“Do you mind dear,I’ll just do the needful.”she tried and Kim gave her all the space that she required.Her bag opened and she pulled out a red velvety rope like thing from it.
“What’s that?.”Sipper asked Kim sadly.
“Oh this is blood donor,very difficult to find the perfect match for Ruth,luckily there has been one new person with whom the blood matches perfectly,new face never seen him around.Some Bodwin....”answered Mrs Bellcum,focusing entirely on Ruth now,the thing that she held was like a red tube passing blood in Ruth’s body,she put it right under her mouth and kept pushing until she could feel her gut.
“Everything will be fine.”she assured us,within few minutes,Ruth’s skin was pink,Kim sighed and Jill stood rock solid again.Sipper slipped downstairs to get some coffee,while I was still thinking,the same thing as Jill,what was the curse and who cursed her?.
After exactly half an hour,Mrs Bellcum pulled the red velvety tube out of her mouth, “She needs to sleep entire night.Don’t wake her up.”
“Who cursed her?.”Jill did not loose time.Mrs Bellcum gave us a meaningful look and then seeing Sipper enter with five cups of coffee,she smiled widely, “I can tell you all,downstairs.Please close the curtains and lock the door.”she requested and I was the one to securely shut the door and Kim pulled the curtains with the help of her wand.One last look at Ruth showed us that she was breathing fine.Jill left in the end,she jinxed the walls of her bedroom in order to protect her.
“This is not going to help girl.”added Mrs Bellcum sadly.
Kim was stern,her blood boiled but Jill’s firm grip on her shoulder hinted her to suppress her anger.
“Then what is going to help?.”I asked,just couldn’t believe my tone,it was smeared with acid and hate.
“Being a doctor,I know this very well,if you need to treat a problem,you should know first how it started and then manifested itself,where is its source and how can you cut it from there.Sit girls,I know how you all are connected to her,it will take a while,hot coffee is good,it helps the brain to reason.Lets pick a cup.”She suggested.Her words did work,everybody was silently sipping their drink,Kim was soft,so was Jill and Sipper but my blood was still high,she was my sister,the only blood relation I had,there was no way I was loosing her for a stupid curse.
Mrs Bellcum eyed me often,still sipping her coffee,making sure that everybody in the room was sober and could take in all her words.
“You ready dear to digest?.”she asked me,her eyes were speaking something very mutely,I calmed my brains and breathed for long.After opening my eyes,she already had her cup placed neatly on the tea table.
“Yes.”
“Very well then.”she began, “ever wondered how your parents died?.”she asked me,I had no answer, “why the policeman refused to pen down the spell that you were continuously chanting?.”
I was blank,she knew it,but still she stared at my face,trying to read my puzzled expression. “You are sober now.”she smiled and Jill stopped me just in time,her hand pressed my shoulder in the same fashion.Mrs Bellcum smiled very widely at Jill.
“You are truly as she described.Well,the spell that you were saying was not an ordinary one,it is a protection spell,given to a person who’s life is in great danger,your mother made you practice the same as a poetry,if the same spell is said by someone its effects wear out.The spell is no longer useful.She did not give any spell to Ruth,many years Ruth wondered why and when she came to me she was sixteen,your age,I had to help her.As I said,being a doctor,I had to find what was it and so I met the inspector in charge.He said that your parents were trying to protect Ruth from a demon,he was in the house,following her where ever she went,he wanted her,till date he wants her,this demon that we are talking about is somewhat a mixbreed I guess,because the moment I have started treating her,she keeps on loosing immense amount of blood,that night when your parents were attacked,Ruth was just breathing because most of her blood was sucked out of her body.If you look carefully,below her left breast,she has the marking of the fangs.The girl has witnessed many,I repeat many horrid dreams,dreams which are powerful and dark.She survived so far with the help of medication and with the help of the same inspector who was investigating your parents case.Few days back I heard that he died.With his death the protection charm that Ruth held is broken.She is at his mercy,he will not kill her.If he had to kill her he would had done that earlier,with your parents.He wants her,she has reached the age,such cases in our medical term are called as Calseona,meaning the last phase of the curse according to the calendar of the dead.He is near to achieve his goal.She can be saved if we find out,who is he and what does he want from her,if we give him what he wants he will leave Ruth in peace.”
