The soft breeze was grazing the grass beaded with tiny drops of the morning dew. The rising sun made them sparkle like little diamonds scattered in the meadow. At the edge of the meadow stood a tall, rustic castle. The stones were centuries old, with their surface smoothened with centuries of strong winds passing by.
The meadow and the castle were safely hidden by a dense thick forest. This part of the forest was peaceful in its solitude. But the solitude was the result of fear. Fear of the known and unknown, fear of death, and fear of the vampire king - Ajish Fye Jade.
"Well Mr. Prime Minister, I am sure you know my ways very well. Please let me know if it is getting too much for you to handle. I have alternatives." said a calm voice. The calmness in the voice was heart-wrenching.
"Ahh...M..Mr. Jade, you are ...I didn't...I meant..." the Prime Minister was losing more than his words over the phone.
"I do not have the time or the patience to understand what you meant. You have time till nightfall. Get me what I want...or else there will be consequences." the last part was a mere whisper but the threat was loud and clear.
With that Ajish slammed the phone back and stood still. He held the edge of the table and stood still for a moment. His chest was falling in a rhythm to calm the soul in his body if he had one. He was standing too still to be anything living. He closed his eyes and everything went still. He was no more than 25 years old but his shadow made him look like a 125-year-old.
A volley of giggles distracted him and shattered his stillness. Those giggles were music to his ears, his thin lips curved into a smile as he opened his eyes and turned toward the open door. A woman stood there wearing a simple traditional gown. She was as beautiful as the Moon Goddess herself despite all the wrinkles on her old face.
"Ajji, at this rate you will turn 90 in a day." she chimed." My little Ajji, calm down" she gave Ajish the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
Ajish took two hurried strides to reach the woman and carefully gathered her in his arms. He was treating her like a fragile piece of precious art. He rocked her in his arm for a few moments and then smiled at her.
"How are you feeling today?" He asked with a gentle voice, filled with love and affection.
"I am feeling perfect, like an old woman who has seen her life should feel like," she said wrapping her arms around him.
"My little Orya, you know how much I love you. Please take care of yourself, for me, for my happiness, please." this time, the Almighty was pleading with the woman called Orya.
"Ajji, that is all I want now, your happiness. Before I leave for the moon, I want to see you happy, I want to be assured that you will be taken care of after me," she said slowly while containing her emotions." It's been centuries now and this time it is different. Please find your mate" with that she looked into Ajish's eyes, which were hard and blank now. She knew she was wandering into unwanted waters, unwanted but needed.
With a small sigh, Ajish set her on her feet and walked ahead towards the long corridor. Orya knew she has crossed her lines and all wrong lines, but she was desperate. She wanted the only man alive in her life happy after she is gone. She has to try, even if it meant facing an upset Ajish.
"I will wait for you in the car" she heard a stern voice trailing down the corridor after Ajish.
In about fifteen minutes Ajish and Orya were in the car. They were passing by the thicks of the forests. The sun was almost past the horizon. Orya looked at Ajish, who had a stern face and an unreadable expression. Orya sighed.
"Ajji, I am sorry...please don't give me a silent treatment." she pleaded.
Silence...
"Ajji, please ...you know your Orya cannot live without talking to you."
Silence.
"Ajji, I am 79, I have lived my life happy and proper, I have lived and loved and seen everything I needed and wanted in life. Now I will have to leave soon. It's up to you whether you want me to leave in peace or not." she blurred out.
Silence...
"Fine...don't talk to me. I might drop dead this evening and you will regret not talking to me for the last time."
Ajish's short warning looks towards Orya. If looks could kill, Orya would have been dead by now. A sudden break in the gas saved her from Ajish.
"Master we are at the venue" came a well-trained voice from the driver's side.
Ajish gave a stern look to Orya.
"Orya, be nice to the people there, remember there are diplomats there. Do not turn it into a match-making event." Ajish stressed the last statement to mark the importance of his caution.
"Will you promise to find her?", Orya raised her brows hoping for a yes.
" You are still a kid, aren't you?", Ajish said with a straight face. He fixed his suit and mouthed the word "behave" before kissing Orya's forehead and stepping out of the car.
YOU ARE READING
A Vampire in Love
Vampire" I know you will hate me for this. I know you might never forgive me. But trust me, love, I will do whatever it takes to get back to your heart" He whispered in her ears. He lifted his head a bit, closed his eyes, and kissed her forehead. He droppe...
