LAST TRAIL.....the road still continues...

“Oh my god! This is just amazing!”, my cousin was popping her eyes out on my dress. “Yes, this is beautiful, all I wanted.” I fixed my eyes in the mirror to get a better look of my body taking shape in that wedding gown. It was a perfect blend of classic and ethnic look. Although I stood on a high stool, the strapless dress with huge frills covered a vast part of the ground. It had a dark purple ribbon that went smoothly all round my waist, making the gown look all the more bouncy, bigger and more white. I looked like a princess ready to become a queen. “Did u like it?”the sugar coated shop girl asked me wearing the same broad smile which she was keeping on her face , the time we entered the shop. These kind of girls seriously keep fooling the brides by making them fall for big, fancy and expensive gowns all around the world. They’ll just remind u about the beautiful moment you are about to share with your partner on that one dance wearing that dress, on which people will keep their eyes on and each girl in the hall thinking it was her’s. This just make them empty their wallets like crazy. “Yes I loved it, I think I’ll go with this”. Maybe I came in the category of fools now, but I didn’t care. It was the dress I dreamt of and I was all prepared for its expenses. I saved money for it.”Lovely, let me get you some more drinks and then I’ll get you your check.” She passed a much bigger smile than ever and vanished from the view in no time.

While my cousin carried that dress for me, we walked down the beautiful lanes of Scotland. It had been seven years from now that I last saw him shining and giving the breathtaking smile from the moon. I couldn’t take him out of my life until I decided to leave my hometown and move here. This magnificent place with its lush green lands, high mountains and wonderful weather gave an entirely different environment which helped me a lot in coming out from the memories of my prince of the vast sky.

Here the neat and tidy roads had many small and appealing houses along its length. The quiet atmosphere gave me the peace to think in a changed direction and the welcoming nature of the people living here had bestowed me with many good memories. The memory which was very special to me was the moment when I first met the guy, whom I never thought could take the place which I had already given to someone out of this world. We met two years from now and shared a very extraordinary bond of friendship. He was British and took care of his family business. Although he belonged from a very high class society, he remained very simple and straight to me. He understood me so well that I need not to tell him things which kept me wondering for days , was very protective of me in a good sense, gave me my space and loved me like no one. But sometimes, when we walked down the unspoken road leading into the mysterious forest, covered by the silver light of the moon, then even he couldn’t keep my dreams away.

He proposed me like two months ago, at a place, I never imagined I had to face once again. Never thought I’ll be in the same kind of environment where once I gave my heart to someone who left me in tremendous pain which finally took me so many years to forget. And so that night reminded me of everything. Every single detail of that huge waterfall, the chilly wind and the beauty of the forest, came rushing in my mind. But this time, the only difference was that I nodded my head in an immediate yes as I had no other choice left with that kind of site reminding me none other than my first love.

I was so lost in the solitaire which rested on my finger now that I didn’t hear the voice of my cell phone. “Vanessa! I guess your cell phone is ringing.” My cousin stopped me from going further when she found me not listening to her. “Huh! Oh yes.” I took my phone out of my bag and saw the name of my fiancé blinking in it. “ Hey Austin! How is it going?”I answered finally. “Good. Are you busy?”, he replied. “Well, was out with Susan for some shopping. What happened?”I said while entering into another shop marked in my list. “Mom and dad with some of my relatives are coming tonight for dinner at my place. They’ll be glad to see you.” “Yeah. Off course. I’ll come early to help you out.” I paid the shopkeeper and came out. “That will be great. I love you.” “I love you too. Bye.” Susan and I drove back in my car. I dropped her midway at her place and came back home. I lied down on the couch, turned on the television and didn’t realize that I was in my dreams in no time.

It got dark outside and I didn’t catch the time. I suddenly got up and realized that I was too late for the dinner. It was 9 o’clock and I was not even ready. I saw a message from Austin saying his parents had arrived an hour ago. I dashed into my wardrobe and took out a dress which did not even look that appealing, but I was too late to take a notice of that. I rushed into my car and drove it to his house. I was feeling very miserable for not reaching on time and so I drove with a speed, which my speedometer had never touched. After 15 minutes of horrifying drive I finally landed safely in front of his house. I literally ran towards his door and rang the bell. Few seconds later, I heard someone coming towards the door. I held my breath as I was a little nervous meeting everyone after our official announcement. “ Hello darling! It’s wonderful to see you after a long time.”Austin’s mother opened the door and welcomed me with a warm hug. “It’s a pleasure meeting you Mrs Simpson. I am so sorry for being this late.”

