by Elsa Ghosh
It was a warm winter morning. A fresh start. Staring at the ceiling, I remembered how I screwed up all my relationships, my friendships one after the other. Things never went correct...everything happened just the opposite of what I had expected
I have cried a lot last night, not because I am weak but because I have been strong for too long.
I could hear the sunking horns of vehicles, people shouting, children crying to get back to the warmth of their homes. I remembered that I stayed near a mart.
Rubbing my eyes and yawning, I grabbed for my jacket and my binnie. Brushing my teeth vigorously, I checked all my emails. After taking a bath, I fetched for three to four pieces of bread and marmalade, sprinkled some marjoram on the boiled asparagus and here I go....all set for my breakfast
“Buzz buzz...” was what my phone doing. I checked it and what I saw!.. I got a text from my mom. Wow—it has been a whole month since she has spoken to me
“How’s it going dear...no calls...no texts?”
Dear mom, she was unaware of my clamped life. I did not want to fill her mind with my tension, so I thought thrice before texting her...
“It’s easy to be nice to people you like but being nice to people you hate, that’s a skill"
I knew that my mom was not going to be satisfied with this diplomatic answer and she would surely ping me again soon or later...hence I drank the last sip of my milk, washed my plates and grabbed out my clothes from the wardrobe for work. I was already running late.
I was the head photographer in one of the biggest trending magazines of U.S.A—‘Fashion In The City ‘
Surely I am not a slob, because I had received two back to back promotions in just one year.
As I entered my office, I was greeted with bouquets. I was totally lost. I starred at everyone for several minutes and so did they
“Good morning Cait “, was the masochistic voice which broke the silence. It was our boss – Mr. Damon Pattinson. He was surely a Greek God. He was a charismatic person with a charming personality. I am sure that he was a passion that consumed every other girl.. even me! He makes me sexy. His presence makes me forget everything about my messed up life. I was literally staring at his deep blue eyes which always alarmed me about his darker shades. I could sense that the corridor was empty as my colleagues and juniors have left on his arrival. I could feel his blue eyes coming closer, all the way just looking at mine. I remember, once and for all I had seen him off shirt, during our campaign – when I unknowingly entered his room and he was in the mid of some piled up clothes(deciding what to wear). Believe me...his skin was pale white despite the faint flush with incandescent chest and scintillating arms bare. His glistening lavender lips were now broadened with a wicked smile. I could see his cheeks were softly partitioned which made my heart go like a thump.
“Hello Ms. Dobrev", said his masculine voice again
I realized that my mouth was wide open and my eyes were bulging out on seeing his appropriate charm!!
Calming down myself, I replied
“Warm morning, Mr. Pattinson “
“ Can you figure out what’s going on?”, he said
“ I have no idea..” , spoke my not so attractive voice.
“Well nothing unpredictable..you have got another promotion”
It was surely unpredictable as well as surprising for me because I wasn’t expecting this. My face was full of expressions which one could barely understand and explain.
“WOW", was all that I could say to him. From the corner of his shoulder I could see all my fellow friends peeking. I knew that they were the ones with whom I could enjoy, rejoice in and relish with.
“I guess, I should go inside “
As I started walking, within a fraction of seconds he brought his cold lips near my ears and said,
“Happy birthday...tonight at sharp 7:30, I’ll be waiting for you in Cape Cod"
“ don’t take too long..I really need to meet you"
For a while I was flummoxed. I thought that my heart must have jumped out into my hands. I could feel my accelerated heart beat and breathlessness
“Well I like that blush on your cheeks"
I opened my eyes, turned around but by that time he was gone.
Throughout the day, I kept wondering about ‘ what should I wear..how should I behave...what should be the topic of our conversations...what should we have for dinner...I mean if our tastes dosen’t match then it would be really odd...after all this is going to be our first date...ya!! first date!!.’
I realised that my cheeks were flushed because I had started blushing again.
For a while I thought that time has stopped because the day passed very slowly
But finally I reached home and without wasting a second I threw my handbag on the bed, flung out all my clothes(whatever I had),got my accessories ready and headed towards the washroom.
After a huge invention of fifteen minutes I discovered a backless, black coloured one piece (which was gifted by my mom three years back and it was there in my wardrobe intact—gift packed) for my special date.
I was combing my tangled hair when suddenly I got a message from my ex boyfriend...he sent me his pictures with his new girlfriend who was apparently my best friend and with whom he has cheated on me and wrote “fuck you bitch"
I mean seriously !!??....why God why..why can’t you see how perfectly happy I am or was five seconds ago?
My mood was totally spoiled. I threw myself on the bed and tried to sleep for some time. After a few minutes I could hear my phone vibrate but I tried to pay less attention to it.
I am a very short tempered and extremely over sensitive person. I have a great flow of emotions which is sometimes rather everytime impractical
My mind was again full with these thoughts and it didn’t even take more than five seconds for me to get depressed again.
All these ridicules made me asleep. When I woke up I felt fresh
Anyways, my life was never better than worse.
