"Mom! I want something different for Christmas this year."
"I don't know mom, something extraordinary."
That was naive me earlier this year. If only I knew what was waiting for me, I wouldn't have made that terrible wish. The year was going pretty awesome until I met Eran. There was something about Eran, he was very different from the rest of us. He mostly keeps to himself, rumor has it that he has been to more planets than anyone. Except earth of course, no one has ever been to earth. The earthlings are not very welcoming people, always looking for ways to communicate the rest of the planets.
Okay back to Eran. Well we weren't actually friends. He moved into our neighborhood. I'd stay in my room and watch him through the window. Sometimes I'd fantasize visiting different planets with him. One day as I watched him mother called me.
"Sira! take this and go and give it to the neighbor as a welcome gift. I can't believe I let this skip my brain all this while."
"Ok ma"
I said with excitement.
"Why are you so excited?" Mom asked.
"Well it is Eran. THE Eran. Always wanted to have a closer view of him."
"I know who he is alright. Sira, you better don't get any funny ideas. Deep the gift and come back immediately."
Yes Mom I replied as I walked out the door. I walked into Eran's compound looking around like a lost sheep. I have been in this neighborhood all my life, but the way he renovated the house made it seem like I've never seen the house before. He brought ideas from the different planets he has visited and created a beauty.
"Hello, are you lost?"
A charming voice echoed grabbing by the hand.
I couldn't believe it. I was finally in the presence of Eran. I stood there staring at him from head to toe.
"Hello, can you speak?"
That second question got me out of my trance.
"Greetings to you. we are your neighbor... I'm your neighbor... your neighbor's daughter actually... i don't own the house.. we, i live in the house next door."
"I know who you are, I see you watching me from your room."
I was dumbfounded, that was kinda embarrassing.
"Do you have a message for me?" Once again he brought me back to reality.
"Yeah, My mom asked me to give you this as a gift to welcome you to the neighborhood."
"That is kind of her, tell her I appreciate this."
"Ok, bye."
I was almost at the door when he called me back.
"Hey, you shouldn't be attracted to me. I'm not a good guy and besides I'm older than you."
"Don't be full of yourself, I'm n-o-t attracted to you -that much. I'm sure you are older than me by 100 years or less don't make it sound like a big deal."
He walked closer to me, I felt my heart beat faster. He was so close to me that I felt his heart beat, he had a scent like the fragrance of flowers. He whispered to ear.
"Here's a secret about me, I committed a big crime on earth. Soon enough they will find out where I'm hiding and come for my head. You don't want to be around me when this happens."
I ran out of the house, headed for room without responding to my mom when she asked.
"What took you so long? Did you give him the gift?"
I curled myself in bed. He is probably bluffing, perhaps to scare me away. Nobody has been to earth. But then he has been to do many planets that no one has been to and he was so firm when he said those words.
The next few months passed slowly. On Christmas day, mom sent me to the market to pick up some groceries. I was on my way to the market when I saw a large spaceship descending on our planet. With the design and technology, it could only be owned by earthlings.
Pixabay
"Oh no! They're here for Eran."
I said to myself. Should I go and warn him, or should I mind my business and stay away from him as he warned. Never thing I found myself running back home. I passed our house and barged into Eran's house.
"You need to leave now. The earthlings are here for you."
"It's too late for that. There's no escaping the humans."
"Don't give up, you have to try. Aren't you the brave Eran..."
I was still speaking when he hit me hard as I passed out. My mom later told me how he brought me home to protect me from the humans. That was the last day I ever saw Eran.