by Jai T J
“If she wants to extend or cancel this agreement then?”
“She can’t and she won’t. It’s all mentioned with details in various clauses in the agreement and more than that I know her. She won’t go against my word”
Mia rose and went to the kitchen to bring the desserts. They all began giving complements after tasting except Devin. He looked at each other and failed to understand the strange bond between them. His ruthless actions came before his eyes. The way he left the people who thought he was a good friend. For a moment he was in their shoes.
“Do you not like it, Devin?” Mia asked
“NO, it’s horrible” He shook his head, thinking over how he would’ve felt if it happened to him. He tried to find some positivity in that, but he couldn’t get any. Two people coming together knowing the end and yet continue to be that way looked like a hypothesis to him.
“It’s OK. You can leave that. You can eat whichever you like”
Devin came back to the world. “What?... No, I mean... I didn’t mean the desserts. This is really great, but I was thinking about what I just heard. That was horrible”
“After all, we do have something in common. We both leave our close friends. You are doing it to get your vengeance and I’m doing it for my personal pleasure. It’s not that much different. At least I have the decency to tell them ahead and prepare them for it” Yuleika said.
The lunch came to an end but the impact has dug deep into his heart. He felt more and more uncomfortable as he came to know about her. Her past, her ideas, her way of doing things, her world, everything seems to make him uneasy. They were all conversing, but he just saw their lips moving, with his mind somewhere else.
“... Yeah, that’s true. It was a game and you know the rules” Mia was speaking to Yuleika and turned to Devin “she was wearing the ear cord and I told her to stand on that cycle. It wasn’t your fault she fell down....”
The sound blurred into echoes and he saw different faces. “...It got broken... Picked it up from the road...” They all were happy. He saw Mia laughing out loud as she leaned back clapping her hands. He saw Hiran spit-taking the water. He saw Yuleika staring angrily at Mia with her depressing eyes. Finally, those just cried eyes looked at him, and he saw the glimpse of why she chose him. It all came to this and this was darker than he thought.
Chapter 22
NEED A BREAK
The Grey clouds were ganging up as he drew through the rushing traffic. It’s been four days since he saw them at the lunch. This was the day he has been waiting for 3 years. Finally, he got the appointment to meet one of the most powerful paranormal experts. The answer to his long-lasting quest was finally in town, and he couldn’t cloud his expectation.
He came to a stop at the signal. His mind was in autopilot mode. He didn’t know which way he was going, but he was on the right track to his destiny. The leaves began to fall from the blowing winds on the windshield. He pulled the rear view mirror and gazed at himself. His face was blurry in the vibrating glass. He revved the engine, making the glass to be still and then it continued to vibrate as he let go of the accelerator. His face blurred and sharpened with the rise and fall of the accelerator.
The friendly, large eyes of Mia came to his mind and overlapped by dried out just-cried eyes of Yuleika. He distracted himself from them and focused on the most important thing he has been working for years. He prayed inside, hoping to get a solution for his sister.
Drops of rain began to hit the glasses around him as the light turned green. He reached the hotel with the heavy rain blinding him. He parked the car under the shade and strode into the lobby. He checked with the receptionist and got into the elevator racing toward the room.
He saw two men in suits guarding before the door.
“I have a special appointment now” He said to the guard on the left.
“Your name?”
“Devin”
He spoke into the microphone on his collar. Few seconds later, a lady in a bright red dress opened the door.
“Come in” She invited Devin into the master suite.
The room was very wide and elegant. The soothing aroma gave a drowsy feel as he walked inside. Neither the Picasso’s artworks nor the 18th-century furniture got his attention.
The petite lady opened the double door and stood there waving him inside. He walked inside the brightly lit room. Everything was white. The furniture, the wall, the ceiling even the man stood at the center of the room, his beard, his coat just plain white. His face brightened with a broad smile as he saw Devin.
“Welcome, Devin”
He saw her closing the door behind, blocking the intrusion of other colors from outside. He looked at the man he thrived to meet for a long time. He didn’t look anything like he expected. No extra religious signs or tattoos imprinted on him. No pendants or symbols were hanging around. It looked like a business meeting to him.
He shook his hand. “Hello, sir. How are you?”
“Wonderful. How are you?” He said with a loud, cheering voice. His smile beneath the white bush of beard gave him an exotic look. Devin thought he looked like the old wizard from Lord of the ring movie.
“I’m fine. I was looking for answers and I hope you have them”
“Then ask me the right question” He said showing his place to sit. “Would you like anything to drink?”
“Ah... Yeah, whatever you prefer sir?”