I thought of checking the time and saw that I got thirty missed calls several text messages from Damon
To be polite enough I texted him back because I’ll have to face him in the office the next day.
“Sorry.. was stuck in something complicated...personal reasons..so couldn’t meet you”
The message was delivered
The next day when I reached office I saw Damon’s cabin empty which implied he was late
Half of the day passed. In the midst of all my works I kept a glance on his cabin which was still empty. Don’t know why but my heart started sinking. Winding up my work, I took my cell phone out of the bag. Thinking much at that time was not so thoughtful. I called him, it rang. He didn’t pick up my call. After reaching home I called him again, he ignored me once more. Before going to sleep I dropped him a message
“It’s urgent..call me soon.”
Damon really took me high, I suffered from sleepless night because I was thinking about him.
He was getting over my soul, my mind. I shouldn’t let that happen
Keeping everything aside for few human minutes I completed my breakfast
That day was same as previous one. It was ‘No Show' again. Without him his cabin was incomplete. I was unable to concentrate on my work and the reason was Damon, his absence.
Days and weeks passed by and Damon’s cabin remained empty just like my heart. He was giving me something worse than a punishment. I had called him recklessly but all in vain. Not a single response from him. It was strange and unintentionally I was getting so attached to him. Don’t know when I had created such a bond with him.
It was new year’s eve.. grand celebration in our office. Several famous faces had visited us that night. Many announcem
ents were made and one such announcement took me by my throat that tore me apart.
The announcement of our new boss Mr. Chris Pattinson. I stood still in silence. It was like a big hole punched through my chest. Crest fallen I remained standing in one corner of the office while the others rushed towards to congrats him. I knew that I have lost Damon forever. I can never find him out even if I had wanted to. I was as still as a statue. I realized what loosing means. I understood how painful my pain was. I should have met him that day. Don’t know how and when I got so emotionally attached to him.
‘How did he become my soul and born creation?’
‘I love him’ whispered my soul into my ears.
Love needs to happen only when it disappears!!?...
My lips started trembling, tears rolled down my cheeks. The world was too far to witness my breakdown.
‘Please come back Damon ‘
I struggled to get my phone... I needed to call him. I looked down at my phone with eyes full of tears, when someone grabbed me by my hand.
“It’s useless.. I am Damon’s sister katherine. You better don’t text him or call him”
“Where’s he...for God sake please tell me..where’s Damon “
“Calm down Cait...calm down!”
“Tell me where’s he...wait what...you know my name?”
“Look Cait.. Damon always remains in his own world.. you can take it as a forewarn..he is not what he seems like.. he told me about you even before you joined the company. Queer isn’t it!?.. there’s a darker side of him that thirsted for you", her face was grave serious.
“Please take my advice...Stay away from him...”,
“No", my voice protested
“ just tell me where’s he...nothing else matters to me...I just want to meet Damon “
“Look I have a responsibility of protecting you", said katherine
“I'll take care of the rest..just tell me where’s he", my tone was fiendish
“He is in volterra.. but you cannot reach him unless he wants you to...”, she said dryly
I was lost in my thoughts on how to reach there. We exchanged looks for few minutes—her eyes still trying to convince me but in vain
“Stay safe", her face was drudge. Saying this she dashed away.
I reached home... first and foremost I needed to know about the place volterra. It was a place where angels fear to trade, in contrast it was a city of love—a walled mountaintop town in the Tuscany region of Italy.
“Slave...”, I was totally nauseous
I was unable to find what I seeked for.
While searching for the tickets my mom made a call. That was enough for me to make myself realize that I had a life apart from Damon.
“Hey mom, wassup...it’s been long..how you doing!?”
While conversing with my mom I booked my tickets to volterra. Tomorrow at 12 noon I’ll be in the city where angels fear to trade.
My eyes sparkled with glory and I had a big unnecessary smile on my face.
“Hello....hellllooooo... Cait are you listening!!?”, my mom screamed
“Ya..mmm....I’m listening “
“How’s life..”, my mom asked anxiously
After taking a long pause of five seconds I said,
“Perfect!..”
My voice sounded more than happy and I knew my mom had already got an idea of what I was upto.
Of course she was my ‘Mom'
“you know what’s good for you dear.. please don’t take any reckless decisions..sleep well baby", her tone was nourished with her blessings and love
“Good night mom...love you", my voice was emotional
I don’t know why but suddenly I had the feeling that what if I don’t get to meet her ever again, so I called her back again
“Mom...I am sorry for being away from you...home...for so long...I miss you...you remember the black dress you gifted me..I wore that..finally!!...love you mom “, I was breathless and my eyes were filled with tears.
“I love you too angel.. is everything ok?”, her voice was tensed.
“Ya..everything is ok...I just thought of saying these to you...”
“Mom...if you won’t be able to see me again...will you forgive me for leaving you alone”,
“wait what....what do you mean not able to see!!!?? Where are you going. What happened...what’s happening!??..Cait..!?”, her voice was more tensed this time.
