The Case Of Arnold Villa

WELCOME ROSE!

I can feel the sweat drench my skin. My fingers were curled into a fist, nails digging into my palm. I couldnt hear my rapid breathing, but I could feel the oxygen flooding in and out of my lungs .My heartbeat felt uncomfortable and extra loud. My mouth was dry and there was something in my throat that wont let me swallow. I forced my eyes open. It was dawn, the sun was rising over the eastern hills and the birds chirping has made the morning dazzling. I glanced at my mobile and it was five o clock in the morning. I kept changing my sides as I couldnt sleep because of that dreadful nightmare. I had had enough last night. I wanted to enjoy the beauty of the dawn so I chose to wake up. I went to the kitchen and made myself a cup of coffee. The morning was really chilly. There was a rain prediction that day. I went to the terrace and leaned on the sofa – tryina relax myself. I told myself it was none of use but, sometime later, I realized that I had proven myself wrong. Completely wrong. I closed my eyes and took small sips of my hot cappuccino coffee. The air was sweet yet cold. Here ten minutes was a long time and so the day stretched out like a small eternity. I couldn't stop bad things happening in my dreams even if I spent a morning like that, thinking about it, it would only make me more anxious, more fearful. In my quiet contemplation I thought about love, the people I cherished and what was right with my life. I felt like God's whisper was in the trees. Sipping the last sip of my coffee, I got up. Before going for house-cleaning, I chose to stand and do some exercises. I inhaled and the fresh air left my lungs refreshed. Suddenly, the air started turning cool. Cold licked at my face and crept under my clothes, spreading across my skin like the lacy tide on a frigid winter beach. With purple lips tinged with blue and gently chattering teeth I wrapped my night coat around me tighter. Oh God! Here comes cold and that too uninvited! I turned the curtain to the terrace close as the cold winds blew it away. Anyways, I felt fresh. Really, really fresh. I sneaked a look at Mrs. Thomas house and it was a sight.I could see the room of their kids. All of them were lined up- sleeping. I wondered If I ever had looked them with love before today but then, all at once, I thought of ROSE ,my daughter coming home today.

II

I rushed in to the kitchen and began baking stuff like cake and chocolate biscuits as my daughter has totally a sweet tooth. I was preparing things when Ron came to me and asked for breakfast and said something which he took as a joke but I was quite startled. Why Mr. Ronald Hastings? Why do you ask me this question?I played on the words but there was something stirring inside me. What was he saying? he replied ,worried me the most, You were moaning and groaning as if someone was sucking out your soul And then , you lay straight as if umm- DEAD!!, he laughed at his own joke-which only he took as a joke and after ,sat down to watch television. But I think it was me who was disturbed about it the most. I thought about it all day long. I was decorating the cake and was lookin out of the window, in deep thoughts, staring out of the kitchen window, when I recalled of his vision in my dream. I shut my eyes close and all I could see was his face with tears as he stared at me. No!, I cried out and I think that was when Ron noticed it. He came to me hurriedly with a glass of water as I felt my head spinning. Dizziness caught hold of me and I sat on the ground with a thump. Lenny, Is there something wrong with you? Are you all right!, Ron rushed towards me and held me in his arms as I replied its nothing dear, Your Lenny is alrightttt.. I remember nothing after that. There is just a faded image of door opening and somebody coming inside and I heard his screechy voice LINDAAAAA!!!!