Monday, Kauri Café

Right after their work in school, Marae and Mira headed to the café to relax and talk. They sat in their usual spot outside of the Café. Mira has spent the night in Marae’s house. She never found out about the phone call that took place that night. She didn’t have any idea about the bet between Marae and Orli. Not yet at least.

“So, you’re going to the set again tomorrow huh?” asked Mira.

“Yup! I’m going there at 8am. And Orli’s bringing my mobile.”

“How did your mobile ended up with him?”

“Unfortunately, I left it in their jeep yesterday. So he called me up last night and told me that he had my mobile.”

“So, he’s the one who called up last night. And the reason why you stayed up quite late huh?”

“It’s weird coz I don’t remember giving him my number. I just don’t know how he got it.”

“So when are you going to meet him?” Mira knew if she told Marae that she gave her phone number to Dom and Lij without her permission she’ll be infuriated. It’s that better she changed the topic before she finds out.

“I’m meeting him tomorrow in the set.”

“Say hello Lij and Dom for me okay?”

“I will.”

“What else did you talk about last night?”

Marae didn’t want to mention about the bet. Because knowing Mira, she may try to do to something.

“Nothing. We just talked about how and when I’m going to get my mobile from him.”

“Yeah right? I didn’t know that planning it would take an hour to decide?”

“Okay. We talked about other things.”

“Oh yeah. What other things?” Mira asked curiously.

“We had a bet.” Marae muttered to herself. She wasn’t optimistic on this bet. For some reason she felt that she’s isn’t going to win the bet but she remained steadfast that she’ll do anything to win it.

“You had a what?”

“A bet with Orli!”

“A bet about what?”

“We talked about how obsessed my sister was about his character. And I mentioned that Aragorn was better than Legolas. So, we had a bet that if he’s able to make me change my mind about this elfie character of his that we’ll go out to dinner. And if not he’ll stop pestering me into liking the elf creature.”

“You know you should probably give yourself up and lose in the bet.”

“Hah! I knew you would say that!”

“And why not! I mean Orli seems to be a very nice guy to go out with.”

“I know he is. But this is a bet remember its not that he asked me to go out or something. I wanna try and win it. I will not just give up just like that.”

“Okay.”

“I’m going inside to buy another cup of cappuccino. Do you want anything else?”

“Can you buy me 2 Belgian waffle and a regular sized Irish Cream Frappe?”

“Mira, are you sure you’re not that hungry?”

“Well, I just feel like it. Come on go and get it girl!”

“Woah, somebody’s really feisty today. Okay I’m going.”

Mira waited for Marae to go inside the café. She really ordered a lot so Marae will stay inside the café long enough for her to call Dom. She frantically got her mobile and dialed Dom’s number.

“Hello?”

“Hello Dom! It’s Mira.”

“Hey Mira. How are ya?”

“I’m fine. Look I’m going to make this call quick. Look I’m in a Café with Marae right now. She just told me that she and Orli had a bet.”

“A bet? Orli never mentioned about a bet.”

“They had a bet and it’s about Legolas.”

“Why the hell they are betting on Legolas?”

“Will you let me continue? Marae is not here at the moment and I only have a few minutes before she comes back. Here’s the deal. If Orli can convince her that Legolas is better than Aragorn then she’ll go out with him to dinner. And if Orli looses there’s no dinner. So, you and Lij better make sure that Orli wins this bet.”

“Hah! Not a problem. You can always trust the Hobbits to cause trouble! (laughs)”

“What do you mean trouble?’

4
“Good trouble!

“You better. Oh wait! Marae is coming I better cut this off. I’ll call you later okay? Bye!” whispered Mira.

“Yeah. Thanks darl!”

Just then Marae comes to the table carrying a tray with their orders.

“Would you help me out here and put the phone down. I’m carrying most of your food here.”

Mira put her phone down. And helped Marae place the food on the table. “I was talking to somebody.”

“Who?”

“My cousin.”


“Oh.”

