Chapter 38: New surroundings
I would have loved to say that the worse was behind me, but that was not the case. I called Claudia after taking my breakfast and told her of my decision to go on Bhuvar for a few days.
'But what will you do there?' she asked.
'What will I do here?' I asked. 'Worry about finding a new house, worry about being attacked? At least I'll get to put all of this aside for a few days.' I said. And then looking around to make sure that I was alone, 'I'll get to spend some time with Dave alone without vampires or werewolves trying to hunt us down,' I continued in a whisper.
Claudia laughed, 'You should have started with this argument first. I know you're right, but I will miss you.'
'Are you sure about that? What about Lucas? I'm sure he'll keep you busy,' I said with a smile.
'I hope so,' she gushed. 'He's been so busy these past days. But now with the holidays, he'll get more free time.'
We talked for a few more minutes before I ended the call.
'You sure you'll be okay with Gati?' I asked Tania. She was still resting.
'I gave her a heavy dose of sedative drugs to make sure that we get all vampire cells from her body. She will not remember the events of the past week at all. When she's ready, I'll just drop her at her place. You don't worry about me, just concentrate on relaxing. You deserve it. I'll have a look at the insurance papers for your house as well.'
I felt so grateful to her. Claudia and Tania had welcomed me with open arms. After the death of Nani, they were the closest thing to a family. It was hard to keep the tears at bay, but I didn't want to start the new journey with tears. I bid her goodbye and went to the car where Dave was already waiting for me.
'Ready?' he asked.
'No, I need to go and pack my bag,' I said. He only glanced at me after my poor attempt at a joke, but I could see the little smile grazing his lips.
'I'll return the car and we'll be on our way.'
This time, there was no hesitation when the locket was placed between our lips. In fact, there was an eagerness that one feels before getting on the plane for a trip.
We landed in the same big bathroom of last time, but I managed to stay on my legs that time. I felt quite nervous on looking around me; we were alone for the first time after our last intimate encounter. Were we going to share a room like last time?
'Umm, so what do we do now?'
However, before he had the time to answer me, his phone, the one he used in Bhuvar, rang. It was a quick call and afterwards he started frowning.
'We're going to have some visit. Be ready,' and he left me to go to another room. Which one? I didn't know, as I stayed rooted on the spot. Already, the real world was intruding and he had responsibilities of his own to face. For a few days I had forgotten that Dave had a life of his own in Bhuvar. Ever since he came to my help, I have been relying so much on him. When he told me to be ready, what did he mean? He couldn't have been asking me to change as apart from my phone, wallet and Nani's red book, I had brought nothing from Earth. So he could only have been telling me to brace myself for whomever was coming. With some joy, I wondered if it could be Nana and Anita. They were now my only living relatives.
I stepped in the hallway and poked my head in each room to see if Dave was in one of them, until I reached his bedroom. The door was open and I peeked in. The sound of running water informed me that he must be taking a shower, but I didn't know if I was welcome to join him or not. Ever since I'd found him by my side this morning, he had been quite aloof. I hadn't said anything as I thought that the situation was taking its toll on him as well.
On the bed, he had laid a change of clothes. I tiptoed in and saw that it was a pair of dark slacks and a long sleeved grey shirt. It was more formal than what I was used to seeing him in and it already suggested that those who were coming were definitely not Nana and Anita. As I turned to walk out of his bedroom, the door of the adjoining bathroom opened and Dave stepped out with a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was still wet and he was scrubbing it dry with another towel. He barely paused when he saw me, and continued towards the bed.
'I'll leave you to get dressed then,' I said softly, turning around to leave. As I took the first step, I heard the towel fall on the carpet and my eyes widened at the thought of Dave being completely naked behind me. Part of me wanted to turn around and stare, but I forced myself to take another step. Now was not the time to complicate matters. Another sound indicated that he had already put on his pants. Was he wearing boxers beneath?
'Please promise me that whatever happens, you won't say anything,' I heard him say and before I could stop myself, I turned around to be greeted by the sight of his bare chest. With regret, I noted that he had already zipped his pants. If you wanted to look, you should have turned around earlier, I told myself.
I was perplexed by his remark.
'What's going to happen? Did I come at a bad time?' I started feeling like an intruder at that moment and it highlighted the fact that while Dave knew everything about me, there were still many blanks for me.
Dave understood my state of mind apparently because he came to me and pulled me to his side until I was nestled in his bare arms.
'Never ever think that you are not welcome, Ash,' he said vehemently. But despite his reassuring words I still felt like a misfit in his world. I was the needy one.
'Try to see if there's anything to eat in the kitchen. I'll be with you soon.'
Well, that was a polite way to tell me to get out of his room, I thought. You're dramatizing the situation, Ash. He just needs to get dressed, for God's sake. Visibly, the past days' events were taking an emotional toll on me.
There was just an unopened packet of crackers in the kitchen along with a few other ingredients which I had never seen. On the box, I read 'Abelmoschus manihot', 'Saskatoon serviceberry', weird-sounding names. I was not a fussy eater, but I tried to stay away from names which meant nothing to me.
I suddenly heard a weird buzzing sound coming from the doorway and I saw the screen next to the door burst into life It showed the image of three people standing in front of the door. One was Ilhas, but I didn't recognize the other two, who were women. Dave passed by me and pressed on a button on the wall which opened the door. I was keen to learn about all the technological advances that Bhuvar had.
Ilhas got in and smiled at me. At least another welcoming face and I returned his smile. The two women came after me and through their body language, it could be seen who was higher in hierarchy. The first one who got in was simply gorgeous with black hair reaching up to her waist in soft waves. She was quite tall and elegant. Her diamond shaped eyes sparkled above a tiny nose and thin red lips as she caught sight of Dave and walked towards him in a cloud of perfume. She was dressed in a short black skirt and a surplice wrap blouse in a silky fabric that complimented her generous bosom.
'Oh, Dave, I'm so happy to see you,' and she planted two kisses on his cheeks, leaving a red mark behind. It was as if she was marking her territory. The other woman got in and nodded politely at Dave in terms of greeting. Both women hadn't noticed me yet and I cleared my throat gently, bringing three pairs of eyes in my direction. Dave then pointed to me,
'Lady Estena, this is Ash Runner, Nani's granddaughter.'
'Hi.'
The one he called Estena looked at me coolly and merely nodded.
'The orphan?'
It felt rude to be referred to like that, even if it was true, and once again I fought hard to keep my tears at bay. I already disliked her, and it would seem that the feeling was returned if it was to be judged by the way she was trying to deliberately ignore me. Estena took Dave by the arm and they started walking towards the living room, with the other two guests following. I thought about whether I should stay back or follow, but this decision was taken out of my hands when Ilhas paused and indicated that I should follow with his hands.
I had been on Bhuvar for only a few minutes, but I was already regretting my decision.
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