“Oh! Never mind dear. It’s good to see Austin working all by himself after a long time.” Austin’s father said while he got up from his couch to welcome me with a much stronger hug. “Yeah! You are right. This time I won’t be able to save you all from his incredible cooking skills.” I said, catching a breath as soon as I got free from his arms. “Austin! Vanessa is here.” Mrs Simpson called his son. “Mom! Can you take these snacks for everyone?” He arrived with a huge plate of chicken snacks for everyone. “Hey! You look beautiful.” He came towards me and kissed my forehead. “Thank you. I am very sorry. I couldn’t keep a track of time as I fell asleep.” I said while he looked at me with his beautiful smile. “That’s why you are glowing. You need not to be sorry Vanessa, instead I am. I should have known that you’ll be tired from your long day of shopping and should have asked you to take some rest. And now I am happy that you couldn’t come early.” He held my hand and we both smiled, lost in each other.

“Well, will you not allow her to meet the remaining guests in the house?”Mrs. Simpson called us, teasing. Throughout our conversation I literally forgot about the other relatives he mentioned on the phone. “Yes, sure.” He took me to a lady sitting near his dad. “Meet my aunt, Mary.” “It’s a pleasure meeting you sweetheart.”, she said in a very soft and sweet voice. “Pleasure is all mine.”

We then turned towards the last person who was waiting for his turn. “Meet my uncle, Chris.” I looked at his face and was thrown back. I couldn’t move from my position. Same face, same features and the very same wondering eyes. “Hello! Glad to meet you.” He replied in his same soft and mysterious voice. Was I going mad? Why I was finding Chris similar to the old man whom I met on the very same street, which just changed my life. Why was he looking at me in the same manner.“Where are you lost?”Austin called me out. “What? Nothing, your uncle reminded me of someone.” “Oh! That’s really good if I remind you of someone. This way, you won’t forget them, even if you want to.” He smiled at me in a very weird fashion. While I was trying to get his meaning, Austin’s mom called me for helping her in the kitchen. We laid down the table where everyone had dinner and we discussed our wedding plans.

My eyes were fixed on Chris for most of the time. I was trying my best to put the lost memories out of my mind but still with his unexplained face around, was not able to succeed in my efforts. We all finally decided to leave and so walked towards the door with the guests. “It’s time.” I heard Chris saying while he got lost in his words. It just caught my ear and I was startled by his dialogue. He looked very much troubled this time, like something dangerous was about to happen. But then quickly came back from his memory, and passed a smile at everyone like nothing happened. “Let’s go Mary, before it gets too late. It was a great evening.” He shook hands with my in laws and then stared at me for a few more seconds. “You cooked really well Austin. Thank you for inviting.” Mary hugged Austin and then bid us goodbye with Chris.

It was really late, so even I decided to say goodbye to the Simpsons. Austin walked with me towards my car and gave me a goodnight kiss. “Bye. Drive safely.” He opened the door for me. “Ok. I’ll take care of that.” As the sound of the engine disturbed the peaceful surroundings, I took a turn out of the Simpson’s driveway. I reached home in no time because of no late night traffic. I lazily opened my heels and started preparing my bed. Brushed my teeth and turned off the lights.

It was then that I got the worst nightmare ever. A big fight had taken place with the flashing of the lights and killings going. And then I saw his blood stained face, with a very fierce look. He got hold of a guard, who was trying to throw some magic on him and blazed him in fire. I got up with a panic and found myself sweating. The prince was freaking me out this time. A very violent storm had taken place outside my window, which came from nowhere. Suddenly In the dim yellow night lamp, I saw a shadow standing in front of my bed. I was so scared that I couldn’t gather that much of courage to take a look at it. “Who’s there?” I finally managed to speak. “It’s me. Don’t be scared.” the shadow replied in a very soft voice. I slowly turned my head up and saw his face which was as fresh in my mind as it was seven years ago. I was all blown away and cried in silence.”No! You can’t be here. Go away!” , his eyes turned towards the ground in pain, as he heard my words. “Why are you here now? You left me with nothing. All these years I waited for you. But now when I decided to move on, you came back in my life. Why are you doing this to me?” he stared at me in silence. “Answer me!!”

