The Chosen One

Chapter 3 Cupid: Messenger Of Love

Chapter 2

Cupid: Messenger Of Love

Estelle picked the huge box of cereals, her daily staple diet.

She had her box emptied almost a week ago but waited for the new month’s salary which was due in another couple of days.

Now since she had already opened her savings envelope, she decided to go ahead and buy her daily breakfast.

She could no longer allow herself to eat the tasteless porridge.

But once she picked the box her eyes were treated with the most unusual gray eyes that she had been longing to see every time she entered her classroom.

“Estelle” he greeted.

“Austin” she greeted from across the aisle, only her face visible to him as he stood confused with two boxes in his hands. She guessed he was deliberating in choosing the right one to pick. She couldn’t hide the element of surprise in her voice.

She couldn’t believe her crush since three years who she was sure was oblivion about the fact that she ever existed not even recognized her but was more than okay with sharing small pleasantries.

“It’s a surprise,” Estelle shouted excitedly.

“What?” Austin could not mirror her excitement “surprise that we prefer same brand and same flavor of cereals.” He had finally picked the one Estelle had selected for herself

Estelle chuckled at the sarcasm “no I am surprised to see you here.”

“Yeah mom’s grounded me for a month of grocery shopping” he scratched the back of his neck embarrassed.

Estelle raised her brows. She had come to around the fact that he still lived with his parents 

“Actually I came home drunk last night.” His defense could do nothing for Estelle to think otherwise.

“It was a weekday” Estelle shrugged disappointed.

But Austin wasn’t done “to top to it, it was mom’s birthday and I forgot”

“That’s a very mean thing to do” she commented and then asked, “is it that bad a thing to do?”

“What drinking?’ he asked.’

“No” Estelle denied and then changing her mind she corrected “yes and also shopping, grocery shopping?” it wasn’t strange that she was fumbling with her words. 

Any nerd girl like her would especially when in front of such a hot guy.

“Not actually” he said, “especially when I get to meet a pretty girl like you.”

Estelle blushed profusely at the compliment.

“Do you think we probably sometime” he hesitated “I mean later in the day can go”

“Excuse me?’ a rude fat old lady interrupted “if you guys have done flirting with each other., can I get my cereals”

“No you can’t “ the voice inside Estelle shouted in her head, “You fat old lady. You should not shop cereals, you should go on a diet and cereals you should never ever eat them in your life.” she cursed and huffed in her thoughts “the guy was asking me out on a date. You old hoe.”

Ignoring her nasty thoughts she bit her lip as she waited for the lady to finish when Austin gestured, “I am coming to you” with his fingers.

Estelle heart was jumping in joy as she was doing a bungee jumping without the safety harness.

Estelle did notice Austin’s big broad ear to ear smile, well she did pat herself for being the medium of that smile but it unfortunately turned into a frown as soon as he reached her.

Estelle hit herself imaginarily, “could you at least comb your hair before coming and be a bit presentable?” 

She simply pouted at her thought.

Lifting her hair behind her ear trying to look a bit presentable she smiled but frown on Austin’s face deepened.

“You have a baby?’ he asked.

“yes I do” she said easily and then realizing that his frown had turned deeper, his brows furrowed. ”oh no no I did not mean that. It came out wrong “ Estelle hated that she was stuttering in front of him. She took a deep breath and finally spoke aloud, “This baby isn’t mine”

Now all the shoppers and the staff’s accusatory eyes were on her. They thought she was baby lifter’ She did notice from the side of her eyes that the cashier was on the verge of picking up the phone to call the police.

“I mean I am with this baby” she corrected her folly “I meant I brought the baby. She isn’t mine;” she closed her eyes trying to a deep breath and formulate the sentence well “I mean I am baby sitting her for a while”

When everyone who were at the earshot distance and now at stand still mode including the cashier and the fat hoe who had already taken a disliking for her and her friend too took a deep breath and went back to their respective works.

“Relax Es” Austin placed his hands on her shoulder “I understand.” He chuckled at the effect he was causing her.

“So I was asking if you would..”

“Yes yes” Estelle shouted rocking the baby as a reflex and then bit her lip.

“What yes?” he laughed throatily at her expense and in spite of being offended of her stupidity she thought how musical and perfect his laughter is. “I haven’t asked anything yet” he finished bringing her out of her personal daze.

“Sorry you can speak.” Estelle muttered. She knew if she could have her own animated version there definitely would be two red hearts shining inside her eyes instead of her dark gray pupils.

His eyes shone at the innocence of Estelle “okay I will do it formally now” he said “ I wanted to ask you out on a date anytime soon’

Estelle nodded urging him to continue “sometime ehm..” he was fidgety too “you know I mean” he smiled his smile and Estelle found herself  fan girling at his dimpled smile. “When you are not baby sitting this cutie.” He tingled the nose of the baby but the baby pushed back in Estelle’s arms.

“Sorry she is probably hungry” Estelle defended the baby’s dislike towards Austin, not that it mattered; she was just an infant.

“No worries “ he lifted his hands in the air not wanting to touch the baby against its wish.

“Okay” Estelle nodded affirmatively.

“Okay “ Austin repeated “you mean you’ll come for a date with me.

That was the cue.

The baby picked up the right moment to cry her lungs out.

If she was crying mercilessly last night, this was ten fold.

“Someone would think I am abusing you” Estelle said rocking the baby with more speed “please be quiet. They already think I have abducted you.” she was ranting trying to soothe the crying baby “See I have already bought baby food for you.” her eyes searching for Austin who waved a formal good bye and left.

