" Return"

" Be the change that you wish to see in the world"

- Mahatma Gandhi

Sam POV

The meadow was intense expanse of green extending limitless under the infinite sky. The inflexible grass danced to tune of wind enjoying its own repose moment. The Queen of the Prairie and Gaillardias held cacophony colors among the newfangled green; its yellowish scent and whitish paint stood prominent. The bees moved around with its usual buzz of excitement filling the nature with its melodic tune. The breeze swigged flexibly and gently resonating to the diapason of calmness; crickets hoped exuberantly applauding the breeze for the entertainment. Colonies of ants crawled and hid behind the pebbles embarrassed and infatuated to the breeze dance.

The grass felt mushy and marshy underneath my skin; my head touched the cold ground and the eyes gazed thoughtlessly to the omnipresent sky. I stretched my hand and swaying in undirected movements trying to match the pace with the fleeting cloud.

The cool air seeped through my pore rejuvenating and calming every stressed cell within me. The past days have been really difficult; walking on the endless path with full effort to reach the light at the end of tunnel yet to be circulated back to where it begin was indeed disappointing. It's been a month and there was no news of Elisa, we have been working hard to gather everything and anything that could point to her but there seems to be some invisible force dragging her far away.

The sky was vast and widespread neither with any starting nor ending point; it seemed to be a circle swirling endlessly. The sky is powerful and everything notices its existence and respects it but the only thing which completes it flutters away from it and disappears. The sky is a large void and so is my mind, I am just a mere person without a heart and a puppet waiting desperately for his darling to return soon.

I was lost in my own wild thoughts when Joseph sat near me, his face a bit bushy with light beard bustling around his chin and some minor bruises marking his cheek, he still looked good. It was always a wonder how he managed to look young despite being in late forties. He sat near me gazing the seamless sky, his face held that pensive and smiling expression which reminded me of those times when we were young and free. His eyes stared to the nothingness like me as his lips gently rose to draw an artistic smile on his beautiful face.

He asked me whether I remembered those times when we used to sneak out in the middle of the night just to grab some sushi. There was this local shop nearby the bus station which was 5 km away from my home, the shop was old and traditional but its sushi was the best. Whenever I felt lonely or sad, Joseph used to always take me to that shop for a treat.

The seaweed lay bare beneath the rolling mat as the tender and squishy rice covered his bare green skin. The orangey carrot and the fishy fish aligned sideways as they lay top of the rice. Topped further with eggs, cucumber and avocado, the ingredient was rolled into a cylindrical shape which was further cut into small cross sectional piece. I still remember the fishy taste when Joseph fed me my first sushi, the rice was chewy, the fish fresh and nutritious and the vegetable complementing it with its crunchiness, the dish was awesome.

We laughed aloud reminiscing those beautiful times yet I felt guilty for causing him immense pain. I never thought that I would be wrong to judge people but I was awry to judge him as murderer after listening to some mere gossip. I felt apologetic towards him and sensing my guilt he gave me a sweet and warm smile which melted the remorse filling me. We were lost in our past world until Joseph asked me whether he could take part in search of Elisa.

He was the best in investigating thing and I knew that with his experience and knowledge he would find her. With the agreement of him being the leader in this search mission, we headed towards the mansion. We were walking silently down the path admiring the nature surrounding us and thanking the Mother Nature for creating a blissful place.

George, one of my most trusted men came running down the path, stomping and crushing the soft grass beneath him, he was breathing deep and his face was red with sweat dripping profusely from his face. I was worried thinking that something might have happened while I was away enjoying the stress free environment but to my amazement he informed me that Elisa was back in one piece and she was waiting for me in my mansion.

I ran as fast as I could, it has been a month and I really needed to see and ask her everything. I was happy as well as worried and with all those emotion buried and churning within me, I jogged fast as I could. Passing down the man made path way and fountain I reached the front door and headed to the main lounge room. My men bowed to my presence but I had no time to reciprocate their respect.

Her hair was tied tightly to a bun with some tendrils hanging loosely from the side, she looked healthy despite of being kidnapped for a month and her face was glowing as usual with her eyes having those same curiosity and brightness. She was wearing a skinny jeans complemented by a black blouse which perfectly showed her beautiful curve.

When she saw me she gave me the most dazzling smile and it reminded me that I missed her way too much. When I was in my dreamland, she would be there sitting near me and consoling and comforting my guilt and stress. She looked prodigious as usual and without much wastage of time, I pulled her into a strong warm embrace.

I felt full and my entire void was filled up, I could sense that light at the end of the tunnel and I was happy that she was safe and sound. I had so much to ask her but I knew she needed some rest and time.

Joseph and George reached soon and I immediately introduced Elisa to Joseph. Joseph was my family and I wanted Elisa to be my family too but I knew I had to work harder to get her attention. And I was shocked to know that Elisa already knew about Joseph and Elisa stared straight at Joseph and he in his usual cool demeanor stared her back. It felt uneasy sensing there were some secret between them.

I wanted Elisa to rest and stay in the mansion for some days but she refused and asked me to sent her back to Jack as soon as possible. I don't know what happened to her but she looked as if she had some urgent things to say to Jack. I knew it was not my business to ask about that and without any more awkward talk I decided to drop her myself.

Joseph was never the type to get into someone's business but suddenly he asked me whether he could come with me to drop her. There seemed to be nothing wrong with taking him so I unitarily decided that we could join us.

I asked whether it was okay for Joseph to join us to Elisa and I hoped she would agree but to my astonishment she flatly refused to take him with us. I know Elisa was never the type to make others sad without reasons but today she was indeed weird and from what I sensed she really needed her space today with Jack. Her being alone with jack made me sad but I decided to respect her decision.

It was awkward refusing Joseph after agreeing and then refusing his request and not only that he did looked a bit desperate to be with us. Today everything was weird because the cool Joseph who I was used to seemed determined to be with us and on other side Elisa was adamant that he was not allowed.

Elisa even threatened me that she would go by herself if we take Joseph. I couldn't risk her safety so we were headed towards Jack home without Joseph. I looked back and gave him a "Please understand me" smile and with much difficulty he gave me a fake smirk. With the start of the engine of my Audi 8 we were running on the winding road.