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Caraphernelia

Chapter 2 ~ The Meeting

“Aunt Marcela, you ARE late!” whined Nora as she got inside my BMW X6. I could just smile at her apologetically. She had no idea of how hard it was for me to pull myself together after all those bad memories comes rushing back to me. I had my mini battle in-between to call it off to accompany my niece to Pierce the Veil concert and the autograph signing session, or just go along to the show, either praying hard for Jaime not to remember me or for the love of God – just avoid meeting them, like wait for Nora in the car or something.
Well, I chose the latter option, because I did not have the heart to disappoint my Nora. And of course, if I ever did that, Frederica will have a field day with me. Better I just go along with the original plan and furthermore, I really want to watch Pierce the Veil in concert, and of course Jaime playing in the band. He looks more energetic in his playing when I watched him in the band music video.
I pressed the gas pedal to drive the car faster than the city limit. Glancing at my watch, with Nora blabbering on the passenger seat, we are definitely so late. “I’m sorry, Chica. I just caught up with something just now.” I tried again to soothe the angry teenager and when I got no response from her, I glance at her who is wearing the band shirt over a jacket with the band logo printed at the back of the jacket, along with tight black jean and a pair of Vans sneaker.
As for me, I’m just wearing a simple off the shoulder cotton blouse, with belt and a knee length skirt. Ok, I don’t wear something like someone who want to go watch rock concert. Matter of fact, on purpose and on my safe side, I decided to wear something like an aunt, so that, well I am an aunt to a sex raging teenage niece, and I won’t be too that obvious for Jaime to recognise me.
She turns to look at me with her defiant looks, “Well, why on earth you wearing like that for?” she asked with her hand gesturing up and down on my outfit.
“What’s wrong with my outfit? I can’t wear like you young people no more. I’m old, “I reasoned to her as I wink at her and making the last right turns to the concert arena that is packed with big crowd gathering almost everywhere.
“Go straight to the back of the concert aunt Cela,” she instructed me. “Are you sure we are allowed to drive there?” I asked unsure with her instruction because as I drive through the crowd, the onlookers are giving me a dirty look.
“Trust me, aunt Cela. That’s where the fans of Pierce the Veil should gather for the autograph signing. And after all, this is not just their concert only. They are sharing the stage with other bands such as Sleeping with Sirens, Of Mice and Men and others. So these big crowds are expected with different area to meet their favourite band.”
Of Mice and Men? Austin Carlile? Damn. I’ve met Austin like 2 years ago when I still live in Madrid. He was on tour with his band Of Mice and Men. I had a run-in with him and he had recognised me straight away. The meeting with him was good. He did not say a thing about high school or Jaime. So we pretty have great time of catching up previously. But I’m not sure this time round, with Jaime too at the same arena. Wow, another person I need to avoid.
“Ha-have you ever met Austin Carlile before?” I asked her casually as I parked my car at the empty space near the dumpster.
“Yup and he’s awesome. Is it ok if we go over Of Mice and Men booth too?”
“Whatever for?”
“His signature obviously,” she explained impatiently. Now we are walking towards the Pierce the Veil signing booth and we are greeted with a long line of the fans to meet the band. “Aunt?”
I can kick myself for asking her of Austin Carlile. I should just keep my mouth shut, for God sake Marcela. Now she is expecting me to follow her to the Of Mice and Men booth too, when I had all the intention to avoid Austin. But then again, if I have the choice of whom should I avoid between Jaime and Austin, it should be Jaime.
“Ok but I will only go either Pierce the Veil or Of Mice and Men booths. Not both booths. Make your choice and if I am you, I choose Of Mice and Men.” I told her suggestively as I reward her with my bright sunny smile.
“Not fair! Why can’t I go to both booths when I deserve to with all the great grades I receives from my previous exam?” she retorted angrily as she stormed off to the direction of the Pierce the Veil booth instead. I guess that should be the choice then.
I felt bad for Nora. She is absolutely right. She promised both her parent and me that if she score high grades, she can ask anything that her heart desire. She fulfilled her side of bargain whilst I just fooling her around for my cowardice act. As we waited at the long line to meet the band, with Nora totally ignoring me, I sneak in for my mobile in my handbag. I scroll along the number for Austin that he had given me during our run-in. I did give my number too but I always let the voicemail pick-up his call instead of me.
A quick text message send to him: -
“Hi Austin, sorry to bother you but I’m at the concert arena now. I would love to meet you while I’m here. Care to meet for a bit? Marcela Torres.”
