5. Mystery Girl

WILL

It was way too hot. Where was I? Why my throat was hurting? I needed water. It was too hard for me to open my eyes. Suddenly I remembered that I had jumped from the cliff. My eyes then wide opened. Then I observed my surrounding, it was white everywhere. Was I dead? I was a sinner, how come I reached heaven. Good lord, my head was messed up. I suddenly remembered a girl was shaking and threatening me to not die and greeting me saying as a Fallen angel. My vision was blurry, couldn't remember the girl's image clearly. It was raven hair with warm brown eyes, fair skin, looked like a goddess.

Maybe she brought me here. What day it was? where was she kept him? he thought. Then he tried to move but realized a lightweight on his forehead. He moved his eyes to his left, I saw that girl who saved his life. Why did she save me? Who was she? Was she cure me the whole night? Was she stayed by my side all time? I had so many questions to know the answer. My heart knew the answers. Yes, she dis stayed by his side the damn whole time, She had bags under her eyes. I was happy and sad at the same time.

Happy because he got a stranger who was hellbent to keep him alive and worked hard for everything she could do on her own. She didn't even know me, not was even one of my close people. I was feeling sad because I had to go back to my place and had to face this cruel world. I was hurt, Couldn't think properly. But I didn't want to go back there. Nobody cared. I got to leave this place as soon as possible. I didn't want pity from this girl. She would defiantly gonna judge me. I didn't need her or anyone. Well, I had no idea that I was trapped by that young woman who was hellbent to change mine for good. 

I felt that woman was stirred a little and massaged her sore neck for resting her head near the headboard for a long time. She opened her eyes leisurely and then was searching for something around her. She turned her head in my direction, We both gasped at the same time. She yelped to see me staring at her for a long time and I was awestruck to see her warm brown eyes which were showing different emotions, like surprised, joyous, tenderness, relief. Why was she so happy to see me awake? Why did she care? Did she always like this? I watched her touching my forehead, then I observed her moving her lips and saying something that I didn't listen to her. Then she started shaking me. I snapped out of my zone.

She asked, " how are you feeling now?" 

I tried to say something but I started coughing, my throat was dry. So she offered me water. I drunk water, then she told me if I wanna go to the washroom, I nodded. I tried to move but felt dizzy. She helped me to stand up from the bed and took me to the washroom. She gave a spare toothbrush and a towel. I freshen up and came back to the bedroom. She was not present there. I sat on the bed and started thinking about what to do next. Then she returned with black coffee and a bowl of porridge for me. 

I took them and started eating. I asked her, " Where is your breakfast?"

She was stunned, but replied politely " I had coffee already ".

I nodded. After finishing breakfast, she took the bowl and went out to the room. I felt awkward. Didn't know what to do. She returned with medicines and a paper bag. She handed me them and said, " Take the medicines now and I told villagers to bring some necessities for you. You need to take a warm shower and put these clothes on. Then we need to talk ", she instructed me very sincerely that I couldn't be denied.

After taking a shower I felt much better, clothes are comfortable enough for me.

I was getting bored, so I walked out of the room and observing the house or could say cottage. I saw there was another bedroom, opposite side of the room she kept me. Then I came to the living room, where I saw a small kitchen where that woman was cooking something, she felt my presence and offered a genuine smile to me and asked me to sit on the Stoll, I did as she told, as I had nothing to deny.

There I got a delicious aroma, she was cooking on the induction. I asked, "do you need any help?" although I never did any work by myself in my mansion, I still willing to help my savior as much as I could.

She smiled and said, " I will ask for your help in here, but not today".

I nodded. She asked, "How are you now?" 

I told her, "Better now".

She nodded and asked " Do you feel dizzy or what is the condition of your throat? You don't have a fever, but still, you were unconscious for two days".

I was shocked to know that. But replied, " I have a slight weakness, but it will be soon recovered by today, I hope". She replied, "Yes! you will definitely".

There was a comfortable silence between us. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, so I told her I would see that. I saw two people were there, one was a man another one was a woman, they were near forty's I guessed. They had so many bags in their hand. Then she came from the kitchen and asked them to come inside. They put those bags on the coffee table. They asked," How are you, a young boy?" 

I replied, " I am good". Then she introduced them to me and told me that the man is Jemery and the woman is Jena. He and some villagers helped me to take a shower and put on clothes, they bought my necessities and clothes, medicines where that Jena used to make warm soups for me. I was grateful to them, so I thanked them for everything they did for me where I was just a stranger to them.

