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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 5:54:32 GMT -5
*Moved from BnK archives.
Look away now or forever hold your peace!
I told myself never to look at this fiction again. Kill me now! -- But I have to be a paradigm of esteem if I were to cajole JemJem into posting "Sweet Kisses" ever. RUN NOW THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE! Phoenix Rising Previously "Best of Me" Author: Serena Beta Read by: Horizon Starring: Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and other fictional/non fictional characters. Disclaimer: I do not own any of the above mentioned people albiet some of the fictional characters that are conjured up from my imagination. Genre: Angst, Drama, Mythology, Fantasy Rated: "R" – For sexual situations Summary and background: A/UOrlando and Keira are very close childhood friends. Some may even call them soul mates. Orlando is a lady's man and does not believe in love. Keira is a free-spirit with a dark secret. They care for each other and know that life wont be the same without the other. Note: I've changed the name of this fiction to suit the underlying tone.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 5:55:26 GMT -5
Sometimes words are hard to find I am looking for that perfect line To let you know…
Chapter I: The Best of Me “You’re always on my mind,” she sang aloud, moving animatedly to the music. Bryan Adam’s: The Best of Me was streaming through her mp3 player as she pranced around the kitchen, making herself a grilled cheese sandwich. A loud bang at the door distracted her attention and taking out one earpiece she called, “who is it?” in the raised voice of one that has been listening to music too loud. After receiving no response she quickly took the sandwich out of the griller and placed it on the counter, brushing the crumbs from her hands and heading for the door. She wasn’t expecting anyone on this bright sunny afternoon and was contemplating the possible identities of her visitor while walking to the front door. “Who is it?” She shouted again. “A ghost!” Someone quirked, causing her to smile impishly at the known voice. “Sorry, I already made friends with Casper. No vacancy here.” This time the recipient wasn’t amused and shouted, “Miss Keira Knightley, would you please open the flippin’ door? I have been standing out here for an hour!” Knowing when to stop she opened the door as far as the chain lock would allow and peaked through the gap. “Exaggerating are we?” She grinned at the man who was now looking more than a little miffed, as he stood with his arms crossed, purposely not responding. Keira smirked at his attitude. “Oh god, the silent treatment! You are so two years old, Orlando!” She finally opened the door, gave him a hug and winked at him. “Did you miss me?” “No!” Orlando retorted, a mischievously grim expression upon his face. He received a playful smack on the arm for his effort, as they walked into the house. “Of course you didn’t,” Keira taunted. “Do you even realize that you haven’t shown me your smug ass money maker for the past two months?” Orlando grinned and was about to say something when she abruptly interrupted. “Two months! Do you know how awfully long that is for me to hold out on…” “…Constantly torturing someone?” Orlando chipped in, still grinning. Keira gave him a dirty look as they entered the kitchen, rolling her eyes when he picked up the grilled sandwich from the kitchen counter and happily began to munch. “Well, just so you know, I didn’t miss you either!” Keira blurted, faking a tantrum and turning her back to him. He smiled, putting the sandwich down and dusting his hands off before throwing both his arms around her. “You know how it is… hopping from schedule to schedule. Whenever you’re free I’m not and vice versa. The first thing I did after landing in London was to take a cab to your place.” He turned her by the shoulders to face him, “forgiven?” She eyed him contemplatively for a moment, before kissing him on the cheek. “Forgotten,” she offered, before adding, “but just so you know, you’ll have to pay for this.” Orlando groaned, knowing full well what she meant by that. “No way! Na uh…” There was only one thing that he despised doing and that was shopping, especially with a girl! It was the worst kind of torture, to tag along while they went into every shop and tried on everything just for the sake of trying it on. She knew him well and while it had its intuitive advantages, it was also scary that she knew what irked him. After all they had been friends for as long as he could remember. The phone rang and as Keira went on to pick it up he reminisced on their first meeting…
*FLASHBACK*
It was a sunny day at the beach. I vaguely remembered my father’s face as that was the last time I ever went out with him. He was showing me how to fly a kite when I stepped on something sludgy. Looking down, I saw the sweetest little face staring up at me, a little girl of about 3 years in age.
“Sorry,” I blurted and tried to walk away before I got in trouble with either my father or the girl’s parents. I felt a tug on my shorts.
“You bloke my cvastle,” she growled, in a rather annoying baby talk tongue.
“I said I’m sorry, okay?” I reminded her.
“No. You have to help me make it again oll I will tell on you,” she said, demandingly. I couldn’t believe the sweet innocent looking thing was blackmailing me but I saw my father approach and thought of the repercussions if the little brat did indeed tell. I screamed to my dad before he came too close, that I would be a few minutes. It took me a little more than a few minutes since the girl was not easily satisfied. Not only did the little menace lack compassion but she also lacked a couple of red devil horns!
“See now my angel, Keila, can stay in here. Do you wanna stay with angel Kiela?” she asked, finally satisfied.
“Angel Keira? Who is Angel Keira?” I gawked, trying to make out her words.
She laughed in her tiny little voice, “it’s me you silly.” “You are not an Angel! Hell angel maybe,” I said tauntingly.
She ignored my blasphemy but persisted, “Nah uh... Daddy says my angel Keila!”
I heard my father’s laughter as he approached, “that’s right Orlando. She is an angel, be nice to the angel.” I notice another man of about the same age, with my father and I hoped that neither had heard my bad language. It was unlikely though, since he seemed to be engaged in a political conversation with the other gentleman. He looked familiar. As their conversation progressed I registered that the gentleman was in fact Keira’s father. They knew each other and lived a few blocks away from us. I remembered our new neighbours, the Knightleys, had invited us to a barbeque a few days ago, but since I was not feeling well we couldn’t go. After a few minutes Mr. Knightley picked Keira up.
“So my little angel, are you ready to go home?” He asked, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Can he? umm… ummm, ummmm,” she pointed at me and stuttered for my name which I was disinclined to give.
“Orlando,” my dad informed to my dismay.
“Can… umm… Lalando come?” My father smiled at her inability to pronounce my name.
“Sure honey you can come and play with him and his sister Sam anytime,” he assured her, again ignoring my disposition.
I clearly remember even while on her father’s back, her eyes beamed with joy as she smiled innocently and waved at me.
*END FLASHBACK*Keira was waving her hand in front of him, “hello? Houston, we got a problem.” He looked up at her amused face, a far away look upon his own. “Who was it on the phone?” He asked. “Oh excuse me, you came here after two months and I mean two months! It has like 60 days in it! And you, Mr. Hot Shot, are asking me questions?” He smiled; she hadn’t changed a bit. Still the same manipulative yet adorable child he had first met, still making him do things probably no one else could. “I think I will be doing all the questioning from here on Mr. Bloom!” She continued her rant. “Ok fine,” he slumped onto the couch, “What do you want to know?” “Everything!” She exclaimed, sitting down next to him and pointing at her lap. “Come on… Good boy. Come here, ‘lando ‘lando.” He laughed as he slid his head down the back of the couch and rested it in her lap, “Woof! Now stop treating me like a dog, unless you are ready to give me a treat.” She smiled brushing his curly hair with her fingers and slipped the ottoman under her feet to get more comfortable, knowing they would be catching up for a while.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 5:59:58 GMT -5
Chapter II *FLASHBACK*An eleven year-old boy sat alone at the steps of a creaky blue house, his head titled downwards, his eyes wet as he cried in silence. He didn’t quite understand the concept of death or what it meant, all he knew was that his father was gone, forever. He saw a small blurb at his side, he rubbed the haze blurring off his vision to unveil a familiar face of the little girl from the beach who was, anything but an angel. Irritated he snarled at the little girl holding a stuffed animal, “What are you doing here? Go away!"
Startled at first she stepped back before curiosity got the better of her, “Why are you clyin’? Did someone bleak youl toy?”
Annoyed by her untimely interrogation he responded in annoyance, “What’s it to you? Just leave me alone.” Unaffected still, she followed him as he made his way to the back of the house, “Why are you following me!” he yelled. The sudden outburst seemed to have scared her, she seemed on the verge of tears. He peaked in the house assuring his mom isn’t being bothered with all the noise he didn’t want to stress his mom out with a petty fight right now. He got down on his knees trying resolve for a change, “What do you want?”
She repeated pouting, “Why wele you clyin’?”
Aware of her ridiculously adamant attitude he gave in, “My dad… well, he’s gone.”
“Whele?”
“Up there,” he said pointing upwards.
“He will come back, you know!” the precocious child said confidently.
“No he wont,” he was just as sure.
“He will come back, ummm ummm, my mom said when people love you they never leave you,” she persisted, “its true, my pooh bear went away but I found him undev Caleb’s bed.” She said lovingly squeezing her stuffed bear enveloped in her arms.
For some reason the resentment for her vanished that moment, that moment she really did seem like an angel to him. …when God closes one door he opens ten more and he didn’t want to be scared anymore, he didn’t want to be scared of the change that was inevitable. Life as he knew it had altered from that point onwards and it could never be the same.*END FLASHBACK*x------------x Keira rolled her head and looked at the wall clock, it was about 2:00 am. She rubbed her eyes to bring some clarity to the pictures moving soundlessly on the television set and then glanced at the form in her lap, sleeping soundly. A small smile crept up her face at the sight, what was it about sleeping that brought the most serene look on people’s face, she almost didn’t want to wake him. She squirmed to adjust her now asleep legs, she knew she had to, “Wakie Wakie.” She said indulging in his long brown locks. Still sleeping comfortably with his face buried in her stomach he didn’t even budge at the sound. The feather duster laying on the coffee table at her side brought a mischevious grin on her face, “oh yeah,” she mumbled devising a plan in her head. She slowly pulled the duster atop his face and started motioning it over his ear which made him scratch his ears. She muffled her giggled and lingered the duster on his nose now, tickling. This time his hand caught hers in a strong grip and he looked up in a drunken stupor, “What the hell Ky!” Keira burst out laughing unable to restrain. “Huh?” he registered the duster to his bewilderment and arched his brow in mock annoyance, “Oh yeah?” he got up with a jolt collecting her in his arms. Keira’s uncontrollable guffaws were suddenly reduced to a chant of, “No you don’t,” as she struggled in his arms, “Don’t you dare Orlando.” She gazed at the patio door coming closer by the second knowing his motives. “But I do dare love,” he said casually as he brought her out of the house with the intentions of throwing her in the pool when he saw the dry pool in the backyard mocking at him. She laughed out louder at the irony sticking its tongue at Orlando. “You think I can’t throw you in the empty pool?” he said, miffed. Suddenly halting her laughter, she stared into his eyes, “I dare you!” “That is very tempting Ky, be careful what you wish for.” He said teasingly. Not budging her insistence a single bit, she clung onto his neck, persisting, “I dare you.” “Are you sure?” Orlando inquired comically this time. “Yes.” She emphasized un-flinched. “Don’t think that I can’t do it just because you are my best friend. I have a lot of money now you know…I can get new ones!” Keira pulled her arms from his neck placing one under her face with her elbow resting on his shoulder. She tapped her fingers on his chest. “Hmmmmm… I am waiting.” Orlando stopped swinging her losing himself in the tenseness of her eyes. The moonlight spinning silver on her silhouette, his heart forgot to beat for a second gasping at the magic that surrounded them. What am I doing? He tore away from her eyes playfully challenging him erupting an equally playful smile on his face. “Hmm… To throw or not to throw, that is the question.” He said before turning away, “Nah, I need someone to help me buy a suit for my upcoming première until that purpose is served you shall remain un-thrown.” “How charming are you?” she said sarcastically. “Girls can’t resist, ask my fans.” He said winking. “I am not your fan.” “I am, yours.” He grinned his million dollar smile, she matched his smile with her own thinking if she can ever stay mad at him. x------------x The constant ringing of the phone woke her from a dreamless sleep she yawned tossing in her cozy bed she jolted up in a sitting position lazily, “Oh God its’ starting again.” She mumbled to self, wrinkling her nose. How do people know he is here? I didn’t tell anyone? He didn’t tell anyone? She thought to herself as she wandered down the stairs to grab the phone, knowing full well that it would be either one of his current flames. “Hello, is Orli there,” a feminine voice chirped on the other end. “Hold on, I will get him for you,” she said politely and glanced at Orlando, now standing in a corner shaking his head, noted duly she complied with his request, “…ah, I think he is in the shower. Yeah, try back later.” She said hanging up. “Good morning beautiful,” he pecked her on the cheek to avoid an expecting lecture. “Good morning,” she replied without looking up, “How nice of God to have descended you for women kind,” she quipped pouring out tea. Knowing the direction this was going he deferred his standard explanation “Ky, you know these girls use me and my money just as much as I use them.” Keira looked at him in disappointment, “you know ‘lando, you are better than this. Why can’t you settle for someone you love and care for? Can’t you see - this is so self-destructive, even if you do not care for them.” She said looking at him in concern sipping her tea. “Oh ky, you little worry wart,” he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, “I do not get hurt. Besides, What’s the worst that could happen?”<br> Keira contemplated for a second before touting, “What if you fall in love?” He guffawed. She said rather dramatically this time as she too thought the notion of him being in love was pretty hilarious, “What’s so funny, it could happen you know! One of these days when you least expect it the women of your dreams would walk in the door, capture your dreams and… ” “…say smile you are on Candid Camera!” He interjected. She slapped him playfully giggling. “Do you ever get serious Bloom?" “Not yet,” he grinned pecking her lovingly on the cheek. “You are impossible,” she exclaimed, surprised at his ability to change her mood instantaneously, something he seemed to have mastered.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:00:45 GMT -5
Chapter III KEIRA POVI was not very pleased when Orlando told me his director want him back in LA for rehearsals. “You’ve only been here for a week!” I whined relentlessly. “I know babe but I did spend most of it with you,” Orlando pacified. “What about Sean, Adam, Caleb, and the rest of our friends? They will be so disappointed. You promised that we will all go out coming weekend?” I reasoned. I didn’t know why this time was any different he came and left all the time. I guess I just didn’t want to be alone right now. He gazed me up, lightly stroking my cheek with his thumb as we stood in the hallway. “I know sweetheart… but I mean its not like I will never see you again right?” Something in that statement wasn’t helping my concern, and I gave it words. “Well, you never know Orlando life is short!” I gyrated away from him to hide the tears that were coming. “Where did that come from?” He protested hugging me from the back. “Look, I promise I will be back as soon as I can manage” After an awkward silence he mused, “Why don’t you come with me?” he squeezed on tighter, breathing a task as it was, I felt his face tugging at my hair. No, I shouldn’t concern him like that. I kicked myself, metaphorically of course, acting like such a weakling, was I out of my mind? Blinking repeatedly to push the tears back in I turned around facing him inches away, “…and what leave my family and friends here just to appease your majesty,” I said with a grin. “Oh God! Keira, I don’t think I will ever understand you women, you seriously worried me, you twit,” he said twisting my arm behind me. “Ouch… you are too young to die Bloom!” I shrieked in pain. Boys are so stupid. He made a run for the door and I wasn’t very far behind, picking up a pillow as my ultimate weapon for revenge. x---------------x I was lying lazily on the bed in my parents house, the room as dark as a moonless night, the blankness of it shattered only by the moon of the fourteenth attempting frailly to conquer the eeriness that surrounded me. It shouldn’t feel this way. It feels wrong to be thinking of him this way, but I was. I have no right and I shouldn’t but as the wise say the matter of hearts are forever a mystery, and mystery was the feeling I felt when I was around him. It was special. Why didn’t I see it before? What had changed since I last saw him? Nothing, except for the fact we always want something we can’t have. Trying hard to shrug off the forbidden thoughts of my best friend, I forced myself to reminisce the memories of my ex. I only had one serious boyfriend, Dale. Last I heard of him, he was leaving for L.A. to resume his writing career a few months ago. You only have room for one person in your life and that is not me, Keira. Open your eyes. Good bye. His words didn’t make sense then. I didn't understand why he couldn't accomodate my best friend in our schedule, he was a big part of my life and accepting me without him wasn't accepting me at all. Until now, I hadn't grasped the meaning. It’s easy to take things for granted, and he was someone I’d known forever. Ignorance is bliss. And I was not in bliss anymore. Tossing and turning I was actually considering his offer of moving to L.A. as a means to further my modeling career, disregarding any or all consequences. A thump at my door brought me back into reality. “Keira darling, are you up yet?” It was just mom, probably wondering why the heck I’d been in the room since this morning. It was a bit suspicious and I didn’t intend to act like a love sick puppy all reliant on him for joy. It wasn’t as if I was in control of my own feelings anymore, the thought was scary as it was depressing. “I am up mom,” I shifted my weight to the side, half sitting on my elbow. “Are you okay baby?” mom had that signature mom look on her face. “I am fine mom.” I mocked a smile. “No, you are not!” mom sat down beside me, “what is bothering you honey, come on tell me?” she said taking my hand into hers, brushing my hair lightly as I let my head fall in her lap. “Its nothing mom... Is Caleb home yet?” I tried to avoid the expectant queries that were to follow. “You know Ky, I am your mom, and you know you can never hide anything from your mom! Don’t change the subject and tell me what is wrong.” I fought hard to tame the gyrating thoughts, hoping to blurb a logical enough explanation, but everything was...hazy. *WHISPERS*“Bennu…” her whispers creep inside you sending chills up your spine as she leans into your ear. She looks like a little child but there is nothing lively about her. Not her skin paler than bloodless meat; not her body frailly hovering, suspended in thin air; not her face slant without compassion; not her hair drifting loosely, floating like snakes. Nothing is human except her magnetic brown eyes that are claiming yours sending you into a trance. All of a sudden you can’t feel the earth beneath you, you start throwing your arms around to grasp onto something – anything, but you keep on falling.
