The chirping of birds filled the evening atmosphere with a sensation of peace and fulfilment. The outer regions of Texas were the only place where the sound of these little singers of nature could be heard nowadays.
It was completely erased in the hustle and bustle of the city.
A young man with a stout build, eyes full of adventure and determination, was walking down this road. He was dressed in baseball clothes and was carrying a baseball bat.
Sigh...
"Why does the ball always have to go missing whenever the game is getting interesting? We could only play one match instead of two that were planned," he said in a heavily disappointed tone.
"Oiiii! Mark, I found the ball... Here, take it."
Mark turned. A boy was running towards him, waving his hand in which he was holding a worn-out baseball.
"Thanks, Billy, I had seriously given up on finding this one amongst all that tall grass. I even stepped on a chameleon while looking for it."
"No worries! I had to find it because it was my home run that got the ball there."
"Mmm... that's true. I mean, I could have just gotten you to pay for it if you hadn't found it," said Mark in a dominant tone.
"Sure, sure... I know you. You wouldn't have let me pay for it anyway, you're just kidding..."
"...." Mark replied with silence.
"You are kidding, right?" said Billy in a nervous tone.
"Well, you would only come to know that if you had lost the ball," said Mark in a threatening voice.
They both looked at each other, and after a few moments, they both burst into laughter.
They continued to chat with each other and catch up on what was happening in their lives.
Mark was studying at a university to work as a software engineer and ethical hacker in Washington DC. He was 19 years old. It was his second year at the university. He had come over to Texas to enjoy his holidays, which he was given during summer. Here, he had a farmhouse where his grandfather lived.
"How is your grandpa?" asked Billy in a concerned voice.
"His dementia is slowly getting severe. He sometimes has trouble even remembering me. The doctor said that he would soon forget about everything. So, I am trying to spend as much time as I can with him."
"Yeah, you definitely should. It will be better."
They chatted with each other and realized that they had entered Houston. The voice of the birds was now completely suppressed by the noise of the vehicles and the industries there.
"Well, guess we will have to split up from here," said Billy in a sad voice.
"Come on, why are you being so sad? It's not like I am going anywhere, and come on, let's play tomorrow again," said Mark, calming him.
"Why should I not be sad? It's been 1 year since I last saw you. And now after just spending 2 hours with you, we have to split up again. Well, let's meet up tomorrow. You have to tell me about her, you love her, right?" said Mark in a suspicious voice.
"Are we talking about Jane? Yeah, I like her, but I still have not confessed to her. I am planning to do it this time when I return to college. Let's hope she accepts."
"Yeah, I mean, why would she not? You are such a wonderful person."
"Come on, stop buttering me up. I already said i am going to treat you tomorrow, Why are you buttering me up now?"
"It's not like that, you are a really wonderful person. That's why I am your friend," said Billy.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, let's be off before it gets late," said Mark.
"I forgot about that. Well, see you later, tomorrow. Bye bye."
Billy walked deep into the city where his home was, and Mark got into a taxi to Rosenberg.
He reached Rosenberg about 8 pm, so as soon as he got home, he started getting ready to prepare dinner. Before that, he went over to his grandpa's room and had some talks with him. He came back into the kitchen and turned on the TV. The news was on.