Chapter 26

Euniel
Sitting behind my desk, I turn the diamond ring between my index and my middle finger. If my eyes do not leave this sparkling little gem, my mind meanwhile wanders a thousand leagues from here. Where is she ? What is she doing ? Has she at least been able to find happiness where she is? Will she come back one day? Besides, does she think of me? Or, did she throw me into oblivion as one throws an old rotten sock in the trash?
MUSE! It's this little name that has bothered me for the past six years. My God! I thought I was going to die of grief after she left. Her face hidden by the shadows of darkness that day at the beach, that kiss that made my insides twitch, I have never been able to erase it from my memory for at least six years that time has passed. I have become the slave of this memory. All nights, I pray that she comes back to me but nothing happens. Yet I have everything to be happy. My clinic expanded further and became a large hospital. I can have any quality of girls at my feet just with a snap of my fingers, but it's like this girl is gone with my heart and my head. My heart only beats for her. My friend Nicolas, who could no longer see me in this state, came to see me last year and talk to me about my state.
"Until when is this girl going to bother you so much? Forget her and move on. I want to see you happy buddy!" He told me with a hint of concern in his voice.
"But who told you I'm not happy? I just received a continental award of the year for progress in psychological medicine. Not to mention that in a week I will inaugurate my hospital. What could be better? I have everything I need. There are a lot of people who would like to be in my shoes." I say to Nicolas, deliberately stepping away from the debate. He looks me straight in the eye as I try to avoid him with my gaze. After a short moment of silence, he leans towards me then says to me
"I didn't ask you to tell me about your professional successes or the progress of your career. I'm talking to you about happiness my brother and that has nothing to do with success. Look at you, one only needs to look deep into your eyes to realize that you're not happy. You hide behind your desk to work like a madman. Until when are you going to continue this life my friend? Pull yourself together!'
I may deny it, but I do suffer from this sorrow caused by the absence of Muse. Nicolas knows me very well and what he says is not false.
"What am I supposed to do brother? I at least try to drown my sorrows in work because it's the only thing I know how to do better than anything. This girl ripped my heart out leaving this country and I haven't been alive for more than four years since she left." I answer Nicolas with a sad look.
"Buddy, do you want me to tell you what the solution to your problem is?" He asks me the question becoming more serious.
"Yes my brother, I will be very grateful to you." I hasten to tell him.
"Find yourself another girl. The woman's remedy is the woman herself. As they often say, one lost, ten found."
"No, I don't think that's a good idea. Forget that one, I'd rather drown my sorrows in work." I answer him in a lively tone.
"Come on my friend! I remind you that for five years, you have been working hand and foot tied to forget this heartache, but nothing has worked. You are still so unhappy. I know that you are not too a ladies' man, however, I'll make you an offer." Nicolas responds by becoming more serious and at the same time, my curiosity increases. So I ask him on my way to him for all my attention
"What is this proposal?"
"I'm going to introduce you to a friend who's a really good girl. You're just going to get to know each other without rushing into the relationship. If after a while you realize she's not right for you, you can leave it and resort to another solution. However, I just want you to try. Okay?"
Thus was the birth of a new sentimental story for me. I really hesitated a lot at first. But I ended up taking the plunge. He who tries nothing has nothing, they say. So I lose nothing by trying a new adventure. It was from that moment that Sandra came into my life. She's a beautiful, intelligent girl. I tried to do my best to give the best of myself to move this relationship forward. Things are not as passionate as I would have liked. Nevertheless, the relationship between Sandra and I is quite calm and peaceful. I think it's best for me. A relationship devoid of any puzzle. Love in itself is not enough to start a family. I also think that he is the one who most often complicates everything.
