Chapter 5 The Uncanny

The warmth of love and happiness was surrounding me. My hairs were stroked lightly. I tried to open my eyes but closed them as the sunlight was hitting my cornea. I kept my eyes closed but I smell dark cinnamon cologne. From weeks I was familiar with damp moist air. Where am I right now? I slowly opened my eyes blinking deliberately to adjust my vision, I connected with a pair of blue-green eyes looking at me with a gaze as if saying he was worshipping me. It made uncomfortably and I backed away from him as much as possible. He sat straight and clears his throat.

"You passed out. I bought you here." He said looking deep in my eyes. I gulped inaudibly looking at the number of emotions rising in his eyes. I never saw him still I found his gaze similar. I struggled to breathe I sat taking hold of the headboard.

"Who are you? Where's my family. Tell me, tell me." I shouted at him. He simply stared at me with undefined emotions. Knowing that he was just sitting there I felt a burst of anxiety inside me.

Regaining my breathe I jumped from the bed the elbow touched the lamp on side table making it fall. The silver beauty was disappeared into seconds now smashed in thousands glittering fragments. I was about to take next step when he gently took a hold on my ankle and slipped a yellow Moorish soft padded low heel slippers. His every action was mirroring Jamrion's.

"You could have hurt yourself." He said collecting the piece of glasses.

"Please go freshen up and relax." He said looking at the floor for more pieces.

"I'm leaving, I need to find them." I said and walk straight towards the door. I felt dizzy I took hold of the door and remain there for minutes. He stands a few inches away from me.

"If you really want to help them and find them. Just listen to me. I beg you." He said with so much sincerity in his eyes that I can see a storm of helplessness in them. His blue-green eyes were leaving the shine and were forming a thick layer of fog on it. I let out a huff and gave up. I went straight to the bathroom to relax a bit. Yes if being selfish and using anyone takes me to my world I can give anything and I need strength.

I turned the dial and closed my eyes feeling thousands of lukewarm droplets on my tensed body.

My white gown was feeling light once I was outside the white sheets of loose satin helped me to walk lightly barefoot on grass. I was looking at my wristwatch every next second while roaming in the garden. Jamarion has gone to receive Jayden from his summer camp. I was upset as an unsettling emotion was churning inside me since morning. The splash of yellow tiny flowers all over the green ceramic with rain droplets make them two shades brighter. I came here for a walk as sitting inside writing or baking was not a right option for me right now. I came here to ground myself and calm my inner turmoil. I was calling him without pause but he didn't answer. I was taming my hairs the wild wind was messing it my Kada (kind of bracelet whose two ends of peacock face were connected leaving a small space between each other) it coiled in my hairs. I was busy in unravelling it. I felt someone prodded me on side of my hips. I turn to punish the culprit only to be melted by his heartwarming smile.

"Mommy I bought you ice cream." He said offering me a dark chocolate bar. I kneeled down to his level and took my little handsome man in my arms. He offered me bar like a gentleman, I took a small bite he kissed me on cheeks I felt the coldness of ice crème. I step on to giant warm hands, I looked down Jamarion hands were beneath my foot. He slipped soft fur-lined grey slippers.

Thick build arms wrapped around my waist pressing me into his muscled chest. I was glued to him to the extent that sometimes I feel our body is a piece of the puzzle to fit in each other. I can hear the rhythmic heartbeat in sync. We both have the same heartbeat, a perfect match.

"I'm sorry I took so long. We were busy buying your favorite ice cream. Can I have your apology, Mam," He said pressing butterfly kisses on my neck.

"Uh." I rolled my eyes Jayden giggled.

"You almost made my heart explode with worries and you expect an apology." I gently put Jayden on the ground. I turned my heels to walk away from them. First time I was really angry as it been hours and they were out of my sight. My both hands were encased in two beautiful hands I turn to meet two babies crouching on knees saying sorry.

"We love you our queen, can you give us honour to apologise and make your night special." They both said in unison. I knew it they planned it.

I hugged them my whole body was shielded in deep love. Jayden snuggled in me and my body was releasing all tension as I was cocooned safely in his arms. I took Jayden in my arms and he winked to his daddy indicating something. I looked suspiciously at him, he hides his face in my neck.

You look so beautiful in white

And from now 'til my very last breath

This day I'll cherish

You look so beautiful in white

Tonight

They both were singing and I wished that this moment never stopped.

We were dancing together and I was stepping on his foot mumbling sorry earning a sweet laugh from Jayden. Jamarion pecked me on lips. His arms tightened around my waist and nuzzled his face in my neck "I will never leave you, you are my home, my family. I love you Nal. You are my lullaby in this hard life. You soothe me making the decoy in my body going away with every touch every kiss. I can't imagine a second without you."

He bends down and lifts me up and Jayden was in my arms, gently twirling us making both of us giggle. The rain poured on us I felt like I was talking to the sky telling him I'm blessed I don't need anything except the happiness of my family. It was a beautiful night of my life.

Knock from outside of the door made me realize the bitter reality that I was alone in the bathroom thinking of my happy days. A tear left my eyes knowing that it's been day's or months I haven't seen him and Jayden. My mind danced with different beautiful emotions shared together. I sat on the floor hugging my knees and went to cry for minutes. I never thought I will be separated from them.

When I walk out of the bathroom I saw my clothes were hanging neatly in the closet. No one was in the room. I pulled out the same white dress and slipped it immediately. I was searching for an ointment to apply on the cut on my left hand. My eyes fall on the silver vermillion box, Jamarion loves to apply a pinch of vermillion every day after my makeup. He says that he feels happy that he was the reason that I apply it. I took it in my hand this was the first time in five years I was going to apply with my hand. I tried to open the lid, I thought it was jammed with full force I opened it. Oh no, it was spread all over and when I look at my left I saw white fabric having a splash or red powder on it. I looked above to be met with melting blue eyes the green was not visible as it was submerged under the depth of emotions. His eyes were the real jewel of the Universe made by God.

