SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN

When Sheena opened her eyes, she realised a warm blanket hugging her.

She sat up as she stroked her hair gently,

'I must have slept here',

She looked around, her eyes searching was the same familiar face.

Just as she got off the hammock, a voice called from behind,

"you're awake? "

Sheena turned around and nodded.

"Here's your hot chocolate," as he handed the warm cup to her.

She took and a sip and observed him as he took off the hammock, folded the blanket and put in the bag.

"Where did you sleep last night?"

Caught off guard by her question he asked, "Hmm...??"

"I mean, I took you hammock and blanket. Where did you sleep?"

"Here on the ground," he smiled.

Sheena stared at him questioningly.

'Liar, it's clear you didn't sleep at all. With those red eyes and haggard face anyone can tell. ' Sheena thought to herself.

'Such a fool'. Sheena sighed.

"Are you cursing me in your thoughts, princess?", He smirked.

"Let's go back to the camp", he said as he carried the bag.

By the time they reached the camp, everybody was packing up their belongings and were taking off the tents.

Sheena went ahead of him, while he went back to his car to keep his belongings.

As soon as Ashley and Anne saw Sheena, they ran up to her,

"Where did you go early in the morning?"

"Or you were out since last night?"

The duo fired questions back to back at her.

"Me...? Ahh..no..no I was back, I...I just went for a walk early morning. "

"You know...you know just to look around the place." Sheena smiled nervously.

"Don't lie, you're stammering."

"Yes, tell us the truth. Where were you?"

"Really... really, I just went out in the morning."

"I don't believe you."

"Neither do I... anyway we'll get the time to get it out of you, but first we need to pack up and make the move.

"Yes..I have a lot of packing to do. Come, help me. Leave your detectives at the back of your mind." Sheena tried to escape the conversation as she walked ahead.

She was sure if she told them the truth, they won't understand and will try to put their all in making him and her a pair. She just couldn't deal with that.

As the entire group packed up and were heading down to their cars. Sheena looked around and tried to find him. Yet there was no sign of him, no belonging, and not the person itself.

'Where is he?'

'Isn't he going to say his goodbyes to them?'

'Should I ask Ash and Anne?'

'No... what's the point, anyway. '

'His car... it's also not here.'

Sheena got rid of her thoughts as she got into the car and soon they were on their way.

She felt something heavy in her heart, as if something was about to happen, yet she couldn't point out that feeling.

She called her grandfather,

"Grandpa, what are you doing?"

"Nothing, little one, just waiting for you."

"And aunty May and everyone at home?"

"They're fine as well. What happened?"

"nothing I was just asking."

"Your voice sounds tensed, everything alright."

"Yes grandpa, I am just tired, that's why."

"I'll be there in 2-3 hours, you eat on your lunch on time okay."

She said, as she cut the call.

Sheena opened her window. As she let the cool breeze caress her face, it calmed her down a little.

"Sheena, are you alright? Cool breeze, you might catch a cold."

"Sheena took her hand, Ash, I feel something bad is going to happen. I feel somewhat absurd. It is making me sad."

Ashley made Sheena lie on her shoulder,

"Close your eyes and get some sleep. I'm here, you'll be fine."

Anne caressed Sheena's back.

.........

It was evening by the time they were home.

Sheena ran up to her grandfather as soon as she entered and hugged him tightly.

"Young lady, you're going to break my old bones with your enthusiastic actions...do you realise?" He chortled.

Sheena sighed and hugged him even tighter.

Realizing her actions, he placed her tiny face between his big hands.

"Little one, what's the matter? Did anyone bother you? Just give me the name."

Sheena shook her head and smiled,

"No, can't I hug you without a reason, old man?"

"Of course not, I charge people for that. Where's my payment?"

Sheena raised her eyebrows at him and gave him a stern look.

"What do you want?"

"Great grandchild", he replied.

Sheena was flustered at his comment.

"GRANDPA...!!!!"

"Don't you even feel shy at all asking for such a thing from your granddaughter?"

"What's there to be shy about? I want you to get married and give me a great grandchild. What's wrong with that?" He pouted.

"You know my friends, they all have great grandchildren; they boast off in front of me, and I just sit there tight-lipped". He said with a look of faking sadness.

"You want me to have a child for you to showoff in front of them?"

"Wait, what am I even saying? I can't deal with you right now."

Sheena said as she rushed to her room.

"Think about it, little one, okay?" He screamed behind her.

Sheena locked up her room, totally getting out of the mood a while before,

She sat at her study table and opened her diary.

The old photo kept carefully in her diary. She took it out and wiped the dust off it. As tears welled up in her eyes, she still caressed the photo with her fingers lightly. The photograph of the man she knew yet was a stranger. Her entire existence was an indication of his presence, yet her eyes were bereft of even his shadow. The void she had in her heart, the place only he can fill. Just like a missing piece of a puzzle, leaving its place and the puzzle incomplete forever.

She stared at that man intently as tears rolled down her cheeks. The tears which contained the deep sorrow and pain of all these years. Even releasing them was of no use. They won't take the pain out with them.

'It hurt, hurt a lot.'

There wasn't a time he wasn't on her mind. It wasn't as if she didn't fight her thoughts, yet couldn't conquer her own heart. But rarely she dared to look at him, as it reminded of her reality, the reality of her existence.

A chit slipped down from the diary, with a face void of emotions. She picked it up,

Typed the number on her phone with shivering hands, wondering is she should dial it or not?

After hours, she couldn't dare to dial, her gaze focused intently on the screen.

She erased the number from the dialing pad and wiped her tears. She fiercely got up,

'No...you can't be like that..'

'Do you listen to me...you can't lose yourself, you're precious, do you hear me? You deserve to live, no matter whatever anyone thinks. It's not your fault... it's not your fault....'

'It's... it's not your fault'

'It is...it is not your...'

As she broke down into tears again, she cried heart fully.

It was heartbreaking. Her every sob contained unbearable pain, years of agony and anger, yet when she cried, there was only pain...just pain.

.......................