He started in a very low tone “All these years, I was waiting for the one day to finally meet you. It was not easy for me. I had to face everyone in my kingdom, who got against me after I met you. So I decided to make an army of my own which helped me in reaching you. I started losing track of you, the day you moved here and stopped talking to me. My fight with the nature guards have started. As soon as I got the signal from the very same source, I escaped from them just to get a look at you.” He sat near me now, looking in my anxious eyes. “It was Chris, right?” I finally found my heart beat.”Yes. It was him.” He said after a long pause. “I was in so much of pain without you. I told you I’ll make it possible for us.” He looked at me in the same way, he did when we first met. “But, things have changed now.” My heart was not ready to tell him what things have changed. “Chris searched for you everywhere on my request. He finally met you as Austin’s uncle.” He explained me everything. I was shocked to find that he knew about my fiancé. “Yes, Chris told me about Austin.” He was now lost in my engagement ring. “I know I am very late to say you this, but I am here for you and shall never leave you.” He took my hand and got lost in his words. “I am engaged now and I love Austin. He did a lot for me and stood beside me in every small difficulty. He knows that something kills me from inside, but still manages to bring a smile on my face. He never asked me about this as it makes me all the more depressed.”I continued after a long pause. “ May be its time to tell him everything .I can’t keep him in dark anymore. I am really sorry.” I waited for him to speak, but nothing came out from his mouth. He was all broken from inside. I was not able to see him in that state, his pain was unbearable for me, but I couldn’t help it. I had my own priorities now. “You should go now. I don’t think anything is left to say.” I said, drinking my tears.“I guess you weren’t supposed to be in my destiny. I respect your decision and I am still there for you.” He couldn’t meet my eyes. “I can never forget you.” “Neither can I” the unruly truth finally came out of my mouth and I threw myself in his arms. He was all warm and held me firmly. I took a leave from him in a few seconds.

It was then the doorbell buzzed. I was all startled by its noise. When I turned around to look at him, he was all gone leaving the window open, with the stormy winds entering inside the room and blowing me away. I took a step outside my room and slowly got down the stairs. It was midnight, and I was very anxious of the unexpected visit. It was scaring the hell out of me. I reached the door and slowly opened it with shaking hands. “Oh thank God! It’s you. I got all scared.” Austin’s face lit under the street light. “I am sorry for such a visit, but I came here to give you back your cell phone. You left it at my place.” He held the phone out from his pocket. “I totally forgot about it. Thanks a lot but you shouldn’t have taken so much of pain visiting me in such a bad weather.” I turned the lights on. “It did not give me any kind of pain. I love seeing your face, you can call it just an excuse for visiting you.” He gazed at me with his eyes full of affection. “I also wanted to make sure that you were alright. I found you very much disturbed in the evening. Is everything ok?” he sat close to me and gave me his warmth in that chilly weather. “ May be not. There are some things I wanted to tell you, but didn’t get the right time to express them.” He could sense the pain in my voice. “I am ready to take anything for you. Go ahead. I am listening.”

I didn’t know how to begin. He kept his wondering eyes at me. “It all began seven years ago.” I finally started and then continued for an hour or so. I told him every single detail of that night. He was all taken aback at the end of my story and didn’t say a word for a long time. “How is it possible? You and the moon in love! It just can’t happen.” It seemed like he more or less talked to himself. “I know it’s hard to believe, but this is the bitter truth of my life. You must be thinking that I am all mad, but you have to trust me for this Austin.”

I waited for him to speak. I really wanted him to trust me. He was the only one I had now in my life and I didn’t want to lose him. “Do you still love him?” he asked me with no hope in his voice. “No.” I replied looking straight in his eyes without any kind of hesitation. “It’s only you in my life now. I can’t think of losing you.” I couldn’t keep myself strong anymore and now saw him with my filled eyes.“ Please don’t leave me. I don’t want to feel that pain again which I got over with just because of your presence.” “I don’t know what to say.” He didn’t look at me. “I am still madly in love with you. I can’t leave you even if I want to.” He came closer and kissed my hand.

