That evening it rained heavily, Cherie stood gazing out the window into the rain drops. She had never questioned the neighbourhood. It was quiet most of the time as the building stood alone in Matilda Street. The nearest neighbouring apartment sets about ten miles far south where there's more people seen, cars and other transportation driving around the small town. But here, she could only see trees, wild bushes and more trees. Random teens would walk by the apartment once in a while going toward a lake which Cherie had heard of but had never been there before. Her troubled mind swayed her thoughts back to the night before. That woman. The creature. Oh, God. What happened? Is this place haunted? Cherie asked within herself.
She is frightened and numb. Fright caught her sanity with the horrific yet surreal incident last night. The numbness she feels is not of skin deep intuition but it is more than that. She had told Neha everything she could have possibly remembered and she told her friend the truth. But Neha was skeptical. However, Neha offered to accompany her for a few days as promised. Neha sensed Cherie had been physically abused, that's the truth but the creature mentioned by Cherie is not acceptable to Neha's perception. There must be a logical explanation and she is there to prove it to Cherie.
As Cherie pondered by the window, thuds at the door surprised her. From the kitchen entrance, Neha popped her head. Her eyebrows lifted as the thuds continued, she looked at Cherie and waited for her friend to make the move. They both froze for no reason.
"Hello."
" This is Haska. I'm here to return the tools." A husky voice spoke from behind the door.
" Coming. Give me a minute." Finally Cherie answered.
Neha watched her friend walked towards the door. The door went ajar and Neha saw a guy, she stood by the kitchen entrance and waited.
" Sorry to keep you waiting." Cherie spoke politely. She tried not to look him in the eyes. She tried to avoid the bruise on her face to be seen as she faced Haska sideway.
"Nah. It's okay. Here's your tool box." Haska smiled.
She took the box from Haska. She refrained her eyes from meeting Haska's eyes but somehow there's a feeling deep in her chest which strongly urged her to look at him. Just one look. One glance. To hell with the bruise! Look at him! A voice deep inside yelled. And she looked at him. They both were silent. Their eyes finally met. Haska was calm as he gaze at Cherie, his heart pounded fast as he stood before her. A feeling he once knew overcame him again. An emotion he has long forgotten where he left it in the depth of his past. What was it? Then it touch him like a gentle breeze from the ocean. Serene and strong. It was the passion for love. To be loved. Again. It was beyond his control and his heart had fell for her.
" Well. Hello, Mister Tough Guy!" Neha greeted aloud as she pulled Cherie away from the door. It wasn't a friendly tone she gave Haska but instead it sounded more undiscerning.
" YOU! You did this to her?" Neha pointed her finger towards Cherie.
" Neha, it is not him." Cherie tried to assure her friend.
" What? What do you mean?" Neha exclaimed in disbelief.
" I saw you, Cherie. The way you were standing infront of him. Something is not right here."
" Neha, it's not like what you think..." Cherie tried again.
" Then what is, Cherie? " Neha snapped.
" I'll tell you later, okay. Now, get inside. Please." She assured Neha whom left her soon after.
"Hey, wait. " Cherie halts Haska when she saw him leaving. He turned.
" Sorry 'bout that." She apologized.
"I understand. She's just..." He paused. " She's just being a good friend."
" She's all I have..." Told Cherie. " She is more than a friend to me."
Haska took a deep breath and exhaled. He knew all about her. He had saw her past the moment he touch her face when she was unconscious. Her destiny had brought sympathy to Haska's heart ,his energy could only bring him that far, he could see the present and the past but not the future. It is a gift from the Creator.
Some of his kind had the same gift as him, some had more intriguing gifts far more special than himself but not all of them use it wisely or with care. Just like humans, they too yearned for power and ambitioned for thousands of years to conquer earth but the creator had destined otherwise.
" I'll see you around soon." Haska spoke, he smiled and began to walk away.
Cherie closed the door and leaned her back against it. An impish smile curved her lips. An image played in her mind, she saw herself in his arms as he gaze into her eyes like a prince helding his princess with absolute love and eternal flame of passion devouring their atmosphere.
" OH MY GOD!" Neha exclaimed. "Did you just blushed?"
" He's kinda cute, don't you think?" Cherie inquired.
" Yeah. So, he's got nothing to do with this?" Neha wasn't interested in Haska instead she needed answers to the bruises on Cherie's face.
" No! I told you, Neha. I was attacked by a ghost and it is a She." Cherie claimed.
" For real, Cher. I'm staying here for the time being and I'm gonna prove you that there is no such thing as ghost." Neha tone was stern.
"It's real." Cherie stated.
" Whatever. We'll see." Neha confirmed.