“So, what are you planning to do to win the bet?”

“Plain and simple. No matter what how or what he does I’m going to stick to my stand that Aragorn is better than Legolas.”

“Even if he has proven it to you?”

“Even if he has proved it.”

“That’s not playing fair girl.”

“Well..I..”

“You’re doing it again!”

“WHAT?”

“THIS! You’re closing up again! You’re being a stubborn little prat!”

“No I am not!”

“Oh yes you are! I thought you said that you’re going to start moving on?”

“I am.”

“Hah! Right? And this is your way of moving on?”

“Oh just let me handle this.”

“I just hope won’t do something stupid and drive him away.”

Marae just stared at Mira. Deep down inside her feelings were contradicting with each other. She still fears of getting hurt again but she really wants to move on. She really does. It’s just a matter of time for her to admit it and take that first step of moving on.

“Okay let’s stop talking about it coz I will never hear the end of this. Just promise me you won’t try anything crazy.”

“Me? Why did you think I would try something to sabotage your plans?”

Marae gave her this snickering look.

“Yeah! yeah! So, how’s your ankle?”

“Its okay now.”

“Orli-therapy worked wonders huh?”

“The ice bag worked wonders Mira!” was Marae’s immediate response.

“Whatever” Mira rolled her eyes trying to ignore what Marae was saying.

If fears what makes us decide,
Our future journey,
I'm not along for the ride,
Coz I'm still yearning,

That night, Marae received a phone call from Peter Jackson. There was a slight change in the itinerary, instead of going to Waikato tomorrow they will be heading off to Wellington. The children have to shoot Bilbo’s birthday scenes in the studio. So, they have to go to Auckland International Airport at around 7:30am.

7:30 am, Auckland Airport

Once they got into the airport with the kids. Henry mentioned to her that they would be taking a chopper going to Wellington. Marae had never rode in a chopper in her life. One reason is that because she’s terrified to death of heights. Every time she’s situated high above a ground, she experiences this wobbling feeling and feels like her guts are going to spill or something. If only they weren’t rushing off to get there, she’d rather walk or drive to Wellington instead of sitting in a chopper feeling like she’s about to die. Of course, she has to show that she’s brave enough to do it. The first few minutes into flight were nerve-wracking.

I don’t think I’m going to survive 45 minutes of this ride. Of course she had to seat beside the window as a safety precaution for the children. She was breathing heavily. She closed her eyes very tightly imagining she was back on earth instead. The kids on the other hand weren’t scared at all. They were all excited to be flying on a chopper. Their faces lit up as they ascended to the air.

But as the chopper passed through this breath taking view of the mountain range along the Taupo region. The chopper passed beyond the plateau of Tongariro National Park, which became the location for Sauron’s dark domain of Mordor. Marae couldn’t take her eyes of it and completely forgot her fears. Wow. The view just blew her away. They also had a spectacular view of the surrounding sea of the North Island. She was so engrossed with the view for 30 minutes that she didn’t realized that it was time for them to land.

Wellington Studio, 10:00am

The cast and crew were filming the scene of women and children in the caverns of Helm’s Deep. Marae was seriously watching the scene to unfold. Peter Jackson was sitting behind a couple of monitors. He was also monitoring what was happening in the different locations of New Zealand while other cast and crew film certain scenes for the trilogy. One monitor indicates what was happening in the Rivendell set, somewhere in Kapiti Coast. It was currently showing the Council of Elrond scene.
Most of the male characters where there, Gandalf, Elrond, Boromir, Gimli, Frodo, Aragorn and Legolas.

Marae’s attention shifted her attention to the monitor that reveals the Rivendell scene. There was this rugged looking guy saying his lines. Marae doesn’t have any idea who he is and what character is he playing. So she watched the scene to unfold further.

You cannot wield it. None of us can. The one ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.

And what would a mere ranger know of this matter?

Then, this guy with a long blond hair wearing a brown robe stood up…

This is no mere ranger. Close up shot of the face of the blond guy. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance.

