It was the bodyguards of Celeste and Iris. They were asked to return to their homes immediately. It made sense as the time was getting closer to midnight. Apologizing about having to leave early, they began to leave.
I turned towards Vivienne, understanding my gesture, she replied gleefully,
"I don't have a curfew. So, I can stay here if you are alright with it, considering it's a holiday tomorrow. I will just have to inform my parents."
I went to send off the other two girls and got their numbers. I came clean with Vivienne about my thoughts on her suggestion.
"I think I wouldn't be very comfortable to bridge the distance that quick. We can stay up until midnight and talk. After that, you can go back. Please don't be offended by it."
She started laughing again, "Pfft- That was what you were worried to say, fidgeting like that. I understand, you don't have to worry."
I seem to have become a good comedian. These girls laugh heartily at whatever I say.
This time, we sat on my bed, a bit closer too. With that, she began talking about our past life.
"Personally, I don't like lengthy explanations. So, I will be quick with it. I want you to visualize a mountainous region, separated from the world and one with nature. We led a very simple life, trading with the village down the hill for necessities. It was like a fairy tale of a couple living happily ever after. The ever after was our whole life. I don't quite remember the details about the world, other than you and me being together. Vividly too, like I lived through it."
She described with a blush on how lovey-dovey our life had apparently been and that we had seven kids. Three boys and four girls. I was like, damn, how good was the living conditions man?
The room was in a sudden awkward silence. I tried to make it normal,
"So, how does the soul-link work?"
"It is, simply, a spell that ties up two individuals souls. We will always be destined to meet each other as partners. We came upon the spell from my grandmother"
"And how is the spell done?"
If earlier her ears were flushed, now her whole face was flushed.
I understood what it meant and was also blushing with her now. The awkwardness only doubled from before.
After the awkwardness settled down, the conversation began flowing naturally. Each of us began speaking of how our lives had been. I had always believed Vivienne to be an introvert except in her streams. But she threw out my assumptions with how she began speaking freely with me. The past memories must have had a meaningful impact about me for her. Though I had only watched a few of her streams, I knew the 'persona' she puts on the internet was not very far from her real self. She was genuinely rubbing off on me. It also made me wonder about our future hereafter.
I asked her about something that had been pressing me since they explained the whole situation.
"So, what do you think about me having three soul-links with three different people? Doesn't that make it quite complicated? And how could you trust me?"
After a moment of hesitation, she spoke with a sad smile.
"I did find it as a strange thing that you had other soul-links and not with just me. I was quite surprised to see them here, when I came here. The fact that I can't have you alone and had to share immediately saddened me. But regarding if all three of us will be with you, I don't think anyone has a clear answer. You don't have a solution, do you? But one thing I am sure about is not to lose you again. Also, what's all this talk about trust. If I didn't trust you, I would have never suggested to stay the night."
She pinched my nose before continuing, "I have spent a lifetime with you. I would know better whether to trust you."
With that midnight struck and I sent her off too, after getting her number. But before leaving the room, she suddenly hugged me. My whole composure was thrown for a toss. I was blushing like crazy.
"Hehe" She walked away, giggling at my reaction, while her own ears had a red shade.
"Mom, I am going out for a walk."
"Don't forget to take a scarf. It is cold outside."
"Okok" I chuckled at her consideration.
My parents, even after all this commotion, were waiting for me to let them know and were not intrusive about it all, giving me space.
______________________________________
Sitting on a bench at an empty park, I stared at the sky. The sky had clouded over, hiding the stars. I smiled at the universe's reflection of my state of mind.
It was like someone's poorly written self-fulfillment novel coming to life. Three of the most popular girls getting tangled with a person, the society considers as 'average'. It was funny when I saw these tropes in stories, because of its unrealistic setting. But when it has happened to me, I am actually worried about everything. Considering the current status and abilities of mine, it was clear the only way this story will likely end. I would be killed or threatened if their families got a whiff of our relationships. They must have started keeping tabs on me, considering their daughters came to visit me at night. I don't blame the girls. Living through a whole other life in a span of days, it was clear anyone would be emotionally driven.
*Ding* *Ding*
I looked down at the new notifications. It was from Vivienne and Iris, surprisingly. Both were wishing good night. It was weird being wished good night when it hadn't even been a day since we had become acquaintances. I sent in a good night sticker to them. But I also sent one to Celeste too. With that, I took a big inhale before turning to go back home.
I explained that it was nothing serious and just schoolmate talks to my parents. I said such a blatant lie, not because I didn't know how to lie, it was to indirectly hint that I needed time before I could explain everything. I wouldn't want to bring unnecessary stress to them, after all.
My parents understood the message and dropped the topic. I had to admit, I was really blessed with a healthy body and great parents. I laid back in my bed to sleep. But, I couldn't really sleep with all kinds of thoughts running through my head.