The Wheel.

I sat on the bench. The night was gloomy. Starless. Far away, a group of kids were  playing. My long green fingers trembled in fear. The fear of losing him. I never knew my heart could bind his memory so deeply. Yet, I had to let him go.

The breeze blew. The shoulder beneath the satin dress waited for the touch. It never came. My head turned and my eyes fell on him. The dark, glimmering eyes were looking down at me.

He sat beside me.

“Aella.”

The raven was singing.

“Please don’t go,” he pleaded. I looked into him. His glassy eyes shimmered in the dark. I leaned my head on his shoulder. He started to ravel my snaky hair with his fingers. “You knew this day would come.” My voice trembled. He stopped momentarily. With my eyes closed, I could feel his fingers lingering over mine. “I know, my darling. Although I foolishly thought I could stop it. And mind you, I still do.” I opened my eyes and looked into him. How I wish I could stop this day too? All I wanted is to be by his side, but I know I can’t. I was never meant to be here. The earth. Where I belong, I still don’t know. I am still searching. But definitely not here. Not with my Rephaim.

“I love you. But I can’t be here with you. I still have a long way to go, and you can never be a part of it. You have to stay here. This is where you belong. These people are whom you own, not me. To let go means to accept. Accept these people. They are real. I’m just a mirage. I can’t stay.”

Far away, I could feel the chillness of the beam. He can’t feel it, but I know that it’s about time. I have to tell him.

“Rephaim, listen. I thought you were the one, too. I thought I could move on, together with you. But, now I have to let you move on, without me. Life’s been a wheel for me, rotating from top to bottom and back to top again and again. I don’t know when it’ll stop. Till then, this game wouldn’t end. I’m sorry you had to be part of this game.”

Rephaim hindered. “What are you talking about?”

“I have to go now. The gate’s opening. But before I do, I have to make sure that you move on. The soul you’ve lost to me is gone forever, but I’ll give you part of mine instead. You will live without a hint about me.”

Before he could say anything, my hair touched his forehead and the familiar blue chain began. I felt part of myself being stripped with the chain. Selfishness, betrayal, joy, innocence. All of them began to fade. I felt weak, yet I kept the chain going. He had to live.

The breeze came. At that very moment, everything went pitch black. Maha fainted. I know he’d be fine. I know he’d return to his family when he wakes up. I know he’d find someone better than me in his life. I know not because I can foresee the future, but because he has part of my soul. It’ll make him live his life.

The door opened. The familiar silver light dazzled my eyes. I am ready to step in, ready to venture another world. With my step, the wheel started to roll again.