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- Herausgeber: Atul Arjun Mohite
- Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
- Sprache: Englisch
Has the prophecy led Jean to many misconceptions over time, triggering his illness and false hope? Or there really was some greater truth behind what the nature had arranged for him? Who will help him beside his mere delusion? Read this one to find out more.
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Seitenzahl: 72
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021
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Atul Arjun Mohite
Jean Angel
Table of contents
Robert
Nath
The Mystic River
Shyam
Mr. Richards
Jean
Angel
Renee
Devanshi
Jean Standing Against The King
Tara
Nath
The Cure
Kala Nagari
Robert
It was dawn. King Robert was standing by the river connecting his kingdom, Zesia and its neighboring city, Kala Nagari. He watched the river and its stillness. He wondered if his mind could ever attain the similar state. He felt the place was beautiful and magical. It was for those who had crossed the path in the past. Unlike the king, they were not there for an escape or seeking for peace. They had purpose and a strong will whenever they changed places. It was a common misconception that ‘fortune favored the well prepared’. Well, not in case of the river connecting the two cities. Its magic would only work for those having the greater purpose. It was for the river to choose whom to offer the right path and whom to deny. It was for that reason many people in Kala Nagari prayed to the river to bring them good fortune, while people of Zesia often denounced them and called them superstitious. The river has endured long before the two kingdoms were formed, so it perceives everything believed many people from Kala Nagari.
Robert knew all the myths about the river. He was the king, of course, and there was a time when he took an interest in such folk tales. But lately, he had been away from everything. Even as the king. It was only about time for him to announce his retirement. Now, although he knew about the stories of river helping those in troubled times, and regardless of how much he actually believed in it all, he wasn’t there to seek help. He was there because he desired an escape. Perhaps from himself. He exhaled and started walking towards the river. The sun was rising slowly. It was a beautiful view. But it did not uplift Robert’s mood even for a bit. Which is why he paced a little towards the river? He was now walking with his knees under the water. Few more steps and he would have lost his touch with ground. The water was icy, but he did not resist. Was he not sensing the temperature to his body? Was it too cold already?
“Father!” shouted Roger from a distance and came sprinting towards him. The water sloshed all over the place as he went running towards his father deep inside the river. Robert swallowed deep and turned around. It was his son with a frightened look.
“What… What are you doing?” asked Roger, huffing and puffing. “Bloody hell, it’s cold. Let’s get back first.” Said Roger, shivering. He took Robert by his shoulder and they both came out of the river. Roger was still shivering while Robert just stared at him.
“Would you care to explain what was happening over there?”
“I was learning to swim.” Said Robert and stretched his arms with a pretentious smile.
“Father, why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?” said Robert as he put his hands down with a dissolving smile.
“First, you are not doing your duty. You escape and go to places you can’t talk to me about. You avoid conversations with me and today you did this.” Said Roger with his right hand on his waist demanding an explanation. Robert said nothing but just looked down.
“I felt nothing, anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I don’t feel happy or sad or cold anything. I am just a body standing in front of you. There is no soul left inside me anymore.”
“See, I know it’s been difficult for you lately. Especially after mother has left. But I have lost her too. Remember? Do I look saddened by it, even for a bit? She made her choice. There’s nothing we could do about it. And who knows, she could miss you as well.”
“That’s very unlikely.”
“Don’t say that. You are thinking negatively just because you are going through a tough phase. Just give some time and everything will be alright.”
“Well, you don’t mind her going away from us because there is someone in your life you treasure more at the moment.
“That’s not true.” Said Roger and twitched his eyebrows for a moment. Robert said nothing but just stared at him and waited for the right reply “Well, maybe. Perhaps you should do the same.” He put his hand over Robert’s shoulder.
“I would rather suffer alone.” Said Robert and removed his son’s hand from his shoulder. He walked a few steps towards his palace and turned around, “You know, even though I don’t have any feelings left, there’s one thing that I feel repeatedly.
“Which is?” asked Roger and approached Robert.
“That I have lost.” Said Robert with a smile and walked towards the palace with his head down.
Roger and Renee were sitting on a bench in the garden outside Renee’s house. They sat quietly with Roger lost in his own world and Renee just observing him with curiosity.
“Is everything okay?” asked Renee as she clutched Roger’s hand.
“Huh?” said Roger and looked in Renee’s eyes. She did not blink but tried to read his mind. It wasn’t easy. And Renee wasn’t trained for that. Although she would need the skills soon if she wished to rule the kingdom. Reading one’s mind is extremely important for rulers, for they have to take important decisions based on how a person’s mind works. Roger knew a bit of that as a partly through his inheritance and just growing up in a palace.
“It’s my father.”
“What about him?” has he been sneaking out again?” asked Renee.
“Yes. But I found him at the river this morning.”
“What? I mean, was he alone? What was he doing there, anyway?”
“I don’t know. He was deep into the water by the time I found him.”
“What? Does he know how to swim? Sorry, I mean, he is the king. He must.”
“No, he doesn’t. That’s the point. I think he was trying to kill himself.”
“But what for? Listen, you need to talk to him about it. This is really serious. There is a cure for everything. If you don’t mind, we can look for the answer together.”
“What do you mean, look for the answer?”
“Remember, my father’s study?”
“Of course. But how is that related here?”
“Well, I was at my dad’s study a few days back and I think we could find many answers there, including a remedy for your father’s dark moods.”
“What are we waiting for then? Let’s go!” said Roger and got up.
“Not today. My dad’s at home. But he is traveling this weekend so we can have access to everything. We can get answers to all our doubts right from the beginning to the future.” Said Renee.
“Alright then. See you this weekend.”
“Yes. Just remember one thing. Don’t let your father stay alone for long. Monitor him if you see him sneaking out suspiciously. But he shouldn’t know that he is being followed.”
“Okay. I will do that, don’t worry.” Said Roger and Renee smiled.
“What?” asked Roger.
“Nothing.” Said Renee and leaned forward to kiss him. Roger took her by the waist and kissed her gently. They didn’t realize that inside, Mr. Richards was watching them with a cigar pipe in his mouth.
Nath
It was one of the coldest winter mornings in Zesia. Tara and Nath were relaxing at the dining table while Jean was still asleep. Tara watched him adorably. He was sleeping so peacefully after a long time. Maybe he was finally feeling safe, thought Tara.
“You hungry? Shall I cook something for you? It’s getting late.”
“You cannot be serious. You can’t ask a woman to sit in the house while you cook in the kitchen.”
“Really? Why is that?” said Nath and went towards the kitchen.
“I don’t know,” said Tara, “This is how we live in Zesia. There are certain tasks assigned for both the genders and they cannot be interchanged.” Said Tara, following Nath in the kitchen.
“Well in that case, I am glad I left this place a long ago.”
“Can I ask you, a personal question?”
“Sure. Ask me anything.” Smiled Nath and began chopping some vegetables. He was aiming at making a soup to stay warm.”
“Where did you and Shyam meet?”
“Who?” Nath avoided eye contact.
“Look at me Nath.” Said Tara angrily, and Nath stopped chopping the vegetables. He turned his face to Tara, who demanded answers. Nath knew that it would not be easy, so he took a little time before he spoke. “Answer me, Nath. Did you know Shyam before I met him? Was he your friend? And is it some kind of pre-planned meeting or something? You and me?”
“Well, “Shyam stepped forward as he spoke, “I knew Shyam since we the days we both worked for the king.”
“What? You worked for Robert?”
“Many years ago, yes.”
