Owe me a Treat

CASSADREI'S POV

I looked at the mirror and saw a stranger staring back at me. 

For a moment, I am taken aback. I feel my skin warming up and redness creeping up my cheeks. But that moment soon gone, replaced by shame like I have not felt in a very long time. 

Why am I dressing up? I ask myself, keeping the answer at bay. 

It's just drinks, My mind answers. People do dress up for drinks. 

Yes, they do, but that's when it's a date. This is not a date, it's a bet. I smirk. I won the bet. It's Michael's treat. I repeat to myself over and over again.

Then, why am I dressed?

I stare at the turquoise dress that Linda let me borrow. Between her self loathing and pessimism over never being able to find love, we hadn't talked much since Jake dumped her. It still seems surreal, everything was perfect between them, they were talkative, assertive, fun loving and a made-for-each-other couple. I don't know where it all went wrong, where it fell apart leaving a gap unable to be comprehended. I guess relationships are supposed to be like that, full of gaps that aren't comprehended unless it's over with. 

It's one of the reasons I don't want one. Sofosys had asked me to date people, it's simple instincts to feel the surge of oxytocin when you see someone you desire, he said. He told me that it's good for my state, that I am not irreparably broken, that I should try and find myself amidst the ruins of my broken heart. That I should give myself another chance. All that seems eons ago. He had stopped counseling me when he realized that his advice went tangentially over my head. I relished my grief, it gave me something to live for. I needed my broken heart, I needed to feel the pain in order to not feel empty. I don't know if Sofosys understood that much, but I am grateful that he left me alone. 

I tried to counsel Linda, we all did. However, I know that she needs to live her pain, she needs that to feel whole again. I can't know the reason of her breakup, neither can I ease her pain, the least I could do is be with her while she dealt with it. Michael is still confused over Jake's unexplained behaviour. He feels that Jake is behaving really weird, like he's hiding something from everyone and doing a terrible job at it. Michael had tried to confront him, for Linda, but Jake shut the door in his face, something he had never done before. Michael is as bewildered as Linda is. 

I gape at my reflection closely. I have worn a bit of lipstick, this human thing to make your lips colourful, and I don't know how I look. I wish Linda were here to tell me….she always had a way with these cosmetics stuff. I don't even know why I care to look good. I mean, I did win a bet. So it's a reason to celebrate right? Michael and I were practising last week, and he said that no way I could levitate his huge antique bed with just my telekinetic powers. It's true, that I had not done this for a long time….but I wanted to try. I had to, if I am going to get the full range of my powers back. So I bet him. Whoever wins, has to give a treat to the other person. 

It wasn't an easy win. Years of lack of practice made me clumsy. I didn't have the sharp edge that I possessed before, neither the calm or tranquility. I did lift the bed for five whole seconds, sweating profusely in the process, then let it down with an unpleasant noise. Michael was shocked. 

"Wow! That's something I have only seen in superhero films!" He gawked. 

I must admit, I felt a tinge of pride to be able to impress him. 

"This is nothing." I said, "I can do way more than these. You should have other powerful Goblins from Mafhaelore, people who are gifted telekinetics, they can lift trucks with the swish of their hand, they can even lift those huge trains you have. They can do anything." I beam with pride. 

"So, where is this Mafhaelore?" Michael asks curiously. 

"It's nowhere yet it's here. You can just say, it's in Earth's opposite dimension. It's not a seperate planet, just a separate space. You need powerful magic to open up the portal and enter Mafhaelore from Earth's realm. That's the reason I can't go back. Sofosys can, because he still has his magic. Unless I regain my powerful magical powers back, completely, I cannot pass the portal. It's also a part of my punishment. Sofosys cannot transfer me back, I have to do it." I explain.

"Sounds complicated. Umm.. don't mind me asking, but what were you punished for?" Michael asked. 

"Treason." I replied, already heavy with the thought in my mind, "I didn't know what I was doing. I was stupid and naive. I did something very wrong, my mistake cost my country everything." I felt the hot tears threatening to run down my cheeks and I hurriedly wiped them away. 

"However, you mustn't forget that you owe me a treat." I say, hurriedly changing the subject. 

Michael gave a soft smile and the corner of his eyes wrinkled a bit. 

"Sure" he said, "Next Thursday, at 4:00 PM, at Burger Joint."

So, here I am. Dressing up for the treat, I remind myself. Giving a quick look at the mirror again, I hurried down the stairs. Sofosys sat at the breakfast table with Cookie at his heels, he was sipping a cup of coffee. When he saw me, he nearly choked. I felt annoyed. What? A girl can't dress up and go?

"I see you have plans Cassadrei" there was a tinge of mischief in Sofosys' voice, to my great irritation. "Have a nice date." He smirked. 

"It's not a date!" I shouted, and then without waiting for a reply, I dashed out. 

The day is sunny and warm. There's a light breeze blowing around as I arrive a bit early to Burger Joint. The place is teeming with college students, hanging out with friends, on a date and some sitting alone and sipping their soda, watching the beautiful day unfurl. Michael arrives a bit later, muttering his apologies for being late, even though he's almost on time. It's 4:05 PM.

I laugh and usher him to take the seat that I had already booked. Michael takes a look at me, and blushes. 

"Er… now I look like a vagabond." He says, " You should have told that we are supposed to dress up."

Now, I blush. Did I overdo it?

Sensing my discomfort, Michael hastily said, "No, no…. I mean you look good. You look really good."

This makes me blush even harder. Michael shuts up and we both pretend to find the ceiling very interesting. When the waiter arrives, I hastily order two chicken burgers and cold drinks. 

"Hey! I don't drink cold drinks! One fruit juice for me please." Michael shouts, but I am not sure if the waiter hears him. 

It gets utterly uncomfortable as I try to strike a conversation with Michael. I mean, we haven't really hung out ever, all we ever did were in the confines of our own apartments, practising sorcery. Now, that we are finally hanging out together, normally like other adolescents in a Burger Joint, it's totally awkward. I don't know what to say, when the waiter brings our drinks. I am relieved for his interruption. 

"I said no cold drinks! Can you get a fruit juice instead?" Micheal pleads. 

"Sorry sir, we don't have fruit juices. Do you mind having some other flavour of soda?" The waiter suggested. 

"No, thanks. Just bring the burgers." Micheal replies gloomily. 

After the waiter is gone, I playfully ask, "So, no cold drinks, but burger is okay?"

"Are you kidding me? Burgers are the best. I mean, I do hate junk food in all forms because I believe in a healthy lifestyle….but burgers are my guilty pleasures! I love burgers." Michael gushed. 

"So, here's the deal. You love burgers, I love cold drinks. Let me have your cold drink and I promise you a bite from my burger." I wink. 

"Deal. " Michael said amused. 

I immediately take his cold drinks and sip it gratefully. The drink going down my throat, brings with it a feeling of cold and sweetness that cools up my entire body. It's so refreshing that I can't stop myself from taking another quick sip. 

"Hey! Slow down. You'll choke. " Micheal laughed. 

I look at him with mischief, "Wanna bet again?" I said taking another big sip. 

Then suddenly, the air is knocked out of me. The world feels blurred and dizzy and my throat is burning. It feels like my body is on fire and clutching my throat, I fall down. I can hear screams and hurried voices all around. But, my body seemed to fail me and as everything goes dark, I can hear Micheal scream and call for help as he holds my near unconscious body.