Rain (The Quest Trilogy-Book Two)

by Iram Dana

  “Dare!” said Earth, clapping her hands.

  “Then dare it is.” said Angel, taking Earth’s hand and kissing the back of it.

  Rain scowled at him. Keep your filthy hands off her!

  It was Angel’s turn to appear smug now.

  “Go on, Heart.” he said. “Dare me.”

  “Brother Angel, here’s the dare. Tell us about your Quest.”

  The smile on Angel’s face died and was replaced by a distinctly uncomfortable look.

  “Brother Angel… you are from Mt. Chimpu?”

  “Er … yeah. How did you know?”

  “Wild guess …” smiled Heart, looking at Rain.

  “Wait a minute,” said Rain, “you’re from Mt. Chimpu, too? But you weren’t in my batch. This means … you’ve been here for a little more than six and a half years!”

  “And that is not counting the three years spent in training!” said Earth.

  “Wow! That is a lot!” said Destiny. “What have you been doing here for that long?”

  “Can I please have a moment to answer?” said Angel, looking irritably at everyone around him. All of them fell silent.

  “When I jumped into the Well of Origins, I didn’t land in any forest, or mountain, or familiar territory. I landed on another planet.”

  “Another …!” began Earth, but was shushed by everyone else.

  “Yes, another planet. When your Geeya’s told you that Quniverse has everything, they weren’t kidding!” he sat up straighter now. “My Quest required me to stay on the planet and survive for three days. Sounds almost too simple, right? Well, in wasn’t, because one day on that planet equals to three hundred and ninety-five days of ours. The inhabitants of that planet were all animals. Only, with the capability of thought, speech and emotions, just like humans. Turned out, they had planned to establish contact with us but abandoned all plans when they saw the junkyard we had turned our planet into. Needless to say, humans were at the bottom of their ‘like’ list. My ability to turn my imagination to reality was what saved me. I was able to show them how humans can be kind, generous and helpful, too. In short, it helped me to survive there long enough to be able to finish my mini and master-Quest, for which I had to help them fight off some alien invaders. Can you believe that? I helped aliens fight aliens.” Angel shook his head at the irony of that. “Once I had done all that, I got pulled back to Earth. I’ve been roaming these forests, ever since.”

  “You’ve been all alone for over three years?” asked Rain.

  “Not really. I made a friend here. The one who gave me the belt of Astra before she died. And besides that, I had a pet cat until recently. Her name was Miss Mint.”

  “The one who limped and got crushed under the boulder. Yeah, I remember you talking about her that day we rescued Destiny.” said Rain.

  “Yup.”

  “But if you’re done with your Quest, then why are you still here?” wondered Rain.

  “Because I haven’t met my soulmate yet.” Angel looked meaningfully at Earth.

  Earth giggled, and Rain scowled some more. Heart nodded understandingly.

  “Now there is a reason to stay.” he said, stealing a glance at Destiny who ignored him resolutely.

  “Okay, time for the next dare.” said Rain, spinning the pen again.

  “Heart gets to question again. This time, Destiny, you’re on the line.”

  Destiny nodded. “I’ll take truth.”

  “Certainly. Destiny …” Heart paused to clear his throat, “Destiny, why don’t you trust men?”

  Destiny remained quiet for an endless amount of time. Finally, deciding that nobody should be pushed to do something they didn’t want to, Rain reached forward to spin the pen again.

  “Wait …”

  Rain stopped midway and looked up at Destiny.

  “I want to answer that question.” she said softly.

  Rain withdrew his hand.

  “Ever since I was very young, I have had bad experiences with men. My father left my mother when I was six for a very beautiful, very shallow woman; and I learnt that to a man, beauty is everything. Then, my mother remarried and my step father would beat her up every night. I learnt then that men are violent. In grade eight, a professor repeatedly failed me in my papers because I did not allow him to complete the explanation of a lesson alone in his office. I learnt then that, if a man does you a favor, then there is a price to pay in return…”

  Destiny closed her eyes to prevent the moisture in them from overflowing. After taking a few deep breaths to steady her voice, she went on.