I wanted to cry,my parents were dead because of the curse and now my sister was fighting the same. “Can you suggest us where we can start?.”asked Jill.
“Of course dear,I tried him again,several times but he did not have a word with me,hope you can go to his hide out and find more.”
Mrs Bellcum scribbled an address on a piece of paper and handed it to Jill,her razor sharp eyes scanned it and allowed the words to sink in her memory.She ate the paper later.Mrs Bellcum was not surprised, “You will make a fine investigator.Good luck.”with that said she left us.
“Next move?.”demanded Kim.
“One of us will stick with Ruth like her shadow and the the rest three will hunt clues,the more we get,we split.”
“How do we keep in touch?.”asked Sipper.
“I’ll get the mirror charm’s basics,we can share and communicate through it.”added Kim.
“And if people start asking at school?.”
“Mirror charm again.”replied Kim.
“No that’s not going to work.We need something more serious than that.I’ll find.”
“When do we start?”
“Tomorrow.”answered Jill “After having a word with Ruth.”
“Does she have to know we are hunting the truth?.”
“No.She should know that she is still wanted.Its hard to live without her,no matter how insane she can go at times or be demanding.”
We all agreed to the same.It was still raining outside,my head was spinning badly,life was changing so drastically.I was lost in my thought process when a pair of cold hands pulled me.It was not hard to guess,Chris was in my room,I was again with him inside the vacuum.We stared for a very long time,I closed the balcony door and drew the curtain till the end.
The cold was unbearable but I had to allow myself freely to him,there was no way I was breaking away from him,the true reason for the same was,I did not know how long I would be away.
My hands were above my head and he kissed me wildly.Slowly I felt his rocking take me to a different level.Ruth’s face came right in front of me,she was a perfect sister,perfect friend,caring soul,good at her work,good with everybody,so why her?why?.
Chris was helping me in a way,I just wanted to stop thinking but couldn’t,my mind raced back now and then to the words which Mrs Bellcum said so easily.
He was not stopping at anything and was becoming more greedy than ever but somewhere my mind was more wild than my actions,it had nothing to do with Chris,it was only thinking about Ruth.
My legs were wide apart and I watched Chris,he was driving me insane,forcing me to think only about him.I loved him for that,the rough and cold surface made me cry bad.Chris did not back away,he was still in me,I was lost in him,my brains refused to think anything else,I was not even thinking about him.
I was in a position where I could not think at all,this is what I actually wanted,he was just rough and mad but somehow his madness was giving me peace.
I did not know the exact reason why I was crying,which pain was hurting me actually,was it physical or mental?,was it Chris or Ruth?.
His eyes were mad,I just could not ignore them anymore,I had to see through them,it reminded me of the same vampire at the temple,the image flashed back again,the only difference was,his eyes were red and Chris had Cold Eyes.<
br />
Marriage
“Hey you fine?.”I asked,Ruth was just getting up,her eyes were still swollen and her skin was again turning white. “Healthy as a horse.”she tried poorly,unable to sit straight.Jill helped her without any further delay. “Why didn’t you tell us?.”asked Sipper not able to control her tongue,we all wanted answers but Sipper,she never understood the phrase right time, “tell you what?.”demanded Ruth,she was angry as well as scared.
“That you are cursed.”I snapped,she didn’t even trust me,how could she do that.Jill hinted Kim and both of them stood by our sides,Kim with Sipper and Jill with me.
“The cat is out of the bag Ruth,Mrs Bellcum dropped and we.....”tried Jill.
“How much do you know?.”