Snap.
I jolted up in my bed breathing heavily. Glancing at the alarm clock that rung the midnight’s hour running a hand across my forehead to collect the vapors of freight in my fingers, giggling a little at myself for being silly. Scared by a dream. No, more like a nightmare. A recurring visitor since he left. I picked up the phone and dialled his number: “This is Orlando’s cell. I am not available but please leave your name, number, and a brief message at the sound of the beep.” The same recording rang through my ears, his voice a soothing contrast to her ghostly cries. Hanging up without leaving a message, easing back into the cushiony pillows I assure myself I would be seeing the psychiatrist first thing tomorrow morning. This can’t be healthy. Eyes burning its strands of red with unceasing haze Elevating in skies to remain unquenched, lingering haze[/i] KEIRA POV“Is it because Orlando went back to L.A. today?” She knew me after all. “No,” I interjected quickly. I am not about to become that transparent yet. “Its just mom, you know, I was thinking about how I have been so down lately. Maybe a change of space will do me good..” I said stumbling upon my own words trying to make sense of what I was about to do myself. “What do you mean? Change in what? Don’t riddle around now, tell me what you mean?” mom said apprehensively, and rightly so. “Well…. I was just thinking of moving away from here.” “What! first you wanted to be more independent and we let you get an apartment and now you want to move away from us? I don’t understand how this ‘change’ is going to bring any solitude to you? Are you running away from us?” She looked into my eyes, “is that it?” “Of course not,” I sat up, “Mom, Oh mom,” I squeezed her in a hug whinning, “You know I can not sit in one place for more than five minutes mom. You know how I am. I just think my life has become so boring that is just making me so utterly miserable. I just wanted to try something different, you know… just to find myself…” “Ky, I don’t know how going far away from every human being you know will help this self exploration of yours but honey, if you think that’s what you need to do. Then I would support it.” She seemed to have approved, and that was quite enough, for now. “Does that mean you will talk to dad about it.” I grinned like an idiot. “Oh no, I give you a finger and you try to pull the whole hand! No missy, you will have to do that by yourself!” mom smiled at my enthusiasm. “Please mom please! Could you please at least give him a hint. I would still have to sort it out with Caleb! And you know how he will freak out on me!” I begged. “hmm… ok fine. I will try to talk to him. But are you sure you want to do this? Have you thought about where you want to go? What you would do?” Seeing mom was re-routing to ‘worry mode’ again I interjected, “I will be fine. I will go and stay with Orlando for a few days in L.A. He has been telling me forever to come over, in any case there are more modelling opportunities in L.A. than here. If not, I can always go to Paris!” “Ah… no. If you have really decided to go. I can’t stop you. But at least go somewhere where I would not have to worry about you being a total stranger. I know Orlando will take care of you. He always has.” She said with a smirk. “What’s with the smirk? I told you that nothing ever was between me and Orlando and nothing ever will be no matter how much you like him! Is that understood?” I might’ve stressed a few words here and then but so what. I didn’t want her to start knowing something I wasn't even willing to accept just yet. “Ok honey, if you say so.” She spoke giving in, knowing any attempt to persuade me is like romancing a stone. “Mom, do you remember the story you used to tell us when we were young?” I relaxed back cozying up in her warm lap. “Which one? The geese one?” mom said lovingly smacked me lightly at the childish request. “Yes…the geese one!” I affirmed. “Once upon a time there was a flock of geese, flying through the sky, with their flight so high they want far and wide. Geese always fly in pairs. So they can look out for each other. If one from the couple dies the other is left behind, without flight. One such couple was Ixi and Kacheek…………………………………………….. ……………………………………………….and they soared in the sky together happily ever after.” And I was drifting away, far far away with the geese.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:05:24 GMT -5
Chapter IV KEIRA POV“Will miss you too. Takecare sweetie.” I click my flip phone close after bidding my good byes to Sam. Now that Sam’s told me where I can find him, I can surprise him. I patted myself on the back for mission accomplished. The thought must’ve brought a stupid grin on my face since the passer-by gave me a strangely familiar “are-you-crazy” look. But I didn’t care. I didn’t even care for all the photo shoots I had to cancel just to promptly make this trip before my family persuades me otherwise. I knew I was burning all bridges behind me but this feeling of freedom was too good to pass up. I checked my handbag one last time for the necessary documents and essentials, content, I zipped it back up. “The flight for Los Angeles is ready to board, please report at gate C7.” A female voice announced and I inhaled a deep breathe locking the air of my native land. Who knows if I’d be able to breathe it again? I shrugged the thought ready to move on. x---------------------x “Action” The director shouted and everyone took their places. Orlando was shooting for a green screen fight sequence in LA for an upcoming movie. She could see him from afar but the security guy was not letting her go any further. “Look lady, I told you I can’t let you go in there without a pass.” He jerked. “Ok.. see I am trying to surprise my friend and I can not get him to come and get me a visitors’ pass because if he does then he will know and it wont be a surprise anymore,” she reiterated emphasizing every word, for the umpteenth time. “I am sorry, you just can’t go in without a pass, get it?” He said almost growling at her efforts. “Fine!” Keira could do without his ignorance. She knew she’ll have to find another way to get in and she will have to be resourceful because she doesn’t know anyone here. She peaked in one last time. Orlando’s back was facing towards this entrance. She emitted an exasperated sigh and turned around only to find Dale standing behind her. “Keira! Is that you?” Dale exclaimed. Keira’s eyes lit up in recognition, “Hey! Dale, wow!” she smiled giving him a hug. “What are you doing here?” They both said echoing in disbelief only to giggle at each others’ enthusiasm. Seeing that they are getting louder Keira cornered Dale and informed of her predicament. “Oh no problem, I am working on the sets as assistant screen play writer. I can get you in easily!” He smiled, “It is good to see you Keira, I always knew you guys would get together one day…” She quickly thwarted his sentences saying, “…oh no, we are not together,” she blushed hoping he wouldn’t notice. “I am just here to visit.” “Oh okay,” seeing that she didn’t want to elaborate, he broke the awkward silence, “so how do you want to make the grand entrance?” he grinned. “Naturally it has to be grand!” she giggled, “actually if you could somehow smuggle me into his dressing room that should suffice.” “Sure,” He took her past the glaring security guard. As they passed him, Keira made a point to stick her tongue out to the sulking guard. Who in returned pulled a face at her. Dale noticed this glancing over his shoulder and smiled at her, “Mark was giving you trouble huh?” “Is that his name?” She smiled graciously, “Thanks so much Dale for doing this. I really appreciate it,” she shook his hand and gave him a smile approaching Orlando’s dressing room door. “It was really nice to see you Keira,” Dale looked intently at her, searching for the real reason she is here if not to be with Orlando. “It was really nice to see you too Dale, may be we will grab a cup of tea sometime?” She smiled. Dale nodded, “Well I better go, good luck with the surprise.”<br> “Thanks,” Keira watched him go down the hallway, “Nice chap,” she said under her breath. x-------------------x Orlando was exhausted after a six hour shoot. Panting heavily he opened the door to his dressing room. He grabbed a towel hanging on the rack next to the door with the intentions of going in the bathroom to take a nice warm shower. He took his clothes off and wrapped the towel around his waist. Sweat dribbling down his rippling muscles. Getting in the washroom he smelt a familiar scent, which instantly reminded him of Keira. Wonder if she is still upset at me leaving her so abruptly? He thought to himself as he pressed her number on his cell phone while taking off his wig. He was waiting for a ring on his cell when he heard the ring tone of best of me in the shower. He jumped almost undoing the towel and yelled, “Who the hel! is in there?" Not in a million years thinking it could be her. Keira opened the shower door and giggled, “Surprise….” Then looked down, “well, almost” she said giggling uncontrollably. Orlando just stood there stunned with his wig in one hand his face dropped a few good inches. “…It can’t be!” He just couldn’t believe his eyes. “aeshhhh, pick your jaw from the floor, put those eyes back in the sockets… a hug would’ve been most appropriate even with someone of your manners.” She was all smiles. “Oh…” he finally came to his senses and lunged across to entrap her in a hug. “I am just at a lost for words… I am just so..so glad,” He said kissing on her temples. She was lost in the moment for a second and then realized that he was only wearing a towel. She cleared her throat pushing him away. “As much as I would like to stand here in the shower and surprise you some more until that towel finally drops,” Orlando nervously gripped the fold of the towel tightening his grip around it. She giggled at his not so subtle movement cuing for a leave but dramatically making a point, “I must leave.”<br> He blocked her way in the shower now smiling flirtatiously shedding all signs of nervousness he displayed a few seconds ago, “I don’t know about that. You are here, I am here, how about it?” His devilish grin made her face flush. “Shut up.” She pushed him away. “Get ready soon, I am dying with hunger, long flight,” She said getting out of the washroom. Orlando stood there staring the door for a while with a big grin of content, shaking his head he finally slid the shower door shut.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:07:58 GMT -5
Chapter V KEIRA POVSomeone slammed the main door of the flat shut and I wondered if it was the girl Orlando had brought with him last night. It had been a constant in the past few days that I had been here. Almost every night there was a new girl and frankly I was getting tired of it. I was mad at myself more than I was mad at him. I shouldn’t be letting him do this but I was. The guilt and awkwardness around him preventing me to be the best friend I was suppose to be instead, I was just being ‘safe.’ No more, I thought to myself pulling a long shirt over myself, adamant on persuading him to let me get my own place which I knew would be a problem with him. I opened the bedroom door and glanced at the entrance, now deserted. I needed my morning tea as I got to the kitchen I spotted his slouched form in our living area blankly flipping channels. Something in his perturbed eyes didn’t quite seem right. “Want me to make some strong coffee?” I asked. He was non responsive, still wearing his robe and looking rather grungy. “Keir…Sit here with me,” he patted on the couch seat beside him. Sitting down beside him I took his hand in mine, knowing when some TLC is needed, “Do you want to talk?” my eyes probed more than my words. “Why do I feel like this sometimes?” he sighed placing his face in the crook of my neck. “Feel like what?” I said alarmed. It wasn’t him to be this displaced after a break-up, if there was one. “Like… something is missing,” he exasperated. “I told you didn’t I, someone someday will leave a mark.” I reminded him, knowing his conscience is finally catching up to him. “Did she say something?” I inquired rubbing his back with the back of my fingers slowly behind him. “I don’t know Keira,” he seemed absent minded still, “usually when I get involved with someone I make sure that they are into it for fun. I have fun, they have fun and its all good when we break it up. I guess Kelly, err this girl, took it all wrong and was really into it. I think I really hurt her,” he continued, “she said Karma is a bitch.” I listened intently, wanting him to get it all out of his system, I asked figuratively, “Karma?” “Yeah, Karma, you know. What you do onto others comes back to haunt you. We both know that is not going to happen. What are the chances of me falling in love,” he laughed mockingly, “even though other people may agree with her.” ”Again, you never know,” I said watching him squirm and stirred the statement hoping to exchange rhyme and reason when he is less vulnerable, “hopefully no one would be unfortunate enough for you to fall in love with them.” “Nah,” disgruntled by his own inanity he drew a sharp breathe, “I guess I just felt bad that she thought there was a real potential in us. Anyways, I will try to talk to her.” He must’ve felt better talking because the far away look had now diminished from his face. “How do you do that to me?” He looked at me graciously. “Do what,” I asked. “Know exactly what to say to make me feel better?” he mused. “Dahling thats because….I am the best!” I said with a smug grin on my face to lighten the mood. “That you are,” he looked at me mischievously tickling me silly, satisfied he quipped, “You want some omelet?” I nodded watching him busying himself in the kitchen. Mr. Orlando Bloom, the heart throb, the big movie star, the macho ribs breaking dare devil - superstitious about something so trivial. I thought smiling to myself, would he ever cease to amaze me. I think not. I gathered my thoughts, getting up to help him in the kitchen. x--------------x “’lando, I need to go to the pharmacy,” she chaotically searched her purse for something. “’lando would you hurry up,” she called from the hallway of the flat. “What …what …what is wrong,” he came in cuffing up his sleeves in a formal, “here could you…” before he could finish she started helping him with his cuffs and tie. Hurrying to the car he casually asked, “So you need to be dropped at the pharmacy again? What do you get from there anyways?” he questioned looking at her rather anxious form getting in the car. “Just somethings… you know… girl things.” “Yeah, but I might be late tonight.” he said drawing the belt buckle over him. “That’s fine I have to meet with Dale. He will drop me off later.” She said, absent mindedly. Dale? The name flagged a hazy memory, his foot fell heavily on the gas, as they sped off. This was indeed a revelation for Orlando. He knew that Dale was working on his own movie as junior assistant screen play writer but he didn’t know when he had met up with Keira or how. “Is this the same Dale that used to go out with you?” “Yes, we met the day I came to L.A. actually...” she said as if reading his mind, “he brought me past security on the set had it not been for him I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of scaring the begesus out of you,” she giggled at the thought. “He is a nice guy, isn’t he?” Orlando said inspecting her reaction. She pursed her lips and looked into his eyes, “I am not going out with him. I am not about to get hurt. Second right from the next light. And umm... come here,” she straightened his tie, “there, anything else?” She said slyly as they approached the pharmacy. He laughed at her ability to read him, “No,” he stopped the car. “Call me if you need a ride?” she nodded in agreement and watched him disappear in the rustle and bustle. Sighing relieved she promising herself to get her license transferred as soon as possible. Walking away from the pharmacy she mumbled entering a building across the street, “Here we go again.” Querying eyes hoped to find a tepid home Discovered one, not to cease unraveling haze*WHISPERS* Waiting in the psychiatrist’s you watch the patients go in one after another repetitiously looking for answers, the beautiful bouquet of Oleanders arranged in all its glory sitting idly by at the receptionist’s desk. It seems they were quite fond of the flower they were everywhere. You pick up another magazine but can’t concentrate because you don’t care about the going on in the world when yours is collapsing. You bring/offer a friendly smile at the old man next to you, who ignores completely and looks away. You couldn’t help but kick yourself for being as hasty as you were in calling for help; slumping some more in the chair you hope to disappear in its cushiony seat when your name gets called. “I have been waiting for you.” She extended her hand towards me speaking with a slight accent. “Hi, my name is Amentet,” she smiled. “Nice to meet you too, Amentet. It’s a very beautiful name.” I smiled back, “I’ve never heard it before.” “Yes, it’s an old Egyptian name. Can you believe it means ‘Goddess of the setting sun,’ so much for being a Goddess I don’t even get a chance to watch the sun set.” She joked to break the ice. “So tell me something about you?” “You are not going to ask me to lie down on the couch are you?” I grinned. “Actually now that I am here. It feels like I made a mistake. It’s just a recurring nightmare probably not that big of a deal.” “Don’t feel bad about it. We all need help once in a while,” she smiled reassuringly. “If you ever feel uncomfortable you can tell me to stop, okay?” “It’s just scary for me. I mean my husband disappeared some days ago and since then I’ve been having this dream of a pale little creature whispering something in my ears. Maybe I feel so lonely that I am hallucinating,” I said trying to derive some sense from my own words. “Do you know where he went?” she queried. “No. Not really.” A shadow crossed my face thinking of him. “Did you and your husband have a fight?” “No. It was nothing like that. That’s why I am so troubled. One night we were staring up at the stars, he proposes, the next day I get up and he is gone!” A tiny tear un-obediently trickled down my cheek. “I am sorry Mrs. Bloom.” She passed me a facial tissue and sat at the ledge of the table. “Tell me about the dream you are having do you see him in it?” “I don’t see him at all. I just see this… this ghostly creature of sorts and she says something in a foreign language that I’ve never heard. I read your ad, found out you provide multi-lingual services and thought maybe you could help?” “Sure. What does she say to you?” “She chants this word…Bennu.” I said gaping at a distance. “Hmmm… she does anything else?” “Not really. She just whispers in my ears, I look in her eyes and feel like I am falling and then I get up.” “Did you love your husband Mrs. Bloom?” she gazed up at me expectantly. “Of course I do.” I said incredulously. What kind of question was that? ‘Did?’ “The nightmares are usually a mere illusion of our subconscious. Something we’ve seen or done throughout the day stays in our mind making us receptive of these delusions. They are nothing to be worried about, I assure you. Just relax and don’t stress yourself over your husband. You can’t help by worrying about him anyways. Everything will be fine.” She smiled professionally and I was left thinking I didn’t have to pay $3.00 a minute to be enlightened with the obvious. “Isn’t there anything you can do to stop the nightmares though?” I asked, hopeful. “If you like I can give you some pills to make you sleep more soundly but they are addictive so be careful with them,” she says scribbling on a piece of paper. “Oh and take some of these beautiful Oleanders.” She hands me the pristinely white flowers sitting in a vase on her desk, “Beauty always cheers me up.” “Thank you.” Somewhat satisfied at the piece of paper clamped up in your hands and flowers in the other, you walk out with a bitter sweet taste in your mouth. The consternation lingers on, it seems, there are a lot of temporary cures to make you forget him but none that can bring him back.[/i]
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:26:00 GMT -5
Chapter VI “I’ll get it,” Orlando yelled grasping the ringing phone. They were getting ready to go out with a few friends to a premiere party. “Hello, is Keira there?” it was Dale on the other side. Orlando pulled a face recognizing his voice, “Yes she is, may I know what this is regarding?” “Umm….she wanted me to pick her up for a modeling assignment tomorrow. I just wanted to confirm with her,” Dale said reluctantly. “An assignment?” un-amused at this new piece of information, his tone changed into a tenacious one, “Don’t worry about her I will give her a ride in the morning!” He said hanging up the phone. Keira entered the room wondering whom he was talking with. “Who was it Lando?” Orlando responded unmoved while flipping through mail, “It was Dale, he was saying something something about taking you somewhere and I told him that if you need a ride I would take you there...” he finished inconspicuously glancing only to be fixated by her unwarranted beauty. She wasn’t dressed up in expensive evening gown, just a simple backless red top and a short black skirt, showing off her willowy figure. And he was lost, lost in the sight that was her, the way the hair fell on her face the long tresses kissing her cheeks playfully. She continued oblivious, “but why did you tell him that? I wanted him to give me a ride to the shoot tomorrow.” “Huh?” he snapped out, “It is a ride you want and I can give you that. Really Keira, you should not be asking every D!ck and Harry for stuff like that. Unless...” he probed, “ you want to tell me something else that is going on between you two. I would appreciate the courtesy of being informed by you.” he said emphasizing the last two words, quite notably. “Are you accusing me? Are you really that oblivious to think that I am going to sit around here forever without work?” She couldn’t believe the nerve. “You just do not have the time not that I am not aware of your standard answer if I ever asked you to take me for a job interview. I hate being dependant and you better believe it. I will ask Dale or D!ck or Harry or whomever I please.” She walked away slamming the door behind her. Embarrassed and realizing the effects his jealous rage had on her, he let a few minutes pass for her to cool down before he called from her bedroom door. “Ky, I am sorry sweetheart. I didn’t mean to accuse you or anything like that. Look it came out all wrong. They are all waiting for us. This movie is important to me and I want to share it with my best friend. Is that too much to ask for?” He waited for a response but there was total silence on the other side. “Keira…” he banged the door hard getting restless, “fine, don’t go. I guess someone will have to tell ‘Dale’ to get their license transferred and…” before he could finish his sentence she jolted out, “promise?” The distraught look on her face burying him deep in shame and regret of torturing her, and he did make a promise to himself, one of never hurting her, one of never letting anyone else hurt his best friend. “Promise!” he said holding out his arm, “Shall we?” She grinned locking his arm in hers as they walked out. x----------------x “…and Orli told the girl, ‘if you think that is gross wait till you see what I have planned for our date!’ that was the end of that ‘relationship’ and folks I use the term loosely.” Laughter erupted all around the table as Billy joked on about Orlando’s many ways of breaking up with girls. “You guys are mean,” Keira said unable to stifle a giggle. “Hey Jacko get me another shot will ya,” said Elijah, Orlando’s co-star and good friend. “I just know you guys are going to get totally sloshed, I want at least one of you to remain sober please. Hey who is that guy he’s been looking at me all night?” She motioned her head towards the tables on the far end. “Which guy,” Orlando and Elijah glanced over. “You know the guy in the blue blazer behind…oh never mind he left,” she stood up searching for something in her handbag, “excuse me boys, I will be right back.” As she walked away from the their table Orlando’s gaze followed her only to be broken by Elijah’s waving hand, “Hello,” he said haughtily, “Yeah! other people, still around!” Orlando grunted relaxing back in his chair. Billy winked, “She is smokin’.” As if he didn't already knew that, Orlando rolled his eyes, “quit this ridiculousness, sod off mate!” “Quit what dude you have to begin something to quit it,” his sarcastic giggle was thwarted by Isaac’s glare. “Orlando really man, what is going on here? You know you like her. You tell me you guys have known each other forever. Why don’t you ask her out?” Elijah wondered. “Because,” Orlando helplessly stared in the same direction that Keira had left… “Because what?” Elijah was adamant in getting to the bottom of this. “Do you even know my track record?” Orlando asked instead of answering him. “I can never bear the thought of her being hurt in anyway, by anyone, including me. Besides she is my best friend I do not want to lose her friendship over this,” a defeated sigh escaped his lips. “Are you listening to yourself? Ol’ King of non-commitment! You sound like a love sick puppy,” said Billy. “She is your best friend. All the more reason, who else will understand you better. Kill the pessimist inside of you and go for it,” Isaac provided his words of wisdom. “You are so whipped! Just admit it,” Andy said downing another glass of champagne. Orlando was just kicking himself for making such a vulnerable display of emotions in front of these guys. Now they will pull his leg for days on end. He changed his position, “Hey Jerry Bruckheimer is in blue blazer. The producer of the film I am doing with Johnny Depp.” Orlando recognized the man Keira had been pointing at. “Johnny Depp huh?” Elijah slapped his hand resting at the table, “Stop changing the subject and stop making excuses.” “Yeah man stop making excuses, just tell her you love her,” Isaac quipped in monotone. “Would you guys just give it a rest for a second?” Elijah gave a fleeting look at everyone at the table and continued, “look, she is undeniably beautiful. If you don’t soon confess your feelings to her what are the odds of her hanging around?” He said thoughtfully. It was true. How long before someone finds her and snatches her away from my reach. Orlando was in deep thought when someone behind him tapped his shoulders, “Hey Orlando is Keira around?” It was Dale. An ironic epiphany overpowered all his thoughts. Elijah is right. This is do or die time. “She went to the rest room,” Elijah helped out his dumbfounded friend. “Thanks! How are you guys doing,” Dale said smiling trying to make conversation. “Hey Dale,” Keira shrieked from a far. Dale quickly closed the distance between them and extended his arms to give her a hug. They were animatedly talking about something not to Orlando’s amusement. To keep the envious look on his face from unraveling, he excused himself to join another table occupied by Jerry and some of his colleagues. “So Orlando, who is the girl that escorted you today?” Jerry inquired looking at Keira. Who was now at the dance floor with Dale. Orlando glanced at her smiling, “that is my friend Keira,” he gave a short reply. It pained him to look at her with someone else. All these new feelings surfacing him pounded him with discomfort. Jerry stretched a, “hmmmmm” as he thought of something intuitively however being a business man not very spontaneously, “Would she be interested in our field?” Orlando looked at him, trying to weigh his statement, “What were you looking for her to do?” his tone subdued, his protective best friend instincts kicking in. “If you recall, I am still looking for a female lead for “Pirates” with you and Johnny. In all the screen tests we have done so far, we were unable to find what we were looking for. Contingent upon how well this girl can act. I think her ‘Classic English Rose’ look might just do the trick for the role of “Elizabeth Swann” opposite you.” He elaborated. The thought of her working with him brought a gratified smile on his face, “sure I would ask her if she would be interested in something like that.” He looked on enviously as he watched Keira laughing hard at what he supposed was a joke that Dale made. They were walking away from the dance floor when the DJ started playing, Bryan McNight’s song “Back at one.” ~ It's undeniable that we should be together It's unbelievable how I used to say that I'd fall never The basis is need to know, if you don't know just how I feel Then let me show you now that I'm for real If all things in time, time will reveal ~ The lyrics were so appropriate that he took it as a sign. Slowly walking up to Keira he never once took his eyes off her. She must’ve felt the burn of his eye as she looked in his direction. He smiled at Dale taking her hand from his, dragging her back on the dance floor without exchanging a word. Surprised at his commanding attitude she noted arching a brow, “What’s gotten into you?” “I have some good news…but shhhhh…” Her body was shaking she let herself hear those words as if he was admitting his love to her, over and over again. There was something new about him, something she’s never seen in him before: the passion, the energy, the softness in his eyes. He looked so captivated when he grabbed her hand out of Dale’s hand, as if she belonged to him. She closed her eyes in a trance, hoping to be stuck in this moment forever. He felt her shudder maybe she was cold he drew her nearer, holding on tight. Her soft dainty body amalgamated in his. This touch was so special unlike anything he’d ever experienced. The way his heart longed for her. The way he could not stand another man being close to her. She is mine. She always has been. Sand castles or no sand castles I can’t dream of a life without her. They remained lost in each other’s arms when Orlando heard someone yell his name. Elijah was calling him for press meetings. He reluctantly broke his embrace. “I gotta go babe,” he said holding both her hands in his. “Okay.” she said lowering her gaze not wanting him to see a million stars flickering in her eyes.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:29:45 GMT -5
Chapter VII “So, its final? Great, I will see you then,” Keira gasped, not believing what her ears just heard, she was offered a movie opposite Johnny Depp and Orlando. An opportunity to work with one of Hollywood's biggest producers, Jerry Bruckheimer. She could hardly wait to tell Orlando and she quickened her pace towards her apartment, excited. x----------x “No I do not want her to know about this, its’ supposed to be a surprise,” Orlando was talking someone in the living area when she got home. “Orlandoooooooooooooooooooooo,” she shrieked from the hallway. She noticed a stranger sitting by Orlando in the living room. “Hi,” she said extending her hand. “Hey Keira, this is Mr. Ashwin he is a friend of Elijah’s,” Orlando informed. “Nice to meet you Mr. Ashwin,” she politely said turning to Orlando, “Guess what, I got the role for Pirates,” he knew she had a good chance but seeing her so happy brought a contented smile to his face. “Good for you hun,” he said congratulating with a hug. “I am so happy,” she enthused. “Wait, I gotta tell mom now,” she ran in her room to grab the phone and tell her mom the big news. Orlando returned to Mr. Ashwin, “So when can I pick up the keys?” x----------------x Everything seemed to be sliding back into place for her and Orlando. He had stopped his late night escapades. He’d been around the house lately and seemed happier. She felt content to have helped her friend find a median as well as finding satisfaction in his happiness. Haa… and I doubted this arrangement she smiled to herself at her own scepticism. She was dialling the number when all of a sudden her vision skewed. She was seeing double and her head started pounding. She was looking for her purse but her vision was slowly blurring. The pain became more and more unbearable. She somehow got up and locked the door sitting by it… she couldn’t help but cry. Why did happiness had to come with a price, for her? She drifted off on the floor as the pain got the better of her. “Look I can’t do it, I just can’t right now…. my life is too complicated!” Keira shook her head in disagreement as she studied the barren floor. “Fine Miss Knightley, just remember that if something happens to you we will not be responsible.” Mr. Johnson said in a decisive tone hoping to scare her, “I want you to understand the consequences, you have no other option!” Her shoulders sagged as she became paler and paler with fear. She resorted for a few moments quiet pondering her options. Death never did scare her it was the thought of losing her loved ones that did. She thought long and hard and finally decided. She let out a sigh of relief whilst a thousand shadows becoming her face. “No!” She said a matter of factly leaving out any room for contention, “To me there is only one option.” She looked at Mr. Johnson displaying a forced smile. “Very well than. Just so you understand. You are committing suicide. I advice you spend your time wisely because you do not have very much of it left.” Mr. Johnson contained his anger at her stubbornness with a professional tone. Tears made their way down the corner of her eyes. She conceded with unwavering confidence, “I guess it’s a matter of choice doctor!” Pheonix turned ablaze never to be resurrected It has been a while since persisted, lilting haze*WHISPERS*“Bennu…” she whispers, your body numbing in shock as she climbs on top of you, her half dead cold form touching your own, she brings her face a top yours. “Haiyya Bennu.” And then you find yourself falling in the black oblivion of darkness again, gasping for breath.
