Getting Closer

Mike's POV

The next day we had a planned trip to the silk factory. This was planned in sync with the one with our itinerary. So we do not have to make any excuse today but Mary being a free bird and adventurous soul has planned that we will sneak out and explore the traboules to go to riverbanks.

The next morning we woke up and were sitting in the living room. Josh just woke up and came into the living room stretching his arms "Hey Guys. How are you feeling today?"

"Good," I replied

"I hope today you are coming to the silk factory."

"Of course. This was the first thing I wanted to see when I planned this trip. I won't miss it." Mark said with a wink.

"Glad to hear you guys are joining. You know yesterday was a bit boring anyway. We just went to some historic buildings in the old town and ate local food. Nothing much on which you guys have missed on."

"Which historic monument?" I asked randomly

"Lyon Cathedral"

Meanwhile, Radha came out of the kitchen holding a tray with 4 cups.

" I made Indian tea for all of us."

" wow...I have heard so much about Indian tea that it really soothes you and you feel refreshed." Mark said. I noticed the excitement and happiness on her face. It was like excitement which you see on a baby's face when you give them candies.

"Yup and yesterday in the local market I managed to get the ginger and cardamom which enhances tea's flavor," Radha said proudly

"Wow. I would definitely like to taste it." I said as I was keen to taste the ginger and cardamom tea since I have never tasted anything like that. My usual was latte.

Saying so I took one cup in my hand and tasted the tea.

" wow, it's amazing," I exclaimed

"Thanks. By the way, you guys are coming today right. It's our last day today. Tomorrow anyways we are leaving."

I then realized that It's almost the end of my trip. I never realized how time passed during the trip with Josh, Radha, and especially Mary.

" Of course we are coming," Mark said smilingly

Even her devious smirk sometimes appear so innocent. I thought

After tea, we got ready and went to the cafeteria for breakfast. Post breakfast we left for our destination in the traveler bus-Silk Factory. It was a ride of 30 minutes.

As soon as we reached the silk factory and got out of the bus, Radha started taking selfies and making a video.

" Are you making a blog?" Mary asked

"Not a professional one though."

"Wow, and why I am getting to know this," Josh asked adjusting his carefree posture

"Because you are too busy to flirt with Nina." Radha taunted

"Who is Nina?" I asked

"The girl with blonde hair. Look there." Radha said. Radha is the kind of girl who likes to gossip

Radha pointed towards a girl who was dressed in a pink tank top, shorts and she has a jacket tied on her waist.

I scanned her and then turned towards Josh.

"Not happening Bro. she is not interested in you."

"That's rude Mike. At least you could have given some tips to Josh for trying." Mary said taking Josh's side

"Mary the girl is not interested. I mean her preferences are different. She is not into guys." I said

"And how can you say that?" Radha asked surprisingly

"Trust me, ladies. I am working in event and media and have a keen observation."

"I don't believe you," Josh said feeling offended a bit.

" Fine. Let me prove it to you guys." I challenged them

We went near the blonde girl and I approached her.

"Hey, Heather how are you? Long time no see."

Blonde Girl looked at me as if I am some alien and asked "Excuse me? Who are you?"

" O Heather don't tell me you don't remember me. I am Mike...David's friend. I know you and David broke up 2 years back on bad terms but I just saw you and casually came to say hi."

"I am sorry but you are mistaken. I am not Heather. I am here with my girlfriend Jasper and me and Jasper are together since 4 years. Maybe you are looking for someone else." She said justifying

"Oh, I am sorry. Actually, you resemble my best friend David's girlfriend, Heather. I am extremely sorry for this confusion." I apologized

"It's fine. I am Katrina."

" I am Michael. You can call me Mike."

" Ok, Mike. I will see you around. Cya."

"Cya."

I came back to Josh, Radha, and Mary. Josh became sad.

"So ladies? Care to say anything?" I asked with a wink

"I am so excited to see the silk factory. Mary let's go." Radha said

"Sure," Mary replied to her

Both Radha and Mary who were confident a while ago now tried escaping me. Seeing josh's sad face I patted his back. "there is always a next time bro."

Josh sighed. " I guess you are right. Let's go ahead."

We went inside the silk factory. I was amused to see the process of sericulture. We saw the mulberry leaves, silkworms in a glass aquarium, and then as we moved ahead we saw the cocoon and the large vessel of boiling water where the cocoon is being boiled.

As we proceed ahead we saw the dyeing and spinning process. There were machines where weaving and printing were taking place.

