Anagha Baheti

As soon as the wedding party left the restaurant, Sam bolted towards the bar. His hopes dashed when he found the bar empty.

“Excuse me,” he called out to the bartender. “My name is Sam. I shared a drink here with a gorgeous woman in a black dress earlier today. Is she around? Has she left? Did she leave a message for me?”

“Sorry sir, I can’t tell you about other patrons. What I can tell you is that there have been no messages for you.”

A drop of sweat rolled down the side of his face.

“Okay, thank you. If she comes back, please let her know Sam was here.”

“That would be difficult, sir, since the bar has closed for the night.”

Crushed, Sam thanked her and left the restaurant. He walked around aimlessly for the better part of an hour. His wandering led him to the beach, where a group of people were celebrating something. Amidst them was the woman in black. When she noticed him, she waved and began to walk towards him.

“I guess we are connected by fate.” She said with a smile.

“I never believed in fate, but now I am starting to. Hey, I never got your name.”

“Jenny.”

“Lovely name. Well, Jenny, would you like to walk around with me?”

“Okay.”

He offered her his hand and she took it. Together, they walked along the beach. He told her about his work, and she told him about her life in college. As the night progressed, he began to feel colder and colder. By the time they stood outside Jenny’s room, he was on the verge of shivers and she was snugly wrapped in a thick shawl.

“I had a great time with you, Sam. Maybe we could do this again tomorrow?”

“Tonight was really lovely, Jenny. Truly. It pains me to say this, but I don’t think this is going to work out. I’m sorry. You are an amazing woman and I hope you find your person soon.

“Worth a shot. It was good to meet you, Sam.”

“Same here. I’m sorry it didn’t work out between us.”

“Me too.”

She kissed him on the cheek and went to her room. Sam took the long path back to his room, and sank into his bed. He had less than twenty-four hours to find his soulmate and not a clue as to where he would start. Failing was not an option. He could only tolerate the icy cold in his room for so long. Lost in the thoughts of his soulmate, he didn’t realise when he fell asleep.

The bride walked down the aisle with the biggest smile Sam had ever seen on someone, but he found himself unable to share her joy. He was happy for his friends, but also a bit envious. Benny had found her forever person, but all that waited for Sam back home was a cold, empty room. In the last twenty hours, he had gotten accustomed to the normalcy. He couldn’t keep his life on pause any longer.

Benny’s vows were so beautiful they moved him to tears. He felt a tap on his shoulder and hastily wiped his face with the sleeve of his pastel pink shirt. It was too warm to wear a tuxedo. When he turned back in his chair, he found Ethan’s hand around a crying Cindy.

“Did you find her last night?”

“I found the girl, but she wasn’t the one.”

“Oh man, I am so sorry. The search continues, then?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

After the wedding, Ethan and Cindy helped Sam talk to every guest in attendance. His temperature kept rising and falling, but he didn’t feel the intense heat everyone felt the first time they met their soulmate. There were moments where he felt close to that heat, but never for the length of a conversation.

When he had spoken to all the guests, he made his way to the open bar. He had four hours to kill before he had to head to the airport. More than enough time to drown the thoughts of tomorrow in whiskey.

“One whiskey on the rocks, please.” Sam said, taking a seat. The man in behind the bar poured him a drink and struck up a conversation. They spoke a bit about books and football for the better part of an hour.

“Sir, I am going to go on a break now, but Samantha here will take good care of you.”

The bartender left, and a beautiful girl about Sam’s age took his place. Sam introduced himself and asked for a beer. She placed a frothy glass in front of him, and he noticed how sweaty her hands were, but no more than his own. A bulb lit up in his head.

“Samantha, could I talk to you for a little bit?”

“Sure. What do you want to talk about?”

“What do you do when you aren’t bartending for weddings?”

“I am a student at the University. I dropped off for a couple of years to take care of my dad, but now I am back to studying.”

“Finals must be round the corner, huh?”

“Oh yeah, next week. But I am not worried.”

“Could I bother you for a small favour? You see that man in a salmon tux? That’s my friend Ethan. Could you please get him for me? Thank you so much!”

Samantha smiled at him and moved towards Ethan. As she walked away, Sam noticed the weather become more cool and pleasant. She soon returned with a confused Ethan following her. Sam had all the confirmation he needed.

“What’s up, bro?”

Sam leaned in close to Ethan’s ear and whispered, “Depending on how she answers, I might not take the flight back with you. I think she is the one.”

“All the best.” Ethan whispered back.

“Samantha, would you like to go out on a date with me?”

“I thought you’d never ask!” Her laughter punctuated her words. “I get off work in two hours. After that?”

“Sure!” Sam replied with a smile.