“Pretty bad.”answered Kim,she too was loosing grounds,Jill was nothing close to us,she was still sober and maintaining that ancient look of a scholar,her eyes were watching Ruth with certain intensity,even the minutest change in her expressions were not unnoticed.
“How much?.”she demanded again.
“We know exactly what Mrs Bellcum knows.”Jill was still scanning her face and she finally smiled making all of us angry,why was she the expert,how could she figure out things so easily?.
Ruth looked at the open balcony,her eyes were sad and determined,it was easy for me to tell,I knew my sister at least this much.Once decided,her eyes would go cold,there was no looking back.
“I’m going to marry Mr Bodwin.”
“Why?.”we all screamed in unison,she waited for us to take the piece of news gently,how could she even expect that,still looking outside the balcony,her face was expressionless,not giving any hint,Jill did join us,her scholarly face equally annoyed.
“Answer us.”shouted Jill,her perfect mask of saint gone,so this was coming true,she did fear it and here we all were hearing what Ruth was about to do.
“He is my only hope of survival,I can live a healthy life with him.”
“Please elaborate.”thundered Sipper,this was the very first time she spoke to Ruth like that. “He is a mixbreed,I’m cursed by a mixbreed,they have a law which cannot be crossed.A mixbreed cannot kill his brother’s or sisters soul mate.My marriage to him is basically for monetary growth and its for my survival.Everyone....”
“Bullshit,he marries you for money...ha...who are you lying to?.”I had to throw facts straight in her face.
“Ronaldo is paying him.”
“Why would he pay him?.”
“Ronaldo has a name to protect,he proposed a witch and she denied not because he was ill-fit but because I was pregnant with someone else’s child,my lovers boy.”
“And you agree to this shit?.”
“Its in best interest of everybody.”she replied,extending her arms wide open,we melted,each one of us.We were there by her side,hugging and kissing like any toddler would do.
“I still don’t buy it.”answered Jill softly,it was only audible to me.
“I want all of you to help me in my wedding,no one will doubt my decision,I want everybody to be happy,each one of you.”
We nodded silently but down my heart I knew nobody agreed to the same,we were going to find the truth no matter what. “Get ready for school.No short skirts and please maintain healthy distance with your boyfriends.If any of you come pregnant to my house before me,I swear it,I will never let you’ll see my baby,or suggest names for them.”though she was joking we knew she meant each and every word that she said.
“You still virgin?.”asked Sipper boldly or like a fool,she laughed, “yes.”
“You regret it?.”she continued and Jill definitely gave her a warning sign.
“No.”
“Why?.”blurted Kim and Jill just could not control her hands,her expressions were like where are we heading the conversation to.
“There were hormonal cravings,I won’t deny that,but it always meant something more than what it does to most of the people,I wanted it to be with the man who loved me,to make me feel wanted and very beautiful,I never met anyone like that.”
“You are always wanted Ruth,no matter how old we grow.”I was crying,my head was in her chest,very easy to hear her heartbeat,it was slow,compared to a normal one.
“I don’t feel like going to school.”said Jill lying lazily on the bed next to us.
“Me two.”
“Me three.”
“Me four.”
We all laughed,she finally agreed to it.We were allowed to bunk school,the entire morning we cooked,talked and laughed.Sketching the details of the wedding from the cards to the guests and finally the cake.
“Why Mr Bodwin?.”Jill asked again.
“I told you.”
“Your just compromising aren’t you?.”
“Yes and no.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Earlier our ancestors used to have arrange marriages,not knowing one another,spending the entire life with a stranger,love did not come to them,they found love.Its that simple.”her eyes were so plain and good,the charm returning,while she sipped her coffee.
“If you don’t find love?.”
“Well,I think I will survive.I know one best source of love.”
“What?.”Kim interfered again.
“Gods love and his mercy.”
“You still have faith after all that he put you through.”smiled Jill.
“He has his own ways,I’m afraid many eyes fail to see the goodness that he has planned for you.”