Marae was drawn to the eyes of the blonde guy. Intense eyes. Hmm..he’s good. The scene continued..

Aragorn? This is Isildur’s heir?

An heir to the throne of Gondor

Havo dad Legolas.

Marae’s eyes widen when she heard that name. It was Orli as Legolas. She stood there in shock. Its one of those moments when you feel like your brain suddenly froze in shock that you couldn’t think straight. It took a couple of seconds before it finally registered into her brain. He looks so…different there! He looks better as Legolas. She gave out this faint smile. She continued watching the scene.

And you have my bow

He makes a good-looking elf. She concluded. This is the first time that an elf is depicted way beyond she had imagined it to be. Definitely an improved version of Santa’s little helper. I wonder how Orli would react if I tell him this. She sniggered at the idea. The crazy things she concocts. Wait! Why am I so wrapped up with this? She wasn’t supposed to be fascinated with Legolas. This isn’t happening? She was starting to get nervous. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a jolt that came from behind her. She turned around and it was John hugging her from behind.

“Hey you little rascal! So, are you done?” scooping Stuart into her arms.

“Yeah!” as he touched and squished Marae’s nose.

“Why did you do that?”

“Oh nothing. I just wanted to do it.” Stuart laughed at her.

“So, where are Christine and Jam?”

“They’re still over there.” pointing towards the set, where the other children were. The crew were already packing some of the equipment as the extras prepare to take a break from the shoot. All of the children immediately came rushing towards Marae as they saw Stuart in her arms. All of them started clinging and hugging her all at the same. Imagine 7 kids doing this at once? Marae wasn’t able to carry all of their weight and they all came tumbling down in slow motion. She fell flat on her butt and the toppled over her. None of them were hurt. They were even laughing when Marae fell. Marae blushed coz a lot of people saw what happened.

“Are you all okay?” asked a concerned Peter Jackson.

“Yes. We’re okay. They were just fooling around.”

“Be careful kiddies. Come on let’s go. We have some goodies for you eat.” The children instantly stood up and zoomed towards the table. Marae slowly stood up and brushed the sides and back of her pants and followed them.

To try and touch the sun,
My fingers burning,
Before you're old you are young,
Yeah I'm still learning

3:00p.m. Wellington Studios

Orli arrived in Wellington along with the other guys in the cast. He knew that Marae was in one of the studios where the children are still shooting the scene in the Helm’s Deep cave. He was wearing a black hooded jacket over a white shirt, carrying a black backpack. He was covering his head coz he was still wearing his elf ears as to prevent any disclosure to the public about the movie that they were filming. And he has to do to a couple of green screen shots for the Moria scene. He and the guys have an hour and a half break before they start shooting again.

He immediately proceeded to the trailer. And he dropped of his things onto a long table. He opened his backpack and pulled out Marae’s mobile. He smiled a bit as he looked at it. Tucking it into his pocket, he went out of the trailer and ran off to Studio 4. On his way out to the Studio the four annoying hobbits and Viggo Mortensen who was still wearing his Aragorn clothes met him.

“Hey Orli where are you rushing off to?” inquired Sean.

“I have to give this mobile to someone” gesturing his hand over his right pocket.

“She’s here right?” Dom added.

“Who’s she?” Viggo asked in confusion.

“Oh Orli’s object of obsession.” joked Dom.
“Oh really?” Viggo gave Orli a probing look. “Why don’t you introduce us to her?”

“Lij, Dom and I have met her already,” said Billy.

“So, why don’t we head off to Studio 4 so Orli can introduce her to me and Sean?” as Viggo placed his right over Orli’s left shoulder.

“Yeah mate. So we can finally start the bet going.” Lij responded.

Orli didn’t have the chance to say anything. Yeah trust Lij’s big mouth to blurt out everything out into the open. He just covered his face after he heard what Lij has just said.