“Ugh,” you sit up breathlessly, moistness seeping through your face. “Where are you, Orlando?” you whimper touching his side of the bed. The bed, the room, the fears, everything looked so much bigger now that he wasn’t here.
Thud.
And if the nightmares weren’t enough, the mysterious noises at your front door in the middle of the night become your worst fears.
“Who is it?” I exasperated, pulling over my silky robe. “Hello?” I walked up to the main door, “is someone out there?” Finding the courage to ask without opening it, hoping the walls and doors be ample in keeping out the illusive ghouls.
‘Bennu…’ came the dreaded word in the familiarly alarming form of a whisper.
“Great so now I am hearing her when I am up too,” I mumbled, “and talking to myself, just lovely!” I rolled my eyes and was attempting to return to my room when something made a crunching noise under my feet. It was only a piece of paper. I sighed in relief calming my jumpy self. Picking up the piece of paper I switched the lights on, by my side and brought the paper closer to my eyes.
It was a drawing. Shockingly terrifying for a child’s drawing but the color escaping the outlines of the picture assures it was made by a child. The picture was rather disturbing, a man being flamed in a corner while a woman, with seemingly unidentifiable features looked on, smiling. Who would draw such a thing? Was this a threat by someone? A message by the abductors? I gaped at the piece of paper closely when to my surprise the little ambers started moving animatedly, crackling as they burnt, swerving and before I could react the drawing turned into powdery dust while still in my hands, flowing soullessly across the room.
You step back aghast; the beating of your heart defying nature. You shake your head in disbelief and hear her giggle resonate around you. “He he he, haiyya Bennu!”
Smack.
“Tell me I am being stupid. Tell me she is just a figment of my imagination. Tell me I am not crazy.” I marched right into Amentet's office, smacking my hand on her desk to get her attention.
“Calm down,” she said motioning to the chair idly lying by, “take a seat. Tell me what is wrong?”
“I saw her again.” I sat my weary self down.
“You mean in a nightmare.”
“No. She is real. She is all around me. The paper… it burnt right in my hands,” I exclaimed without noticing the nonsense of my words, watching her face turning incredulous. “You think I am crazy don’t you?”
“Not at all.” I saw her hand go under her desk.
“Yes you do. I don’t know why I ever came here.” I said shooting right up from the chair. "You want to put me away, don't think I didn't notice your hand going under your desk. I may be lonely and paranoid but I am not stupid. I see what is going on!"
“Wait,” she slowly made her way to me, “I want to help you," she said looking at the clock that was forever didn't seem to be moving. "My twelve o’clock cancelled so you can sit here and tell me everything that’s on your mind. I will listen. Okay?” she said rubbing my arm slightly. “Sit down. The medication could be causing the hallucinations. Did they find your husband yet?”
“No,” I said quietly with my gaze embossed to the floor, hoping she wont notice the sparkles that erupted at his thought.
“What are the police saying? Did they find a suspect yet?”
The answer was again: “no.” Would I be sitting there if it was anything but? And the answer stuck out again mockingly but loyally. No.
“Mrs. Bloom maybe it a change in space would do you good. I can send you to a place where you can have all the time to yourself and…”
“No. I can’t,” I disbursed immediately interrupting her thought. “What if he comes back looking for me? I am going to wait at home for him. As long as it takes, I will wait.” This said decisively, unfalteringly.
And you will wait because it is the only constant in your life. Time has no meaning for you. Hope is, all you have.
The legend of the Phoenix can be found throughout Ancient literature. A mythical creature revered by the Chinese, Greek and Egyptian cultures, not to mention other various European and Middle-Eastern people.
The phoenix, in its most developed and most accepted form is a bird roughly the size of an eagle with brilliantly colored plumage that varies with origin. Its coloring is either purple with a collar of gold or a mixture of red, gold and blue. The phoenix is the sole one of its kind and lives in Arabia. At the end of an epoch, as it feels death drawing near, it builds a funeral pyre of sweet spices. Sitting upon its pyre it sings the sweetest five-note song we can imagine. The rays of sun ignite the pyre and the bird is reduced to ashes. From the ashes crawls a worm, which matures into an adult phoenix. Its first task is to gather the ashes of its parent from which it emerged and buries its parent in a temple in Heliopolis (the City of the Sun) to return to Arabia.
The first known story of the phoenix is from ancient Greek literature, in Herodotus' account of Egypt ( c. 430 BC). It was a red-gold bird the size of an eagle who returned every 500 years to bury its parent, whose ashes were embalmed in a ball of sweet-smelling myrrh.
He flipped the page sighing as he glanced at the ailing form positioned on a white bed by his chair.
“Orlando why don’t you go home? You have been here steady since she was brought here. If you keep at it you will get sick son.” The doctor voiced his concern as he began writing something in her chart.
“I am fine, besides I can’t leave her like this.” His voice came meekly; wistfully he buried his head back in the book.x-----x KEIRA POVI made my way to the elevator. I knew I had to quickly cross the street and pretend to be buying something before Orlando makes it there. As I entered the elevator someone called out my name. “Keira? Right?” he said. I looked at the middle aged gentleman standing next to me. His face looked familiar but I couldn’t put my finger on it. “I am Mark! Mr. Bloom talks about you all the time.” he said grinning knowingly. “Oh,” I recalled my first day in L.A. when I was trying to surprise Orlando. He was the guy I had an argument with. I realized that he knows Orlando and can possibly ruin this for me. “N…nice to see you Mark!” I stuttered. “So you are here to see someone?” he asked as we waited for our floor. “Yes,” I responded quickly, “You?”<br> “I am here to see my partner,” His eyes glittered. Happy to have changed the topic, I asked, “How is she doing?” “HE is doing well. Thanks,” He emphasized the 'he'. “I am sorry,” is all I could manage registering the new revelation. “Keira, you forgot to sign the waiver forms,” I was just getting out of the elevator when Dr. Johnsons' assistant’s voice halted me. I hoped Mark hadn’t heard this new piece of information unfortunately I wasn’t so lucky this time. He looked at me suspiciously. I grabbed the pen and paper and quickly started signing when I heard Mark say. “Don’t worry, I will keep your secret if you keep mine!” he grinned hopefully. x-----------x Orlando’s happiness was a sight to devour. He had bought his very first estate and it was in the name of his one and only love. Keira. He had bought her a beach house, after all they met on a beach. She’d always described her ideal house as a beach house. It was meant for them. With five spacious bedrooms and a penthouse look it was the perfect place to finally tell her, he was in love with her. He wanted to say that for a while now but he wanted everything to be just right. A story he could tell his children and grand children about. He was humming a tune while getting ready. He wanted to start his new life with Keira with the best of everything. She deserved only the best, he smiled at his own thoughts. Looking at the clock he mumbled something under his breath. I guess I better get used to the girlie shopping, whatever could she need from the same mall with a small pharmacy and a few shops every second day. Then again any attempt to fathom women kind is a waste of time. He thought to himself, grabbing the keys to his car.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:34:36 GMT -5
Chapter VIII “Hey babe,” he smiled as he spotted her along the road. “Hello! you sound like you just won the lottery,” she said breaking away from the unpleasant thoughts grinning at his cheery mood. “I hope I would…win,” he said lost in thoughts of the most anticipated moments of his life. “Keira,” he said so lovingly she couldn’t help but notice. “Yeah?” she wondered what is up with him. Lately he hadn’t been sharing with her as much as he used to. “I want to show you something today,” he said glancing at her. “Okay, can this wait until I eat, I am so hungry,” she said pulling a face. “…if you want to,” something in him broke, what if his cocky assumption of her saying ‘yes’ does not come to realization. What if she is interested elsewhere? Dale? A thought soured his face. She noticed the sudden change in his mood, “alright, lets go see what you want to show me first,” she said giving in. She didn’t want to upset him when he seemed so happy. “What do you want to show me by the way?” a little curiosity arose her face when they entered the posh areas of L.A. by the beach. “It won’t be a surprise if I tell you what it is now, would it?” he teased her. The rest of the ride was pretty quite, both of them lost in their own thoughts. “hmmm…” She looked past the beautiful houses. How she wished to have a beach house like the ones passing her by. Just like life and time, which she didn’t have much off. She closed her eyes day dreaming about what she wanted her life to be. A cute beach house, with Orlando, their kids playing in the yard, making sand castles. She would tell them how their parents first met, on a beach. Wouldn’t that be a lovely sight? Their cute noises would fill her with energy and Orlando’s eyes will give her the eternal love, the love she came here seeking. He saw a blissful smile play on her lips. She looked so beautiful sleeping peacefully. Wonder what she is dreaming about? May be a beach house! Yeah. She would be so surprised and so happy. I will make her happy each and every day. The same joy she gives me every time I am around her. Would she feel the same way about this, as I do? He shrugged the negative thoughts off. She can’t say no. I’ve seen the way she looks at me when she thinks I am not observing. She has to love me. No one can love her like I can. “Keira, sweetheart, wake up we are here!” he said breaking off her dream. She sighed. Dreams are but meant to be dreamt. They are but an escape from an ethereal reality. Reality that is painstakingly harsh with no mercy for lingering feelings: untold, unsaid, or unbeknownst. She stepped out of her car. A beautiful house sat before her eyes in all its glory. She looked around. Orlando had disappeared. She called his name but he was not around. She reluctantly went up to the house, not knowing what to do she knocked at the door. Her knock forced the door to open up with a jolt. “Hello, is someone there?” she tried to sneak a peak. There was a narrow hallway before her with rose petals concealing the floor. “Wow!” she couldn’t help but appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the image. “Hello,” she called again. She saw a crumpled piece of paper ruffling towards her feet as a strong breeze made its way from the inside of the house. “Hello… anyone?” she said with utmost curiosity. She rationalized to herself had their been anyone in the house they would’ve answered her insistent chants by now. In any event it must be his friends’ or relative’s house? She straightened the piece of paper looking around one last time before giving into the fascination. “There be none of Beauty's daughters With music like thee; And like music on the waters Is thy sweet voice to me:” A tiny smile crept on her face lighting up her eyes, not before noticing a similar crumpled up piece of paper laying before her at the turn of the hallway. She walked guiltily wondering if she will get caught in her simple desire. She wanted to drench out each moment of her remaining life for all its worth. She read out loud: ”When, as if its sound were causing The charmed ocean's pausing, The waves lie still and gleaming, And the lull'd winds seem dreaming.”Her plastered smile becoming wider. She no longer cared for the surroundings or circumstance. She was entranced in the romance of the poetry far too much to have noticed the rose petals neatly laid into a path as she followed the trail of mysterious poetry. Vicariously making her way reading aloud; ”And the midnight moon is weaving Her bright chain o'er the deep; Whose breast is gently heaving, As an infant's asleep:”….and read on; ”So the spirit bows before thee, To listen and adore thee; With a full but soft emotion, Like the swell of a Summer's ocean.”With a little scribbling beneath the last note, "you didn't think I noticed your affinity for poetry did you?" Cryptic writing bewildered her but not more than the sight now encircling her. It was a huge room of what she deemed an empty living area. Warmed by thousands of candles burning passionately, the petals of roses still making a pathway leading to the curtains at the end of the room. She gasped, mesmerized at the beauty that surrounded her. She moved in the ecstasy of the moment. ~ At last… my love has come along My lonely days are over And life is like a song ~ …Halting in her tracks at the familiar tune. Her eyes fixated on the silhouetted figure behind the delicate fluttering of the curtain as the ocean breeze sifted through. ~ Ohh yeah yeah At last The skies above are blue My heart was wrapped up in clover The night I looked at you I found a dream, that I could speak to A dream that I can call my own I found a thrill to press my cheek to A thrill that I have never known ~ It was too late for her to hide. She drew in a sharp breath to break the rapture as the curtains parted to disclose a smiling Orlando. The revelation of it all has just dawned upon her and her knees refused to support her limping body. She backed into the wall behind her to keep her from collapsing. Her eyes drowning in emotion, in the immortality of this euphoria… that was hers. Orlando slowly made his way to her. His gleaming eyes set on her. She wanted to turn away from his alluring gaze, stumbling as he came nearer. Her heart pounding to the beat of music as the butterflies beneath her skin flapped their wings, cascading wave after wave of emotions all over her body. She wanted to weave this moment around her to give her strength when she would need it most. The glitter in her eyes blurring her vision. His breath caressing the streaks on her face playing with them yearning for his touch. He knew he did not have to say the words to declare his feelings. He slowly stroked his fingers across her cheek, brushing away the precious pearls trickling down the contours of her face. This could not be for real. She closed her eyes tightly not wanting to ever let this dream escape. “And you thought I could never fall in love,” his passionate voice whispered in her ears. “Ky…open your eyes sweetie,” he spoke, sliding his hands along her waist bringing her closer to him. His lips claiming her eyes, her nose, her brows, … her lips sealing the zeal of love all over her face. “Ky… come on, open your eyes. You know I can’t stand tears in your eyes,” his voice carrying utmost compassion. Her whole body shook in melancholy. All her ears could hear was, “…. You know I can’t stand tears in your eyes.” And she was hit with the rude awakening of reality flouting her reverie. All I have to give is tears and sorrows! How can I give it to the one person who means more to me then life? “No…” she screamed in vain - breaking away from the comforts of his arms. “N…N…No…I can’t,” her voice losing its strength. Looking at a startled Orlando she shook her head in disbelief of the irony that was her life. She could not watch the hurt in his eyes any longer as the burn of rejection lengthened its shadows on his face. She backed away slowly letting herself out of the house, disappearing into the night wanting to bury her dream, her love, herself, in the pathos of life. She ran along the road her senses leaving her side lost in the daze of what had transpired and all that didn’t. She was looking but couldn’t see, she was listening but couldn’t hear, she was thinking but her mind was going numb. All she wanted was to run far away from him. Faster and faster, until screeching tires and bright lights ended her quest. Teardrops to eyes faithfully insist a bond for life Clutching on eternally to the self-preserving haze*WHISPERS*Tink. The blue happy pill makes a small sound as you watch it disappear in the drain of your washroom sink. They didn’t really help you. Instead you truly believe they played with your mind. Besides no amount of happy pills can create a fog thick enough to keep you from noticing he wasn’t around. Who can blame you for thinking there is a deep rooted conspiracy going on against you? He has fame and money, both very capable of inspiring the worst in people. You recount all the possibilities to sketch a suspect but you can’t. Grunt. Clearing my throat I asked: “hi officer did you hear anything yet?” I knew the answer from the solemn look on his face, I added: “how can he just disappear from the face of the earth like that? He is a famous movie star!” “We are trying Mrs. Bloom. We’ve advertised in papers, on TV, on radio, we have even involved FBI but that’s just between us. Point is we will find him. Until we do however, you shouldn’t be leaving the house without security. Also, do not step outside the house unless it’s an emergency.” He pursed his lips before adding, “it’s for your own safety.” Safety? What is safe? The four walls of your house are safe? The illusions that never leave you alone are safe? So you empty every shelf, every drawer for the umpteenth time in hopes of finding a clue and still find nothing. Beaten and defeated you clasp his picture in your hands for hours on end, crying your heart out. His eyes gaze upon you so sadly, you’ve failed him and the guilt is killing you inside. A shadow reflects from the glass of his picture but it doesn’t have any effect because you plan on chalking it up to your over active imagination.[/i]
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:40:42 GMT -5
Chapter IX
This thirst is a dream, and the shore delusion Dream, as are you, wanting you but a dream My destiny is a dream, my eyes no longer gleam Dream, as this voyage, and its paths illusion KEIRA POV...And the trance had broken. I picked up the pencil again and started drawing inane things. First a sea shore, then a few birds, and a house, and then … I drew circle after circle until the picture became the color of lead. I stared at the little piece of paper with the four lines I just jotted down and the mangled picture mimicking the state of my mind, never really kept a diary or a compilation of my mindless witter and until yesterday didn’t think anyone knew of them. How did he know? I really shouldn’t be leaving my stupid musings around. I tore the piece of paper into tiny little pieces and threw myself back on the bed I was sitting on. I wanted to drown in my own tears until suffocation steals my last breath. I closed my eyes hoping I would forever dwell in a never-ending sleep. “Keira, I got you something to eat.” Dale knocked the half opened door and entered with a tray full of food. “Come on Keira, talk to me. Tell me what happened to you?” I opened my eyes slightly looking at his distressed face and got up. I cleared my throat of the lump and tried to smile. “Keira, you didn’t eat anything since yesterday!” his features changed from sympathetic to plain distressed. “I must be looking really pathetic right now, huh?” I asked blowing my nose in the Kleenex, “bet you haven’t seen a girl do that before in your bed.” I let out a familiar noise trying to pass it as a laugh. By the looks of it, he was not buying it. “Keira please, do not try to tell me that you are alright. I am not stupid. I can see something is wrong and you just do not want to share with me,” he paused for a second, “do you want me to call Orlando?” “No,” I think it came out louder than I had intended because he gave me a peculiar look. Like a parent gives to its tantrum throwing two year old. “I am sorry… I mean, no it is okay. I just need a place to stay until tomorrow morning?” I pleaded in a whisper. “Of course you can stay! You can stay here as long as you want.” He gave me the peculiar look again, “I always thought you to be a good friend. I am surprised you would even ask me for something like that,” he said minding. “I am so sorry Dale. I am just…” I broke off, wandering for the right words amid all else in my mind when another thought occurred, “How did I? Who brought me here?” “Mark, you remember the guy from the set that was stopping you?” I was surprised but glad since Mark has kept my secret before, “Oh, is he a friend of yours?” I asked absent mindedly. “Yes. He is my roommate. He lives on the main floor. Anyway, you rest now,” he said with a concerned look on his face. “Good night.” “Good night.” I laid my head on the pillow. It was so nice of Dale to have kept me here in this time of desperation. I don’t have the heart to see Orlando yet but my medication, my documents, everything was in the house. I have to grab it before he sees anything indicative of my illness. I twisted and turned in the cozy bed. I felt so alone and helpless. I would take my life if I didn’t have a burden on my shoulders. My mother’s voice soothed my senses in the gallows of the night, “Once upon a time there was a flock of geese, flying through the sky, with their flight so high they went far and wide. Geese always fly in pairs. So they can look out for each other. If one from the couple dies the other is left behind, without flight...” *WHISPERS* Sniffle.