  “Then, when I was sixteen, I tried to run away from home to find a better life. But I was caught by the police and brought back. My step father decided that I needed to be taught a lesson …”

  Destiny paused to take a few ragged breaths.

  “He beat you!” whispered Heart through clenched teeth.

  Destiny nodded as a single tear escaped from her eye and Heart almost leapt forward to take her in his arms. But Destiny started to speak again and Heart restrained himself.

  “I was crying on my bed late in the night when he came into my room again. He said he was sorry … that he wanted to make it up to me. He sat down next to me and began to rub my back. I didn’t realize when he had opened the zip of my dress, but suddenly, he was pulling my dress off …”

  Destiny’s voice now took on a steely edge.

  “I pulled out the lamp beside my bed and hit him hard on the head with it. I hit him again and again … there was blood everywhere … and I was terrified. That night, I learnt it all. I learnt never to trust men. I ran away that night, again. This time, nobody caught me. I still don’t know if my step father is dead.” she finished tonelessly.

  “He is now.” bit out Heart. “Once I get out of here, I’m going to find that …!”

  Heart got up and stalked off into the forest. His exit was followed a few moments later by a loud crashing sound. When Heart returned and took his place again, his breathing was labored.

  “What did you do back there?” asked Rain, curious.

  “I had to let out certain frustrations.” said Heart, speaking in a monotone.

  “On what?” said Angel.

  “A tree.” came the swift reply.

  Rain and Angel exchanged amused glances. Angel then reached forward to spin the pen, directing a questioning glance at Destiny. “May I …?”

  Destiny nodded. “Please go ahead. I am finished with my story. As must be obvious, this is the first time I have spoken about it and it is a huge load off my chest.”

  “No problem, Destiny. If Heart fails to get that rat of a step father of yours once he’s out of here, remember, I’m available.” Angel offered.

  “Count me in, too.” said Rain.

  Destiny smiled and shook her head. “You people … you are too nice to me. I was very rude when I first came here. I would like to apologize for how I behaved back then and to thank …”

  Rain caught sight of Subodh reaching for his walking stick and hastened to interrupt Destiny before she could finish thanking them all and in the event, land a nice blow to her head.

  “It’s good, Destiny. We’re all fine. No offense taken. Now Angel, spin the damn pen!” said Rain.

  Angel spun the pen and it pivoted in place for several seconds before stopping with the nib facing Earth.

  “Rain and Earth.” declared Angel without any enthusiasm.

  “All right!” cheered Rain, eager to disperse the somber tone their game-play had taken.

  “Truth or dare?” he asked her with a glint to his eye.

  Earth looked at him pointedly. “No need to look so excited. I’ll take truth.”

  “Aw, shucks! Never mind. There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

  “Ask away, then.”

  “Who were those two girls trapped along with you in the grave yard? The one’s who looked just like you? Were they really sequestors, or were they decoys or illusions of some kind?”


  “They were … are, real. They are my sisters, Snow and Fire. We are identical triplets. Identical twins are fairly common, but identical triplets aren’t, that’s why people usually do a double take when they see us together.”

  “Your sisters!” exclaimed Rain, looking guiltily at Earth.

  “Yes. But why are you looking at me like that?” said Earth, wondering why he was looking at her in that manner.

  “I feel terrible about not saving the other two, now. I’m sorry.” answered Rain.

  “Don’t be.” said Earth with a lift of her hand. “It isn’t your responsibility to save every person in this world. You did what you were meant to do.”

  Destiny stretched and yawned. “You know, I’m tired. I think it’s time we called it a night.” she said.

  “Yeah, I’m sleepy too.” agreed Angel, rising to his feet.

  “Um, Earth … I was thinking …” began Rain.

  “Yes?” said Earth, looking up expectantly.

  “Why don’t you sleep outside, you know? It’s more open and pleasant. Besides, on such warm nights, the tent must feel awfully stuffy.” said Rain.