“Oh, that’s a dangerous request. I drink venoms of my pet snakes. Would you like to try?”
He shook his head with an awkward smile. “Hmm... I think –”
“It’s OK. Sit. The Tea here is exquisite, you will like it” Just after he said, the same girl came with a tray of teapot and a pair of cups. He poured and handed it over to Devin and took one for himself.
“So, what is driving you crazy to run behind me for over a year?”
Devin kept the cup down and began to tell everything about Senandra. What happened to her, what she craves for and including his blood deal with her. The time flew by as he finished his side. He listened carefully pulling his lips and scratching his white beard. He kept the cup on the tray and looked at him without a word.
He rose from the chair and walked around the hall with his arms tied behind. The minutes passed by in silence. Devin looked at him, expecting something on return. He paused and stared at him.
“Why did you make that deal?”
“I wanted to help her”
“You love her, don’t you?”
“Not that kind of love”
“It doesn’t matter. You made a serious mistake. Blood deal with a spirit is dangerous and lucky for you, she already told you what will happen if you fail her” He came near to him. “So, are you afraid now?”
“Yes, I am”
“for her or of her?”
“I’m afraid I can’t give what she wants. I don’t want to leave her alone in this world after I’m gone”
“Do you have any other siblings?”
“Yes, a sister”
“How old is she?”
“Same as my age”
“Where is she now?”
“I don’t know. Probably somewhere in South America or Mexico. What does she have to do with this?”
He sat on his chair, tapping his fingers he looked over him. “I can not help you”
“What?” Devin appalled. “What do you mean? Please, you have to do something”
“Do you consent with her alternate approach?”
He shook his head. “No”
“Why?”
“Because no one will agree for that”
“I can get rid of her. That’s the other choice you have”
“I can’t do that. There’s gotta be some other way. Help me”
“You are unwilling to make sacrifices. I cannot help you”
Devin rose out of the expensive chair and began walking toward the closed door. “Is there any way she won’t know what I say to you?”
&nb
sp; “Whatever we speak inside this room is within ourself and I can guarantee you she won’t know”
“Good, I would like to ask you a favor” Devin said standing near the door.
The sky was greyish white and rain was still strong and fierce. It striked the glass rhythmically as the wiper continued to swipe. He stopped the engine as he parked outside Mara’s house. He thought over his failed attempt in keeping up his promise with Senandra. His countdown officially has begun. He looked at his house, in the blurry rain. He regretted about the action he did in the afternoon. He knew it was the only choice, and she cannot know about that.
He got off the car, shielding his head with his hand and ran toward his friend’s house and knocked on the door. There wasn’t any response. He knocked again. The chilling wind made him jerk in the cold, damp clothes. No one opened the door.
He turned and looked at his house, standing very alien and detached to him. His phone rang when he prepped to run across. He pulled out the phone and saw a number in the display before attending the call.
“Hello Devin, I want you to do something”
“I’m sorry, who is this?” He asked confused over the strong voice.
“It’s Hiran. What are you doing on New year?”
“What?” Devin tried to push himself backward, keeping the drizzles away from him.
“You have to pick up high-five and bring her to the venue I tell”
“Hey, look. I don’t have time for your stupid games and don’t call me again”
“Didn’t you want to know about her? What happened now? You got bored?”
“I literally don’t have time for this. Why don’t you ask her frie... or someone to do that? I can’t do it”
“If I had anyone, I wouldn’t be wasting my time with you and listen this would be a perfect opportunity for you. She will comply to do anything on her birthday and in your case she might reveal what you were expecting and believe me it will be jaw-dropping”
“Her birthday? On New year?”
“Yes, I can not waste my time repeating what I said again and again. You have to bring her. I will text you the details about location and one more thing, don’t upset her by giving her any gifts”
“No, wait. I am not – ” The line ended with the beeping sound.
He dropped the phone inside the pocket and raised his hand above again and ran toward his house. The raindrops were huge and striked harder at him. Before he could cross the street, his whole shirt drenched. The water dripped along his pant as he opened the red door and went inside.
He expected Senandra to be waiting for him. The hall was empty. The humming sound of rain filled the hall when he closed the door behind. He removed the shoe and began unbuttoning his shirt. He saw a tiny white figure coming out of the kitchen, strolling toward the staircase.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
Eva jumped at the sudden sound and turned around. She saw him through the two holes in the white sheet covering her, entirely up to her knee and with a red spongy boots.
“What are you doing in that?”
She shook her head silently with guilty eyes peeping through the slits. The torn, hanging pieces of her ghost costume swirled with the rhythm of her head.
