EMBRACE OF MISTS by Sowmya Latha (important of reading books .TXT) 📕

Annie sat near me and started asking questions. “Emily, so how do you like New York?”

“Just call her Emi” Joe interrupted. I was glad with Joe for accepting me as his friend and suggesting that others should follow the same. Realizing I had not answered Annie’s question I turned to her.

“It’s good. Well, it isn’t new to me as I spend my summers here with my aunt” I smiled. Joe sat next to Bianca. “I like your smile. It’s as sweet as that of a child’s” he said. My mind raced to the Mr. Perfect who was disgusted on seeing me and I am receiving exactly the opposite comments here.

“Let us get our lunch. I am damn hungry.” Bianca pulled us to get our lunch and we finished eating soon.

After lunch, I went to the class but found the seat next to me empty. Mr. Perfect, disgusted to sit near me, bunked his afternoon classes. He bunked his classes not able to tolerate me sitting near him? I felt the pain again.

In the evening Bianca came to me. “Hey Emi, could you please drop me at home? You have a car right?” she asked. I felt a sense of relief. After all, these people don’t hate me. They don’t feel disgusted with me. “Sure Bia. Come along but just guide me the way.” I started the car and drove as directed by her. She was very cool and I began to have a liking towards her.

At last, my first day was over and it was not as bad as I had imagined. I had got few nice friends. My thoughts trailed to Mr. Perfect. It made my heart race when I thought of his face. His beautiful, male model body kindled my emotions. That disgusted look on his face made me ache. I went to sleep with the last thoughts of the day, the black bruises on his perfect solid hands.

JACOB

May 1996, Brooklyn, New York

“Jared, it will be tough” said Alvin.

“I agree” I murmured.

“But I don’t. Trust me Jared” Michael said.

“I know Mike. It is a job easy for you. I’ll make all the arrangements for you” said Jared and walked away. Alvin looked at Mike uneasily. “You shouldn’t have committed yourself in this Mikey. You ought to think about it again.” I sat down listening to their conversation.

“I don’t care. I am utterly bored of doses and sleeping. I want some work. This thrills me Alvin.” replied Mike. Alvin got up. “Shall I come with you? It’s not good for you to indulge alone. It is dangerous Mike.”

“Don’t worry Alvin. I don’t want you sticking to me.” Mike got up.

“Fine” Alvin took a needle and fell unconscious.

“He uses a pretty number of doses nowadays. Want a drink Jake?” Mike offered me a glass. I refused. “No Mike. Not in a mood today.” He raised his eyebrows and eyed me suspiciously. “Is it a girl?” he asked.

“Maybe… But a different one.” I answered him.

“Carry on pal.” Mike lighted his cigarette and walked out into the dark. I was alone. I was extremely disturbed by the soft haired girl who joined the class today. I felt lucky to have the beauty to sit beside me. My mind brought back the memories of the morning.

“Hello miss. So you are the newcomer…”I heard professor Robert say. I turned to look at the girl standing by the door. Her beauty struck me. I felt no words to describe the childish looks she had. She was cute with soft brown hair and her eyes to match. The jean and white shirt emphasized her looks and I fell open mouthed seeing her approaching me. I shifted my eyes towards the class and envied to see all the boys’ eyes on her. I could not believe she was nearing me. I moved making place for her to sit. Her flowery voice thanked me. I could not take my eyes away from the angel sitting in human form beside me. I realized that she too was looking at me and finally we ended in gazing into each other’s eyes. I was locked for a second, stunned by the colour of her cheeks amazed to see her blush. Her eyes moved down to my hands and a knot formed between her eyebrows. Searching for the reason behind her query, I glanced at my hands. I was shocked to realize that it were my bruises she was looking at. I felt a sudden irritation with myself and drew my hands beneath the desk. A gush of disgust flowed inside me and looked at her without concealing it. The poor girl was taken aback but I had nothing to do with it. It was her fault choosing to sit near me. I should get away from this place. I had better bunk my afternoon classes…

I heard Alvin moan. I came to the present. The memories of that morning replayed again and again in my mind. I closed my eyes with the face of hers in my mind.

MICHAEL

May 1996, New York

I was pretty bored with my routine life. Being with Jared was a perfect company but I felt lonely at times. Maybe I don’t have someone to love? I laughed at the idea. Me? Michael having a girlfriend? Girls are nothing but irritation is my personal opinion. Pretty liars. They can perform modeling and drama perfectly but when it comes to commitment they are utter liars. Thinking about a girl is a waste of time. Maybe I can go out for a work. Jared hasn’t engaged me in any work since February. Maybe I should entertain myself with an assault. I dint know that killing gives me pleasure.