“Why oh why” She cursed “why is my romance life doomed? Why can I find love?’ she pouted rocking her furiously “why can I have a boyfriend and why cant you stop crying? She huffed and walked out of the mart after making the p*****t.

Noticing the urgency and the crying baby few people gave up their place in line and let Estelle do the billing first.

“Wow! That’s definite a perk having a baby. I should have had one earlier” the wicked voice inside her commented and she chuckled at her naivety

Estelle smiled “this is the first best thing that has happened since I picked to babysit you” she muttered smiling at the baby who was smiling back at her.

Once out in open, Estelle noticed that she was a happy baby, her eyes shone hazel and she asked “what’s your name baby?” I am sorry I did not ask your uncle. Between who was the one who dropped you here? Your uncle” the child loved attention and made noises from her mouth which Estelle understood nothing about.

Grabbing a granola bar from the grocery bag that she picked since she knew she cannot cook for herself with the baby Estelle let the baby and herself seated in the chair at the porch of her home. She noticed the baby was always happy and smiling which meant that she wasn’t crying which happened quiet often when she was outside in the open air.

She still worried about feeding her.

The girl hadn’t had a morsel. Though she was happy active and healthy, don’t they say a baby is healthy if she is active and doesn’t need anything else.

She still worried, the baby was her responsibility and it was her responsibility to feed her.

She took her inside, prepared the baby food with water and the powder, she even tasted it herself to make sure if it was edible enough for a human.

Convinced she tried to spoon feed her

But the baby would not open her mouth at all. She tried all the stuff even the new variations but that only made her cry loudly. Giving up Estelle brought her to the porch outside again, her mind drifting to the blue-eyed guy who left her with her.

She was so mesmerized by his good looks she found herself staring at him and even when he was gone her mind drifted to him often.

She also wanted him there for the baby. Although the baby was happy with her but the baby deserved the love of her true parents.

She was curious to know about her parents who made a beautiful baby. They must surely be beautiful to have given birth to such a charismatic baby.

And if her uncle was so handsome, her parents would be class apart.

She now wandered how her baby would be.

Then her mind drifted to the thought of how her baby would be.

The fastest moving thing thoughts went to the blue-eyed guy who dropped the girl with her.

If she had to have a bay with him how would their child be?

She blushed at the silly thought rather scolded herself “how can you think of a baby with a complete stranger when your crush had shown some interest in you?”

“cannot help the guy looks way too hotter than Austin” she argued in her thoughts “not that it matters” 

Right at the moment she heard some quick and loud steps approaching.

For a moment she thought of picking the girl and moving inside.

Although she hadn’t witnessed any wild animals roaming in the area but she couldn’t take a chance.

She hugged the baby and was about to leave when she found a beautiful white horse at the end of narrow lane that reached her house.

She was amazed at the beautiful white animal. What more attracted her was the handsome blue-eyed guy getting down from the horse.

She always had a thing for horse riding but her mom had different plans for her when she was young and that included dancing and computers and math and guitar and piano all the things that she desperately hated and left them only after a month or so.

Dressed in crisp white shirt and blue jeans he took a jump to land in front of her.

The baby giggled and stretched to get to him ”Here’s my princess” he said taking the baby in his arms, his eyes staying on Estelle’s

“How are you?” Estelle did not know how to start a conversation. She mentally slapped herself.

“You did good job with the baby” he complimented “she seems happy.

Estelle wondered why he ignored her question. “Because it was a silly question you dumbo” the annoying voice inside her commented.

So she kept to herself.

“She seems happy but I am sure she is starving” Estelle said “she hadn’t had a single drop of milk or water. I was starting to get worried.”

“Oh you don’t have to worry” he said “she does not need to feed with milk or water.”

“Then?’ Estelle was confused “what does she eat because I tried to feed her fruit juice..”

“She feeds on love” he looked at delighted baby 

“Love” Estelle couldn’t help the shock.

“I meant whatever you feed her with love.” He knew he spoke much more than he should have. He immediately corrected himself  “but she feeds her mothers milk.” .

“Where is her mother then?” Estelle was getting confused with every passing conversation.

“she’s a bit busy these days” he commented sadly.

“what would be more important to a mother than her own child?” Estelle couldn’t help but ask.

“I cannot explain it to you.” he said “but you have to trust me on this her mother really loves her and she is her top priority” 

“I am sorry” Estelle apologized “I shouldn’t have pried.

“You don’t have to apologize” he held he hand all of a sudden and Estelle felt tiny percussions in the pit of her stomach, her heart skipping a beat.

It wasn’t enough that she was greatly attracted towards him but the sparks his touch was giving her, she felt uncomfortable all of a sudden.

She never believed in love at first sight or couples made in heaven.

She always believed that one must know the person well enough, spend time with him and gradually realize that if you can fall in love with him.

Love involves heart but life needs balance of love and brain.

She stepped aback, immediately feeling the loss.

She realized she did not even knew his name, nor the child’s.

‘What is your name?” she asked.

“My name” he smiled, I am sorry I should have introduced myself before giving you this responsibility “I am Jason” he took his own time and said, “she is Cupid.”

“Cupid” Estelle smiled “her name is Cupid really, the one with bow and arrow, Cupid.”

“Yes sweet heart” Estelle did not know what she felt at the endearment the not so stranger was giving her “she is the same messenger of love Cupid”