“I saw her again in my dream last night.” I closed my eyes to rest them in Amentet's comforting presence, especially since sleeping at night was fast becoming impossible.
“The pills are not helping?”
“No.” I responded in tradition.
“What does she say now?”
“She called me again.”
“Your name is not Bennu.”
“Then maybe her name is.”
“No! She is nothing but Echidna,” the grimness on her face brought an apprehensive look on mine she continued discerning. “It means a monster. A demon. You have to fight it.”
“It felt like she was calling me…”
An exasperated sigh came from the doctor which she hid professionally and continued, “…and?”
“She touched my naval.” I shivered rubbing my tummy in a circular motion, feeling his seed, the hope he's left growing in me, urging me to go on without him.
“Hmmm…” she grunted wanting me to continue on.
“And then she brought her face really close to mine.”
“How close.”
“Everything was a blur but her eyes,” I said entranced. “And then… then…” my lulled breathing was picking up recounting the nightmare.
“Then what?” Amentet placed her hand on my shoulder reassuringly.
“She screamed… she screamed so loud and lifted right back up in the air and I begged her.” My senses were pulsating threatening to implode in my temples any second. “I begged her to leave me alone.” Hot tears started streaming down my eyes, “I was so scared and he wasn’t there to take care of me.” I opened my querying eyes to find Amentet by my side, “he said he would never leave me.”
“I am sure he misses you wherever he is. I will be right back.”
You feel uncomfortable. Why she had to leave half way in an appointment doesn’t concern you as much as what she perceived your worries to be. All of a sudden you feel unsafe and without a moment to waste you escape.x---------------x ORLANDO POVThe tides came towards me with a fervour determined to uproot the rocks from the shore. Closing in with determination, taking everything away with them only to die at the touch of shore. And I wished for the waves to take me away with them. Be on my side this one time when I was left without someone to turn to. The noise of the birds, the laughing children, the ocean breeze, the sand beneath my feet, I hated everything and everyone. Yet I stood there sadistically torturing myself. “Why did she do that to me?” “Why did she lead me on?” “Why didn’t she even bother to reject me?” I looked at the horizon, the sun mocking me with its shine. I kicked the seashell sitting by my foot and felt a sting in my big toe. Little droplets of blood trickled down. The pain was so familiar yet so soothing. My pierced heart ached with longing. “I hate you Keira!” A rebel tear escaped from my eye, defying my words. I picked up the seashell throwing it as far as I could into the depths of the ruthless waters and forced myself to believe…“I HATE YOU!” the screams died inside of me. I wanted to feed all my love into the fury that burnt inside of me. One dream at a time… X----X “Where is she?” Sam’s demanding voice echoed over the phone. “I don’t know and I don’t care!” I revolted. “I know something is going on between you two she is not even answering my calls. Do you know how worried her mom’s going to get if she finds out?” Upon silence from my side her voice became irate, “Just tell me where she is, I will ask her.”<br> “No you will not. You are my sister not hers!” I jerked out every word and hung up the phone. It had been two days since I saw her. For the first time in two days I focused my mind on anything but anger. I had a good idea of where she would be at. She left me for him my head pounded again. I knew the Knightleys, they were good family friends. I specifically took a liking to Mr. Knightley, he reminded me of my father. I recall how he confided that he only agreed to let Keira come to L.A. because he knew I would take care of his little girl. Not that I ever wanted to stop taking care of her. I shook my head to rid it of the stinging thoughts and started to dial Dale’s number. “Hello,” Dale’s voice echoed from the earpiece. “Tell Keira to call Sam, she is looking for her,” I finished, smashing the phone back on the cradle. “Keira, Orlando just called,” Dale said undemonstratively. “W…What did he say?” I quivered, every pore on my body becoming ears. “He said to call Sam, she is looking for you,” Dale inspected me, probably getting the faint gist of what had happened. “Did you guys have a fight?” he asked. I didn’t know how to respond to that. I knew he had not demanded I give him any information on why I was there for the past two days and he deserved an answer. “Yes.” I responded as simply as I could. “I am sorry I did not mean to pry,” he sat down the cordless phone stabilizing his weight on his knees. “Don’t be. I … just don’t know how to explain,” I drifted off. He brought my face in his hands and asked, “Are you feeling better now?”<br> “Much better,” I pecked him on his cheek. He had been so kind and so patient with me so far. “Thank you for everything, Dale. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” We hugged. I don’t know if it was because I was feeling so lonely or if I was longing for a human touch. I tightened my arms around him and closed my eyes. As we broke the embrace, moments after, he gazed at me. A sheer desire in his eyes pulled me to him. I smiled, as a familiar sight possessed me. I felt his breath on my face causing my lashes to linger, my lips moved involuntarily, “I love you… Orlando...”<br> My eyes broadened with embarrassment to watch a hurt Dale retreating away. x--------------x ORLANDO POV“Where is she?” Sam’s demanding voice echoed over the phone. “I don’t know and I don’t care!” I revolted. “I know something is going on between you two she is not even answering my calls. Do you know how worried her mom’s going to get if she finds out?” Upon silence from my side her voice became irate, “Just tell me where she is, I will ask her.”<br> “No you will not. You are my sister not hers!” I jerked out every word and hung up the phone. It had been two days since I saw her. For the first time in two days I focused my mind on anything but anger. I had a good idea of where she would be at. She left me for him my head pounded again. I knew the Knightleys, they were good family friends. I specifically took a liking to Mr. Knightley, he reminded me of my father. I recall how he confided that he only agreed to let Keira come to L.A. because he knew I would take care of his little girl. Not that I ever wanted to stop taking care of her. I shook my head to rid it of the stinging thoughts and started to dial Dale’s number. “Hello,” Dale’s voice echoed from the earpiece. “Tell Keira to call Sam, she is looking for her,” I finished, smashing the phone back on the cradle.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:44:32 GMT -5
Chapter X KEIRA POV“Hello,” Dale’s voice echoed from the earpiece. “Tell Keira to call Sam, she is looking for her,” I finished, smashing the phone back on the cradle. “Keira, Orlando just called,” Dale said undemonstratively. “W…What did he say?” I quivered, every pore on my body becoming ears. “He said to call Sam, she is looking for you,” Dale inspected me, probably getting the faint gist of what had happened. “Did you guys have a fight?” he asked. I didn’t know how to respond to that. I knew he had not demanded I give him any information on why I was there for the past two days and he deserved an answer. “Yes.” I responded as simply as I could. “I am sorry I did not mean to pry,” he sat down the cordless phone stabilizing his weight on his knees. “Don’t be. I … just don’t know how to explain,” I drifted off. He brought my face in his hands and asked, “Are you feeling better now?” “Much better,” I pecked him on his cheek. He had been so kind and so patient with me so far. “Thank you for everything, Dale. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” We hugged. I don’t know if it was because I was feeling so lonely or if I was longing for a human touch. I tightened my arms around him and closed my eyes. As we broke the embrace, moments after, he gazed at me. A sheer desire in his eyes pulled me to him. I smiled, as a familiar sight possessed me. I felt his breath on my face causing my lashes to linger, my lips moved involuntarily, “I love you… Orlando...” My eyes broadened with embarrassment to watch a hurt Dale retreating away. x--------------x ORLANDO POVI took another sip from the bottle of red wine in my hand as I waited outside her flat. I didn’t quite fancy coming to this part of the city but she was the best person I could come to right now. I just wanted to lose myself in someone else. No strings attached. Leah came down and smiled at me. “I thought you didn’t do this anymore because you were in love?” she reminded me of my own words that I had sputtered foolishly in the bar when she tried to hit on me. “I lied.” I said simply drowning myself in the bottle. x--------------x KEIRA POV“Hey, how are you doing now?” Mark smiled coming in the room. I was so glad to see someone whose feelings I hadn’t hurt with my despair. “Good,” I smiled, “You look good. How is your partner?” “He…. passed away,” he said, with his head hung low. “I am so sorry Mark,” I sympathized. I knew very well no words of condolence could lessen the pain. “At least he is not in pain anymore,” I added wistfully. “Yes. How are you feeling kiddo?” uncomfortable, he changed the subject. “Umm…. do you have any medication left?” I asked ensuring Dale wasn’t in the vicinity of the room. “Yes I do but you can’t just have any medication, you know that!” he said in a paternal tone, “You have a headache don’t you?” I nodded. My head had been killing me since yesterday. No amount of generic brands could cure this pain. “Come on I will help you get your stuff,” Mark said standing up. “What? Right now? At this hour?” I looked at the clock, it was about 11:15 pm at night. “You should not be so careless. You know it will only worsen,” he said knowingly. I was hoping to collect my stuff when I knew Orlando wouldn’t be around. A reluctant “but” was all I could manage. “Look kiddo, I can tell you are going through a tough time right now. You of all people should know how precious time is, don’t waste it!” I thought for a second, his words made sense. I started tracing the footsteps of my guardian angel. x---------------x ORLANDO POVI opened the door to my flat and let Leah in. My feet disobeyed me, going in all the directions except for ones intended. Everything was so hazy. I could barely understand what was going on. When I heard a voice, “Easy baby, here let me help you undress,” and felt a body atop mine. The warmth started driving me nuts. I rolled over and delved into it hoping to loose my pain into her. I don’t know what came over me but I felt my mind blowing up. My expedition to solace interrupted by a scream, “You are hurting me!” she cried, “I am not Keira!” She pushed me over the ledge and before I knew it I was once again left alone. x-------------x KEIRA POVI dug around in the planter sitting in the front of our place. We always hid a spare key in there. I hoped he was out or asleep, as I pulled the key out, I didn’t want to wake him up. I told Mark to wait outside for me while I went to collect the essentials. My hand was on the knob when someone smacked the door open. A half naked girl reciprocated my startled look. “You must be Keira!” She said tauntingly, “Stupid movie stars…” she mumbled away making her way down to the elevator. Mark and I both looked at each other to make sense of what she just said. “Orlando?” I gasped. I ran in to ensure he was alright. He was sloshed, his face buried in the ground as he lay on the floor of his room. My knees caved in. I covered him in a blanket and wept silently, gathering his still form in my arms. “I am so sorry...” I whispered hysterically kissing his pale motionless face. “It’s all because of me.” Mark came in and looked at me sympathetically, putting two and two together. “He is just drunk, don’t worry,” he added, “You need help?” I nodded without ever taking my eyes off Orlando.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:46:24 GMT -5
Chapter XI KEIRA POVI was oddly calm as if the storm has passed, leaving destruction behind. Maybe hearing the fact that he was hurting as much as I was, from that random girl softened my heart. Or the guilt of hurting his pride without providing valid reasons necessitated the much needed courage I never thought I had. Love lit up like a rainbow, encouraging colors of hope to weave over the drenching remorse and self-pity. I was inanely peaceful and ready to confront him. I told Mark everything from our first meeting to my reason for being here. I guess after all the rapid emotional changes in my life over the past few days I was yearning for a lending ear. “It’s 3:14 am go get some sleep now,” Mark said looking at his watch. “So you are leaving?” I asked. “Yes, I better leave you two alone. Are you sure you will be ok? He looks emotionally distraught,” He glanced over at Orlando who was sleeping soundly. “Don’t worry. I know how to handle him.” I assured. x-------------x ORLANDO POVI was woken up in the morning by excruciatingly loud and annoying noises. My brain was swollen with pain. I tried to process how I got into a bed, fully clothed, and covered by a blanket. Last I remembered I was being dumped by a professional escort. I came out of the room screaming, “Stop the noise!” I stopped in my tracks when I saw her. “Good morning,” she said smiling and continued making breakfast. I couldn’t believe the nerve. She acted like nothing ever happened. Like our relationship didn’t suffer a monumental change. I wanted to ask her a hundred questions but the pounding in my head got the better of me as I resorted back to my room. “Here this will make you feel better,” she said, setting few pills and coffee on the nightstand. I only stared in confusion. She obviously wouldn’t want to live here in the awkwardness that would ensue. She better not try to salvage our friendship. Maybe she was here to pick up her stuff. The whirlwind of thoughts sucked me in the oblivion of pain that I had become all too accustomed to. “Come on now. Those pills are not going to swallow themselves.” She picked up the pills and handed them to me. I stopped her hand. “I do not need your help,” I seethed. Standing up I glanced at her. Her eyes were twinkling. How… I could not stand salty waters in those eyes. I left the room but her unsaid rejection was still clutching onto my nerves. “Can I ask you something?” I turned around to find her in the room again. I saw a shadow on her face. She obviously didn’t want to bring it up, why should I further embarrass myself? “Never mind…” I left without wasting another second. x--------------x KEIRA POVI entered Mr. Bruckheimer’s office. I had already signed the contract for 3 instalments of a pirate movie, opposite Orlando and Johnny Depp, hoping I would be able to finish them all but things were not looking very promising. The last few days had been so chaotic that it had totally escaped my mind. As it was, Orlando was not even looking at me. The secretary’s voice broke my chain of thoughts. “Mr. Bruckheimer will see you now,” Kelly smiled professionally. I recognized her face but I let myself in Jerry’s office reminding myself to ensure talking to her on my way out. “Hello Ms. Knightley. How are you today?” “Hi, Good. How are you?” I grinned. “I was just about to call you two. We are going to Caribbean at the end of the week,” he exclaimed. “Right. That is what I wanted to discuss with you,” I paused arranging the words in my head. “Is it possible that we can wrap up my scenes in… lets say a month?” He chuckled as if I cracked a hilarious joke. “Are you serious?” he asked gathering my reservation, “Do you even know how many millions of dollars are spent for each and every scene? You haven’t even finished your L.A. shoot yet. We will have to come back and finish those scenes off. And there is at least a six month shooting schedule for the Caribbean,” he tried to explain. “I understand that. I really do. But I need to tell you something in confidence!” I drew a deep breath and started clarifying my reluctance. x-x KEIRA POV“Are you crazy?” Mark yanked my hurriedly packing hands away from the suitcase. “A little,” I said casually pulling my hand back, shoving clothes and essentials in the bag. “You are not serious Keira,” he remarked, glancing at me from the side. “I am,” I replied shortly. I knew he was worried about me going to the PotC shooting. “Do you know how long the hours can be?” he remarked hopefully. “I do,” I said calmly. “You are unreal,” he taunted me in disbelief. Poor guy probably didn’t know no one has a chance before my stubbornness. “I know, I am,” I shot a smug grin at him. “I didn’t mean that as a compliment,” he arched a brow. I finally closed the now full suitcase shut and turned to him. “Mark, is it wrong that I just want to be by him even though I can’t be with him?” I asked expectantly, hoping he will have answers to all my questions. His eyes were reluctant to meet mine. I sighed in agitation.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:49:21 GMT -5
Chapter XII
*WHISPERS*Hunh.
