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

‘Angel. How is the day?’ I asked her.

‘Pretty good. Mel but I wish you had given us some breakfast I feel starved.’

‘I guess, I remember now. Could you not remind me? Silly. We’ll finish the exhibit and have our lunch’ I persuaded her

The entrance was decorated gorgeously. I felt a panic in my heart.

‘Relax, Mel’

Someone called my name. I turned to see George.

“Hey Mel, you are late dear. This way please” He led me the way. George was the Art exhibition manager, my former schoolmate. He appreciated my paintings and encouraged me to display them. The one person I was grateful to was George.

He stood infront of an empty space on that gallery, where my painting had to be positioned. The wall was painted in light melon green, where my painting hung attractive on it.

“That’s a brilliant piece Mel. It’s touching” George appreciated me.

“Do you understand it, George?”I hoped Angel was listening.

“Yes…” George had not taken his eyes off from the painting.

“What do you see?” I asked him. He slowly turned his eyes on me, took my hands and said,

“You”

I felt excited that the inner meaning of my painting got depicted into people’s hearts. My motive had been succeeded.

“That truly is wonderful, miss.” I heard a familiar voice. Angel leapt with excitement as she saw the person standing opposite to me, through my eyes.

“Er, thanks.” I tried to move but he stepped forward blocking my way. Why the hell does he do this, highly irritating me.

‘It’s because, he likes you’ Angel said. She then laughed at me which triggered my anger. ‘Oh shut up Angel.’

“What are you thinking?” he asked. I realized that he had never removed his eyes away from my face.

“Nothing… will you please clear my way…sir?” I stammered and tried to move forward.

“Oops… I thought of buying your painting.” I looked at him surprised. He continued talking. “I can give you a thousand dollar more than you ask for, miss.”

“How much would you pay?” I asked him cocking my head to one side. He seemed to forget blinking for a minute. I controlled my smile and looked away reminding myself that he was just my customer.

“Five thousand dollars?” It was a good price. When I decided to accept it, someone else called out, “Seven thousand dollars miss. It’s worth a piece.”

I looked at the irritating tall guy through the corner of my eyes. He panicked for a second and then said to me, “I have only five thousand dollars, miss. You can sell it to him.” He then turned and started to walk away. Angel could not bear him being upset and she plunged into a serious discussion with me.

‘What do we do now?’ I asked her.

‘Give it to him. We do not need money.’

‘But its two thousand dollars more dear.’

‘So what? He understands the feel of the painting. He does not have enough money. If only he had, he would have paid more than this stupid intruder.’

I felt Angel had the point. I refused to the intruder and went to find him. He was looking somewhere out of the window.

“Excuse me” I called him. He turned and looked at me, his forehead creased.

“I will accept your price. Here, you can have it.” I handed him the painting.

His face lit up and gave me a bright smile and the warmth in it wrapped me. I felt satisfied that my hard work has reached its right place.

“Oh thank you miss…..” he waited for my name.

“Melinda Parker”

“Thank you Miss Melinda. I am really surprised that you are selling it to me. But why did you refuse that man?”

Oh oh. Here he asks for the reason. What am I to tell? Say him that because my darling soul compelled me to do it?

‘Hey it was you who accepted my point of argument. Even you admire this superman Mel.’

‘Please Angel, I got to think a reply for this man.’

“What are you thinking again Miss Melinda?” he disturbed my thoughts.

“It’s just nothing. I just thought you would like to have it. First come, first served.” I blabbered whatever came into my mind.

His looks scrutinized me for a second and let go of the topic. Jeez, he looks right into my eyes. Perhaps he was a mind reader. I made a decision never to meet this man ever again.

“Hello miss. Is something wrong?” he questioned me again.

“No… nothing is wrong.”

“If you would permit me to take you out for lunch, I would be much delighted Miss Melinda...” he made his proposal.

“It’s fine Mister...”

“Jared Weasley” answered the tough man.

“It’s just fine Mr. Jared. I can have lunch by myself. Thanks for your invitation.”I turned and walked away. Another insult for him.

‘Mel that was disgusting’

‘What?’

‘Your behavior towards him.’

‘Look. It’s none of your business. Just keep quiet.’

And that was end of her. Maybe I had offended her badly. But I did not want to convince her. She knew what I was thinking and she held her silence till we reached home. I cooked a simple lunch but did not feel to eat.

‘Angel’… I called her softly.

No reply.

‘Would you stop talking to me for a stranger?’

No reply.

‘Fine…’ I stood up and started to clean the apartment. I busied myself with washing, ironing and dusting. I was angry. I hated that man, Jared, with all my heart. But Angel loved him. Strangest feelings. I prayed that this contrast would not separate us.

‘It won’t.’ Angel replied softly but strongly.

I smiled and continued my work.