“What bet?” asked Sean

Dom wasn’t also helpful. “Well, he and Marae had a bet. If Orli here can prove that Legolas is better than you (pointing at Viggo), Aragorn. He will take her to dinner right. So, we’re going to help him win the bet.”

“Wait a minute! What made you think I’m going to help the prissy elf and 4 crazy hobbits with this?”

The situation is becoming more complicated every second. I can’t believe this is happening! I am not hearing this! Orli wanted to dart out where he was standing. I’m going to kill Lij and Dom later.

“Oh come on Viggo give Orli some break here. He has fallen head over heals over this girl.”

“Well, I will. I’m just going to make it harder for him. So he can prove he’s worth it for her.” he smirked at Orli. “So, are you up to it elf boy?”

“Oh stop it. You stinking human!” Orli answered irritately.

“Oh I don’t think the elf boy can handle the competition?” teased Viggo him even further.

“You’re too old for her.”

“Oh yeah? You know older men have better appeal.”

“Don’t give me that crap! Look! I don’t need anymore of this.” Orli started walking from the guys, who were left staring at him as he leaves. Dom, Lij and Billy immediately ran after him.

“Hey! Don’t mind Viggo he was just teasing you.” said Dom.

“Yeah no thanks to you and Lij’s big mouths none of this would happened.”

“Why? Are you really threatened by Viggo?” Billy asked

“NO! It’s just I don’t want this to turn out badly. This bet was supposed to be between Marae and me. And now everybody seems to be joining in the madness. I just don’t want to complicate it even further.”

“Don’t worry mate. We’ll be here to make sure that everything will turn out well for you, right guys?” assured Lij

“YES!” Dom and Billy answered in unison.

Marae was sitting in one of the chairs with little Christine on her lap. She was playing with her that she didn’t notice the 4 guys entered the studio. Orli was slacking behind the 3 hobbits.

“Hello there, Marae!” greeted Lij.

“Hey!” She didn’t recognized Orli right away coz his head was still covered by the hood.

“How are you all doing?”

“We’re okay.”

“Hi Rae!” Orli finally showed himself to her.

“Hello Orli! I didn’t see you there. How are ya?”

“I’m okay. Thank you for asking. I have your mobile with me.” He began searching the mobile inside his pocket. Pulling it out, he handed it over to Marae. “Here’s your mobile.”

“Thank you for keeping it for me.”

“You know Marae. Orli sleeps with your mobile,” teased Lij. And with that he got a thwap on the head from Orli.

“Don’t believe a word that he says. All of them are lies.”

“Oh come on mate! You don’t have to deny anything.”

“Oh shaddup!”

“So, who’s that cute little girl with you?” asked Billy.

“Oh, this is Christine Hall. She’s one of the kids that I’m accompanying here.”

“Hello Christine!” they all greeted.

“Hi!” she said shyly. But she recognized Lij. “Hello Frodo!” She didn’t know the names of the 3 other guys, “What are your names?”
“I’m Billy”

“I’m Dom”

“And I’m Orli.”

“Are you also here for the movie?” They nodded at her. “What part do you play?”

“Well, me and Dom play hobbits named Pippin and Merry like Mr. Frodo here.”

“And I play an elf named Legolas.”

“An elf? Isn’t that what you call Santa’s helpers?”

They all laughed and snickered when they heard Christine’s response. Marae could not believe that Christine gave that answer. She was smiling coz she thought of that too when she was watching him in the monitor a while ago. Orli has to fend his elf reputation.

“Well, no Christine. We look different from Santa’s helpers.”

Marae was waiting how is he going to explain this to a 6 year-old child. Hmm..let me see how he’s going to explain that to a child? She thought mischievously and looked at him. Orli felt that she was looking at him. He looked at her for a split-second. She’s looking at me. Darn it! Those beautiful big brown eyes they’re spoiling my concentration.

“But mommy said that Santa's helpers are called elves.”

“You know there are different kinds of elves, honey.” Yeah right Orli! Where did you base your facts on that?

“Really? But I thought there is only one kind of elves? Mommy said that me last Christmas.”

