Tyler Smiths: A Summer Illusion

by Daniel Olas

Chapter Four

  Tyler continued to be the superman; rescuing and providing a shoulder to lean on for Vanessa. Vanessa became the happy girl she used to be especially when Tyler is always around.

  Sophia was never thrown in the dark by their action. It’s as plain to her as crystal ball that both were once ex but are now friends again. But one thing she doesn’t understand in all that unfolds each day at the pub is that Tyler rarely hugs and even kiss is not on their do-list of relationship. “What kind of relationship is this?” Sophia once thought.

  Tyler was so comfortable in his new character of Mr Superman that he doesn’t care about taking himself into another and the final character of Mavis’ love lecture—Jack; the lover boy. If Tyler had known that being a superman doesn’t make you Jack, just as being a friend doesn’t make you a lover, he would have watched out for Jason; Vanessa’s new friend and a regular city pub’s patronage.

  Jason Cole, the son of the famous and rich business tycoon—Sir Alex Cole—has been fixing date with Vanessa of which she turns down regularly. Jason is the type of guy every girl needs outside there. He’s rich, handsome and loving as described by Sophia when telling Tyler the new customer they’ve gotten.

  As the tale goes on in a summer season like this, the illusory truth that Tyler holds in his hand and that he keeps in his mind begin to evolve. The evolution of the illusion starts thus:

  On one cool evening at the beach, Tyler and Vanessa were sitting at their favourite place at the beach facing the ocean when someone tapped Vanessa.

  “Hi?”

  “Oh! Jason!” Vanessa exclaimed

  “How are you doing?” Jason asked flashing a heart-melting smile.

  “I’m good and kind of cool here!” Vanessa replied already standing up.

  Tyler only sat on the sand looking at them.

  “Hem… won’t you mind me taking you out for game?” Jason asked still ignoring Tyler.

  “And what kind of game is that?” Vanessa asked flashing smiles.

  “Casino!” Jason exclaimed gesticulating.

  “Wow! That’s gonna be great. I can’t wait” Vanessa said almost jumping up.

  “And your friend? Oh, your colleague?” Jason said pointing to Tyler.

  “Oh him? He’s gonna be fine. He’s a guy. Isn’t it Tyler? Vanessa asked staring at him with questioning expression covering her face.

  “Huh… yea… yea…” Tyler said standing up and he walked away.

  “Why is he acting like that?” Jason asked bewildered

  “Don’t worry about him. That’s his own way of life!” Vanessa said holding Jason’s hand immediately and whisking him away.

  Tyler could not believe this is happening. So, after all he’s done for her, is this his pay? But wait… he never told her he wants her as his lover back again. He just want to be a friend to her, then… he would go on and act the final role but this dream is turning into an illusion gradually; it goes away as the sun rest in its bed and drawing the cloud as curtain to cover itself.

  If not for Mavis, he wouldn’t have ventured into this in the first place. He’s risking another heart break but then… is he not a Superman? Certainly, there’s something he can do to salvage the present situation.

  As the day roars on like the ocean, the situation becomes something too difficult for Tyler to handle. Frequently, Jason will be at the city pub and later, both Jason and Vanessa would go out to the beach to play and catch fun either by swimming or watching movies or even playing volleyball. Tyler stood all alone in his thought as he looks on Jason and Vanessa becoming partners…

  After weeks of fun and dates, Vanessa for the first time in several weeks has time for Tyler as they sat at the serving table.

  “So, you remember Tyler today?” Tyler asked looking at the magazine in his hand.

  “I’m sorry Tyler. I know I’ve not being the good girl for a while now but remember you said you are going to be there for me…”

  “But you’ve forgotten about me already…”

  “Are you kidding me? How could I? Vanessa asked surprisingly.

  Without even looking at her and staring at the magazine in his hand, he replied thus—

  “Anyways, let’s say you haven’t. And I hope you will not!” Tyler said stealing a glance at her.

  “Well… well, I need your advice on this. Jason had asked me to go with him on a tour to Italy for a week. What do you think?

  Tyler was surprised at Vanessa’s statement.

  Tour? Italy? A week?—Tyler thought.

  “How do you plan to cope with your work here?” Tyler managed to say.

  “Well, I’ve gotten that under control. Jason is going to pay Mr McLean for that. In fact, I’ve gotten his approval. I just want to know your view about this and to tell you that I’ve not forgotten about you if that’s what that has being going on in your mind.” Vanessa concluded.

  “You don’t need my view Vanessa. Follow what your mind tells you and stop being hypocritical!” Tyler said and stood up, he walked off.

  Vanessa was baffled and dumb folded at Tyler’s behaviour but she knew she caused it all. Just then, the memories of this past weeks flashes through her mind. She remembered how she had shunned and shoved aside Tyler for Jason. Then, the memories of how Tyler had carried her from her past—that has eaten deep into her marrows—and had made her to stand on her feet as Vanessa again. Without her being herself, Jason wouldn’t have noticed her in the first instance. With this, guilt overshadowed her and she broke down in tears…