We could not speak,what was happening to us,we were turning into sentimental nuns. “You should speak such stuff to your would-be-husband or I say,Roy.”suggested Kim.
“Why the hell am I suppose to do that?.”
“Cause you cannot cook.”laughed Sipper and her hands were frozen with fear,Ruth smiled and I was shocked.Kim enjoyed it,this is basically what she was targeting.
“What did you just say?.”
“Nothing.”Sipper cried taking refuge near Kim,Jill was on her legs and next to them,her voice was top of her lungs,Kim was acting as the pacifier but I knew secretly she was enjoying the commotion.
I stared at Ruth for a while,she was just smiling,softly,blinking her eyes now and then.The entire day was full of fun,Ruth was able to walk and sit comfortably.Everything planned was good and in action.
“He has requested tomorrow’s date.”
“You must be kidding.”I snapped.
“You serious?.”Sipper had the most troubled face.
“Don’t you think its all very fast.”Jill was mad.
Kim was speechless,she waited and I did too.
“Helps me to get rid of the pain.”
There was no way we could stop her,I knew that,then why were we arguing?.
“Fine.”I shouted,locking myself in my room.I don’t know why I was crying but I was crying,didn’t even see the clock.
Next morning I found rest of them by my side,everybody had puffed eyes.We all were crying, there was no doubt.
“We should get dressed.”Jill ordered and she was already in her outfit,pink with white laces. “Is that what you are going to wear at the wedding?.”
“Certainly not.Task list everyone,see that all things are in place.Its Ruth’s wedding,I’m sure its the first and last one,though she has not found the guy she loves.”
Perfect reminder,I wanted to sob again but Kim patted my back,she was good to feel the same pain as I was. “We’ll be in a minute.”
“Great.Hurry please.”said Jill, unwillingly going downstairs.
With Jill in charge and Kim by her side,these two could bring down anything.Sipper and I were just additional hands for small tasks now and then.I still could not believe,Ruth was getting married.
Four of us were in her room,she looked perfect bride,her smile was devastatingly charming.How could she be so well groomed,surely she had better chances than Mr Bodwin,if only she could take a little care of herself,if only she had the time.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”she smile
d.
“He’s come.”announced Jill.
“Who?.”
“The bridegroom.”answered Kim.
Ruth was passing me and she placed her hand playfully on my head as she used to when we were kids.One thing I did learn reluctantly in life,everything for a girl does change,even when the word is just introduced or said in her life,pretty easy word but....
“What are you waiting for?.”asked Jill.
Sipper raced right next to her, “You will miss her Marriage.”
A Dream
Ruth was going,I still remember her smile,when she agreed to Mr Bodwin,that yes out of her throat was like an seal over an agreement,I never imagined she could be so practical,the women who only lived for love and longed for a man who would love her,comprised.She looked at us,four of us were standing together,her smile was different,like,like she would never see us again,those brimmed eyes and perfect smiling lips were giving me creeps,I could sense the troubled expression of Kim and Sipper,Jill was freaking more than me.We were not happy,she also somewhere I found was not happy,then why,why was she getting married?.
Her first timid kiss to Mr Bodwin was slow and measured,he on the contrary was not at all interested.The passion in his eyes dying suddenly,what were they cooking,could smell but not see,forget about tasting.Ronaldo was also there,I saw him slipping something inside his coat pocket,must have been that cheque,he was well,the only happy person in our guest list,most of them were happy and sad.Ruth had been a lovely,sober,responsible and most caring person they ever met,they did not want her to leave nor did I.
But that’s what still happens to babes in DuskDew,we leave everything behind like a traditional ancient bride and make our own home.Witches,will we ever change,or will be allowed any change?,good question,I guess most of us had it but no one dared to answer the same.
I saw her waving,she did not stop,her eyes never left us for a minute,I was all alone.I never felt so weak ever in my life.It felt like my heart had stopped beating.Chris was by my side,he wiped my tears no matter how long I cried.
Vampire's Babe Page 5
