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

week. I did not leave his side at all. And finally Jacob opened his eyes and smiled at me.

I felt the whole world clapping its hands for me. I looked after him before he could be back to normal. Finally I saw him in the school waiting near the library for me.

“How could I ever thank you for what you have done Emi. You have saved my life. You spent the whole week of sleepless nights near me. How could I praise your kind heart?” he spoke with emotions bursting inside him. I could see a glistening tear in his eye.

I caught his hands and placed them on my cheeks. “I did not do anything for you to thank me. I can’t be without you.” The moment I said those words he pulled his hands away and stared at me. His eyes were full with pain. His mouth opened and closed, saying nothing. His pain stroked my heart. He then walked away from me not looking at my face. What had I done? I thought he too loved me. I knew he loves me. Why is that, he is in pain?

He did not stop to listen to me and walked out of the school. I couldn’t help crying. I sat there crying when Harry came to me.

“It’s ok dear. Now stop crying… we knew this would happen. Try to forget everything which is the best for both of you” he comforted me, placing his hands over my shoulders.

“He doesn’t want anyone, Emi. He is a sort of a broken man. He……. Never mind. Let’s go.”Harry did not finish his sentence. He lifted me to my feet and walked me to the class.

I could hear nothing of the professor’s voice. Nothing of the lunch bell. Nothing of the noise in the school. I was numb with pain. I wanted to go home and cry my lungs out. As soon as the bell rang I went to my car. I refused Harry’s offer to drop me home and drove myself home. I could never say how I drove over the road but I reached home. I pulled over the engine and had no heart to get inside the house. I sat there waiting for the pain to take over me when my aunt came looking for me. I could not meet her eyes. Avoiding her, I went to my room closing the door behind me. A sudden weakness crept over me and I rushed to the bathroom and opened the shower while I broke into unstoppable tears. After stepping out I did not bother to dry myself. I turned off the lights to evade the unnecessary questions of Aunt Elizabeth. I sat by the window looking at the shining bright moon. I missed my mother. She would have comforted me without asking a word about my problem. The shower had made me numb and now I felt the numbness leaving me slowly only to give way to the pain that placed its icy hands over me. My head ached and tears stung my eyes. I lost to the pain and it took over me the full night.

The next morning I woke up with a fever and I could not hold my head straight. My aunt restricted me from going to school. She called to the doctor and gave me medicines. I spent the full morning in deep sleep as drowsiness overpowered me. After lunch I tried to sleep again but I felt an urge to cry again. What a cry baby I had become. I felt the pressure of hardness killing me and I wanted to breathe the fresh air. I got up from bed and dressed. I had a peep into my aunt’s room where I found her in sleeping. I gently closed the door and went out. I dared not to start the car fearing to wake her up. So I pulled my coat tightly and went for a stroll in the backyard. Nothing could remove or lessen the burden in my heart. The weakness of my mind reflected in my body. After a few minutes of walking I grew heavily tired. I was passing out and my legs wobbled. I knew I was going to fall. Suddenly a pair of strong hands caught me and carried me into the house. I could not see who it was as I found it difficult to open my eyes. The hands carried me through the stairs, into my room and gently laid me on my bed. I felt the hands making me drink some water. Slowly my eyes got its strength and showed me the stranger sitting in front of me. What was he doing here? Before I could speak he lifted his hands to stop my attempt.

“Who asked you to wander out in this state? Can you never sit in one place even when you don’t feel well?” his voice with hidden anger poured over me.

“How did you know?”

“Your aunt called me. She told me about the stupidity you had done yesterday. Enjoyed your cold shower?” he yelled at me but he was careful about his voice travelling downstairs.

“Well…You made me do it.” I tried to control my tears but in vain. I started pouring down infront of him. I felt ashamed and wanted to run away from him but he caught my hands and placed me firmly to bed. He made me look into his eyes and then started to speak.

“Look Emily, I knew you love me. I knew that a month before. I know you would do anything for me. But this story will not go well. We have to stop.”

“Why?” I dried my tears and asked stubbornly. I needed to know the reason.

“All right. I’ll let you know. I loved another girl.” He then stopped to look at me.

My face showed my utter disbelief.

“You don’t believe me, do you?” he asked gently. I shook my head, slowly but firmly. He then took a long breathe and continued.