  The nights were not warm. They were, in fact, getting colder with each passing day. Rain was just making lame excuses. But Earth knew that, and she also understood clearly why he was doing it.

  “I like it better under the stars, too ...” she said shyly.

  “You mean, you will sleep outside?” said Rain, hardly daring to believe his ears.

  Earth nodded and a dazzling grin split Rain’s face into two. Heart turned to Destiny.

  “What Rain suggests is a good idea …” he said hopefully.

  “No.” said Destiny firmly, and Heart let the matter drop.

  Rain was so happy to have Earth sleep outside that after setting up his bed, he offered to set Earth’s bed for her, too. Once he had hers neatly laid out next to Subodh’s, he proceeded to put Heart and Angel’s for them, much to their combined amusement. With his heart happy and his mind in peace, when they all finally got into their sleeping bags, Rain was the first to knock off.

  *****

  CHAPTER 27

  “Can you make the list shorter, please?” said Earth.

  She was standing near the vegetable patch while Rain rattled off a long list of what he wanted her to grow.

  “Okay,” said Rain, “just make it corn, mushrooms and onions, then.”

  “Okay, start the showers, the ground’s ready.” said Earth, crouching down beside the little patch of their farmland.

  Heart and Angel had gone to hunt, and it was Rain’s turn to stay back. It was a sunny morning and their little campsite was flooded with warm sunlight. As soon as Rain started the showers, a rainbow appeared in a beautiful arc over their heads.

  “Oh, look! A rainbow!” said Earth, pointing heavenward.

  “The last time this happened, I made a new friend here. Wonder what’s going to happen today…” mused Rain.

  “You will meet her again.” said his Geeya, staring fixedly at the rainbow where a tiny figure could be seen gliding over it with her arms outstretched.

  As soon as she spotted him, Rainbow flashed Rain a brilliant smile and bent forward to increase her speed.

  “Whoopee! Rain!” yelled Rainbow, jumping off the rainbow to give Rain a big hug.

  Rain just stood there, staring at the crop of hair on her head that was now colored in all seven shades of the rainbow. Rainbow followed the line of his gaze and grinned.

  “Hair bothering you again, eh?” said Rainbow, swiping a hand through her hair and turning it all into an even shade of burgundy. “Okay now?”

  “Better. Much better.” said Rain, nodding at her approvingly.

  “You haven’t changed one bit in the last year…” said Rainbow, turning around to collect the rainbow. It disappeared into her palm. “This is my fourth rainbow!”

  “That’s nice. Figured out what to do with them yet?” asked Rain.

  “Not yet. I will though, and pretty soon too. I …” she trailed off, noticing someone staring at her from behind Rain.

  “Rainbow?” said Earth, peering cautiously at the girl. “Is that really you?”

  Rainbow moved until she came face to face with Earth, and gave a squeal of delight. She ran forward to pull Earth into a fierce hug.

  “You two know each other?” said Rain, looking bemused.

  “Yes.” replied Earth, breaking free of the hug. “Rainbow is the one who suggested the idea of different colored bangs to me and my sisters. Obviously, we took up her suggestion and she did the needful.”

  “Where’s Snow and Fire?” asked Rainbow, peering behind Earth’s shoulders.

  “They’re still trapped with the witch sisters. I’m the only one who’s free, thanks to Rain.” said Earth, pointing a thumb towards Rain, who modestly shrugged the praise off.

  “We have another member in our camp. Meet Destiny.” said Rain, calling Destiny forward and introducing her to Rainbow.

  Rainbow took a look at Destiny’s outstretched hand, smiled, and then pulled her into a hug as well.

  “We’re all friends now.” she said, patting a stunned and awkward Destiny’s back. Behind Rainbow, Rain grinned and winked at Destiny, whose face broke into a reluctant smile.

  “Where’s Heart?” asked Rainbow, looking around the camp site.

  “He’s out hunting with Angel. They should be back soon.” answered Rain.

  “Who’s Angel?”

  “Another new addition to our little circle of friends. We met him … oh look, they’re coming back.” said Rain, pointing at Heart and Angel who had just stepped into the clearing with a large deer strung on a pole between them.

