Kismet’s Tale

     Mavin found the experience of losing out on his love of his life rather painful. Though by the time he had enough of the stench of the hospital and the food.

He had already made his way to a hotel where he stayed for two days before taking the train back home.

He walked back home and no one questioned anything. He made his way to his bedroom and found Natalya sitting on the floor and carpet alongside Elea who were trying to figure out something in the book.

“I’m home.”

Natalya gave him a glance. There was a pit of darkness in her eyes. “You just disappeared on me. I was planning to follow you, but little Elea had managed to persuade me that I should let you be.”

Mavin looked at Elea. “Thank you, Elea.”

“It’s okay, Big Brother.  This lady had calmed Big Sis and had decided to distract her.”

“Naughty girl,” Natalya pushed Elea with her index finger.

“S-sis…”

“I left a nail mark on your forehead. It might not go away next time.”

Little Elea turned to Mavin for salvation. He picked up the little girl and made her sit on his lap while Natalya closed her book. “You’ve been away for a long time. Thought you’d run away with the Princess. I might have hunted you down for your affair.”

Mavin’s brow twitched. “You should go for now, Elea.”

“Hmm, I understand. This lady shall go for now, Big Sis!” she called. “I shall leave my studies for later.”

She waddled out of the room. She carried her books with her little arms. Mavin then closed the door and was about to turn when Natalya slammed both hands on the door. Mavin could smell her breathe from this distance.

“You’re going to tell me?”

“I was going to,” Mavin grabbed her by the side and carried her so easily. Natalya looked at his arms. “You’ve gotten stronger?”

“Somewhat, I was taking care of the last boon.”

“I assume that you aren’t going to tell me anything about it?”

“Yes. But I will tell you that I met up with the Princess.”

Her eyes grew dull. Natalya’s fingers wrapped around his shoulder, and the side of his neck. “What did you two discussed about?”

“She’s going to stop coming to Sahus for her medication. She doesn’t have time left in this world.”

“Hah, did she beg to be accompanied?” her voice held mockery. “Did you agree?”

“No, she has pride to refuse that. She doesn’t have the spark to keep herself going, and she is probably eager to die on her terms.”

“You sound like you want to follow her so badly.”

“I do.”

Natalya slapped him. “Ah, forgive me, I couldn’t help myself. Not that it would hurt you.”

“It could have hurt me.”

“It didn’t,” Natalya slammed her forehead on his chest. “You...that’s the last time you’ll ever talk to her.”

Mavin’s eyes flickered. Although he knew that was probably the last time indeed. He still wanted to believe that it wasn’t going to be. But considering the days that will come, even if she does keep her medication.

Mavin wouldn’t be able to see her again. Mavin’s silence made Natalya look him up. She seemed like she wanted to know what he was thinking. “You...did you play around with her?”

“No. I was out cold for three weeks. How could I play around her?”

“Is this about your ‘boon’ again?”

“Yes.”

Natalya looked troubled at that reply. She behaved as if she understood that there was something that was keeping Mavin from speaking. The shadow on her face deepened and with her single eye looking at him. Mavin couldn’t help but sighed. He placed Natalya down and sat on the side of the bed.

“I refused her. I wouldn’t be able to see her again.”

“Is that so?”

“I am not asking you to believe in me. I am only telling you that we somehow made it up and parted on good terms.”

Natalya didn’t reply. She gave a good impression that there was a huge part of her that was anxious. Then again, it was already odd that she didn’t search for him within two weeks.

“Anyway, you seemed to be enjoying yourself in tutoring Elea,” Mavin forcibly changed the subject.

Natalya caught on and nodded. “Elea is an intelligent girl with a rather sincere thirst for learning. I had thought the little lady was bragging, trying to make herself into an adult, but she truly is a prodigy.”

“Of course she is,” Mavin behaved as if it was natural for Elea to be one. “She’s the daughter of Derrick and Elma. It would have been far more surprising if the two had given birth to a dumber kid.”

Little Elea was a surprise to him. In the memories there were no Elea that existed and because of the constant war that they didn’t have the time to produce a heir for Lazon.

Among the many changes, she was one of them. She would one day rule the whole of Lazon, Mavin thought. He wondered if he could see her grow up and become a woman worthy of the honor of her father and mother.

“Though the little girl is prone to loneliness,”  Natalya commented. “She seeks attention and warmth. Her parents give her enough, but she is intelligent enough to understand the burden of rule that she will one day carry on her shoulders.”

Natalya suddenly laughed. “I pity her future spouse however. This spouse of his would have to be someone who could match up to her standards. And knowing that she’s growing up with many competent people.”

“She’ll be fine as long as people guide her.  I’ve no doubt that she could pull it off but it would be best if we do not raise our expectations on her. Expectations can be heavy and the ‘expectations’ she already has in her head are probably enough to weigh her down.”