EMILY

July 1996, New York

Another month had rolled by. I recollected every moment I had with Jacob the last month. We had our classes and lunch together. Even he drives my car from school to home every evening. We talked almost about everything, the world ruled over. Geography, Science, Movies, Discos, any topic we could get over with. But we never felt tired of talking. It was pleasant to be with him. To hear him laugh. To hear him speak. My arguments were easily won by him. Most of the time I would lose for his victory. It would amuse me to do anything for him. This guy with whom I spent most of my time is the one I had fallen in love with. The only thing I brood over was his history. I knew only that he was living with his brother and nothing else more. I did not dare to ask anything that would make him angry. He cared for me and nothing mattered to me more. I knew that he likes me too. The question is does he love me? Or would he love me? I look utterly ordinary. Perhaps I should make myself more appealing to him. But how? I decided to go out shopping. I told my aunt, took my car, drove through the busy streets of New York.

My dad had put some amount for my expenses which I had not yet touched. I could use them to buy me some outfits. I pulled over the car at one of the shopper’s stop. I went through the collection of new arrivals and ended up in confusion. I should have brought Annie or Bianca along to make the selection. They would have helped me well. Finally I chose a few and paid for those. As I stepped out of the shop I thought of buying some chocolates for me and flowers for aunt. I had not bought the poor lady anything since I came to live with her. I kept my shopping bags in my car, locked it and started walking to the next street.

“It’s my lucky day” I jumped on hearing his voice. Jacob stood near me in his usual style.

“Why do you say that?” I asked him.

“I thought today I would not be able to see you. But I am lucky.” He smiled my favorite smile. But his words astonished me more than his smile. He had been waiting to see me. I could not believe him. Why would he wait for me?

“Hey!” he snapped his fingers in front of my eyes.

“Yes, what were you saying?” I questioned him even though I knew what he said few seconds back. I just wanted to hear it again.

“Nothing. What are you doing here?” he tried to hide his smile.

I was disappointed. Why wouldn’t he give me the pleasure of hearing his words again?

“I came out to shop. I was just going to get some flowers for my aunt.”

“That’s sweet. Shall I join you? You don’t expect anyone, do you?”His eyes searched behind me.

“No one. I came alone.”

“Mmmm…that’s fine. Shall we go to the ‘Florists’?” He lead me into a beautifully furnished shop, decorated everywhere with flowers. I selected the red ones and packed it. They would be warm to her. After paying the bill I searched for Jacob. He could nowhere be seen. I looked for him all down the street and then returned to my car. I saw him standing there holding a big bouquet of roses. He smiled and looked over it at me.

“To the most charming girl I have ever seen” he added his note and handed it over to me.

I was taken aback with surprise. I couldn’t help blushing. He scanned me for a second and turned towards the car. He started the engine and asked me to get in and drove in silence. I too had many thoughts in my mind. I was stuffed with emotions. At times I could feel Jacob’s eyes on me. But I kept my eyes straight on the road. I did not want to do anything stupid.

Suddenly the engine had stopped. I saw Jacob getting down the car. He ran to open my door. He knelt on his knees, took my hand spoke hurriedly to me.

“Listen Emi, now I want you to drive the car and go home soon. Please don’t stop anywhere. Listen to my words. I have got work now. Hurry!! Start the car and go please.” He pulled me out of the car and pushed me into the driver’s seat. He closed the car door and cried loud.

“Now!! GO!!”

I did not understand what was happening but I knew Jacob would do me good. I started the car and reversed. While I took a turn around the corner I saw in the back mirror a handful of guys approaching Jacob. I froze to see what was happening. The guys were having a talk and suddenly I saw Jake hitting a boy on his nose. The gang of guys started to fight with him. I saw Jacob fighting them. I got down the car and ran towards them. I saw a guy trying to hit him from behind.

“Jacob!!!!!!” I shouted out to him. He stared at me and then cried. “Go away Emily”. By the time he said that, he collapsed to the ground his hand over his head. The guys ran away leaving me alone watching dumb at Jacob amidst that pool of blood. One second I felt the world turning dark.

I ran to my car.

I had not eaten anything from morning. My aunt had come to visit me in the hospital.

“Dear, what did the doctor say?” she asked me. I did not take my eyes from Jacob.

“They say it’s hard to survive the head injury”. Tears rolled over my cheeks. My aunt touched my head and tried to comfort me. After a few minutes of silence she went out of room.

I caught Jacob’s hand in mine. I pressed my lips over his hand and spoke to him.

“Jacob. I don’t know what you have in your in mind about me. But I love you. You are the only person with whom I wish to live with. Jake I can’t live without you. I beg you to recover. Open your eyes and look at me. Smile at me.” I couldn’t bear. I cried the whole night catching his hands. It took nearly three whole days for the doctor to speak to me. They told me that Jake had his chances to live. I stayed there for the whole