You pant running on the deserted road which seems to be going in circles, bringing you back where you started but you can’t give up now. Your senses laden with the weight of two eyes following you and you sneak in the first door that lets you in. Stars, signs, color, this could be either a fortune teller’s bread and butter or a gypsy’s abode.
“Hello child.” A colourfully dressed, pleasantly plump lady of about forty made her way to me. I smiled mockingly thinking if she’s seen any of those chiselled to perfection bodies in the magazines through her foresight. Didn’t she want perfection? Her genuine smiles made me feel guilty and I shrugged the thought off.
“Hi,” I attempted a smile, failing half way, coming up with an excuse to avoid the quandary that stood outside – seeking me. “Umm… I don’t mean to offend you but I’ll be honest I don’t believe in tarot readings.”
“I don’t mind child. You have a lot on your mind. I understand.”
“What… what is on my mind?” I stuttered figuratively.
“Your husband is missing. You are worried about him.”
And she had me, glued to the chair. “Yes! My husband? You know where he is?” should I not be mortified at a strange woman knowing my husband’s whereabouts?
“Yes.”
“Where,” I asked jerking, extremely impatiently.
“I cannot say.”
“Please, tell me where he is… look in your magic ball or something, I …I will,” I emptied my purse on the table not noticing how my choice of words would've been a bit offensive, “I’ll give you lots of money, anything you want.”
“How can you give me something when you seek something yourself?” she said with conviction.
“What do you mean? Why are you riddling me like this? Just tell me where my husband is god.dammit.” Frankly, I was agitated.
“Patience child.” She smiled charmingly, “you can’t help him unless you help yourself. Fight your own demons first.”
“You know about her!” this meeting un-expectantly turning into a rather disturbing one.
“Of course I know her. I sent her to you!” she said, flashing a creepy smile, her form melting to form ‘her’ - the apparition that haunts me, my worst nightmare. I go off in a daze again, seeking a realm closer to reality. Just a bit closer. I sit there shocked unable to move at all, even though the first thing I want to do is run off far away from her, screaming like she did, last night and she is suspended in the air. “And I am not Echidna. If you go back to Amentet I will have no choice but …,” And poof she disappears into thin air again.
The ghost doesn’t want you to see Amentet, your only friend in this time of turmoil, of course she couldn’t mean well. And then you jerk your head confused, since when did you start listening to apparitions anyways? Perhaps since you started believing in tarot readings and crystal balls! ‘Destiny is what you make of it.’ Repeating the card that lay on her table, you walk out skeptically wondering what kind of person would believe in this crap?KEIRA POVThe plane took off. I closed my eyes and sighed. The producers had promised me an early leave from the Caribbean and agreed full confidentiality on the matter. I was glad that Orlando would be forced to spend some time with me. Maybe he would get it out of his system. I was trying to be as normal as possible around him but he had probably sworn on never talking to me again. His temper was always bad but it never stopped me from following him. I knew in time his anger would subside and I would be able to rationalize with him but time was something, I was short of. I glanced across the aisles of the luxurious business class. Orlando was sitting directly opposite my aisle at the other end of the plane. So close yet so far just like the look on his face. “Hello there, you must be Keira Knightley,” a familiar voice broke my focus. “Hi!” my voice rose considerably in pitch. It was Johnny Depp, looking as handsome as ever. I was so in awe that I didn’t know what to say. He smiled which made me notice the caps on his teeth. “Oh my God you got gold teeth,” I exclaimed like a schoolgirl. He laughed and sat before me on the empty seat. “You are very candid. I like that.” He winked and we joked around until the flight attendant announced our arrival in Caribbean. x--------------------x ORLANDO POV“Cut! Johnny I am not getting you in the frame. Everyone take 5,” Gore recessed. A few hands padded my face ensuring all make up remained intact. Johnny was swinging his sword in the air practicing our fight sequence. “So what is the deal with you and Keira?” I jerked my head away from the make up artists in surprise. We had barely known each other for a few days. “What do you mean?” I asked suppressing anger. She knew how much I respected the man, of course she had to go and ruin it for me. “I mean,” he placed his sword aside. “I’ve seen the way you avoid her and how she always talks about you. Apparently you guys have known each other for quite a while,” he grinned knowingly. “We did,” I tried to avoid the subject uncomfortably squirming on the barrel I was sitting on. “So where is Vanessa?” He took the hint, “She is back in L.A. She might bring the kids later.” “You have a little girl right?” I quizzed. “Yes and a little boy,” he winked, “I keep busy.”<br> I laughed. He seemed like a really cool guy and I was in the market for a friend. x-----------x KEIRA POV[/I] “You shall always remember this day as the day you almost caught….” Johnny was spewing his lines with prop handcuffs yanking my head back. “Ouch!” I gave Johnny a look from the corner of my eye, “would you stop piercing my skin with the chain Scissorhands!” Johnny gave me a comical look, “Yes princess Keira only if your hair stops getting in my eyes!” “Cut,” Gore’s voice came in the speaker, “What’s the problem?” His assistant came and inspected the cuffs. Johnny yawned, “Hey Gore, can we take a break?” Gore agreed and I rolled my eyes. “What is wrong with you? If we keep taking breaks like this we won’t be able to finish the scene today,” I said rather anxiously. “Look there fiery princess, I am not young and full of energy like you. Neither do I need to go and hit on guys at the pub,” he winked. My mouth gapped and I slapped him playfully, “I have to hit on someone since you are taken.” “That’s true,” he leaned in arching a brow, “Sadly like all the good ones. I am taken. But you can do with the leftovers… like how about Orlando?" he continued wrinkling his nose, "He is second best. After me of course!” he dusted off his imaginary collar smugly smiling. My smile faded and I nervously started brushing my hair at the insinuation. Is he noticing the tension between us? “We are good friends right,” he looked at me and continued. “I do not know about that,” I tried to lighten the mood. “Keira come on. I am not a kid. I see what is going on. You like him don’t you?” I just looked at him. “Of course I like him he is my best friend…” “A best friend you do not talk to anymore?” he finished my sentence. “We talk,” I tried to wiggle my way out. “Really? And when is that? When no one is around?” he played with my mind. “No, we … I … It’s just…” I tried to look for the right words, “look can we talk about this later,” I gave a fleeting look at the other crew members around us. Everyone was too busy to pay attention. My inquisition for a plausible ‘excuse’ was cut short, as I heard the director’s voice with a sigh of relief. “Ok everyone places. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Scene 14B:Take 6 – Action,” the director shouted from his post.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:51:32 GMT -5
Chapter XIII [/b] ORLANDO POVI thought I saw someone familiar coming in the bar. I brushed it off as a coincidence and directed all my attention back to my drink. “Hello stranger,” she leaned into my shoulder. “Kelly?” I drew in a deep breath, registering the face. “Oh thank God, at least you still remember my name,” a beautiful smile played on her face. “How can I forget the girl who cursed me?” I frowned a little bit remembering her parting words. “I am sorry,” she sat herself besides me ordering a drink. “I was angry and I felt wronged. Do you really blame me? I did catch you cheating on me! I thought I meant something to you,” her eyes probed mine. All the memories came rushing in. I remembered how I had a bad feeling prod into me when I confided in Keira. Kelly’s voice resounded in my mind, Karma is a b!tch. She was right! The only girl I had ever loved dumped me before I could even begin to confess my feelings. I gulped down the contents of the entire glass in one breath. “Are you here for a while?” I asked without replying. “Yes. I am here for vacation,” she paused for a moment but got on her feet looking unceremoniously disappointed, “I guess some things never change.”<br> My restless eyes found Keira who entered the pub with some of the extras from the movie. She was smiling, laughing, enjoying life, a contrast to my pathetic being, lingering in the shadows of existence. I called out to Kelly, “Wait,” I grabbed her arm, “Let me explain.” x----------x KEIRA POV“Oh my God. Do my eyes deceive me?” I proclaimed. “It’s me,” Mark muttered. I couldn’t believe he was standing at the door of my hotel room. “How did you manage to come here,” I exclaimed, hugging him. “The producers wanted some man power with supplies and I requested my manager to let me come. He owes me a favour anyways,” Mark grinned. “I am so glad you are here,” I said in all honesty, “I really needed a friend.” I let go of the door to close it when suddenly a hand stopped it. It was Johnny. “Hey sexy,” he came in and promptly noted the stranger in my room. “Hello,” Mark grinned, “I’ve always admired your work,” he said gushing. “Johnny meet Mark. Mark you know Johnny,” I pursed my lips in order to stifle the giggle wanting to erupt at Mark’s star struck state. “Hey man,” Johnny shook his hand and turned to me rather precociously, “So this is the reason you are not going out with my boy Orlando huh!” It took me a split second to absorb the hilarious assumption but the thought jolted an idea in my head. I snickered at Mark who was a bit flabbergasted at this new piece of information. “Yeah,” I ignored an evidently uncomfortable Mark, adjoining my arms with his. “This is my fiancé, Mark.” Both Johnny and Mark looked at me suspiciously after this announcement. Johnny finally embraced me with a seasoned, “Congrats sweetheart!” “Thanks,” I said looking over his shoulder pleading with Mark to keep my secret once again. He smiled in obligation. “Well better leave you two love birds alone,” Johnny said leaving. “See you around Mark.” “Sure,” Mark closed the door staring at me. “Should I even ask?” “You are such a sweetheart,” I buttered up pinching his cheeks. “Thank God. Now he will leave me alone. You do not know how he’s been advocating for Orlando since he found out … and I do not know how, but he did. He’s been after me ever since.” “Tell him to mind his own beeswax,” Mark hit my hands irritated. “This is more than I bargained for.” “Come on Mark,” I pouted tugging on his shirt, “Pweese pweese pweety pweese!” I batted my eyelashes. “Save it honey. You are wasting it on me. And ultimate weapon, ‘baby talk,’” he said picking an apple from the fruit basket, “I invented it.” He winked biting into the apple. “I am sooooo glad you are here,” I squeezed him in my arms one more time.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:53:10 GMT -5
Chapter XIV ORLANDO POVI grabbed both her hands and pinned her to the wall trailing kisses between her jaw and swan like neck. She looked at me longingly as I slipped my hand under her shirt and touched her bare skin at the small of her back. I placed my lips on hers passionately sucking in the sensuality of their unison. She moaned in ecstasy, “Umm”. I dove in her mouth tightly gripping her, the passion taking me over. “… wait… Orlando… I can’t bre...” The words broke into my trance. My head rang with them, “I can’t” I was Orlando Bloom. One of the most eligiable bachelor’s in Hollywood. Girls swooned over me. I was never ever rejected by any girl, ever, until her… The one person my life was incomplete without. The deceiving moment thumped me back in reality as I looked into Kelly’s eyes. I pulled away losing the fight between love and rationale. “Why did you stop?” She asked. “I am not feeling well. Let’s just go to bed,” I restored my smile and pulled Kelly to the bed. Unconvinced myself of what to make of the face that kept haunting me - I hid my face in Kelly’s silky blonde hair and closed my eyes almost instinctively. x---------------x KEIRA POV“Why did you bring me here again?” Mark asked me for the nth time. We were at one of the only posh clubs on the island. “Because Grandpa, you could learn to live a little!” I snickered at him dragging him onto the dance floor. “Hey Keira,” I turned to a familiar voice. Kelly pulled Orlando behind her with a friendly smile on her face. “Hey,” I smiled back. “Do you guys want to get some drinks?” Kelly screamed to be heard through the loud music. I glanced at an uneasy Orlando and then at a naïve but friendly Kelly. “Sure,” I replied but reluctantly. “I am so glad to see another familiar face on the island,” Kelly exclaimed and then toned down her excitement a notch when I grinned at her mutely. “Not that I knew you, knew you-” she stuttered, “but I know you of course, you came to Jerry’s office so often right before the schedule.” She laughed to subtly defuse the awkwardness. Orlando gave her a look, which placed between “Are-you-a-natural-blonde?” and “We-need-to-talk!” “Hey,” Kelly waved at someone at the bar, “You guys I will be right back,” she said glancing down at Orlando who was now examining the floor. “Boy she is a chatter box isn’t she?” Mark asked Orlando smiling. “She is,” Orlando pursed his lips turning all his attentions on Mark, “so, are you a friend of Keira’s?” he continued coldly never once looking at me. “She is no friend of mine. Dragging me out here when she knows I am a dinosaur to the whole club scene,” Mark teased placing an arm on my shoulder. Orlando grabbed a shooter from the passing waitress, took a swig and asked Mark, “Are you from here?”<br> “No, I am from L.A. I was working on the sets of Paris but I don’t blame you for not recognizing. I was just a technician doubling as security.” Mark informed. “Really?” He looked a little embarrassed, “Where in L.A. are you from?” “I live at Blvd. St. in the greater L.A. area.” “Blvd. St.?” He gave me a devious look, “don’t tell me, you live right by the tiny pharmacy at the intersection of 91 Ave.?”<br> “Yes, I do…ou,” Marks last words were squished as was his foot that I stomped on. I knew what Orlando would make of this information. Orlando mocked a laugh, “Why am I not surprised?” he said staring at the empty glass. I gasped. Not that I blamed him for being so incredibly presumptuous. I did lie about going to the pharmacy each time I went out for radiation therapy in the hospital across the street. “Guess what, I actually learned something on the sets today!” I made a desperate attempt at changing the subject. “What is that?” Mark prompted seeing a dis-involved Orlando. “They had this scene where Geoffrey Rush makes a cut on my hand to drain blood for breaking the pirate’s curse.” “Does that hurt,” Mark added empathically. “Not at all, that’s where the brilliance of science comes in,” I stopped to notice the futility of my attempt on his obliviousness, “Its all to do with chemistry, it’s a chemical reaction you see they actually put this translucent chemical substance on my palm and they put a chemical substance on the dagger and when both chemicals make contact there is a reaction and both transform into this red liquid which resembles blood.” "In short, it is like love,” Orlando addressed me for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. My eyes found his, in a lingering gaze – something in me broke when I saw those brown eyes burnt by the strands of red. Everything be stilled – the animated people around us, the sounds, the scents, even the thoughts, which blatantly occupied my brain often – all that remained was piercing silence. The silence of his words resonated on my face as I got up with a jolt, “I will be right back,” I barely managed and quickly made my way to the ladies room. My hands fell on the ridge of the sink as I breathed heavily to suppress the tears ready to erupt at the rims of my eyelids. I splashed my face with water to conceal the wetness. However, the blur in my vision persisted, the pain in my heart traveled up to accompany my distraught mind and soon I was falling to the floor.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:55:42 GMT -5