  Rainbow gasped, there was the sound of a soft pop and the hair at the nape of her neck flew up. She ran forward and caught Angel by his enormous shoulders, barely managing to grip them.

  “Angel …” she breathed, staring at him wild eyed.

  “Er, yeah … who are you?” said Angel, taken aback by this overly enthusiastic girl.

  Rainbow started speaking rapidly, incoherently.

  “You weren’t here the last time I came … that means you came here only recently. How did they meet you? How long have you been here? Have you finished your Quest? Oh, gosh! Have you met your soulmate, too? I only just got here …”

  “What the …!” began Angel, looking irritated and bewildered all at the same time.

  “Rainbow!” called Rain, jogging over to her quickly, “Rainbow … hold on a minute. Where are your deconfusers?”

  Rainbow stared at Rain blankly for a second and then her eyes focused and she fished the packet of deconfusers from her pocket. Rain took one out, peeled off its backing paper, and stuck it to the base of her neck.

  “There…” said Rain, “speak to Angel now. I’m sure he’ll understand your language this time around.”

  Rainbow turned straight back to Angel, serious as ever.

  “Have you finished your Quest?” she asked anxiously.

  “Do I know you?” said Angel, looking at Rainbow as though he seriously doubted she had any mental capabilities.

  “You will in a moment.” said Rainbow, giving him a little shake. “Now answer my question.”

  “Okay, stop shaking me! Yes, I have finished my Quest. Now what?”

  “So have I …” said Rainbow, looking a little dazed by Angel’s reply. “And have you found your soulmate yet?”

  “What…? I … no.”

  Rainbow slapped Angel across the face. “Wrong answer.”

  “I don’t understand …” said Angel, holding his smarting cheek and looking towards Rain for some help. Rain’s grin only grew wider as he flashed Angel the thumbs up sign.

  “Have you found your soulmate yet?” repeated Rainbow, staring intently at Angel.

  Angel stayed silent, not knowing what to say.

  Rainbow got up on her tiptoes, smashed her lips to Angel’s for a heartbeat, and then pulled back.

 
; “Understand now?” she said breathlessly, searching his face.

  Angel now appeared fairly dazzled.

  “Yes …” he rumbled softly, “I do believe I am beginning to understand things a bit …”

  He searched Rainbows eyes. “Have you met your soulmate yet?” he asked.

  “I have now.” said Rainbow, smiling widely.

  “Was that the correct answer?”

  Rainbow nodded.

  “Come with me. You have so much to tell me.” she said, grabbing Angel’s hand and dragging him out of the clearing. And they were gone.

  The entire scene had taken just five minutes from start to finish. Earth, Destiny, Rain and Heart fell to the floor in fits of laughter.

  “That Rainbow! She’s something else!” said Rain, shaking his head.

  “But how did she get away with kissing him? I don’t understand.” said Heart, “I mean, yesterday with you and Earth, it was a clear accident. But today was clearly not!”

  “I think maybe it was too brief to lead to anything.” said Destiny.

  “My thoughts exactly.” agreed Rain with a mysterious smile.

  “Wonder where she’s taken poor Angel.” said Earth.

  “Hopefully not to turn both, herself and Angel, into trees.” said Rain, grinning wickedly.

  Heart joined Rain in cracking some more bawdy jokes at Angel and Rainbow’s expense.

  Destiny and Earth exchanged wary glances.

  “Guess boys will be boys.” said Earth, with a shrug of her shoulders.

  Destiny glared at the two laughing male figures balefully. “They are all the same.” she hissed.

  Heart stopped laughing and turned serious all of a sudden.

  “Give me a chance, Destiny. I’ll love you like no other, and you will never get the opportunity to question my faith. Every night, I will put you to sleep in my arms. Every morning you will wake up knowing you are still in them. And in the time between night and day, I will dream of the time when I can hold you again.”

  Destiny pulled her gaze away from Heart’s with visible effort.

  “Heart …” she began, “you are a hard man …”

  Heart’s head jerked up guiltily.