Mary came near me and said "You know all these silks are taken by workers through traboules to the riverbanks. There are like 40-60 traboules opened."

"So what do you want to do?" I asked with a raised brow as I knew mary might have something in her mind

"Let's race," Mary suggested with a sparkle in her eyes

"What?" I asked to clear my doubt

"We both will take different traboules to reach the riverbank. The one who loses will treat the other with today's dinner."

"Fine. But what if any one of us gets lost?"

"Here take my cel number and give me yours so that we can contact." saying so Mary took out her cellphone from her jeans pocket.

We exchanged the numbers. Now we just have to escape the factory. Suddenly a lunch break announcement was made. It was a break of 45 minutes-60 minutes.

"Are you hungry?" I asked

"Nope and you?"

"No. I want to reach the riverbank and upon reaching we can check for some local food." I suggested as french cuisine was something which I wanted to try for a long time.

"Sounds great."

We sneaked out of the factory and after 2 minutes of walk came near a stairway which goes downstairs. It was like a subway.

We both chose our path and headed towards the riverbank. I was a 10 minutes distance from both ways. The traboules has various routes. It was a bit confusing but finally, I found the way and reached the riverbank. I checked my watch. It was exactly 10 minutes 40 seconds.

Not bad. I thought and patted myself. I looked here and there and there is no sign of Mary.

Wow. I won. I thought. I tried calling Mary to tell her that I reached the riverbank.

I called her on her cel. The phone rang for 4 rings and then stopped. She didn't pick.

Maybe she thinks I am trying to distract her. I thought. I waited for 5 minutes and checked my watch again.

Even if she is lost I am pretty sure by now she would have figured the way to reach here. I dialed her again. Again the phone rang but no one picked it up. Now I got a bit worried. I headed towards the traboules exit from where Mary was supposed to reach. I went inside and started searching for her. I called her name but no response. The only thing I can hear is my voice echo. After some time I reached a corner and saw Mary sitting in a corner terrified. Her face was cupped over her knee.

I ran towards her.

"Mary, What happened? Why are you sitting here?"

Mary looked at me. I can see her teary eyes but this time the eyes show pain and fear. I hugged her tightly. She hugged me back.

" Mike please don't leave me."

"Hey, be quiet. I am here and I am not leaving you. Come here."

I rubbed her back to comfort her. She held to me tightly. We stayed like this for some time. I kissed her forehead and then wiped her tears.

"Promise me, Mike. You will never leave me alone in the dark."

Mike: Mary I will never leave you alone. But tell me what happened?

Mary now breaks our hug and looked at me.

"I am afraid of darkness Mike."

Mike: But there is ample light here. There is nothing to be afraid of Mary.

"Actually in the passage when I reached here the light suddenly went and I froze. I couldn't see anything and then this reminds me of my past. My past haunted me."

"Your past?"

" Yup...When I was in college I had a crush on one of the popular boys in college. But he pranked me. He played with my feelings. One day he told me that he wanted to surprise me and blindfolded me and took me somewhere. He actually took me to the Morgue room and locked me. I was so terrified and afraid. I literally begged him to open the door but he enjoyed it and I could hear his and his friend's giggles. Later I came to know that he dated me for this bet. I was locked in the dark morgue room for an hour Mike. Luckily someone informed the hospital duty in charge and I came out of the morgue room but this incident caused me enough trauma and many sleepless nights and nightmares. I still sometimes get the nightmares."

I helped Mary in getting up and hold her hands and we got outside the traboule. Mary was silent so to lighten the mood I told.

" Hey, I won so it's your dinner treat."

Mary smiled a little but still, her face was sad and tense. To cheer her up I decided to call Josh and Radha. I had Josh's number. So I called josh.

" Hey, Josh."

"Hey, Mike. Where are you and Mary? Are you guys fine?"

"Yes, we are fine. Actually, Mary wanted to explore the riverside so we came here. So what's your plan now?"

"Actually now they have given us spare time for shopping."

"Great. So are you guys going shopping?"

"Actually Radha wanted to buy some things so for a bit we are thinking to go to the market."

"So Me and Mary will meet you and Radha in the market in an hour."

"cool."

I then turned to Mary and said "Let's eat something. I am starving." I said rubbing my stomach

"sure."

We headed to a nearby café and ordered French toasts and a sandwich since seeing Mary's mood I thought familiar food will give her a homely feeling and for anyone home is the place where they feel relaxed and safe. Mary was still sad.

After the munching, we headed towards the market.