LOVE IS STRANGE

(A TIGER'S CURSE FANFICTION)

DEDICATED TO ANNALISA

ANIK'S POINT OF VIEW

Everything was so sharp. Defined. So much detail I never knew was there. The brilliant sunlight blinded me for a few seconds before my eyes came into focus. I stared at the tiny particles of dust as they drifted aimlessly, each speck unique…How is this possible, I wondered?

A wretched sobbing noise snapped my attention to a girl, wet tears smeared across her cheeks. Emma. She was holding my hand, squeezing tightly. I tried to reassuringly clasp her hand back, telling her I was alright, but frowned when I realised I couldn't. Confused, I glanced down at my hand, but instead saw a massive black paw. I attempted to yell out in shock, but a deep growl rumbled through my chest. Emma's head snapped up, and her eyes widened a fraction before she screamed, hastily stumbling backwards. No, I tried to tell her. It's me. Emma just screamed again. Louder and more violently, but suddenly broke off when her frightened green eyes snapped to mine.

'Oh my God!' I heard someone say and I suddenly broke eye contact with Emma and I saw my mother coming towards me. She threw her arms around my neck, and cried into my fur. 'Nikky I'm so sorry,' she sobbed. 'It's okay, honey, it's okay. We'll figure this out okay? Don't panic.' But I was panicking. Because Emma was still staring at me in shock.

'Mrs Rajaram?' She whispered, her voice screeching a little.

EMMA'S POINT OF VIEW

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING? My brain screamed at me. But for some absurd reason I remained extremely calm and still. It couldn't possibly be imaginable, however I was drawn to the tiger that was obviously right there in front of me.

'Anik?' I whispered, taking a shaky step closer. His eyes were on me, wild and frightened. Eyes that I had seen thousands of times before. Golden with flecks of sunlight. And suddenly everything was okay. I threw my arms around his neck, marvelling at how soft his fur was. Kelsey stepped back against the wall and immediately started murmuring with her husband, who until this moment had remained silent, just observing what had taken place. I clenched my fist in his fur, holding back the wave of tears threatening to spill.

'It's okay,' I murmured into his ear. 'We'll get through this.' I searched his face for any clue in what he was thinking. 'Whatever's happening to us, it will be okay. I will get you back. I promise.'

Someone cleared their throat and I glanced at Ren, who walked forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. His eyes were sad and I was suddenly struck with confusion about Anik's parent's reaction. They weren't panicked or freaked, just overwhelmed and concerned.

'Emma, thank you for being here, but I think maybe it would be best if you left. We wouldn't want you to get hurt.' I frowned with uncertainty and hurt, and glanced at Anik, biting my lip.

'Nik will be fine,' Ren reassured me.

'No, no I want to stay,' I replied indignantly, my arm around Anik tightening slightly.

'Yes, I understand, but I think this is more a family matter, don't you?' he asks, not unkindly. I turned to Kelsey for support, but she just shook her head.

'Okay,' I whispered, trying to hide how hurt I was. I got up stiffly and gave one final glance at the black tiger before walking away.

'Crap crap crap crap stupid stupid stupid crap crap crap!' I yelled in frustration at my budgie that squawked indignantly and ruffled its feathers. 'I can't believe I left him there. How dare they tell me to leave! Stupid stupid stupid!' Irritated, I kicked my bed but then howled when the impact sent a jolt of pain up my shins. 'Stupid stupid crap crap crap STUPID!'

I scowled and threw myself on the bed.

'Damn it.' I picked up my textbooks I had carelessly tossed to the side during my tirade and stacked them neatly back on my desk. I held my head in my hands and took a couple deep breaths. A tiger. Anik was a freaking tiger.

'Alright that's it.' I muttered and stomped out of my room, tugging on my jacket and slamming the door behind me.

I knocked on the door to Anik's house impatiently.

'Look Mr Rajaram,' I yelled. 'I understand this may be a family occasion and you want to sort things out but I have known Anik since I was three years old so I think I deserve to know what's going on so I'm going to come in even if you don't answer the damn-'

The door flew open cutting me off and I stepped back in surprise. Anik stood before me, smirking looking the same as ever if not a little pale.

'For god's sake stop yelling. You're giving everyone a headache-'

'Oh, thank god,' I exclaimed and threw my arms around his neck, before pulling back and giving a glance up and down. 'What happened? I don't understand. But I don't care. As long as you're okay.'

'Emma,' Anik murmured, pulling away. 'We don't have much time. Come inside and I'll explain. Promise me you'll listen to what I have to say.'

'Of course I promise,' I replied, but Anik just nodded and pursed his lips before leading me inside.

'So you only have twenty-four minutes each day?' I blurted out once Ren had completed telling the story. Anik nodded sadly and squeezed my hand.

'But,' I added, pointing an accusatory finger at Ren. 'You said you could only change back into a human once Kelsey freed you. Anik can become human merely a day after turning for the first time, and I haven't done anything.' Ren inclined his head thoughtfully, frowning with uncertainty.

'I have already thought of that,' Kelsey said, and all eyes turned to her. 'The reason Ren reclaimed the ability to be a man was because I was the favoured one of Durga. I think,' she turned to me, 'that Anik already knew the chosen girl to help break the curse before he turned to a tiger for the first time. Emma, that girl must be you.'

I stared at Kelsey, not comprehending what she had said.

'Me?' I asked stupidly, and glanced at Anik, who frowned.

'No,' He said firmly. 'No way is Emma going into any sort of danger on these quests.' I glared at him, and he returned my gaze, as if daring me to object. Which I did.

'Excuse me, I think that I can make my own decisions!' I retorted.

'Emma, you heard what they said!' Anik snapped, gesturing to his parents. 'This is incredibly dangerous!'

'Yes, I heard everything they said. I am the one and only person that can help you.'

Anik stared at me incredulously. 'You could die,' he said softly.

'I am willing to take the risk.'

'You're impossible.'

'You're being ridiculous!'

'No, You're being ridiculous! This whole situation is ridiculous!'

'You don't make decisions for me!'

'I can when you're risking your life.'

'No. It's my life. I can do what I want with it.'

'Emma! Your life isn't something to just throw away!'

'Neither is yours! Either I do this and risk my life in order to save yours, or I don't and-'

'SHUT-UP! BOTH OF YOU!' Anik and I jump and stare at Ren who was scowling at both of us. 'Anik, Emma is not something you control and you definitely don't make decisions for her. Emma,' He said and turned to me, his voice softening slightly. 'This isn't something to rush into. You should think carefully about what you're signing yourself up for.'

'I have thought about this,' I replied firmly, my eyes never leaving Anik's. 'I want to help.'

A.N. HOPE YOU ENJOYED. ALL RIGHT TO COLLEN HOUCK

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