The Lake

He stood there with open arms and a confident grin. What else could I do, but merge my soul with his and attain nirvana?

- Diary Of Ophelia

' I don't know why that forest seems so dear to me. My soul is urging me to go there, like I'll recover something that was lost to me. But what? I've never been there, in the first place. And that dream!!!

It's always the same. The same young man. The same environment. The same look of helplessness in his wood-coloured eyes. And when he closed his eyes with a reassuring smile and breathed his last, why did I feel like my whole world had come crashing down!? Why?? Why?? Why??

Maybe I shouldn't have painted his potrait. That made it all the more realistic. Grrr! But something in me urged to pour out his features on to the canvas. Those smoky brown eyes, sun-tanned skin, midnight black hair and that endearing beard that covered half the face. But his smile stood out in the midst of all that facial hair, with a pair of dimples making the sight mesmerizing.

Amidst the recurring scene of his death, a few others were like flashes. His happy smile, his confession by the banks of the pickerel plant lake and his vow to never leave. But the object of his affection never showed up in those dreams. I wonder why.

All these speculations swirls around in my head. And I have a feeling that our destination will provide me with a few answers. And then what??'

"Sis, look at them. Aren't they beautiful?" Thea's words heavily laced with awe broke into Sia's thoughts.

Celosia let herself be dragged near to the rainbow of flowers swaying in the refreshing breeze of the dawn.

"We'll go look around for the perfect spot to enjoy the picnic. " Alec said while setting off with Barak.

"Careful, don't go too deep." Epione called out with concern.

"We won't."

"Can we take a few with us? Oh, they are so nice! Can we, sis?" Thea was charmed by the sea of flowers all foreign and new to them.

" Of course we can, sweetheart. " Epione replied fondly.

Thea's eyes were akin to glowing stars by then.

" Take care not to let the maids see them, lest they inform Father. " Leo warned with a strict voice.

" Yes brother. " For once Epione was serious while answering her elder brother.

" Earth to Celosia. " Leo waved his hand infront of Celosia's face.

" Oh, I'm sorry. I spaced out. " She said with an uneasy laugh.

" Are you okay, Sia? "

" Yes,yes. Of course I'm. "

" Leo, we've found a clearing not too far away. It's just perfect for a picnic. " Alec and Barak had returned.

'Saved by them. I can't let anyone know my worries. I can't trouble them with this. This is a puzzle that I'll have to solve myself.'

" Well, then. Let's go! "

The siblings walked with a relaxed pace talking and laughing on the way to the clearing that was fated to be their picnic destination.

"Wowww..."

"It's such a picturesque scenery....."

"Good one. Easier to spot the wild animals if they are about to attack."

"Leo....." They chorused.

" Relax brother. We're safe here. "

" You are my responsibility. Don't try any tricks. " Leo was in the crown prince mode with an icy face. No one had the courage to cross him while he was in that mode. All nodded together.

" Let's sit down and have the food. It's nearly our breakfast time. " Epione said with the enthusiasm of the peacemaker.

" Let's enjoy this serenity while it lasts. We can't stay here for long. There's the birthday banquet to attend. "

" It tastes so good. Sia, you are truly a wonder. Alec, try the cream filled pastry. It's mind blowing. "

" Barak!! Don't gobble it all up yourself. " Celosia rolled her eyes.

" You resemble a monkey with your mouth stuffed full with food," smirked Epione.

"Epione!!!"

All others were rolling with laughter.

------------------------------

"Ah, that was a wonderful meal. Guess we'll have to go back soon." Alec sighed.

They were all on their backs facing the canopies of the trees around them; letting the cool breeze caress their faces.

" Yes. We should. Let's get going. We can't afford to be late for the banquet. " Leo urged them to get ready for the return journey.

" Thea? " Epione looked around for her little sister.

" Epione, what's it? Thea....where is Thea!? " Celosia's voice was filled with anxiety.

" She was here with us just now, Sia. "

" Relax. She must have had an urge to play hide and seek. Thea, we don't have time for a game sweetie. Come out now. Let's go back to palace. Your birthday pastries are waiting for you. " Barak called out.

The only sound that could be heard was of the wind swishing past them.

" Come on, let's look for her. " Leo was concerned.

" Thea, where are you? "

" Sunshine, can you hear us? "

" Let's move a little further in. "

" Yes, let's do that. "

They moved further into the forest calling out her name.

After a while, a reply was heard.

" I'm in here. "

They rushed into the direction where the sound had come from.

And there she was.

" Oh, Thea. " Relief was evident in Epione's voice. She rushed to hug their little sister close.

Everyone except Celosia rushed towards Thea and alternatively scolded and asked about her welfare.

Celosia was rooted to her spot.

'This is that pickerel plant lake!'

Yes, indeed. Thea had wandered deep into the forest and was captivated by the sight of all those blooms. But for Celosia it was as if lightning had struck her.

'The very one. Where he breathed his last. So does that mean all the incidents in my dreams are not the figment of my imagination, but true events!? Who is he? What is this place? What does those dreams signify?'

The lake was a fairly big one. Filled to the brim with crystal clear water and had numerous pickerel plants on the surface.

"Sia, Sia....." Barak shook her holding onto her shoulders.

" Huh, what's it..? " She asked as if in a daze.

" See Thea, you've worried her so much that she went into shock. "

" I'm sorry sister. " Thea's eyes were filling up with tears.

Celosia knelt down hurriedly and hugged her tight.

" It's okay dearest. Please don't give us a scare like that ever again. Alright? "

" Mm.. " Her face had all become red and was choking on her tears.

" Oh sweetheart, stop crying. " Celosia picked her up and hugged her close.

" Let's get back to the palace. " Leo said in a firm voice.

They walked out of the forest with the now-consoled Thea and a bunch of warm memories.

'I have to come back here soon. Alone. As soon as possible.'

Copyright 2020 by Mila Alaia

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Enjoy:)

Lots of ❤️

Mila Alaia