“Well, the elf I know is someone that is taller. And we’re ethereal creatures.”

“What’s ethereal?”

Good work Bloom! Mention ethereal to a six year old. He was caught up in impressing Marae and look what it brought him. “It means..uh?” Darn I can’t think of a simpler word!

“Well, Chrissy. Ethereal means someone who is delicate..like uh? An angel!” Marae added.

“Yeah they’re delicate like an angel!” agreed Lij, who was grinning at Orli.

“So this elf looks like an angel?”

“No, darling. You know how an angel looks so gracefully?” Christine nodded. “Well, I think this elf is similar to that, right?” Marae looked at Orli as she waited to agree with her.

“And they have pointy ears”

“How does a pointy-ear elf angel look like? Do they have wings?”

They all laughed. “They don’t have wings Chrissy.” Marae was smiling at Orli.

“Orli, why don’t you show her your pointy ears.” suggested Lij.

So, Orli pulled down his hood and revealed his pointy ears to Christine. It also showed him his new hairdo. He just got a mohawk.

“WOW! Can I touch them?”

“Yes, but be careful okay?”
Marae was a bit surprised when she saw Orli’s new hairdo. A mohawk?

“Does your kind of elf have the same hair as you?”

“(laughs) Uh no. Actually I wear a wig over my head”

“A long blonde wig” Marae blurted out unconsciously.

“Yeah a long blonde wig.” Orli concluded. Wait! How did she know that I wear a long blonde wig?

“How did you know he wears a long blonde wig?” asked Dom

“Well, I saw how he looked like when Peter was watching the monitor while you were filming the Council of Elrond scene.”

Just then Viggo and Sean entered the Studio and went to where they were staying.

“Well, hello! What are you talking about?” Viggo asked.

“Well, we were just explaining to little Christine here how an elf looks like.” answered Dom.

“Oh really? Did Orli explain it to you very well?” asked Viggo.

“Yeah. But I’m still a bit confused.”

“You were huh?”

“Oh Viggo this is Marae” introduced Billy.

“Hello Marae. Nice to meet you.”

“Hi. You’re the guy who plays Aragorn right?”

“Why yes!” as he snickered at Orli.

“Peter told me a while ago.”

“And this is Sean, Sean Astin.”

“Hello Marae. Its nice to finally meet you.”

“You too Sean.”

Orli can’t imagine what was happening to him right now. He was totally embarrassing himself in front of Marae, plus he has to deal with is fumbling friends. How he wished all of them would disappear right now. Especially Lij!

Just then Miss Robertson called Christine to go with her so she can change her costume to normal clothing.

“Come on, Christine! Let’s go and change!”

Christine immediately jumped off Marae’s lap. But before leaving she kissed her on the cheek.

“Bye, Miss Marae. See you later.”

“Later sweetie!”

“Bye Frodo! Bye Hobbits! Bye Mr. Elfie!” she waved at Orli.

“Bye Christine!” they all responded.

“I think she’s fond of you, Orli.”

“She is?” How I wish it had been you. Orli thought to himself.

“Yes.”

“I don’t think she understood a thing that I said to her earlier back there.”

“Oh don’t worry about it. Kids are really like that, they’re very curious.”

“I am amazed on how she asks one question after another. I can’t even answer her at once. How they come up with that.”

“Well, most important is you answer them as honestly as you can and in the simplest terms as possible. Though sometimes they can give you responses that are completely out of this world.”

“I know. The way they process thing is so amazing. I don’t think I would be able to keep up with her if you weren’t there to help me.”

Marae smiled at him. “Anytime.” They were silent for a few seconds, standing there, looking at each other. She was looking at those same intense eyes again. It was like the world around them just stopped and the two of them were the only ones left. That smile meant something.

The earth is moving,
I feel it under my feet,
And I'm still proving,
That I can stand my ground,

Too be lost before you are found,
Don't mean you are losing

Christine suddenly ran at Marae’s side, stopping the “moment” between them and snapping them back to reality. Marae felt embarrassed all of the sudden.

