1
ANZU ROCHAN
It was just past the witching hour, I got into this large castle. The night was peerless and shadowy with no beam of light. The thickset large compound wall is hiding the castle from the normal eye. The heavy cloud that scudded across the sky torchered the age-old edifice even more. I clutched my skirt together in my palm looking at the locked door in the west wing. When I had come close to the door, I feared I would upset him, but mustering my last piece of courage, I knocked on the door.
The silence on that heavy night chilled my bone. I felt my death was always sitting by my side. By my side as a beautiful dream!
“You were just in time,” I heard his chilling voice behind me. From the corner of my eye, I saw the yellow lantern which was hanging near my shoulder emitting its glowness. I turned and looked at his un-dead face which was sparkling like a million asteroids.
“Follow me,” he ordered, unlocking the door with his large fingers.
I followed him to the restricted area and he closed the door with a heavy thud. Instantly, I took large strides to the wooden chair which was placed near the large window.
“Sit!” his voice boomed in the king-sized room and I obeyed, not taking my eyes from his face. For several minutes no one spoke a word. He sat near my feet and looked at my fresh wound on the instep. The clean blood dripped from my cold skin at an unsteady pace. Gazing at my blood, the life source rushed to his face in a fleet in his once pale but silent skin. The dim lantern aided me to look at his smile which made my face turn into a ghastly whiteness.
“I wouldn’t ask such a thing usually, but your word is all I want,” he said taking a deep breath not taking his eyes from the cut.
“Aquilla!” I whispered in a vaguely erotic ogle touching his firm carmine lips.
“We may go our separate ways, but not our story. The story which I have chosen for you is very different in style. The tales, which you have given me are memorable, spellbinding, and powerful. And that is why...I will curdle your blood if you defy me.” he said, taking some of my loose strands and rolling them in his fingers not taking his eyes from the cut. “Anzu,” he looked at me after a while. “I answered for you. I swear to you by all that I hold sacred that I haven’t touched you nor dishonored you, but...”
“But?” I stopped my breath for a second asking him to complete his plans. His plans that he had beautifully carved for me if I choose to defy him.
“How sweet...it was to hear your heart race by,” said Aquilla, placing the strands behind my left ear.
“Would...would you try to kill me?” I asked him and the last ray of light that illuminated the room went off hiding the last ray of hope inside me.
I heard the un-dead circle around me. “Coffin! You would prepare your coffin,” said my Aquilla, placing a soft kiss on my spiritless lips and holding my both cheeks in his rough hands.
I woke up from my slumber unaccompanied by clamor or fret. The timekeeper in my bed stand read 7:00 am and I lazily moved my botty to the washroom to rouse myself. Taking my time closing my morning routine I walked to the kitchen and helped my dad mix some ingredients for the chocolate dome cake trying not to have any kind of conversation with dad. I kept my mind occupied on the mixture when Aquilla entered the room with fresh farm eggs.
“The day was Sunday. Why don’t you have some sleep?” shuddered Aquilla giving the eggs to dad. “You don’t have to be so strict on yourself Anzu, I would...”
“That’s enough sweetie. Give it here, Aquilla and I would like to take it from here,” dad said, pouring the mixture into the muffin cups.
“Dad. Are you trying to get rid of me?” I chuckled, taking the mixture bowl again from his hand.
“Nope!” Dad shook his head arranging the cups. “I am trying to be a good father and don’t cancel my fatherly duties,” he said lovingly.
Meanwhile, Aquilla stood beside me and spoke in a soft tone. “Anzu...I thought I told you that I don’t want you to waste your time cooking. Leave it to dad and me,” he gently pushed me out of the kitchen taking charge of the morning breakfast.
I gave a warm smile towards Aquilla and walked towards the study room with the extra-large broom in my hand.
***