My thoughts return to the present after this jump in the past, when my phone begins to vibrate. I look and it's a message from Sandra. She asks me not to forget to go and have lunch at the restaurant. This girl is very maternal. She knows how to take care of a man as it should. I can't blame him. She is perfect, I would even say too perfect. She is the woman so any well-built man with his faculties in place would dream of. However, I blame myself for not loving her, or rather, I blame Muse a lot for holding my heart captive. I wanted so much to love Sandra, to make her feel the happiest woman she deserves, but the memory of Muse never wanted to leave my heart. Today, after all the sacrifices that Sandra has always made by remaining faithful to me without ever complaining about my regular indifference, I think the best decision I could make is to get her engaged. I don't want her to be just a girlfriend anymore. I'm going to ask for her hand in marriage on my birthday this Saturday. I didn't plan anything special. I'm just going to prepare a small meal that we'll have together and I'll take the opportunity to ask for her hand. After all, I owe him at least that. I would like to see a smile drawn on her face that reflects her happiness.
It's Saturday today and it's my birthday. I celebrate my thirty years of life on earth. I cannot be ungrateful to the Almighty God. He kept me and at my young age I accomplished many things that old men could not accomplish. During this day, I had planned to rest in the morning, do some sport, watch a good series of doctors and then cook the dish I planned to eat with my girlfriend. But my program was turned upside down when in the morning, Nicolas came to pick me up to take me I don't know where. We first went to my favorite restaurant, then Nicolas took me to his place where we played a lot of video games. We took too long before this game. Nicolas wanted to defeat me at all costs, but he couldn't. Finally at the beginning of the evening, Nicolas managed to convince me to follow him to a bar where he offered me a beer.
"You are my friend Euniel. You got me out of unemployment and you never let me down. I wanted to spend this important day with you my brother."
Nicolas' words moved me so much that I didn't want to refuse to go out with him. After all, he has become like a brother to me. He always cared about me. I'll order a meal when I get home and I'll spend the evening and the night with Sandra. So that's how early in the evening, I decided to go home and Nicolas did the same. I stop on the way at a good restaurant in the square where I get takeaway meals. I then continue at home. The guard opens the gate for me and I enter my house very tired. I have in mind to go take a shower and call Sandra to join me. Besides, speaking of her, I haven't received any message from her all day, not even a call. It doesn't look like him at all, especially on this special day for me. Never mind, I'll contact her later to find out what's going on. It is with this thought that I open the door and general surprise, the light comes on without my having to touch the switch and I hear
"Surprise!!!"
I don't believe it, so that was it, they were throwing a surprise party for me. There are about twenty people, and everything is sober as I like. Nicolas is also present. I understand then that he was the one who had been responsible for keeping me away from the house while the others organized the ceremony. I am really moved by so many attentions. I run to my room to take a quick shower then I go back downstairs to find the others enjoying themselves. Sandra comes towards me smiling and says to me while handing me a small wrapped package
"Happy Birthday my love!"
I take the gift from his hand and say thank you, looking grateful. Then I wave to the guests to be quiet and give me their attention, which they are quick to do. So I speak by taking out the ring that was in my pocket, then I look her straight in the eye
"My darling, you have always been by my side night and day, you have always put up with my misbehavior. Living by your side is so peaceful and pleasant. That is why in front of all this little assembly, I ask you to be officially my fiancée. Would you do me the honor?"
Sandra sheds a tear as she nods.
"Yes!" She replies, her voice hoarse with emotion. I put the ring on her finger and she throws herself into my arms crying with happiness I guess.
The evening was going very well. I personally greeted all the guests and thanked them for coming. At some point, the guard comes up to me and hands me a small gift. I take it from her hands and ask her curiously
"What is that?
"I don't know boss. A young woman gave it to me for you."
"And didn't she give you her name?" I ask him the question again.
"No boss! Can I leave now?"
"Yes of course!" I replied looking a little intrigued by this gift.
After the guard leaves, I go aside to unwrap the gift. I find a gold watch from the jewelry house in Paris. It is a very expensive watch, quite simple and sober. It's really my taste. The person who gave it to me must know me well enough. At the bottom of the box, there is a small piece of paper that I rush to get out. I open it with curiosity at the highest point and I read write on it
"Happy birthday to you Euniel, I wish you all the happiness in the world!
Muse."
My heart starts pounding in my chest at an accelerated rate.
Muse???