The Purpose Of Finding Love

Far away to the lands...

Samuel checks his boarding pass, visa approval letter and his phone before standing up from the seat and going over to the back.

The airport is packed with people and it is rushy. His phone started ringing, he answered the phone immediately. 

"Hello."

"Hello, it's me, Ruth," he heard Ruth's voice.

"Hey Ruth, wassup? Why are you calling me from Diego's phone?" Samuel questioned taking the seat and placing his bag beside his leg.

"I couldn't find my phone so I called from Diego's."

"Cool."

"Are you seriously going to meet him?" Ruth questioned straight to the point.

"Yes."

"When did he called you?"

"Last month, I had to get the travel visa," Samuel replied.

Ruth sighed looking at Diego, Kaleb, Antonio. She nodded her head signalling Diego that Samuel is going to meet him.

"After all these years, he contacted you?" Ruth asked.

Samuel let a chuckle, "yeah... I couldn't believe it when I received a call from him. I was wondering why someone wanted to prank on me using his name but it was seriously him. I can't believe he wanted to meet me after all these years," Samuel said.

"Did you see him? Where is he?" Ruth immediately asked.

"Nah, we just spoke on a voice call. His sister Maya spoke to me on face time giving the details," Samuel said looking at the boarding board in the distance.

"Where was he and where is he now?"

"Sorry Ruth, I promised the man that I would not say anything about his whereabouts. I cannot share the information to you."

"Samuel... You are our manager and come on, he is our bestfriend. You should tell me about my bestfriend," Ruth said as annoyance started growing in her.

Diego leaned against the pillar with his arms crossed as he watched Ruth.

"Did he refuse to tell her about Ace's details?" Kaleb questioned.

"Seems like that," Antonio replied.

"Why did he wanted to meet Samuel all of sudden?" Kaleb asked turning his head to look at Antonio.

"I don't know man, we will know everything when Samuel returns after he meets Ace," Antonio said.

"Where do you think he is? Do you think he changed a lot?" Kaleb asked.

"The last time we got information about him is that he met his sister and her family. I guess he is living alone somewhere in Switzerland or with his sister's family."

"Right, aren't you going to meet your wife?" Kaleb asked Antonio.

"She is my girlfriend not wife," Antonio replied beating the back of Kaleb.

"Soon to be wife is wife," Kaleb said.

"Whatever."

"Then why didn't you tell us when he called you a month ago?" Ruth asked Samuel.

"Ruth, you all were busy in the tournament. How can I tell about this knowing how important the tournament is and Ace told not to tell anyone," Samuel replied closing his eyes and leaning against the seat.

"Fine, call us when you reach there and meet him. We all want to talk with him," Ruth said.

"Noted."

"I will call you back when I get free, I need to go now," Samuel said before ending the call.

"What did Samuel say?" Antonio asked Ruth. Ruth gazed at Diego before looking at Antonio and Kaleb.

"He is in the airport, going to meet Ace. Ace told Samuel not to tell his address and phone number to anyone. Samuel isn't ready to tell us," Ruth said.

"I don't think we will meet him this year, we have been trying to meet him every year," Kaleb said.

"We will meet him this year no matter what," Ruth said.

"Antonio and Kaleb leave," Diego said. Antonio and Kaleb shared a look before leaving the room and closing the door behind.

"What do you think will happen?" Kaleb asked Antonio.

"I'm not sure, Diego will be broken if Ruth gets back with Ace. She is trying hard to reach Ace."

"But Ace made it clear that he never was and wants to be in a relationship with Ruth when he was leaving, didn't he?" Kaleb said.

"Ace loved Ruth, he liked her since the first time he saw her but Ruth didn't like Ace. She wanted Ace to change his physical appearance. And Ace never listened to her when the accident happened and when he woke up from the coma, he has been chanting the mysterious girl's name which triggered Ruth."

"Yeah... I remember Ace saying he doesn't feel anything for Ruth anymore and he wants to keep it that way, Ruth lost her cool and Diego had to calm her down when Ace left without any trace," Kaleb spoke nodding his head in understanding.

"Diego is in love with her, man. Even though they are friend's with benefits and have one night stands with each other, Diego loves her wholeheartedly."

"Hope Ruth ends up with Diego," Kaleb said.

"Amen."

Antonio phone vibrated as he got a text from his girlfriend. "Time to meet my girlfriend, see you later."

"Yup."

Antonio left while Kaleb called one of his friends to hang out. He knew he can't be in the studio alone when Ruth and Diego are going to fight.

Ruth took her seat while Diego looked at her. "What? Speak out, don't stand there like a mute," Ruth said looking at Diego.

Diego let out a sarcastic laugh, "what do you want me to say, Ruth? You are hell-bent on reaching him when you f*****g know how much I love you."

"Diego... I told you before that you and I are just s*x partners. I told you not to love me," Ruth narrowed her eyes at Diego as she spoke.

"How can you tell me not to fall in love? When I have been loving you for years? And I know that you have feelings too. Then why trying to reach Ace when he said his feelings on you are gone."

"Ace is changed, if he truly wanted to be with you he would've come back. He didn't send you any emails and messages nor visited you at least once in these years. He moved on and started a new phase, I truly love you that's the reason I stayed even when you made me an option."