“Miss Marae!”

“Hey! Are you ready to go home?” Scooping Marae into her arms.

“Yes,” then Christine looked at her and said, “Miss Marae, why are your cheeks red?”

“They are? Uh..uh maybe because of the..uh Oh God please, why did you put me into this dilemma? Think Marae think! She was thinking of a reason to answer Christine’s question. All of the sudden Orli answered it for her.

“Its because it’s a bit hot in here.”

“It is? she asked and looked at Orli confusedly. Where did he get that idea? Coz the air condition is working properly and its not hot. He just winked at her so she would agree with him. “Ah…yeah right..it’s a bit hot in here.”

“No, its not! exclaimed Christine.

“Come on, Chrissy. We better get going or we’ll be left behind.” Putting Christine down and she held her hand. And talked to Orli, “Well, we have to go. Chrissy, say goodbye to Orli.”

“Buh bye Mr. Elfie.”

“Guess, she’ll be calling you Mr. Elfie from now on.”

“Yeah. Bye Christine. Bye Marae.”

“Bye!”

Orli watched her and Christine go to the van that would be taking them back to the airport in Wellington. After, the van left he then proceeded to the other studio, to prepare for the for some green screen shots. All of the guys were there already. He approached them with a smile on his face. Lij immediately noticed that goofy look in his friend’s face.

“Hey! What’s with the idiotic smile on your face, Orli?” asked Lij

“Oh shaddup you git!”

“Oh come on Orli, what’s with the face?” asked Dom.

“I think she’s beginning to like me.”

“NO!?” Billy added as he stepped closer to Orli’s face. “Really? Are you sure? I mean you’re not being delusional or something.”

“How did you know she likes you?” asked Sean inquisitively.

“Well, before we were talking about kids after you guys left. There was this moment when we just became suddenly quiet and we were staring at each other. Just for a few seconds then Christine came and asked her why her face turned red all of the sudden. Then, we practically made some excuse for it. Does that mean something right?”

“Yeah Bloom! It means she’s embarrassed being seen around you.” Lij insultingly added.

“Another word from your mouth Lij and you’re going to get it I tell ya.” Orli threatened. Lij just gave him this annoying laugh as he ignored Orli’s warning.

“Probably.” was Sean’s instant response. “But don’t rush it, Orli. Coz you might be seeing it the wrong way.”

“Yeah mate you maybe wrong!” teased Lij.

“Shuddup Lij!!!” shouted Orli, Billy and Dom in unison.

“Thanks guys. I’m seeing it as a sign.”

“Good luck mate!” answered Dom as he tapped Orli’s shoulder.

“Come on let’s go and prepare for our scenes.”

They all headed over their trailer vans to put on their costumes and read through their scripts.

8:30 p.m. Marae’s Apartment

Henry pulled by the driveway in front of Marae’s apartment. She was the last to be dropped off after all of the children were brought home to their houses. He opened the door for her.

“Thank you, Henry”

“You’re welcome and good evening.”

“Good evening to you too!”

Marae tiredly got her keys inside her bag. Turning the key, she slowly opened the door. Pepper immediately got up from where she was sleeping and immediately went to the door. She immediately jumped over to Marae.

“Hey girl! You missed me huh?” as she hugged her pet so tightly. Then, she put her down. She slumped over her couch. It was a very tiring day. Traveling down to Wellington and staying in the studio practically the whole day. She closed her eyes and laid her head back. Images of what happened earlier flashed back through her head. Those intense eyes keeps on popping up…

Don't you know that's not for now
and for now I'm falling
down...down...down...,
down...down...down,

I'm falling down,
I'm falling down..I'm falling down...
I'm falling....
Marae instantly opened her eyes. Why does his eyes come into my mind? “Argh!” She stood up from the chair and decided to go to the kitchen when she saw her answering flashing. She went to check who called while she was away.

Click!

You have 3 messages! The machine replayed.

