THAT ILLUSION || ONC 2021

~•{Chapter #14}•~

"You call my anxiety dramatic. Seriously?" Serephina furrowed her brows, pleating the space between them.

"What else should I name it? You are trying to involve me and that grown-up adult is reading my mood like a sweetie sweetie sweetheart after betr-" She gritted her teeth while clutching her fingers akin to the talons of the dragon.

"Betrayal. Right? Mora tries to be pragmatic. She didn't choose what she did. She tried to be-"

"Come again. She didn't choose it. Did you say this?" Her bitterness was very tangible.

"She hid what she shouldn't have. She knew the consequences, didn't she? Yet she kept quiet with her play. She kept us all covered in her shroud of illusions where we thought her as our darling mate only to get spat with the sour truth that we were just her hiding hives." Her retchings made Eir spill her tears with lack of words.

"Please Mora she is weak. We must be her strength."

With fast strides, Mordana covered the little distance between them and jiggled Serephina with her firm shoulder grip.

"Are you coaxed? Did she fall into her trap? I shalln't lose you Sere. Please!"

Her sudden shift of concern made Serephina gawk at her in shock. Eir looked appalled at the charge that was made on her.

"Mora-"

Mordana lifted her arms signalling her to keep quiet. But her trembling heart couldn't give up the efforts.

"Mora please! I-"

"Don't try to trap me with your words."

"What do you think of me, Mordana? I hid it and that's a pang of unforgivable guilt. But I can't harm you both for any cause. You don't have to speak to me but can you please not bother me with your words?"

"Why should I not? Why the hell should I comfort you? Are you my master? Parent? Friend? In the least do I even know the real you?" Her choking questions heavied Eir's heart. When she fell short of words, she hid her face between her knees crumpling her skirt.

"Mordana, please."

"Sere, stop this foolishness. She is not the Ei- she is not the one we know. Stop anchoring her when she is mature enough to get things done alone and aware of the shortfall involved." Serephina hushed her rambles with her fingers.

After five exhales, Serephina hugged Mordana to calm her down. She held her gentle enough not to let her breaths harm her skin. Mordana felt a relief heal her cracked voids.

"Hushhhh. Relax Mora. Everything will get straightened. We will clean up the mess together. Alright?"

"No, Sere. Let's return. This isn't in our reach."

"Mora, let's discuss this later when we all are ready." In a sudden move, she broke the embrace with a sour surprise stilling the moment.

"What?" Serephina shrugged in innocence.

"All? Are you out of your mind? Do you think I will care for her even after all this? You don't have the time of seven heavens. Sere, give not your care to the ones who don't deserve it. At least not to this tricky traitor."

"Argh! Stop this insanity. I had enough. Everyone has their personal space. You haven't been through their havocs. Don't be an emotional maniac."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Just be silent. Is that too much to ask for?" Serephina hit her palms on her forehead while her eyes were shut in utter dismay.

The war of words sought a scalding halt as Serephina walked past the woman to open her tulip green oil to lighten the crusading trails. With some whiffs of silence, she came to sit between the broken friends. She held their palms and inhaled the exquisitely tender scent.