“Her name is Valentina. I used to be talkative and admirable until Val came. She made me admire her.” His voice turned buttery soft. A surge of possessiveness swept through me. “We both fell into unconditional eccentric love. We spent every moment with fresh blooming joy. And finally everything became nothing. She left me. I miss her as much as I miss myself. I know she will return to me one day. When I saw you Emi, your charm haunted me. I loved your childishness. Nothing… more than that”, he paused and I could see the pain striking him. But why? He didn’t even love me. I was the one who failed.

“Can you do me a favour?” my voice sounded weak.

“Anything”, he responded softly. It was too much for me.

“Just leave me alone”, I said and closed my eyes. Then I heard nothing but a pair of retreading footsteps. I heard the door being closed. I felt all my strength had drained. I opened the drawer beside my bed, took some sleeping pills and drifted to sleep.

The next morning, I called Jacob on phone.

“Hello”

“It’s me Emi.” A pause.

“How do you feel now?” his voice sounded hoarse.

“Ya, I feel better. Can I ask you something?” Another pause.

“Yes.” I couldn’t frame my words.

“Did you, er, what, er, sorry. One sec.” I cleared my throat and took a breath.

“Is it true? What you told me yesterday?” And I held my breath. A long silence.

“Yes.”

I hung the phone and plunged my face into the pillow.

 

CAROLINA

 

August 1996, New York

New York was very new and warm to me. People ran around busy. Every day I would walk in for interviews to find a job. It had been a month since I came to New York. My good old friend had rent me a flat near the Brooklyn Bridge. Finally I got my job in one of the leading hospitals. I got a nice pay, good enough for my mother and me. I was busy with my job and very soon forgot the mishappenings that occurred in Bern. I got an introduction to one of the famous physiotherapists through my work and I had my mother’s health checked twice a week. I was relieved to see her getting stronger each day.

Slowly my days were returning to normal. After work, I used to spend time with my mother. Sometimes knitting or stitching. In the weekends I would take my mother to the nearby park. Everything went smooth. I spent the days doing work and the nights thinking about him. The man who sent me to jail.

As usual, one fine Sunday morning I got early and planned for shopping. I walked through the roads skimming all the departmental stores. I bought eggs and milk. I purchased some linen too and stepped out of the store. It was then I saw him. A cold murderous stare stroked me through the air. My hands shivered and the bags slipped through my hands. I searched for a cab but there was none and the bus stop was a mile away from that place. He was approaching steadily towards me without lifting his eyes from my face. I backed a few steps when I saw him placing his hand into his pocket. I knew what was coming and ran for my life. I turned to see him running behind me to catch me as he could not aim me properly through my run. The people around me did nothing to help me but to stare after me. My life was in the murderer’s hands. I ran around the corner gasping for breath, air rushing through my lungs. My legs could carry me no more. He would catch me and kill me in few moments. I muttered my last prayer to save myself from him. It was then I heard a loud crash.

I stopped and turned to see what had happened. I saw him, the killer, lying on the road in a very bad condition. Now was my chance that God had given me to run away. As I turned to run away, I heard a cry for help. It was him. Everyone stared at him as they were afraid to help him. I was in a dilemma. My profession was to serve the needy and sick. For a moment I thought of rushing to his first aid. Another moment I wanted to clear from the place and save my life. After fighting with myself I ran towards him where he laid unconscious. I hired a taxi and took him to the hospital where I worked.

He had a fracture in his right leg and wounds over his hands and head. He was terribly in a pitiable state. When I was about to insert the IV, he gained his senses and looked at me. He tried to speak and I bent over to listen to his strained voice. After all he was too weak to strangle my neck to death.

“Please, please do help me. If I stay here, the police will catch me for sure. I want to leave this place immediately. I’ll….I’ll… spare your life. Please spare mine or just kill me with these drugs before the police catch me.” He caught my hands and looked earnestly at me. Then he lost his conscious again.

 

MICHAEL

August 1996, New York

I had moved down to south with Alvin after we had split. I was restless that morning. I wanted to see Jared and Jacob. I knew Jared would be getting on well but what about Jake. Someone got to keep a watch on him. I decided to leave to New York and I convinced my friend on it. When I reached our house, I found Jake crying. I asked him what had happened but he refused to say anything. I left the matter for some time and thought of buying him something to eat. I wore my jacket and covered my head with the hood. It was at that time I saw my target.