“I wonder from who are these messages from?” The machine displayed…first message, 9:45 am…

“Hey Rae! It’s Nina! Guess you’re still out working. In the background, somebody was jumping up and down and shouted “Hello Rae!” It sounded like Sydney. “Guess what me and Sydney will be going there 3 weeks from to visit Auntie Linda in Queenstown. We will call you soon as we get there. Take care. See you soon. Bye! “Bye Rae!” added Sydney.

“Oh no!” she thought with a smile. But she’s happy that her friends are coming over. Especially Nina coz she missed her best friend. Sydney Torres is also one of her close friends who is loves martial arts especially taekwondo. She also teaches literature and is a part time web designer.

Second message, 5:05 p.m.

“Good afternoon, Rae! This is Peter Jackson. You and the kids won’t be required to come to the set for 2 weeks. Coz we’ll be flying you to Canterbury around the 3rd week of March. I’ll be calling you again soon. Bye!”

Marae pressed the next button again…

Third message, 8:20p.m…

“Hello Rae,” Its Orli. “You there?” Silence “Guess you haven’t arrived yet from Wellington.” Silence again.

8:10 p.m. Orli’s beach house in Marine Parade in Seatoun, Wellington

Orli can’t seem to settle down inside his beach house as soon as he arrived. He can’t get rid of the circumstances that happened earlier in the studio. When he saw Marae blushed in front of him. Did it mean something or not? He can’t shake it off. He walked to the sundeck outside his room. It is where he goes off to when he needs to think. He suddenly had this urge to call her. What would be my reason for calling her now? The voice suddenly interrupted Coz you can’t stop thinking about her you dimwit!

“Oh what the heck I might as well call her before I go crazy.”

He went to the living room and dialed her number.

Ring! Ring! Ring! Apparently, Marae is not yet home, her answering machine answered Orli…

“Sorry! I can’t get to the phone right now. Please leave your message and I’ll get back to you.” BEEP!

“Hello Rae,” Its Orli. “You there?” Silence “Guess you haven’t arrived yet from Wellington.” Pause. “Well, I just wanted tell that I…uh…” Damn! he thought. For the first time in his life, he can’t even express his thoughts. What’s wrong with me? He rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to come up a reason why he’s calling her. He continued what he was saying, “I just wanted to say thank you for your help with Christine earlier today.” You said thank you already remember? He ignored the voice in his head. “Anyways, I hope that you get home safely soon. Bye!”

Just then, Orli heard a knock on the door. And as he opened the door, it was Lij and Dom.

“Hey Orli! Do you have any plans for tonight?” asked Lij.

“No. I might just stay here tonight. Why?”

“Well, me and Dom are planning to go around the city tonight. Go to bars. Why don’t you come with us?”

“Nah! I think I’ll pass this one up.”

“Oh Come on, Orli! It’ll be fun.” Dom added.

“Yeah! I don’t remember you pass out an opportunity to go out and party. Is anything the matter with you?”

“No. It’s just that I wanted to stay at home tonight.” He looked at his phone by the table. Like he’s waiting for it to ring. Wish she would call back. Lij noticed Orli looking at it.

“Why are you looking at your phone like that? Are you expecting somebody WE know to call, huh?” Lij asked nosily.

“And what if I am expecting somebody’s call?” Orli answered arrogantly.

“Who in her right mind call you?” Lij answered in jest.

Orli gave him this unsmiling look.

“It was a joke man! Lighten up.”

“Look Orli. If you’re not interested in coming with us. We understand.” Dom interrupted.

Orli heaved a sigh, “I change my mind going with you. It’s not like she’ll bother calling back.”

“Who’s she? Marae?” asked Dom.

“Yes. I called her earlier in the evening but she wasn’t home yet. I just left a message in her answering machine.”

“Guess she hasn’t arrived from Wellington yet. And by the time she comes home she’ll be tired. Whatever your reason for calling her, it can wait. You can call her tomorrow,” suggested Dom.