Chapter XV ORLANDO POVI didn’t really want to wait for her to come out so we left without taking proper leave from Keira. Something wasn't right. I put my concerns into words, closing the hotel room’s door, “Kelly, how do you know Keira?” Kelly looked to me as if she was expecting me to question her. “Of course I do hun. She used to be your roommate when we were going out, remember?” She said, throwing her million dollar smiles at me but I wasn’t convinced. “The way you talked to her sure didn’t sound like you only knew her as my roommate,” I gave her a long, hard look. Kelly shook her head tightening her grip around my waist, “It’s nothing baby. Come on,” she grinned, “let’s finish what we started yesterday.” “Kelly please…” I shrugged her hands off, “just tell me how you know her?” Something in my voice made her quizzing eyes rest on mine. I looked away lest she finds the source of my agitation, the anxiety that occupied my whole. She shook her head, “You love her don’t you?” “No I don’t,” I growled. “…you do!” she said knowingly after pausing to examine my disloyal eyes – fervently denouncing my every word. She continued with a sigh, “I should’ve known. Why would she want me to come here and try to salvage this relationship that never was. I guess I just wanted to fall in love. I just…” She looked away hiding the tears welling up in her eyes, “wanted to be loved the same way I loved you…” Who’d know the truth of those words more than me? I looked at her sympathetically. I wanted to hold her in my arms and tell her a lie that would put our worlds back on their respective orbits. I extended my hand with the intentions of placing it on her shoulder but couldn’t bring myself to do so, “I … am sorry Kelly. I wish I could tell you that I love you too and that everything will be alright. But you deserve better than these lies, these games… Because no matter how much I run away – her love has become a part of me…” I looked at the adjacent wall for I couldn’t bear to look at someone else’s eyes mirroring the hurt I could not seem to get over. “…a part that’s changed everything about me. I know what you are going through Kelly… and I wish I could help but…” “…you can’t,” she finished my sentence wiping away the tears that fell on her cheeks. “Keira asked me to come here,” she raveled to my surprise. “We met at Bruckheimer’s office. Apparently, I was the only girl that had any effect on you. She told me that she would pay for my fare if I’d be interested in giving us another try,” she finished, giving me a fleeting look before walking towards the door. “Goodbye Orlando.” I watched her injured smile in agony as she left the room. More agonizing was the thought that Keira was thinking of me all this time when I had been preoccupied with loathing for her, despising her for not lying to me, for loving Mark. A little girl tugged my thoughts. She wouldn’t leave my side, once again. Once again, I kept on falling in love. I walked towards the door involuntarily. Love is so much stronger than pride. I needed to get to her floor. I needed to tell her that I was happy for her. I needed her to know she’d always have the best of me. x--------------------x KEIRA POV“Hey,” I glanced up to find a worried Mark and noticed the smell of detox, “you didn’t bring me to the hospital, did you?” I elevated myself resting my weight on the elbows. “Relax,” he pinned me back to the bed, “you are fine.” “But I don’t want to be here Mark,” I sneered. “I know. I don’t want to be here either. So get well and we will leave,” he smiled, assuringly. “But…you know what the press is like. They are going to have a field day with this, you know this is a small island and Orlando…” “No one will know,” his features changed in discernment. “What are you so afraid of anyway? At the most he will find out… so what?”<br> “So what?” I couldn’t believe what I had just heard, “How could you say that? So what?” I mimicked, “Who says that? Someone who doesn’t know the kind of repercussions it would have on a loved one… that’s who!” I gave him a jarring look, realizing the shrewdness of what I had just and watching his head slump. “I…I am sorry Mark. I didn’t mean to…” “Its okay Keira,” he sighed, contemplating the right words for a moment before he spoke again. “I know you’ve made up your mind about the surgery because there is a high risk of you going into a comma or becoming paralyzed. I respect that you want to live your life to its fullest rather than chancing it but I just don’t think you should be alone right now.”<br> “But I am not alone Mark,” I seized his hand in mine. “I have you, don’t I?” I smiled adoringly, “and I promise to go back to London as soon as Pirates’ filming is over.” “You know what I mean. You need to tell him!” he conceded. “No,” I persisted. “Why not? Look I am not going to say that it was a walk in the park for me to watch him die every second of every day but at least I was there to comfort him. I got my closure,” he tried reading the lines on my forehead. “Keira, think how devastated he would be if he finds out afterwards. He will feel so betrayed.”<br> I peered onto the whitewashed ceiling shinning ever so brightly, squinting my eyes more so to focus on the right words then to accustom them with the unwanted glow, “Mark, do you have any idea how these long nights are for me, watching the clock tick away the last few instants of my life, the unbearable cusp of death warranting the inevitable. It scares me, but I go on to create this illusion, this façade for him,” I continued gulping the lump in my throat, masking the faltering of my voice, “Its’ all I have Mark! Wouldn’t you rather watch me die once than over and over again, in nightmares?” I stopped, letting the scorching silence drawn into the room, waiting for an answer that never came, “I thought so -” I turned my face to Mark, “Could you please tell them I want to go home?” I couldn’t help but smile at my sweet friend as he shook his head solemnly, defeated. x------x KEIRA POVI was casually walking down the set feeling a bit dizzy when something clutched onto my hair extensions that had taken four hours to be fixed. I knew the only two people that played pranks like this on me were Johnny and Mackenzie. I clasped my primped up hair with my hand using my other hand to shrug off whoever was joking around. I jolted with annoyance, “What is the mat…” my words remained unfinished and my eyes became wider as my hand found a rather furry foreign object. “EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE,” I shrieked at the top of my lungs and started running blindly. I could feel the monkey jumping on my head, grasping on my hair as if his life depended on it. Maybe it did. All I remember was running through the sets shrieking like a little girl jumping around any or all hurdles that came my way until someone grabbed my hand. “Keira wait.” “Ou…stuuupid monkey,” I screamed through my sobs and looked to the person now untangling the monkey from my hair. It was Orlando. “Ahhhh,” I wheezed in pain. “I am sorry. Is it hurting?” his soft voice made me forget my pain for a second, watching his busying hands unlocking the monkey away from my hair. Monkey’s trainer made her way to us quickly, “I am so sorry Ms. Knightley. He is very well behaved I don’t know what came over him,” she said apologetically, helping Orlando. I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t even tell her to lock the stupid animal in a cage when he is not required. The thought that Orlando, Johnny, and other people on the set in all probability watched me freaking out was just dreadful. “He just wanted to party a little. Nothing wrong with that,” he said teasingly. I glanced up through the strands of hair that now hung on my face and saw a playful smile upon his lips. “There,” the trainer said disentangling the last strand of my hair from the sodding monkey and retrieved him from my back. “Again I am really sorry Ms. Knightley.” I nodded. My head was killing me. I brought one hand to my temple, rubbing it in circular motion. “Are you okay?” he asked. The concerned look on his face made the pain secondary. Biting my lip to keep the waters at bay, I first shook my head in agreement and before I could register it I was shaking my head sideways. He pulled me into a warm embrace. My tears kept wetting his shoulder and for the first time in a long time, I felt safe again. “I am so sorry,” he whispered, “you are my best friend. I will try to be… No,” he paused before continuing. “I am happy for you and Mark.” I looked up at him as his grip loosened at the words. “I am sorry too. I should’ve told you,” I cloaked myself with realism again, “I didn’t want to lose you…” “You will never lose me,” he held my face in his hands placing a long kiss on my forehead, “I promise.” “Promise me one more thing,” I sniffled. “And what is that?” “You won’t let that G.oddamn monkey near me again!” I said half seriously.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 6:57:46 GMT -5
Chapter XVI ORLANDO POVWe walked back to the set together, hand-in-hand, an inescapable smile occupying both our faces. Everything that could, seemed to have fallen back in place and it felt so right. “Hey Johnny,” I greeted, unwillingly slipping her hand from mine. “Helloooo…” Johnny elongated, giving an inspecting look first to Keira and then to me. “…Strangers,” he added, before smiling. “Johnny honey,” Vanessa’s voice came from somewhere around the trailers that stood behind us but I was distracted by Keira’s heavy breathing at my side. “Coming sweetheart,” Johnny said abruptly before heading toward the voice of his significant other. “Don’t think I am done with you two yet,” he added, grinning. “Life is short kids!” “Saved by the Ness,” I smiled at Keira who still seemed a little shaken. The monkey must have really distressed her. She smiled weakly and at that instance, my instincts pealed through my senses. My narrowing eyes caught her stumble. “What’s wrong Keira?” She said nothing but the lingering shadows on her face petrified me. “I’m fine,” she replied, offering a half smile. “Tell that to someone who doesn’t know you,” I insisted apprehensively, placing myself before her so she had no choice but to look at me. My fingers slid through the sides of her arms, stopping to collect the palm of her hands in mine and when she cringed I knew she wouldn’t confide in me. “Fine if you don’t want to tell me tell Mark, tell someone, you always keep things bottled up inside and you know I’ll never let you go and sit in a corner to sulk by yourself,” I rubbed my left thumb against the soft skin of her cheek caressing it until her face clutched my hand atop her shoulder. She closed her eyes. “It’s nothing, really,” she assured, breaking away. “I guess I just miss mom and dad and Caleb and Sam, and all my friends back home…I want to go back as soon as filming ends.” I didn’t want to drone on about it, I knew how close she was to her family, “You know I went to your hotel room yesterday and waited at your door for, like, four hours. How long did you guys stay at the club that day?” I said half smiling, in an attempt to hide my enviousness. “Oh, we…I…yeah… We thought we had a few more in us, so we stuck around for a long time there.” Her restless eyes were looking in every direction but mine, “you know me,” she shrugged, grinning and finally looking at me. I was very tempted to say, “not anymore I don’t Keira,” but I abstained myself from ruining the atmosphere and simply nodded instead. x-----x ORLANDO POV“Don’t stop.” she gazed into my eyes, closing the distance and I, I pulled away etching onto the last bit of self-control. “Wait a minute, what was my line again?” I jerked my head away from her looking sideways where the cameraman and director sat. “You are not paying attention Orlando. You do not have a line here!” Gore sighed in annoyance. I didn’t really blame him. After two days and uncountable takes, this was taking a lot longer than any of us ever thought. “Just think, it is a defining moment for them both. Elizabeth realizes she’s adjoined their names together in her mind and sees them being together and Will finds that the little girl that saved him from the pirates, was meant to find him; it was his destiny. Now bring that emotion in when you guys get closer. I want the audience to scream for a kiss,” Gore added. “I just need a moment,” I slumped in my chair, pressing the top of my nose with my index finger and thumb, clearing my throat and closing my eyes to get into character again. She is my saviour, my destiny… I opened my eyes for a fleeting moment, the glow of the candles silhouetted around her frame. I couldn’t see anything else; not the fake setting, not the numerous makeup artists, not the directors and other affiliates working around us. My eyes could see nothing and no one else and I quickly closed my eyes to escape from the allure in a last ditch effort to restrain. I grunted again to swallow the big lump forming in my throat remembering overhearing Johnny; “I didn’t know Keira was engaged to Mark!” I sat up stiffening my posture. “Okay, I am ready now.” I looked up and found her eyes smiling at me. I turned my gaze to her bare fingers that lay on her lap, “Hey Ky, where is your engagement ring?” “Er… It’s… Penny has it. I had to take it off in costume,” she surmised without bringing down her elevated head as the make up artists applied red orange glow that she didn’t really need, to look like a celestial Goddess. x-----x ORLANDO POVIt was the last day of shooting for me. I sat a chair outside of my trailer reminiscing the events of the past few days. It should feel good to have her back as a friend, but ‘It doesn’t.’ It should feel ample to know that she is happy, but ‘Its not.’ A bad feeling lingered like the dark skies above me I furrowed my brow, glimpsing up to observe gathering clouds, hoping for an answer when a tiny droplet fell upon my face followed by numerous accompanying it. “Are you trying to win a wet T-shirt contest?” Mark appeared from behind. “Why not?” I grinned, straightening in an attempt to be half civilized. I was very aware that so far I hadn’t left the best of impressions on him. The man was going to marry my best friend after all. “How are you today?” Mark inquired. “Good, and you?” I responded with a grin. “Fine, Ky…” I fumbled before admonishing myself for using the term of endearment in front of her fiancé lest he misconstrue it, “Keira is in her trailer. I think they might cancel the shoot if it keeps raining like this.” Mark stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked up at the thunderous skies, “It seems like it will.” “I think so too,” I replied, firstly looking upwards to absorb the the cloudy view and then turning to Mark, hoping to clarify the murky thoughts rioting within my mind. “You know that day … after the club? I came to visit you guys in the room. Did you guys go somewhere?” “Yeah, yeah,” Mark nodded in contemplation. “We went out to an English Pub, to watch a soccer… I mean football match,” he proclaimed. I heard a thunderous sound. It took me a few seconds to register that the noise wasn’t manifestation of my bewailing soul, lamenting over her lies, but the furious Rain Gods dinning their woes.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 7:01:33 GMT -5
Chapter XVII Another tear broke free from the ghostly skies, tumbling to an unknown fate. *WHISPERS*The constant beeps of the heart machine echoed in the hollow room.
“Doctor, is she in pain?” Orlando queried sadly looking at her still form. “Can she hear me?”
“As a doctor technically I’d say no. But as a man of faith I believe that subconsciously the patients in a coma can hear us.” He patted Orlando’s back. “Are you reading that book to her?” He said glancing at the book clutched in my hand.
“Yes, I am trying.” Orlando said weakly and continued.