Nora turns to look for me, as if to make sure that I am still standing behind her without bailing out. I tried to smile my sweetest smile to her, but again she ignored me. All the people around me are young teenagers who totally in love, either because of their music or the band members or both. Definitely I am much older than them. I even overheard someone from behind us, saying that I am too old to ask for such a thing like their autograph. Nora heard it too and was about to replied her, but I just pulled her in for a hug instead.
“Listen, I have something to tell you about Austin Carlile and promise me don’t said it out loud. Promise me?” I asked her softly for her hearing only. She looks at me, although her eyes betraying her trust, but she is willing to go along with it. At that precise moment, I felt my mobile vibrate again. As I read the text reply from Austin that said he too love to meet me after the show, I show it to Nora for her to read. Her eyes widen as she read Austin message and she yelp in delight. I tried to calm her down with a warning look which she evidently understand the meaning.
“Can both of you move up the line? You are holding up the line, ladies” said one of the concert usher.
“Sorry,” I apologise to the usher. To Nora, I give a shake on her shoulder, “I’m sorry I acted like a small kid, aunt Cela.”
“Well, you’re still my small kid, Nora.” I replied with a chuckled.
“Hey look, after them, it is our turn to meet my boys!!” points out Nora. And at that precise moment, my heart beat started to play roller coaster. My breathe getting heavier for me to breathing in. And I felt a pair of eyes is watching me from my back. Well, my back is currently facing them and I am turning towards the crowds with my eyes closed.
“Aunty come on, let’s go. It’s our turn to meet them.” Ushered my niece along with the same concert usher who shuffled us to walk in front the long table where the band members stood waiting for us. “Watch it bitch!” I cursed to the usher for pushing me a bit too hard to my liking.
I froze. And I never froze in my entire life before as my eyes rise up to meet the eyes of the man that I had left behind for the last 14 years. When Jaime saw me, as our eyes locked into each other, his dimple smiles had drained off his face along with the colour on his face. His shocked face is too obvious to hide. I could feel tears threaten to fall off my eyes. I stood frozen on the spot with my hand clutching my handbag in front of me, not knowing what to do next.
All around me people started to notice of our weird behaviour, even my niece who looks at both of us curiously. Jaime by now, had stood up and like me, he too had frozen. I saw his band mate shaking him awake from his trance of me. “Hey Jaime, are you ok?” I think his name is Tony or Mike because I know that both men had tattoos all over their bodies and I could not tell them apart.
Again the same usher pushes me from behind, and without warning, I stumbles against the table, right in front of Vic Fuentes which I recognise immediately for his nose ring. “Woah...careful lady,” To the concert usher, “Hey you watch it. Stop pushing her!” scolded Vic and another guy who is sitting beside him and he might be Tony or Mike, because of again their tattoos.
I finally found my voice,”It’s ok. I just am holding the line up. She is only doing her job,” I smiled at the 2 men and I know my tears will start pouring soon. I turn to Nora, “Hurry up. I wait for you outside, ok?” Nora just nodded and continues asking the band members for their autograph. I exchanged smiles to Vic Fuentes and about to turn to make a quick exit but I had stumbles against someone. When I look up, it is Jaime.
“Marcela?”
Smiling but failing to keep the tears from pouring out, I said to him, “Hey Parrot nose. How are you?” I do not know what exactly to say to him. I am not given the chance to rehearse any speech before hand. He still not saying anything and so I continue, “How is Letty?”
Jaime closed his eyes as if trying to calm him of something that I have said. From behind me, I could feel all eyes of his band members are on us, together with the rest of their fans. “Listen, this is not the right time-“
“Guys, let me introduce you, this is Marcela Torres. My best friend,” announced Jaime that surprised everyone who is standing very close to us. He might want to add that I was his best friend who left him 14 years ago without any news.
Turning back to me, after I gave a short wave to the rest of the band members and my usual sunny smile, “Can she join us backstage? Because we have lots of things to catch up for the lost years,” he continues.
“We can exchange mobile numbers, Jaime-“
“And what, you will let the voicemail pick up my calls?” I narrowed my eyes. My instinct had told me that Austin might have told him about our run-in, but I can’t be so sure. At this moment, I could feel his hand on my back while I still clutching my handbag and looking back-to-back to the pair of eyes that I have missed so much.
“Of course, why not? And that’s mean you are so lucky to join her too, right?” asked Vic to my niece. “Err...I’m not that sure,” turning back to me for confirmation, “Aunt?”
I nodded helplessly as Jaime still looking me straight in my eyes. Not that he is threatening me or what, but the eyes that looks back at me, just tells the same story as me. He has been missing me too over the years.
If only he knows, how much he means to me in my life all these years.
“Where have you been, Marcy?”

Notes

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Comments

@TheDreadfullLullaby

Thank you!! I am currently writing the new chap now ^_^
Rowan Primrose Rowan Primrose
5/16/13
This is amazing please update soon.