympathized, "My Grandma used to say,
'Sometimes you forget things just to cherish them afterwards remembering them,'
I know it makes little sense, but if it helps you."
Obviously, it didn't make him feel any better, but he was at least in control of his emotions.
"Now what?" I asked.
"We're going on a field trip, remember?" confirmed Staci.
We both nodded.
"We are going to the Royal Museum," she said excitingly, "Maybe we can gain more information on the watch," she pointed out.
So, it was decided that we would do something about the watch on the field trip, which was tomorrow.
The day arrived. Everyone boarded the bus and were taken to the museum.
The Royal Museum, known for its immense collection of the artifacts which dated back at least 500 years back. But what made it so special was the fact it had the sword of the first king, the founder of the dynasty.
The very humble, righteous, an ideal king. King Edward Gerad.
He was very popular in his era, as he was known throughout the world.
I was excited to pay a visit to his highness' place of rest.
Yes, it is said that he built the structure for his rest. He liked the place so much that it later was turned into a museum.
Staci was excited too, in fact she was way more excited than me.
Mark, as usual, didn't know where we are going.
Amy and Carol were having fun, chit-chatting.
Jason, on the other hand, kept staring at the watch, hoping to find some answers.
We got off the bus and as we walked down the aisle towards the museum; someone handed me a rose by a stranger who was standing beside roadside holding a bunch of flowers. It was some guy of same age of mine. It felt like he was handing everyone with a flower, not only him, but there was an entire group.
"Thank you," I expressed my gratitude.
"Quel?" he said.
I didn't understand what he said. It was an unfamiliar language.
"What—" The caveman interrupted me.
"He is speaking in French. Guess he doesn't know English," she said confidently.
"How do you know that?" I asked suspiciously as I thought she was pulling a trick.
"I studied it for 2 years," she replied.
"Wow, I didn't know about that," I mocked her, "Great. Didn't expect that from you, caveman."
My reply annoyed her.
"Well, how do you say 'Thank you' in French?" I asked her.
"Je t'aime" she replied annoyingly.
I said the exact words she spoke, even though I understood nothing.
It delighted his face as he listened to that, and in a fraction of a second he kissed me.
It stunned me. Just like a living statue, I had no reaction whatsoever.
Then I turned my head towards Carol and asked, "What the f**k did I just say to him?"
Sorry for the word, but you it's necessary here.
She marched forwards and pretended as if she didn't hear me. Then Amy walked towards me and said, "You said that you love him,"
"What?" I asked with a grave and brooding face.
I looked at him standing upright and imagining things.
"Hey, I didn't mean that. I don't love you" I tried to make him understand, but it was of no use.
So, I treated him as a deaf person and tried telling him by using hand signs.
"What you doin'?" Jason asked me as I looked super-weird when was attempting to do hand signs.
"I am trying to communicate with sign-language," I replied.
"Dude, he is from France, not from Stone-Age," he said.
"Oh! Then do you any better ideas, Mr. Brightside?" I asked him.
He stood still, watching my face, which looked no less than a dead man's face.
So, I had to do something. I started running like hell, like dogs were chasing. I entered the museum swiftly and hid myself.
Jason followed me and sat beside me, laughing at me. After a moment I started laughing too, but I would not forgive Carol for this. I am so going to get back on her for this.
As we were laughing the watch fell of Jason's hands and stumbled on the ground. It rolled towards a person who picked it. He was wearing a Coat with the museum's mark on it.
He took out the cigar form his mouth and looked at us.
"Is this yours?" he asked.
"Yes" answered Jason.
"Who gave you this?" he asked curiously.