The Desert Lily

Chapter 26

Samaira stood within dark woods. Fog covered the trees and she was not able to see anything in the vicinity. She was all alone and felt cold. She suddenly heard a wail of a child and then that of a mother. She followed the direction of the cries and reached the end of the forest. Now, there were no trees or darkness, only plain ground.
A baby lay on the ground, wrapped in a silky white cloth.She slowly approached it and picked up the bundle in her hands. The baby was calm and it's eyes were open. It did not breath.Her hands seemed wet all of a sudden and she looked at them to see blood.... pure red blood.
She looked back at the baby's face, to see it smiling at her....a vengeful smile.

Samaira opened her eyes. She was sweating all over. She looked at her hands and touched her cheeks. They were wet. She checked the time to see that it was two at night.
She tossed and turned but couldn't sleep. She finally gave up on her trials and got up from the bed. She then walked out of the room to the balcony.The balcony had become her favorite spot inside the house.It gave her calmth.Staring out at the green lawn shadowed by the darkness and the gleaming moon radiating a divine shine was something she began enjoying.

A light wind was blowing and she could feel it in her hair.It smoothly caressed her face and she slowly forgot about the dream.It was truly very disturbing.It made her feel that she was responsible for the child's death.The blood that that was spread on her hands horrified her.The cries almost ripped her eardrums.She sighed and shaked her head as the face of the parents popped in her mind.

"Are you a ghost or what?You are giving me creeps!"his baritone startled her big time.She turned around to look at him.Ayush was standing behind her with a glass of water in his hand.

"What do you mean?"she asked,smiling lightly.

"Its two in the morning and you are standing here in the balcony,clad in white.I almost jumped when I saw you."he said after which he gulped the water in ago.

"So,what's up?"he asked,walking nearer to her.

"I don't know actually.Just gotta see a nightmare.Its somehow disturbing me so much."she sighed,looking outside.

"I see.If I ain't wrong,it's about the baby."

"Hmm."

"I think you should get something else to think about."he said,leaning on the railing.

"Seriously.I try so much to deviate but fail each time."she stated sadly.

"Now that's a problem.So let me give you something to think about."he said and came close to her face.

She widened her eyes feeling his beard on her cheek.Her hands shivered involuntarily.He placed a palm on her other cheek and whispered something in her ears.Her eyes somehow became wet and he slowly withdrew from the current position.Samaira could not form words.She stood without making even the tiniest movement.He slowly walked away,giving her enough time to contemplate.

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Samaira walked back and forth in the living room.After hearing his words last night,she lost her remaining sleep too.She had no time to think about court and stuff.Only his face and those words occupied her mind.It was evening and the kids were playing something ,sitting on their toy mat.Suddenly Kevin stood up and got hold of her.

"What's it boy?"she asked,patting his head.

"Stop walking mummy.Your legs will expire."he said giggling.She laughed back at him and sat down with him.Reyan grabbed his seat on her lap without any delay.

"Mumma,there is parent's meeting tomorrow."he said with a sly smile.

"But why didn't you tell me before?"she asked suspiciously.

"Ummm..Eeeee...that's because Juju maam told me today."he tried to convince her.

"Kevin..Is it?Hmm.I will come .At what time is it?"she asked.

"She said after lunch break."

"Okay fine."

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Ayush entered his house and plopped on a couch.There was no much work at the hospital today.

"Ouch!"he heard her gasp from the kitchen.He ambled his way to the kitchen to see her with her hands on her back.

"What happened?"he asked with concern.

"Uhh..Sprain."she said and slowly rubbed her back.

"You are not cooking anymore.We are gonna get food delivered home today."he said firmly and pointed his finger to her bedroom.Without any other option,she obliged and made her way to the bedroom.

A few minutes later,when she was laying on the bed,she heard knocks on her door.

"Its open."she said loudly.The door was pushed open and Ayush entered with a spray in his hands.

"Here,use it."he said and gave it to her who muttered a thank you.

She went inside the washroom to spray it on her back.

"Should I come inside too?"he yelled from outside and stuck his tongue out.

"You come inside and you will limp your way outside."she yelled back,trying hard not to laugh.She strangely liked her own reply.

Before he could give back a fitting reply,the doorbell rang and he almost flew to open it.

"My biryani!!!I'm coming for you."he almost sang on his way.

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"I won't let anything happen to you.Even if that costs my everything."

His words rang in her ears,giving her shivers down her spine.Samaira did not know what was the feeling that ran through her at the moment those words hit her ears.Was it satisfaction?The joy of feeling secure and protected?All she knew was that it gave her a new energy.An urge to look forward for a happy life.Her life had been a mess but she was realising that the mess was slowly becoming beautiful,with his presence.She knew very well that he is trying hard to make their relationship work.But she had only one doubt.Was it out of love or...sympathy?

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Fine.I seriously don't know why Iam posting such a crappy chapter.If you guys feel the same,I'll delete it right now.