Special Moments

Who Do You Miss?

"Who do you miss?" she asked.
Her voice crisp and clear echoed off the paintings hanging still in the gallery.

Rushni froze her muscles seizing as she sharply inhaled. Her eyes afraid to look away from the lafy on the master piece hanging in front of her eyes.

The silence between them expanded beyond their surroundings and into Rushni's thoughts. It was as if her mind was a buffering screen, stuck between processing and shutting down.

Finally, the information that flowed through registered.

She turned to look at the being that evoked such a strange trapping emotion so foreign to her.

Brown. The color of well tilled earth, the color of well brewed coffee. Eyes filled with a knowing gleam met hers that were filled with surprise.

"Well are you going answer?" The brown eyed women pushed, the left curve of her lips rose into a crooked smile.

Some how this scared Rushni more.

How? This must be a joke! Where did she come from? She didn't hear any foot steps, feel anyone next to her.

Rushni's eyes darted madly  around the halls seeking purchase for anyone, anything to protect her!

From what, she didn't know. The words took hold in her mind as if by divine revelation. It is impossible!

Her mind pleaded like a drunkard watching the last cup of liquor wash down the sink following the liquid with red webbed eyes till it trickled down the drain.

She exhaled her breath coming out in a whisper.

"Excuse me," she said even lower her brown knuckles bright as she clutched the straps of the bag hanging from her shoulder.

She carefully backed away eyes trained on the woman who'd never ceased that intolerable grin.

Then, she turned around and ran.

Right as her hand wrapped around the gold metal handles, a voice sounded behind her in mocking laughter.

"I just asked a question you silly twit. Who do you miss?"

The echo of her voice seemed louder! Its pitch was more demanding as it beat into Rushni's ear drum.

Ignoring the woman, she frantically pulled at the door but it refused to follow her orders.

Streams of tears flowed down her face as fear claimed her heart.

"Who. Do. You. Miss?" The woman repeated each word bouncing off the walls creating a multitude of voices rising and falling in a haunting symphony.

Rushni began sobbing loudly. Two of her nails broke against her pounding.

"Help!" She screamed.

With her call, the voices stopped.

All could be heard was the soft sniffles that escaped Rushni.

"Who do you miss?"

Rushni felt the voice whisper across her neck.

A thought ran through her mind a lighting speed!

"Myself," she answered her voice still thick with tears.

"I don't know where I've gone", she continued, "and I don't know if I'm coming back."

She then pulled at the door like an obedient child released from its lock and freed her. 

She ran through the next exhibit, down the grand stairs, past the receptionist and out through the glass doors.

She ran with one question on her mind.

"Where did I lose myself?"

.....................................................
Hello world. This one is strange. Crazy even.
Let me know how you all feel.

Jackie