"I have been waiting for you to love me like a fool. I don't think I can do this anymore," Diego said before walking away from the room.

Kaleb turned around when he heard a loud noise. His eyes met Diego's.

"Wanna join for a drink?" Deigo asked Kaleb.

"Sure."

Kaleb didn't utter a word knowing clearly that Diego needs silence and company.

*

Samuel looked around for the person who is going to pick him up from the airport.

Maya, Ace's sister sent him a text saying she is sending someone to pick him up.

He saw the name holding of his and wandered to the man.

"Samuel Chessman?" The young man who must be in his early twenties asked Samuel.

"Yes and you are?" Samuel questioned the young boy.

"I'm Rohan... Maya didi (sister) sent me here."

Samuel nodded his head as the young man smiled at him.

"Welcome to India," Rohan spoke looking at the pale-skinned Samuel.

"Thank you," Samuel said.

"This way..." Rohan said pointing towards the direction where he parked the car.

"How far is Mcleodganj from here?" Samuel asked following Rohan.

"Twenty kilometres, it will take us around forty minutes to reach Mcleodganj."

"There isn't an airport in Mcleodganj?"

"No sir, you need to take public transportation or own vehicle to reach Mcleodganj from here."

Samuel looked around, this is his first time visiting India. It is a bit colder, thankfully he brought his jacket with him.

"Is it always cold here?" He asked as Rohan unlocked the car.

"Depends on the weather sir. As it is closer to the Himalayas, the weather is cold," Rohan replied.

Samuel got into the car and buckled his seatbelt. Rohan did the same and started the car. Samuel stayed quiet observing the view, he felt peace watching the greenery.

"Is Mcleodganj is a hill station?" Samuel asked.

"Yes sir, it is a hill station and heritage site."

"Oh."

"It is a suburb of Dharamshala and mostly you find Tibetan culture. Though it's a blind of Tibetian and with some British influence."

"So it's a spiritual getaway..."

"Yes sir."

"You are a native of Mcleodganj?" Samuel asked.

"No sir, I came here a month ago. I'm from Pune, Maharashtra."

"Call me Samuel." Rohan smiled nodding his head.

"How do you know Ace and Maya?" Samuel asked.

"I met Maya didi and Sawyer three years ago in Bangalore. Through them, I met Ace and been meeting him from then onwards."

They talk about themselves before they reached the home. Samuel looked out of the window as Rohan halted the car.

"The cream colour house is where Maya didi and Ace stay," Rohan said.

"Aren't you going to come inside?" Samuel asked Rohan.

"No, I actually need to go somewhere."

"Okay." Samuel unbuckled his seatbelt. Steps out of the car closing the door behind. He takes his bag and walks towards the cream coloured house.

Rohan waits until Samuel goes inside before he drives away.

Samuel knocks on the door, waits for someone to open the door. He is nervous and excited to meet Ace after all these years.

He is anxious for some reason, he has lost his touch with Ace and meeting after years makes him feel so surreal.

The door was opened and he saw Maya. "Hey Samuel, please get inside," Maya said opening the door wider.

Samuel stepped inside, "hey Maya, how are you?"

"I'm good and you?"

"I'm good."

"Remove your shoes here and wear the slippers," Maya said pointing the slippers.

Samuel nodded his head before removing his shoes and wearing the slippers.

The place is small and cosy giving you those hill station vibes. Samuel followed Maya into the small living room.

"Have a seat, I will get you the water. Would you like to have tea or coffee?" Maya asked Samuel.

"I will have tea."

Maya smiled before going to the kitchen. She first brought Samuel a glass of water and a water bottle before going back to the kitchen to make tea.

Samuel looked around the living room and the view from the window to pass his time. He doesn't know if Ace is present or not.

Maya came back with tea and biscuits, "here, your tea and biscuits."

"Thank you, Maya." Samuel picked his tea.

"Ace isn't here?" Samuel asked.

"He went on his evening walk. He will be back in ten minutes," Maya replied.

"Where is your husband and kids?"

"Sawyer took the kids to the nearby cafe. If they are here, it would be too disturbing."

Samuel chuckled nodding his head. "Kids are messy, can relate," Samuel said.

"You are married?" Maya asked with a smile on her face.

"Yes, five years ago and now waiting for our third child," Samuel said remembering his kids and wife.

"That's good news, Samuel, congratulations."

"Thank you."

"So you are living in India with your family?" Samuel asked sipping his tea.

"No... No... Every year we visit India to see Ace and my kids miss him so much. So we stay here for a month before going back to Switzerland."

"When did Ace called you?" Maya asked.

"Last month, it took twenty days to get my travel visa."

"Yeah... It will take 15 to 30 days to process, India doesn't allow visas on arrival. We need to apply for a travel visa ahead," Maya explained.

"Yes... That's the reason it took me time."

As they spoke about work and kids, the front door opened.

"Ace is here," Maya said. Samuel kept his cup down and eagerly stood up to greet Ace.

"Samuel..."

Samuel turned around, his eyes widen in shock and surprise. Maya chuckled, he couldn't believe what he is seeing.