They told me that I should thank that young lady who was awake through the two whole days and stayed by my side every single second. Then the lady completely ignore their praise and asked them to have lunch with us, they politely said that they already had lunch, so we should take our lunch before the food getting cold. They bid their farewell, and we went back to the kitchen. 

She put the pot of chicken soup, salad, jeera rice, steaks, and omelets. It was a delicious appetite. We ate silently. It was really a simple yet great lunch I ever had. After I told her I would do the dishes, she denied and told me to dry them with a napkin only. She said I should not use cold water for today, else I would again catch a cold. So I did as she told.

Later she took me to her room and told me to sit and told me to take the medicines. After that, She sat opposite me and staring at me intensely. In had been five minutes still she never for once blinked. I was getting nervous, so I broke I contact. Never in my life, I was intimidated by someone. Where that record was broken by her. Her! Couldn't believe I would feel afraid of someone to whom I had recently met. I was terrified by the idea of what if she asked me why I did what I did that day. I didn't want to tell her about that for now. I didn't want to make things uncomfortable between us.

She finally broke the silence and asked, "Are you afraid of me? If Yes! then don't be. I don't bite".

I was stunned. Huh! what? I looked at her, her warm brown eyes sparkling with amusement. She got that I was intimated by her. I was mortified. What do I say now? I thought. 

She told me, " Well I am Rika, and you are?"

I replied, "Will". She repeated, "Will", the way she said my name, made me shiver, how is she affecting me? I thought. Then she cleared her throat and said, " Well, you don't have to be afraid of me, I will never gonna ask you why did you take that deadly step, but you have to bear with me, because I came here for travel, after two days, I will take you with me for camping near the hill station. I know, I should discuss think with you before taking decisions of yours. I think you need fresh air, so you better come along with me. In these two days, I will show you around, you will enjoy it". she ended the conversation.

I was staring at her open-mouthed. I had nothing to say but to agree with her, she was right, I was defiantly needed fresh air to clear my mind and was really thankful that she didn't insist me to say anything about me. I replied," I am going with you". She beamed and said, " Good then, I told Jemery to buy you two pairs of shoes and some clothes, which I already kept in your room and Do you want to go nearby ?" she asked.

I said, " Umm, I would like to go outside". She nodded and told me, "Well then, you get to change and we will go out within fifteen minutes. I went to my room and changed with a new pair of black jeans and a white shirt with my foot sized boots. Then came out and waited for her in the living room. She came out to her room and she wore grey shorts and a blue t-shirt with black sneakers. Well, I quickly averted my eyes from her long toned legs, she looked athletic, judging by her demeanor. She was nearly 5'7 where I  was 6'4. She did a ponytail with her long raven hair. She carried a small backpack, camera, and two pairs of caps and sunglasses. She gave me one of both and we both put them on and we started our little journey.

I observed we were living in a cottage, there was also another five cottages, they were three and three on the opposite side. She then told me that the owner made these in that way that the travelers could stay with their family comfortably and they could also buy their belongings from nearby shops to cook their foods if they wanted, that's why there have a kitchen with modern electronics to cooking foods. There was a manager room at the beginning and at the end have a little cafe where Jena was a maid there.

Jemery comes along with us to show us their own farm where different kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers are scattered in a row and places were neatly cleaned. He told me about their village, about the owner, etc. I was never been in this kind of place ever. But life gave me a chance I was enjoying every second of my life because of Rika. I was thankful to her. I was looking for her, She was half-mile away from us, taking pictures of the views. She was looking beyond gorgeous, like a goddess. I again turned to listen to Jemery, I offered my hand to help by watering of cutting bushes. He told me I could watering them and planting seeds with him. I was enjoying to do that. Then she came and joined to plant seeds with us. 

After that, we took our leave and she took me to the market, she asked me whatever I needed. I told her hesitantly, " I don't know what I need now. And I have no money with me". Though I could access my accounts, I had nothing with me then. She told me instantly, " You don't have to think about your expenses, I am glad you are going to accompany me camping, I don't need more, I really needed someone with me, so just feel free to ask me anything or tell me whatever you needed. Don't ever feel guilty about it". I couldn't believe it. Firstly She doesn't know me, secondly spending her money on me without thinking about expenses, and at least she acted like a sensible friend which I never had. I smiled a little with a nod. Then we bought much-needed thighs for our camping, snacks, dry fruit, cookies, noodles cups, some medicines, bandages, etc, and some clothes and things for me. Then she took me some-where with our heavy paper bags.