The Egyptian bennu looks more like a heron with gold, red, pink and blue coloring. A flight of birds accompany the bennu and phoenix to Heliopolis for the burial of its parent. According to the Egyptians, the bennu comes every 1461 days, the equivalent of four solar years, including leap day.Drip They resounded all around me, breaking in symphony; endlessly forming little circles as they sacrificed themselves to the touch of ground. Restless, I got to my feet. The sudden movement causing inquisition to float across Mark’s eyes. I grunted, swallowing the plethora of lies, burying them deep within, in a plea for composure. A distant shadow crept towards my trailer, strategically placed in a desolate area, away from the social life that erupts on set at this time of the night, especially when people are not shooting. My heart had hoped for the approaching form to be Keira, my mind taunting me. I knew I could not face her right now. How could I? The painstaking thought that she was hiding something from me had solidified but the figure as it come closer appeared to be that of Gore’s assistant. “Hey guys,” the assistant smiled professionally not wasting a second to address Mark. “Penny is asking, she might not have enough weight to take all supplies back with her, would you be able to help?”<br> “Sure. I don’t have much to take anyways.” Mark smile met hers in approval. “Good.” She remembered something, “oh Mark, is Dale here too?” “No,” Mark replied incredulously. “Why?” “I thought he lived with you?” She paused to place the looming shadows that now appeared on Mark’s face. “Oh,” the resentment of sudden judgment appeared in her tone. “Sorry, I thought he was your boyfriend or something.” She said leaving. I was stunned. I heard another thunder strike. Infuriated at the revelations that never stopped coming, I clasped my fists tighter by my side. “I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to lie to you. I know she will be very mad at me but there is something you need to know,” he blurted in exasperation, hopelessly trying to find the right words. “I am gay. Keira and I are not together, of course.” He paused to look at Orlando, listening intently. “I met her at the hospital where my boyfriend was receiving treatment for a brain tumour. Keira is sick. She has been since before she even came to L.A.” I fell in the chair behind me, my senses departing my body. “What do you mean, sick?” My voice, hardly audible, drifted like a lost soul. “She’s dying, Orlando.” Mark said, looking away. Drip Drip Drip *WHISPERS*How much of the phoenix myth is real and how much is exactly that, myth? So far, the only observable similarity that may be a basis for the myth is the act of birds (most notably rooks) "anting" themselves. In anting, the bird performs a series of almost ritual movements that often involve glowing cinders or flaming twigs, which gives us the impression that the bird is using smoke to rid its feathers of ants. This is not the case though and there is no known explanation for this odd behaviour. Notably, this behaviour has not been noted in any bird resembling the mythical phoenix: eagle, heron and falcon.ORLANDO POVMark told me everything from his encounter with Keira in Beverly Hills when he had caught her running in a daze, to the night they came to our flat, in hope of retrieving her medication before I saw them. The moistness seeped in my being - the storm taking me over. I walked in silently; her focus glued to the small TV screen and her back to the entrance. There she was sitting so incredulously, so innocently, familiar images bouncing on the screen. All my questions were answered tonight yet I felt so empty, like a hollow shell, as I gazed on at the tiny figure that had endured it alone with no help from me or anyone else. I tried to find some of her strength in me to prevent myself from falling apart. My lips quivered without sound as I lingered in the doorway. Her voice interrupted my thoughts: “Oh Mark, why can’t they just get it on?” She exclaimed, throwing popcorn at the TV screen. “I mean Viggo is hot, Orlando is… I mean come on, look at him! They should just get ‘it’ on.” She giggled mischievously without taking her eyes of the screen as The Return of the King battle scene flickered on. “Isn’t he cute?” A sweet curve lit up her face as she rested her cheek on her arms. I took another step parting the distance that felt like a canyon between us. “Oh my God, what’s gotten into you? You are not jumping up and down on a gay joke!” She exclaimed, finally turning her face to the doorway. I stood still. Like time drenched in waters. Lost. No words could convey what passed between us then. She got up from the couch wide eyed, in disbelief, visibly shaken. And then there was no more haze.“He told you?” she yelled bewildered trying to mask her fear with rage. “He did, didn’t he? He told you!” finding an affirmation in my lowered eyes she came furiously towards the door. I claimed her in my arms, intruding before she could get out. Her frail form struggled as her broken words came: “no. Don’t Orlando. Please, let me go...” My grip became tighter around her struggle, her hysterical screams still trying my girth of sanity. “Don’t… I am going to kill him… just let me go.” And all the rain that seeped in me, let go… and I, a grown man… was crying silently/mutely, her dainty hands hitting me on the chest and the pain was visible I could feel it inside out. “Why?” I finally spoke, staring at her as she speechlessly bit her lip. “Why Ky? Why?” My wandering eyes bore into hers, becoming questions. Words shattered as her resistance eased and she gave in, resting her head on my chest. Nothing else mattered. I clutched her tightly not ever wanting to let her go. Cupping her face with my hands I brought her now accentuated with tears face, closer to mine my lips found her quiver and there was no stopping us. Moist with passion her window pane Feverishly sighing at the lover’s gain Ocean shore reflecting from a distance Torrid resonance, tides sway insane Eye of the storm building rhythm Two figures entwined shedding inhibition Washing down at the teardrops’ gaze And then there was, no more haze *WHISPERS*
This Egyptian origin comes from mythological texts, most notably the Book of the Dead. In this book, the bennu bird appears and has many of the same characteristics of the phoenix. The bennu, the prototype of the individual soul, arises from the Isle of Fire and flies to Heliopolis to announce the new epoch. Because the sun had also been envisioned as a bird who flew daily from east to west, the bennu became identified with the rising sun.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 7:04:03 GMT -5
Chapter XVIII [/b] ORLANDO POVThe bride of night took her veil off and beams of the sun shone through brightly. There was no candlelight, no rose petals, no music, or romantic poems just the stark truth starring me in the eye. Life is anything but perfect, anything but expected. It’s beyond obvious, I know, but how could it be this cruel? I pondered, elevated on a pillow, unable to sleep a wink all night – I looked at her beautiful feature translucently peaceful as the cherry/rose luminance spread upon her face. Enviously lifting a stray strand and kissing her cheek, I studied her face, mesmerized. Wanting to absorb her in my eyes, perhaps wanting to save her in the relics of my mind so nothing can ever hurt her. She stirred slightly and stretched her arms finding the disruption of my body lying not very far from hers. She squinted, blinking to find my gaze affixed on her. “Good morning gorgeous. Pack up we are going back to L.A. tonight.” I said, nuzzling my face in the cove of her neck. “Good morning,” she said with a far away look on her face. Her eyes found mine in an eternal gaze. There was something there so captivatingly beautiful and yet troubled. I don’t know how long I searched for meaning in her eyes, without ever tiring. The comfortable silence became an unbearable echo of the clock, ticking away. “This was a mistake,” she spoke, a sadness passing across her face. “Don’t talk like that,” I interjected. “You are the one who wanted me to have someone. You can’t take that away from me.” I rubbed my nose lightly on hers watching as she closed her eyes opening them moments after. “No. This shouldn’t be happening,” she sighed, shaking her head in disbelief, possibly recounting the events of last night. She pulled the covers closer to her body and sat up, pushing me away. “I wanted you to fall in love, to be happy not to be miserably making love to someone as their dying wish. God… can’t you see, this will only end up hurting you. I don’t want you to see me like this.” Her eyes rimmed with the tears, ready at bay. “And staying away from you will make me happy? You are not making sense Ky.” I got up and arched to gain a better focus. “I can’t even believe you are making all these decisions for ‘us’ as if you are the only party in this. This is not your decision it is ‘ours’. Do you understand me?” I knew the commanding attitude was never well received by her but I couldn’t let her deprive herself like this. “When did you become this selfish, huh? Your life is yours, sure but your friends, your family, me? I’d hope to have some part with you, to be there for you. Or have you decided to take that privilege away from us?” “Yes I am selfish,” her voice was raised and I knew I had hurt her pride but she was listening, regretting but understanding. – She must understand. Her face crinkled in dismay. “I am selfish, okay? I wanted the glory all to myself. So everyone can miss me when I am dead!” “Keira,” my voice fell, the fearful tone foreign to my own ears. My hands grabbed her arms and my grip stiffened, cautious not to hurt her. “Don’t say that.” “Not saying it will not change the inevitable,” she derided cruelly. “Please, just… go.” She tried to shrug my hands off her arms but was defied by the firmness of my grip. “Let me go,” she pleaded. Downcast, I couldn’t come up with an answer right away. Instead, I questioned: “do you remember when you came to my house the day my dad passed away?” Ignoring her absent-mindedness, I resumed. “That day was the first time I’d felt such a low, I was only eleven and back then it seemed like the end of the world. And then you came along irritating the hell out of me, following me around like you owned the place but you know what, without even knowing it you’d said something really wise that day. You said ‘when someone loves you they never leave you’, and you didn’t.” I collected the precious drops that fell from her eyes, letting go of her arms seeing I was getting through, I continued. “I don’t know why I was not afraid anymore, my perspective on life changed that day. I lived everyday as my last, you, Sam, mom, worried but I didn’t want to waste a single moment of it. Never in my wildest dream did I want to risk this freedom for love and I don't know when I did, but I did Keira.” I stared into her eyes shedding pretence, tact, accord, baring my soul, “I fell in love.” Her soft whimpers shattered me all over again. Kissing her lightly on the lips I eased her back on the bed deepening the kiss with the torrid passion burning a hole in my heart. And we lay there, wanting to remain lost in each other, hidden forever. x-------------------x ORLANDO POVI guess I know why they call it ‘falling in love’ because it definitely feels like ‘falling’. It’s an exhilarating feeling, like you experience when you skydive or bungee jump. It frees you, thrills you, escaping the mundane, but mostly it scares you. It is scary because you do not control what happens and not knowing what will happen is always a scary thought. “Keira, where are you?” I called for her from the living area. “Are you in the bathroom?” I became anxious when I was unable to retrieve an answer and had started to panic when she appeared from the bathroom in a body towel, drying her hair with a smaller one. “Ah, there you are,” I sighed, relieved at her sight. Any moment I couldn’t find her false alarms went off. It wasn’t a feeling I was very fond of. “Geez, I don’t think people across the street heard you ‘lando, could you please speak up,” she pulled a face. Noticing her pale form and bad mood I decided to tease a little before getting to a point that I knew would only worsen her mood. “People of across the street, we come in peace,” I screamed at the top of the lungs, hanging at the edge of the bedroom window. Needless to say it derived some annoyed looks from passer bys. “Now, you and I have some unfinished business, baby.” I said seductively, hooking her around the waist and pulling her towards me, starting to kiss her. “Umm Keira?” I interrupted, looking at my wristwatch. “Remember we had an appointment with the specialist today at 4: 00 pm?” Hurt and somewhat offended she pulled away. “No. And I told you I will never agree to any surgery.” She picked up a brush by the mirror and started combing it through her wet hair. I gazed at her silhouette in the mirror. “I’m not asking you to agree to anything. He is a specialist and he can help.” “You don’t think I did all this?” she questioned, looking at my reflection behind her. “I know what they are going to say. Alright, now, can we drop this?” The decisiveness in her tone didn’t break my spirits. “Don’t hate me angel,” I didn’t stop to look at the reaction my motives had initiated, when I quickly pulled her in my arms, ignoring her cries. “Damn it what are you doing? Put me down. Do you even realize I am in a towel,” she accentuated the word towel, to remind me of the inappropriateness, not that it made me stop and rethink. “It’s okay babe, I want to show off how gorgeous you look in your birthday suit. Who am I to deprive the rest of the world from the beauty that is Keira Knightley.” I saw her blush but I knew it wasn’t going to help my cause. “You are out of your mind?” she struggled as I quickly picked up her clothes tilting sideways, before stepping out of her room. “What are you doing? Do you know what people would say? Stop this craziness.” “I always finish what I start remember,” I quirked, putting her down where we were standing, currently outside the flat. “Now, if you want by all means put these on.” I handed her the clothes, which she snatched, staring at me infuriated. “Otherwise I have no problems taking you as is,” I said tugging at her towel which became loose instantly. I grinned ridiculously, trying to peak. She fumed, hugging her arms tighter to keep the towel intact. “Come on there is nothing in there I haven’t already seen.” She slammed the door in my face but I had a spare key and her stubbornness had always found competition in my own.
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Post by Reens on Dec 31, 2005 7:05:48 GMT -5
Chapter XIX KEIRA POVThey say you only need seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown but sometimes smiling just becomes a task. I thought I was making some kind of sacrifice by not letting him know, some kind of saintly deed to procure a standing in his eyes, of becoming immortal but he was right, I was only being selfish. Deep down I always knew him being there will only drown me faster; all a stander by can do is stare. Watching him helplessly trying drew me in, quicker. Supposedly, I should feel like the happiest girl, I was so - in love but every passing moment was dragging me closer to a dead end. Death never was a scary thought because I had accepted it as a destiny, until now. I wanted to live now, for him, with him. I was finally happy but it was hard to smile. I was finally at home yet I wasn’t. I tried to forget but I knew this was just an illusion of an oasis my thirst can never be quenched. I was left to wander off in these deserts until the merciless claws of death come to find me. Awaiting my fate was more torturous now than it ever was, before him. “Are you still mad at me?” he broke the haunting silence that was ever present between us, even when there was noise. “Yes,” I said, exasperated. “Do you love me?” he said taking my hand in his. “Not right now. I don’t.” I grinned sarcastically. I could feel his eyes on me but I refused to look. When I heard the karaoke CD in the car stereo and his out of tune voice singing. “You are… so beautiful to me, can’t you seeeee.” The horrendous pitch was unbearable as it came to an end of last few elongated words. “Oh my God,” I covered my ears and tried vainly to hide my smile. “You like,” he grinned jokingly. “I like? I like it as I like diarrhoea. I beg of you,” I pressed my hands together in a pleading motion, “please for the love of God, don’t ever sing to seduce women. It’s not exactly your forte.” “That’s quite alright, love. Because you see I don’t have to seduce women anymore.” He took one of my hands in his and kissed the back lovingly without taking his eyes off the road. “I already have someone to call my own.” “Right now, you do.” I pulled my hand back from his cruelly. Hating myself for saying it and not content on finding the bleakness prevail his illuminated eyes. The deafening silence grew by the second. Why did he have to drag me out of the darkness I’d become so prone to? I was no friend of the light. He should’ve just left me there. And now I was doubly glum for making him feel this way. Why didn’t he understand, he didn’t belong with me? Always trying to bring a smile to my face, he’d lost his own. We see but dimly through the mists and vapors; Amid these earthly damps~~~~~~~ ORLANDO POV“Is there nothing you can do?” devastated but aware of Keira’s presence next door, I tried to keep my voice at a level. “I am sorry Mr. Bloom. Something could’ve been done if they considered removing the tumour in its earlier stages. As of now it’s grown and infection has spread in her body. We can try radiation and I see on her chart she was being given radiation therapy up until the three months ago. The discontinuation has made it spread everywhere not that it mattered anyway. The tumour is situated in the frontal lobe of her brain and if we operate on it there is a 90% chance she will not survive.” He paused to put a hand on my shoulder. “Are you alright Mr. Bloom?” he asked, concerned. “Yes I am fine. Would you mind directing me to other specialists for a second opinion?” I said hopeful. “I can give you some names but they will all tell you the same thing, I did,” the surgeon said sympathetically, “Good luck Mr...” “I will take the recommendations now, thanks doctor,” I derailed. I didn’t need sympathy right now, not until I’ve given up the fight: the reservoir of my fight for her, remaining untapped. This one thing I will not let go of. This one thing can’t be left at the mercy of change. And before I knew it, I found myself in her again. Growing from her as did Eve from Adam’s limbs. Reshaping faith in deepest lows, she’d altered my perspective yet again, unceasingly amazing me. How could I, stop? We see but dimly through the mists and vapors; Amid these earthly damps What seem to us but sad, funeral tapers May be heaven's distant lamps.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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