Oh my, my what ever will happen next…..
"I have a plan," I say to Felicity who is on the edge of her seat. I pause there, partly because I do not want my foolish dreams to be laughed at by Felicity, and party because I love the look on Felicity's face as she tries to wait patiently.
"Well, what the bloody hell is it," Felicity demands, no longer able to keep her frustration in. I try unsuccessfully to keep a smile off my face at Felicity's lack of manners.
"Well, I could not very well tell you before Ann. That would hardly be fair now." I can not keep my laugh held any longer, and start into a hysterical giggle. Felicity looks as though someone has told her that the sky is purple and not blue.
"You can not be serious, Gemma. That would be positively demonic to lead me on like that and then keep it to yourself. I refuse to let you leave this house until you tell me what your plan is!"
"Well then call me the devil herself, because I think it would be very rude to tell you before I have even spoken to Ann. She is apart of my plan too, you know."
"Then what am I supposed to do now?" Felicity whines in a childlike fashion.
"Were going to see Ann," I say as I head up the stairs to my bedroom as Felicity follows behind with her attempts to get me to tell her what I have planned. I shake her off and close the door to my room in a rude slam, and settle in the down bed that feels as if I am floating on a cloud.
That night I dream again, and I dream of him. Back in America my dreams were always whispers of our past memories, just enough to keep me alive and just enough to keep me longing for him again. Now here in England, the dreams are much stronger, and this scene has never happened before. I am in the Winterlands and before me stands the tree, stands the last remnants of Kartik. My dream self goes to the tree and I press my hand against the warm bark to feel the heart still beating there.
Then all of a sudden there is a blinding white light, so bright that I fear I shall never see again, but when it dims I see him standing there, in his human form. He is just as beautiful as I remember. Those chocolate eyes with lashes that go on forever, and his deep brown skin as strong and soft as the Earth. I take a step toward him, reaching out to feel his skin one more time, but as I look closer I see something change in him. His chocolate eyes turn to coal, and he smiles with teeth full of menacing fangs. He is not the same yet there is something familiar about his look, I have seen it before. Seen it in Pippa. Tears run down my face as I realize the tear has corrupted into something evil and power hungry. I was naïve to think that he could have remained this long in a place so evil, and remain unchanged. Still though, he is my Kartik. The love of my life, surely that could have not changed. As I speak his name, Kartik looks up at me and snarls.
"So at last you come, Gemma. Hmmm, you have so much power, power that I want," Kartik grows as he lunges at me. I turn to run but I am no match for him. Soon he grabs me and bears his teeth to kill me, and then suddenly I am awake. I am in my bed, but breathing heavily as if I have really just run for my life.
Was that really real? Could Kartik have become a monster who wants to see me dead? I knew there was only one way to find out. I needed to see Ann and tell them a few more of my secrets.
I finally fall back asleep, and mercifully I do not dream again. When I awake there is sunlight streaming heavily through my window, and I quickly rise and dress then go to the adjoining room where my children sleep. After I wake and dress, I go downstairs where I find Felicity and Charlotte dressed, even in their hats, ready to go.
"So, are you ready?" Felicity questions as soon as I reach the bottom step.
"Oh, Felicity how rude. I haven't even had my breakfast yet. Really, what would the neighbors think," I admonish playfully. Felicity is about to argue, when Charlotte breaks in, all too happy to provide what ever we would want. After a quick meal of croissants and angry glares for Felicity, I gather the children's coats.
"Auntie Felicity, where is your husband," Kiran asks bluntly. I gasp and glance at Felicity. How was she to explain that Charlotte is her husband in a sense anyway?
"He died," Felicity lies coolly, "so I have Charlotte live with me so I never get lonely." Felicity smiles at Kiran who nudges Kali. I see they have been scheming last night in their room, and I wonder who dared who to ask.
"Well, now, Kiran, Kali. That is no way to speak to your host; you will make me look as though I have raised you with wolves." Kiran and Kali giggle and my chastisements are lost on them both. Oh pray tell, why did God grace me with the hell that is twins. "Oh, we better get going if you two want to see Aunt Ann. She goes on at two."
Felicity sighs, and quietly mutters something like "Finally" under hear breath. I smile and walk Kiran and Kali out the door. What a group we must make, a redhead holding hands with two children with chocolate skin trailed by two women who are holding each other like the lovers they are.
Ann's up next, but more importantly what bout that dream of Gemma's. Will it come true? Review to find out.