She took me deep inside the lush green forest, near the cliff, due to sun rays waterfall view was magnificent. It was near sunset. She instructed me to put all bags on the ground and told me to sit and observe the sunset. It was a sight I would never forget, she was capturing views in her camera, while I was absorbing the whole view including the mysterious woman silently. After some time she turned back to me while I already was looking at her, she stared at me for some time without blinking. None of us said anything. She finally asked, "Do you remember something familiar observing the waterfall and cliff?"

I turned back to watch over the cliff and waterfall, then subconscious was stricken me, yes! it was the same place from where I jumped while praying to God. I turned to look at her, she was silently observing me. 

Was that mean God wanted me to live? Was I destined to meet her? I was lost in my thoughts. Then she sighed and looked back to see the sunset. Then she said with humor, " I ran away from my home and ended up here, I came here nearly six days ago. I was looking for me, I wanted peace and I got here peace. I used to lay here until the night observes the bright sky with sparkling stars and hearing the melody of the forest in this deserted area. I have certainly felt relief and it was my best decision to run away from the materialistic life. Sometimes we should need a break, break from our exhausting schedule". she smiled and offered me a can of soda and muffin. I was listening to her quietly.

She took a sip and began, " I know I did wrong, but my parents were often there when I needed them the most. Though I kept a note for them and reassured them that I would be back. I planned to stay here for some more days. Villagers were really open-hearted, simple-minded, and way better than we citizens. I interacted with elders here, they offered me their homemade foods, they told me about this village and development. Kids are so enthusiastic here, they continuously nagging me to tell them about modern technology, science, etc, which I am actually good at, Physics was my major and technology is my lifeline, and my current occupation is based on it." She stopped then frowned, gulped the orange juice.

Then continued," two days ago in the afternoon I was here playing with water, then I heard cracking sound of a branch, I observed a blond man with dull blue eyes fell from the cliff to water with a loud thud. I drove that direction instantly and rescued him. He looked like a Fallen Angel to me. I tried to empty your lung and to bring you consciousness I was shaking you vigorously, You finally opened your eyes, which showed different emotions, like sadness, exhaustion, and hope.". Then she looked directly into my eyes and said, " You was hoping for something before taking that deadly action to you, After taking that step still you were looking for something, Hope was still there. You got a second chance, don't waste it. Just believe that it is not your time to leave the earth. Courage and patience are essential to everyone's life", then she smiled.

I certainly believe her words. It was not my time to leave, I have a purpose to fulfill, I thought.

I am not miserable, I needed some fresh air to clear my mind, I realized.

I have faith in God and hope to find some miracle, I got that in a deadly way, I considered.

God sent someone for me, I will admire her always, I promised myself.

I will adore my second life and always be thankful to God and my savior, my goddess Rika, I vowed.

My train of thought broke by her when she waves her hand in front of me. She said humorously, " Earth to Will!!". She chuckled at me, then shake her head. She said," Nobody is perfect, you know that. Don't get their words to you. Only you know yourself better. So, whenever you ready, you feel free to speak.". 

She told, " It is already 8 pm, Let's get going then. We need to prepare food. I think you are feeling better now". I smiled genuinely and replied, "I am better now".

Then we collect our belongings and headed toward the cottage. We Chicken Manchurian, Garlic bread, pasta sauce with our soda. This time she took my help in cutting veggies and I learned from her to make these dishes most easily. I feel contented like we were having family dinner, where we were just strangers and nothing else. Still, at that time I felt like I got a soulmate, well I was not going to say that to her. After doing dishes, she leads me to my room and gave me medicines. 

She told me, "You better wake early, at 5:30, am, I will show you something. I have plans for us though, we will talk about this tomorrow. Now can you consider me as your temporary friend? I really deserve the title, don't you think so?" she asked me playfully and warm brown eyes were more sparking than diamond.

I forwarded her my right hand and told," You deserve more than this. So we are friends, not temporary, but like to say as permanent".

she smiled and shook my hand says, " Friends.".

She turned back and said, "Sweet dreams Will".

I uttered," you too Rika".

I then freshen up and drifted into a deep slumber with a satisfied smile putting on my face.