The weather was getting worse. The winds were so strong that it made the trees fall near my house. In no time, the lights were gone. While we were still engaged in our conversation I heard a big noise which came right from the room next to ours. We hurried towards the room and It was then I couldn’t concentrate anymore. It was him, with blood stains on his face, the way I saw him in my nightmare. Austin couldn’t believe his eyes. He guessed who he was from my expression. “You need to get out from here, now!” He said with his wounds burning. “What has happened to you? Who did all this?” I cried with tears and hurried towards him, leaving Austin’s hand. “Don’t worry about this. Just come with me. The guards have found us and they are not giving any second chances.” He took me by my hand and asked Austin to follow us. We ran towards the door and heard another explosion at the backside of the house. “I’ll get the car.”Austin took his keys and moved towards the door. “No!! You are not going anywhere. You don’t know those monsters. They will not leave anyone.” I held him firmly. “I have to go. I’ll be fine, you stay with him. I love you.” “Take care of her till I return.” he told him while he hurried towards the garage to get his car for us.

Within a few minutes, he called us out. But It was too late. The guards had finally stepped in from the back door. “ We rushed towards the car, as they fired magical spells at us. It was then that I got all broken down of what I saw, the very next moment. Austin got out of the car and ran towards me, pushing me and him on the grass. The curse smacked him, and he hit the floor in no time. The guards were on their way to kill me, when one of them got him instead of me. “Austin!!!!!No!!!!” I was all struggling in the prince’s arms, while he was dragging me to the car. “Leave me!! Get up Austin, you can’t just leave me, you promised!” I cried all my way, when he took me away and finally succeeded in getting me into the car. I finally saw his army arriving, taking hold of the war, while we escaped from the arena.

I was not able to get the fact that my fiancé was just killed in front of my eyes. I was in a terrible shock and didn’t say a word. He took me to a place far away from the city. He stopped the car in front of a small stone house, which was located near a stream. I was all drenched in tears by that time. He got inside, while I sat in the car, lost. After a few moments, he came out with someone. It was Chris. Both of them came towards me and opened the door. “You are going to stay here while I am gone.” the prince took me out. “Where are you going?” I spoke anxiously. “I’ll take care of her, Prince Anderson.”It got my ear, when I heard his name for the first time from Chris. “Don’t go, please.” I was all exhausted crying, and so didn’t had the energy to stop him. “I’ll be back. There is something very important to be done.” He replied in a firm tone. Chris took me slowly towards his house while I constantly kept my eyes on Anderson getting into the car. “He will surely come and get you. He is not going to leave this time.”Chris assured me. He took me inside and gave me some tea to drink. While I sat near the window, with the rain water pouring down the glass surface, all the memories flashed in my mind which were left in vain now. I waited for Anderson’s return, thinking about Austin all over the night.

The storm almost lasted the whole night. I slept the moment morning approached with the beautiful sun rays clearing the clouds. But soon, I was waken up by Chris when he entered inside my room with the breakfast. “I don’t feel like eating. You can take it back.” I told him when he was ready to serve me. “You should have something. It will make you feel better.” He held the plate in front of me. “I am fine like this. Thank you.” “Whatever you feel like. I am leaving it here only.” He was about to depart when I heard the screeching sound of the tyres. I stood up and saw Anderson coming towards the house. I was all pleased to see him after the long and dreadful night. As soon as he entered the door, I ran in him and allowed my tears to just flow. “You came back. I was very scared for you after what happened with him last night.” I said in my crooked voice. “Yes, I am back and now I am not going anywhere, leaving you.” He held me securely “I’ll be with you, forever.” I left him and we sat near the fireplace. “But what about those monsters who are behind us? What about the war ? Your kingdom?” I was all confused. “The war got over the moment I decided to leave everything and become a human. I went to the king and asked him to let me free from the ruthless laws of nature. These laws have played a lot with our lives. I never thought I’ll get you in such a situation. Everything happened because of me and so now I don’t want to give you anymore tears. I want to return your happiness and have decided to never return back.” I was all stunned to hear his final decision. He was with me now, never leaving. Although, he couldn’t take the place of Austin, he was the only one now, whom I could rely on.

Time flowed by and we moved on with our lives. It’s been 3 years now from that frightful night. Anderson and I just got married, starting our life from a new phase. We now live in New York. Here the life just makes you too busy to remember anything of your past. The strong night lights even don’t allow you to see the stars and the shining moon. And so It’s a new moon, every night. Although It does not affect me much, as I have my moon shining in front of my eyes.

I can’t take the silence anymore. It still haunts me. The pain of my wounds doesn’t allow me to forget the one who gave me the ring I still wore in my finger, as a symbol of his love. He’ll never go away from my memories and shall shine like the evergreen solitaire in my heart.