Getting to Nirvana {editing}

Chapter 17

Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most~ Buddha

Chapter 17

Nirvana

When we make it back to our hotel room soaking wet, shivering, and slipping along the way against the slick linoleum floors, I get a phone call. I answer it hesitantly because I don't recognize the number. "Hello?"

"Hi. C'est Christophe."

"Oh hey!" I say in surprise. He'd asked for my number but I didn't think he'd actually call. I wipe trickles of water that runs down my face from my matted curly hair with the back of my hand as Christophe talks to me.

"Ummm.. Okay. 7:00 est bien. Okay au revoir." I hang up the phone and turn to see Daniel looking at me quizzically.

"Who was that? "

"Christophe."

"What did he want?"

"Uhh none of your business." I say indignantly as I wring out my hair with my hands. This is gonna be hell to comb out later.

He gives me an irritated look and starts to take of his pants.

"Uh wh-what are you doing?" I stutter.

He laughs. "Chill. I have boxers underneath I'm not gonna flash you." Even so I avert my eyes, I've never seen a guy this undressed, not counting my dad and my cousins. This seems too... intimate. Like something a couple would do, and me and Daniel are not a couple.

"I'm taking a long hot shower so don't look forward to getting any hot water for yourself." Daniel declares tauntingly as he steps in the bathroom and shuts the door behind him.

"Ugh!" I exclaim in frustration. I was really looking forward to a hot shower. I hear his obnoxious laughter resonate through the door at my dilemma.

Shortly after we came inside the rain let up so now it's only a light pattering outside, and the sun's beginning to shine. Later on tonight it'll be nice and cool, the perfect weather to go out.

The time is 4:00 so I still have a couple of hours to burn before I meet Christophe. I bang on the bathroom door, Daniel has at least been in the shower for 30 minutes. "Hurry up in there!" I yell. I get no response. I sigh in defeat, might as well pass the time with reading my book.

Another 15 minutes later and Daniel finally emerges from the shower. A trail of steam following him on his way out, true to his word he made sure he used every last bit of hot water.

"What is with you and that stupid book?" He asks as he snatches it away from me.

"And what is it with you and snatching things! Give it back!"

He holds out his hand to stop me from getting it. "Hold on I just want to read the title."

"What? You can read?" I ask in mock astonishment.

He scowls. "Of course I can, and why are you reading this book anyway?" He asks as his eyes scan the cover.

I pause hesitantly. Should I tell him? What's the worst he could say? He'll either believe me or not. "Okay this is gonna sound crazy but..."

***

"You're crazy!" Daniel exclaims after I relay my story. That was kind of the reaction I was expecting to get but nonetheless I press on. "It's true!" "

"So you're telling me you have to reach all theses "stages" to get to Nirvana, which is heaven in Buddhism, and you think this sketchy sounding Indian guy is helping you try to achieve that?"