“Yeah you’re right, Dom. Hang on a bit I’ll just change my clothes so we can leave as soon as possible.” He went up into his room to change. After 15 minutes, Orli came down wearing a gray shirt tucked in a dark blue pants and sneakers. And before leaving his house he set his answering machine to answer any call. In his mind, he wished she would call so he wouldn’t have to spend the night with Lij and Dom out in the bars.

“Come on Orli let’s go!” shouted Lij.

“Yeah I’m coming!” He grabbed his wallet and placed it in his jeans back pocket. Closing the door behind him, he ran towards Dom’s car and joined his friends. Then, they drove out. Ten minutes after Orli left with Lij and Dom, his phone rang…

After hearing Orli’s message over the answering machine, she couldn’t help but wonder why he was calling her. As if he wanted to say something to her. But what is it that he wanted to say? Maybe I should call him back? She lifted the receiver and dialed his number. But after one ring she immediately placed it down. No! I can’t do this! she thought. Her heart started beating fast all of the sudden. Why should I be bothered by this call? She decided to get away from the phone so she wouldn’t think about it.

Marae pretended fixing things around the apartment for another 10 minutes so just to keep her mind off from the questions that have been brewing inside her mind. She sat in her couch and stared at her phone.
Why don’t just call him and ask him why he called? The voice in her mind answered back. She started feeling nervous again.

“Why am I supposed to be nervous? It’s like I’m just going to call him and ask him why he called, right Pepper?” Pepper just looked at her confusedly as she tilted her head to the right. Marae laughed at herself as she saw Pepper’s reaction to what she said. Look at me I’m talking to a dog. “You probably think I’m going crazy? And I don’t think that there’s anything wrong in calling him back right?” Pepper barked at her as if she was saying yes to Marae. After gathering all the courage inside her she dialed Orli’s number…

Ring! Ring! Ring! Beep.

“Sorry I’m not at home right now. Please leave your message after the beep.”

“Uh…hello Orli. It’s Marae. I just got your message in my machine. I just wanted to know why you called me up. Uh… (Pause) That’s it I guess. Drop me a call soon, okay? Bye.” Click. Marae placed the receiver down and gave out a sigh of relief. Though she was a little disappointed that she wasn’t able to talk to Orli. She wasn’t able to find out why he called. That question will never stop haunting until Orli calls her again. Marae then decided that she should get some sleep now. She went up to her bedroom and immediately changed her clothes to pajamas. Lying down on her bed, she waited restlessly for sleep to come to her. But it didn’t. She couldn’t sleep. So, she got off her bed and turned on her CD player. She played her 2002’s River of Stars CD coz it always helped her to relax. The music of the radio gave her a soothing calmness inside her. She felt like she’s soaring and gliding through the heavens and into the galaxy. After a few minutes, Marae dozed off to sleep leaving the music on…

1:00 a.m. Orli’s house

After going to 2 bars in Wellington, Lij and Dom brought Orli home, who was surprisingly not that sober like before. The two guys lived a few blocks away from Orli’s house so he didn’t have to worry about them coz he knew they will get there safely.

As he entered his house, he saw his answering machine blinking… I wonder who called while I was away? He pressed the PLAY button to listen to the message…

The machine displayed that it received the message at 8:55 p.m.

“Uh…hello Orli. It’s Marae. I just got your message in my machine. I just wanted to know why you called me up. Uh… (Pause) That’s it I guess. Drop me a call soon, okay? Bye.”

He can’t believe that Marae called after he left with Lij and Dom. I just missed her by 10 minutes. He thought. But he was happy that she called him back. He played the message again. Hearing her say, “Drop me a call soon, okay?” made him smile once again. “Yup! She’s definitely starting to fall for me.” He said to himself confidently. And with that thought Orli decided to go to sleep. He slept soundly that night. Wonderful things are starting to happen for him.

You can watch me,
Fallin on my face,
It's an uphill human race,
and I am falling down

I'm falling down,
I'm falling down..I'm falling down...