“What were you doing in the kitchen?”
“Nothing” She said and bowed her head down, hiding her eyes.
“Did you take the cake?”
“NO”
“Then what were you stealing?”
“We were only playing a game” She pulled up the fringes on her hand and revealed a tiny ketchup packet on her palm. “I took thij, ok? I wajint jealing anything”
“Why do you need this for?”
“To do make-believe blood”
“Blood? What kinda game are you playing?”
“Kill, marry and kijj. It’s a game we created. You want to play?” She said rubbing her eyes through the hole.
“Did you take anything else?”
“NO! I promij. I didn’t” Her tone turned into yelping high tone.
He knelt forward and held her. “It’s OK, Eva. I won’t shout at you. I trust you. You don’t have to hide the truth from me. You understand?”
“I’m not hiding the truth. Itj you and your up-air prend”
“Oh, sweetie. Your mom and –”
“Don’t jweetie me. I told you” She interrupted and folded her arms.
“I’m sorry. Listen, your mom and I are only friends. We are not ‘affair’ friend. You understand?”
She nodded slowly.
“And why do you say your mom is hiding something from you?”
“What ij up-air prend mean?”
“I’ll tell you if you tell me what she is hiding”
“Jee jed jee ij going jomewhere leaving me and waunt come and meet me again. I ajked her where jee ij going but jhee jed it ja jeecret”
“It’s OK, swe—Eva. She is not going anywhere. You don’t worry about that. Everything is going to be fine”
“No, ij not. Even you are going away in few weekj. I know it”
“Did Senandra tell you?”
“Ij that lie?”
“Listen, you don’t have to confuse yourself with this. You have to be strong in here” He said pointing at her heart.
“I am. Why everyone ij jaying the jame thing”
“Who else said that?”
“You, Senandra, my mom and that mean lady next door”
“What the hell did she say?”
“Jhee jed that up-air friends will run away and I will be alone. Are you going to go for a running with my mom?”
“She is a crazy lady. Do not listen to her. Your mother and I are not going to run away. We were making fun of that mean neighbor lady, that’s why she said those things to you. You don’t talk to her. You get it?”
“OK. But ip you run away, bring me too. I can aljo run with you”
“Sure” He said smiling at her.
A high-pitched whistling sound came from the floor above. They both looked toward the sound.
“I’m coming” Eva said running toward the stairs.
“Hey, careful” He said, following behind her.
Eva grabbed her costume on both hands and climbed up the wooden stairs. He saw senandra standing at the top of stairs, staring down at him. Her eyes were gleaming brightly in the grayish backdrop of dusk. She went along with Eva to her room, out of his sight.
Devin stood there, looking at the empty staircase wondering whether she knew about the desperate action he made today or the fatal fiasco in his only available chance. The clattering of rain on the glass window overlapped the noise of giggling sound from above as he stood there dripping waters around him.
He knew this was the necessary step. He knew what will be the consequences of his action, but he had no other choices. The conversation with Senandra gonna be not so difficult, but he still feared over the uncertainty of the outcome. He just waited for the night to fall in.
Chapter 23
HAPPY NEW YEAR
The bursting sounds of firecrackers echoed as the midnight approached. The bikers were storming in the street with exciting screams. Unknown strangers were shouting their wishes at every faces they meet in their path. The screeching sounds of tires and squeaking horns expressed the welcoming of New Year.
Yuleika was heading toward the hospital when the whole nation was outside celebrating. She hugged herself in the chilling wind. She dropped the phone into the pocket of her blue shrug and went inside the building.
She heard Nazeer’s voice and a few others’ from the office. She walked inside and saw two cops elaborating the case to him. She pulled up her mask and took her bag before walking out of the room. She went to the room at the end and turned on the lights. She kept her eyes down in the blinding white light and placed her bag on the closet along with her phone.
The shining metals and the warm ambiance of the room consoled her comfortably. Though the room was silent, she still felt like hearin
g those fireworks and the wail of gallivanting riders. She turned on the computer screen and saw the notification on the bell image. She closed the mail as soon as she saw the colorful ‘happy new year’ wish message.
She went to the dressing room and took a disposable plastic apron and the wide protective spectacle glass. She returned to the room and kept them on the table near the computer. She unlocked the drawer next to the table and took out a black bag. She began to unzip it and pulled out a digital camera, size of her hand. She removed the lens cap and turned it on. She archived the previous photos with a push of a button and went near to the calendar. She pointed at the gleaming date on the fresh calendar and clicked it.