Cold Hearts

PART 1 : Are You A Robot?

Life has so many unexpected tricks up her sleeve. It's amazing to think of the amount of unthinkable hurtles she throws in everybodys way. Mine being no exception. This time however, she took pity on me and sent some goodwill.

When I opened my eyes, my entire body felt like lead. Reality had yet to hit and all I thought of was, what a strange dream. And then my surroundings engulfed me and fear caught ahold of my throat. Where was I? The room was large, with modern furniture and a woman's touch to it. The bed was huge, and probably the comfiest I've experienced. The curtains were drawn and on the side table next to me, a tray with food gone cold,a jug of water and a glass. I sat up and reached for the tray, might as well, right?

I sipped on the water as I wrapped my head around all the strange happenenings.. Starting from my thought to be fathers conversation in the middle of the night to my thought to be fathers conversation on the phone.

My heart ached, I was hurt, sad and confused. I had cried myself numb and all I could do now, with my limited understanding and knowledge of the situation, was trust the flow of things.

Had I been adopted - kidnapped as a child? Were the parents I adored and loved - cherished, not my blood?

Who was I even and where was I from?

A knock on the door startled me out of my thoughts, and in came the man I had run away from... What was his name?

Vladislav!

I was too tired to be on edge, if he meant harm, I would have been thrown in the servants quarters with no food or water.. Right?

I stared at his handsome face.

His burning stare caused me to look away and he chose that moment to speak, snapping my head right back in his direction.

' you must be confused with all that's happened.. And happening. But I can assure you, I mean no harm.'

I nodded my head slowly, as if his words were sinking in.

He spoke again ' Nova will attend to you, so when you are ready, she'll bring you to me'

He turned to leave and paused - ' when you're ready can take days, so take your time, you're no prisoner.. Just please.. Don't run again'

This time, his words truly sank in.

Some stranger afforded me the kindest hospitality at a most crucial time in my life, was this a coincidence?

He said I wasn't a prisoner and even appointed a personal maid.. And even had the dignity to ask me.. Not to run away..

He sounded defeated and tired. As if to let me know, I mattered enough to see him in such a state, for I was a master in the arts of body language. He knocked, entered with caution, spoke politely and the choice of his words were sincere, based on his tone and causal posture.

I wondered of the odds, was this really not some dream?

Again, my thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, a girl who I assumed to be Nova entered and smiled most sweetly. ' hello, I'm Nova at your service. You must be tired so please don't feel pressured to respond or notice my presence, I will be your help and aid and consoling friend if  need be. The water is hot and awaiting your presence, if you may, please follow me'

Dumbstruck. I gaped at the girl infront of me. Was this girl a robot or..

I smiled and nodded, got out of bed and followed behind her to the bathroom..

The steam clouded my vision as we entered and the scent of rose and jasmine wafted past my nose.

I was about to take my clothes off when nova stopped me ' please allow me' she asked

She waited for no response and started undressing me. I was so shocked in those moments I forgot my shyness.

It was minutes later when my naked reflection stared back at me, that I gave a most alarming shriek trying to cover my shame. Nova just stood, unaware of the problem. I sat squatting with my hair hanging around me as coverage, screaming my head off.

The door burst open and Vladislav burst in, a gun in his hands and eyes darting wild, I screamed harder. He looked around and assessed the situation, a calm Nova and a shrieking ball of hair.

He shook his head and motioned to nova to follow him out.

When I was alone, I stood trembling, wiping the tears that refused to stop.

Shakily I walked towards the tub, and numbly sank into the water, going under.

10 seconds..

30 seconds..

40 seconds..

55..56..

2 minutes..

My head burst out of the water and I gasped for air, my lungs screaming at me.

After gaining my composure, or so I thought, I burst into tears.

I wish I understood all these unfair happenings.

I longed for my mother's comfort and my old life.

I knew, that this was no test from papa's mysterious way of child rearing but this was reality. A cold reality, that made no sense.

I sat crying in the tub until the water went cold.

Nova spoke outside the door, informing me that clean clothes were neatly folded on the rack in the dressing room, adjacent to the bathroom.
.......

An entire week passed by within the blink of an eye. Vladislav was nowhere to be seen. The house and all its long passages were known to me like the back of my hand. Although it was a modern house, it held an ancient charm. I was convinced it was just Nova and I in the house, for no other living being was seen thus far. The garden stretched far and wide, we were definitely in some country house, for horses could be seen grazing in the distance.

I was finally starting to feel safe. Nova and I had no relationship and that, was our relationship. There was an understanding. Her straight face had surprisingly soft eyes and when I asked her if she was a robot, she gave a hearty laugh. We shared our time in silence - the calm before the storm. My black 'runaway bag' and my phone was nowhere to be found.

The events that passed had finally sunk in, and the reality of it all was somewhat grasped.

Now that my mind was  at ease, and all feelings of doubt and fear towards these strange kind strangers were on hold, I felt it was time to see Vladislav.