I grabbed my scarf to dab at his white shirt which results in further smearing. I released a deep breathe knowing what I was doing.

"I'm sorry." I said keeping my eyes on the floor.

"It's ok." He said placing the tray on the side table.

"Please have breakfast." He said nervously.

"Actually I don't know what you like to eat so I asked them to make at least ten dishes." He said looking at me with sorry face.

"Thank you, I can eat anything." I turn around to look at the food.

As I move forward to set my plate my damp hair falls forward hiding my face. He took my plate gently and brimmed it with all dishes. His every action reminds me of Jamarion.

"Here, please eat you need strength. I promise you to give every answer." He said looking outside the window, his phone vibrated he moved away.

I peeked back he was standing near the door typing on his phone. Suddenly I heard a sweet voice Son where are you she was calling him. As soon as he turns to look at me I started eating, might be he was satisfied that I was eating after he pleads. He left locking the door smoothly.

The language of care he was showing through his actions was making me anxious and calm at the same time. After breakfast when he will be free I'll ask him and he has to answer every question. New hope of the door was opening inside me. I'll find my babies, with this promise I gave myself a reassuring faith.

Every time I closed my eyelids I saw torn between rationally and an unhealthy addiction to find what happened that night, I started to lose my mind. I rested my head on the side table my eyes turn glossy with unanswered questions. If Jamarion knew everything why didn't he tell me?

"Mam please wake up its evening." A lady in early 50's said in warm voice. She gave me a cup full of hot brew.

"Thanks." I took the white porcelain cup and sat on the window ledge legs propped up resting against the wall. My satin white dress was waving with air. I removed the band out of my hair and letting the brown wavy lock cascade flow down at my back. I changed my hair color and texture after marriage. With every sip, I was gaining energy. In the morning when my eyes open I felt like there was no bone skeleton left inside me. Sometimes we need care more than food, the way that man was showing me warmth made me realize I was safe, I was near Jamarion. Three street lamps surrounding a giant tree was casting yellow light making the orange leaves shine like golden dew. My hair was dancing with the breeze. I finished the coffee and gather myself I'll go find him and ask him my every unanswered question. I want to hug my baby no matter he was cursed or not. I love him if I won't see him for more days I'll die.

The mansion was not having a single breath except mine giving me an indication no one was here. Nothing relaxed me like walking in the calmness of the evening. I was walking in the mansion garden itself when I reached on the other side of it there was a wooden house bigger than like the mansion a dim lamp casting a yellow light was visible from the window. I might find an answer here only, who the man was and why he was being nice to me. I don't want to waste my time so I entered the house.

I pushed the heavy swing door and entered to catch more than hundreds of shelves fanning out in circular shape loaded with heavy books. I was greeted by an intoxicating earthly smell. My body was bathed in this sweet smell similar to Jamarion's. It was a library, from my intuition I got confidence that I should search here. I skimmed through the giant oak wood shelf. Mostly books I have never heard or seen all are historical. My eyes glued on a golden brown book that was kept at the topmost self. I grabbed the ladder from the corner and climbed it to reach the book. I realized while roaming my eyes that these are not books these are journals. In an attempt to pull out the book I lost my balance and knocked the shelve and making some books and journals falling on the floor. Thank god I regained my balance.

I was descending the ladder my feet slipped but someone holds it. He crouched down to pick up the books from floor.

"If you need anything Nalini just ask me or Victor." He switched on the sidelight and looked to check my injuries. He had unparalleled beauty a sense of serene in his eyes that gave you comfort that everything was ok.

"Sorry I was not supposed to enter here without your permission." I said fidgeting my fingers.

"No, you are taking me wrong I mean you can have anything but don't hurt yourself." A pain anchored in his eyes listening to my words thinking that I'm not being grateful. I open my mouth to apologize but the posture of uneasiness in his body made me awake that I was being rude to him.

"I'm sorry I don't mean that. Actually, I was getting bore and you were not in the mansion, so I came here. I love to read books." I answered honestly.

"It's ok, plz don't be sorry. I know, you published novels also. I can understand what you are going through." He said in a cracked voice. The thunderstorms made a loud noise as if speaking his words. I was out of words we stand there in silence. The wind was entering through the giant windows making every sheet danced with it like leaves fallen from the branch. The door was banging like chaotic drum beats making loud noise unable to hear anything. I know I want to talk to him and only he can help me but before I need to say sorry. I was saying something but the noise stopped him from listening, he turns towards the door I ran towards him and hold his hand he stopped almost freeze. His body stiff and was standing like a statue. No words will do justice to define his beauty. He was an ethereal beauty made of platinum, his sharp eyes and features made him unearthly still addictive. He looks like Jamarion as soon as his name comes to my mind I flooded him with questions.

"Why you are so nice to me? How do you know me? Why you are helping me? How do you know Jamarion? What are you hiding? Are you with something up? And the most important question left my mouth. Who are you?

"I'm Jamarion's brother." My hold on his hand loosened knowing what he just said.

Wait, what? Did I hear the right word brother? Jamarion had a brother.

Author's Note

For international readers- Vermillion is betrothal sendur applied to the middle line of the head where the hair is parted. It indicates that the woman is married. It's a blessing for the husband's long health. 

Jamarion loves to apply a pinch of it to Nal. 

This story has layers to it so step by step characters are introduced to give you all answers. What is happening in Jamarion and Nalini's world. Why the curse is not yet broken. And most importantly Jamarion has a family. So why he hides it.