“Nothing mom...just wanted to clear up things..”
“Ok mom...gotta go..a lot of work is pending...need to get up early in the morning...bye..love you..”, my voice was convincing.
Anyways, I went to sleep with a dream that I’ll be with my Damon very soon. Everytime I dreamt of how happy we will be once we meet, katherine’s warnings interrupted all.
But somehow I managed to sleep.
The next day as soon as I landed in volterra, the city took me by it’s beauty . I was awestruck at how magnificent volterra looked!!.
“This place is perfect for our reunite", I thought
But why did Damon come here!?
Anyways., I booked a cab and soon I reached my hotel. After I got fresh n up, I ordered a coffee and started unpacking my luggage, then randomly I started combing my hair. I could realize, I was doing things aimlessly. I know how much stubborn I am that even on katherine’s repetitive denial I came to volterra but now what!!..how am I supposed to find Damon?.. I have no idea where he lives and neither have I taken katherine’s number. Volterra was no doubt a very diverse place and I don’t have much time.
Suddenly I started feeling sick. My brain nerves were thumping vigorously. I threw myself on bed and tried to sleep soundly (after all sleeping was my solution to everything).
Late night I woke up because I was shivering out of cold. I felt a blow of wind, a very cold wind but all the windows were closed. It was as if someone was asking me to get up. I touched the bed sheets, my phone, every other object,everything was cold—ice cold. But why-- everything was still, very still, as if time has stopped. I reached for my phone but the battery was dead. I was a brave girl but this time my heart was throbbing aloud. With beads of perspiration on my forehead I tried to switch on the lights but there was a power cut. Nothing felt good..I started to feel claustrophobic, so I went up to open the window when suddenly the intercom rang. I stood still. How is it possible!?.. there was no power..how come the intercom is ringing??
Something was odd. It was ringing softly, very softly. How unusual!!.
Soon after I picked up the receiver, I heard something that made me as lifeless as an autumn leaf.
“Hello Cait...”, came a whisper from the other side. I knew this voice. It was Damon, my Damon. I should have jumped out of happiness on hearing his voice but I didn’t . I could see myself in the mirror. I have become still, as still as a stone. I have turned pale and my hands were shivering.
“I have come for you, hurry up, I have come to take you Cait...”
He has come, finally I can see him but why wasn’t I happy!? Why wasn’t I excited? Had I not come here to meet him?...then why this hesitation!?... why this fear?...
I can sense my fear very strongly in the form of katherine’s warnings
Damon was not the same. Something has happened to him. I did not feel the same that I used to feel whenever I spoke to Damon. This time he was bizarre. His voice had something...something that I couldn’t explain even to myself.
I took the torch from my handbag and opened the door because I was a freak. The passage was too dark and as I said everything was very still, very quiet. Not a single voice from any of the rooms...
I took the stairs and soon I reached the reception
No one. Not a single staff !!.
“Is anyone there!?... hello!?...”, no reply
“Damon!!?...”, I called out doubtfully.
Suddenly a noise came from behind the counter. I put my torchlight right there—steady and focused, I approached the counter. I saw something that took my breath
away...
I saw bloodstains on the walls and the floor. Something or someone dashed towards the stairs with a crackle of laughter from behind me. I turned in a fraction of seconds with trembling hands, the torchlight still not steady to focus on the stairs.. by the time I could see it was gone.
Suddenly the phone in the reception started ringing. I picked it up
“Damon...where the hell are you and what’s all this!!!???...”
I lost my strength when I heard the same crackle of laughter which I had heard just now....
“It’s just the beginning Cait..”, and the call ended.
My legs gave away. I was crying like hell. My head was spinning. I saw bloodstains, I heard something fiendish, Damon was not the same and I was aimless.
The reception door slammed shut beside me followed by the sounds of someone running away.
I ran from there. I ran towards the sound.
With a hope I came outside the hotel but there were no traces of sound anymore.
I looked around the street. The shops were closed, no vehicles, no other person on the street except me,it seemed as if nobody lived there.
The street lamps were glowing very dimly. I breathed sharply and listened, straining to hear the smallest sound as my heart’s throbbing grew fainter and fainter. The only thing I could hear was the swishing sound of cold wind and the rustling of leaves.
I was not used to such silence. I was getting frustrated.
At that time a human voice broke out
“You really want to meet Damon?”
As I turned around I saw a middle aged woman . Her body seemed old and feeble but her facial features were young and radiant.
I couldn’t control my excitement of seeing a human after so long. I ran towards her and hugged her tightly.
She was bitterly cold. Her icy cold body was piercing through mine and I could feel that parts of my body were becoming numb.
I left her in disgrace. I realized that she looked a lot like katherine.
My brows frowning I could see that she was unusually very motionless. Her green eyes looked blankly at me.
“Yes I want to meet Damon...but you...”
“Come with me”, by saying this she turned away and started walking. I followed her because I had no other alternative.