“Yes, there’s no use of speaking about what future she will have,” Natalya agreed. “As her teacher I cannot wait for what she will accomplish.”

Mavin saw the expectations on Natalya’s face. It was an expression that Elea should not see, since Mavin could feel it in his guts that the little lady would take it as something she would have to uphold.

 

***

 

Mavin then spent the rest of the day accompanying Natalya. Although she was someone who showed her affection without hiding. She knew how to control herself in front of the people.

Mavin had taken her around the great manor and walked around the grassland where most of the uncles and aunties that had been serving the land resided. Mavin’s presence drew the attention of the servants of the land. By the time they arrived in a scenic spot within the grounds of the great manor. Mavin was carrying a wicker basket filled with fruits and a newly bottled wine and slices of bread.

There was a tiny stream that was located on the back of the great manor. The stream was around this forest area where there was a camping clearing. Along with Natalya, Mavin placed the sheet of fabric on the ground and sat cross-legged. He took out the food they got from the residents of the great manor and ate while admiring the stream that bounced light.

Mavin didn’t speak while they spent their time in silence.

Both of them were individuals who were able to wait for days in a single spot without moving, their eyes on the scope. To say that they were patient would be an understatement. That’s why even though Mavin had been gone for three weeks. She was able to hold on enough and keep her rationality. Mavin believed that it took about four weeks, then she would have surely left the estate and started her search for him.

Mavin even felt thankful to Elea that she was there to somewhat tame her behavior. After all, although it was only a vision, she was someone who had confessed to Mavin of cutting his limbs and keeping him like an unmoving househusband to keep herself sated.

Who knows what she would have done?

Mavin didn’t want to find out.

A leaf fell on Mavin’s nose. He took the leaf from his nose and flicked it to the direction of the small stream.

Natalya ate the wheat bread in her hand. She also partook on the wine that they were given and took a little sip. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes were reflecting the small river that still reflected the skies above.  She kept her gaze on the stream and then suddenly moved next to Mavin where she placed her head on his shoulder.

Mavin didn’t move. He took a bite of the red apple they had been given and chewed quietly. She kept rubbing her head on his arm while taking sip after sip. She placed her bottle down, and then forcibly covered the mouth of the wine bottle with a cork.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

She clung to his arm. Her fingers crawled up his biceps. Mavin took another bite of his apple and then finished the apple. After eating the apple, he placed a hand on his lap.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“I already gave my piece. We should have stayed in bed. It might get itchy here.”

Mavin stared at her inviting eyes. Mavin lifted a hand and palmed her face gently, covering it. She looked at him with a stunned stare, then she chuckled lightly. “Fine, although I’m the one who takes initiative all the time.”

She purred on him.  Mavin kept on kneading her face while she chuckled. After a while, she wrapped her arms around Mavin and kept her head pressed. “Don’t you dare speak of the Princess ever again.”

“You sure are threatened by her.”

“Cuz she’s the person you always go to!” she protested. “She was always and always the person you would lay down your weapons! Do you know how many times I had to take advantage of her to make sure that you would not hunt me down? I hate it when you abandon yourself for the sake of that woman. I hate it when you even give that woman your life...it bothers me...so...don’t ever speak to her now.”

Mavin sighed. “I already told you that we had already parted. She’s someone you don’t have to worry about any longer.”

“Do you hate her?”

“No,” Mavin replied without hesitation.

Natalya regarded him with such intensity in her eyes. Mavin hooked his arm around her shoulder and made her seat closer. “You’re right. If this was any path then I would have surely chosen to spend her last days alongside her.  I funded a whole department and a hospital for her. Does that explain the length of how far I would go for her?”

Natalya looked wrong. She hated the words that Mavin spoke. It irritated her to the point of wanting to get away, find that woman, and ripped her into pieces. That blatant show of bloodlust made Mavin knead her face again. Natalya protested, and then found Mavin smiling at her.

“But those paths are not this. Even though the Emperor was involved. Even though I have many reasons to keep you near. You are still my wife. I mean if I wanted to run away with her, and care for her until she passed on. I wouldn’t be here right now trying to placate you for being gone.”

“I hate you…”

Mavin shrugged. She punched his arm and then pinched his side. “I hate you so much...and yet at the same time I love you.”

“Make up your mind.”

“I already did when I had you cut off my arm. That’s why you must never leave me. Promise me that.”

Mavin didn’t reply. His silence displeased Natalya but she was unable to get a promise from Mavin. 

Mavin didn’t have the heart to make a promise. Not when he was running out of time and the bust of energy that he was experiencing was starting to slowly come to a still.

It was just enough.

Just enough when that time comes.