I heard footsteps. I saw Jared, Alvin and Jacob coming inside the room. I have known Alvin for past five years. He is too good at heart that makes me wonder why he had joined us. He forgives his own worst enemy and surprises me with his kindness. It’s a shame that such a person is addicted to drugs. Jacob is a smart perfect schoolboy, seventeen years of age, a cousin of Jared. How could Jared agree to have the kid addicted to drugs? I hated Jared only for this reason. I had been with him for nearly twenty three years as his childhood friend. I remember our parents crashed in a car accident in a travel. Abandoned, we stood on the road with no one to help us. It was Jared who gave the idea of setting up a gang and robbing people for money for a living. It was at that time Jacob’s parents divorced and neither of them wanted him. Jared adopted him as his own brother and robbed people for feeding and schooling him. The sickest thing that Jared did to Jacob was the tutorial he had given Jacob about the drugs. Being a kid, he could not retrieve himself from the dreadful habit.

“Hey Mike, awake?” Jared asked.

“Yeah…what’s up?’ I knew Jared had something in his mind. After years of friendship, I knew to read his mind. “Simon is showing up at the cathedral in Bern on Sunday. It’s dangerous for us to leave him around. He is witnessing in the court against us in the case of murdering Adam Winston, next Tuesday. We got to end his life before he returns. It’s gonna be difficult with all the security and people there”.

“Jared it sounds tough” said Alvin.

“I agree” Jacob said. I thought about my routine life. No thrill yet. And here comes the thrill. Would I miss it? Surely not.

“But I don’t. Trust me Jared.” I said. “I know Mike. I’ll make the arrangements for you” said Jared and left. Even as Alvin and Jacob protested, I had to do the job. Just for Jared. For my friend.

June 1996, Bern

I reached Bern at morning 10 am. I came out of the airport. The weather was chill and I had my jacket on. I hired a taxi to the Clara Mount hotel in which Jared had booked a room for me. I refreshed myself and ordered the room service. In ten minutes, I was helping myself with fried chicken, boiled stew and thick cream salad. I sat down to frame my plan but I dint get any. Maybe I should go down to the spot. I put on my jerkin, took my bag and went to the cathedral. The cathedral was full with people. Children were running here and there. I pushed through the crowd to have the view of the chief guest.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have honour of presiding over this function in this Grand cathedral. Here we are gathered to hold our hands to help these under privileged children. To educate them. This cathedral is adopting ten new disabled children abandoned by their parents but accepted by God. And I am very to help these children. I would be very happy if your support extends to us…” Simon continued his speech.

Perfect. The timing is perfect. Now was the time to end his life. But how am I going to execute this? Who will help me?

“May I help you?” I heard a soft voice near me. I turned to her. “Sir, are you looking for someone? You are standing right at the doorway. Could you please step aside for the children to come in? Thank you sir.”

I moved aside staring at her. Her green eyes were pure and serene. Her attitude was the noblest. I reminded myself that she was a girl. But not the picture of girls that I have in my mind. Entirely different. She wore a beautiful dress and the pearls around her neck added to her beauty. She was helping a child get down her wheelchair. I wanted to have a closer look at her. I went near to help her.

“Thanks” she said and moved towards the dais.

“Er, excuse me miss. Can you do me a favour?” I asked her.

“Yes” her smile slapped me hard.

“I know two children who are unable to see. I was looking after them for the past year. But I am getting a transfer next month. I wonder if Mr. Simon could help me. Could you please help me have a few seconds with him private? It would be very kind of you, miss…”I stopped to hear her name.

“Carolina” she answered.

“Would you please help me Miss Carolina?” I saved her name in my mind, though I knew I’ll never forget.

“Sure. Come with me” she led the way to an empty room closed by curtains. Perfect place for a murder. How did this girl know that I was going to murder? I instantly liked the girl.

“Here. Could you please wait here till I bring him to this room?” she inquired. Never had I heard such a sweet and patient voice before. I nodded my head but she didn’t wait for my response. So different she was when the other girls I was used to would flirt. She was entirely different. She had not seen me more than twice for the past ten minutes. I gave her credits for that. Or maybe, I wasn’t good enough for her to look at? No Mike, remember what you mom has told you. “You look like a prince, my son.” But that was when I was a child and all mothers praise their children. I remembered the girls I had taken for a date. They behaved crazy to me. They were crazy about me. So I don’t look that bad. And she was no ordinary girl. It was better that she didn’t get to see me. I have come to murder and not to introduce myself to her.

After waiting for ten minutes, I heard two pairs of footsteps. Alas. The fish has caught the line. But the bait? The girl Carolina? I got to get rid of her. I wanted to see her again but I was here on an important task.