CHAPTER 11 :

She was sitting, facing the lake when she heard a familiar wheezing sound behind her back.

She did not turn around though her heart did skip a beat.

Finally! Finally, he was here.

“You are mad at me?” she heard him saying. She did not understand why he stayed away from her. She did not turn towards him.

“I know you are here Vanilla. I can feel you.” Her eyes brimmed with tears.

But she kept sitting there stubbornly.

“You want to punish me, Zella? Then do it. But please say something.” when he could not get a response he opened his breaks and stood with his shaking legs.

His arms outstretched, he started taking small steps.

“You need to speak Vanilla otherwise I might fall in the lake.” That got her attention.

“ZEK!” She shouted. Within a second she was on her feet. Holding him she helped him to sit on the grassy floor.

“Are you even in your senses? You might have tripped, fallen, or might have hurt yourself!” Her voice was slightly raised. Frustrated. She was sitting in front of him, on her hinges.

“If risking my life means hearing your voice … I would do it gladly, Zella.”

She could not take it anymore and leaped towards him to hug him. He hugged her back. The moment he took her in his arms she started crying.

Throughout her life, she never felt weak. Never. People in her life always took advantage of her. But she remained strong to keep herself alive. But right now this weakness was killing her.

Her sobs were louder, and it was killing him inside. But he let her cry. Just massaging a hand on her back he just kept kissing her head. Not once did he stop her.

When all the bottled-up sadness and frustration flowed away with her tears she became quite still in his embrace.

Taking a deep breath Zek smelled her wig.

“I am sorry Zek.” She said quietly.

“Why this apology, honey?” he tried to wipe her face with his fingers a little clumsily.

She tilted back her head, “I was being weird I know. And I wanted to tell you just once that it’s ok to stay away from me. It’s just that I got so much used to your company. …”

“But you are not at all weird Zella. I never knew a girl could be this intelligent and this beautiful …”

“I am not beautiful Zek, not even …” She tried to interfere.

“Shh.. Don’t say another word. Don’t think for a minute that you are not.” Taking a deep breath he raised his head, “You need to be very strong Vanilla. This world would eat you up if you would not.”

She looked up a little frowning, “Are you going somewhere?”

He chuckled and did not answer her for a minute. Then hesitantly he nodded, “Yes I am Zella.”

“There is something more. Right? You are not telling me and …”

“See? I told you. You are intelligent.” Taking her again in his arms he clutched her to his chest.

“Honey. We are meeting each other for the last time.” He heard her, in-drawing a sharp breath but tightened his grip on her.

“Zella. Listen to me very carefully. Ok darling?” when he felt her nodding her head, he kissed it.

“This is our last night together. Before I leave …”

“What? You are leaving?“

“Vanilla you talk a lot. Now stay quiet.”  A little irritation was evident in his voice.

“Tomorrow, you would resign.” When she was about to open her mouth in protest he made her quiet again.

“Shh. Just listen.” This time his tone held a warning. “Resign. If not tomorrow then the day after tomorrow. When I will leave the palace there is some commotion expected. If you would not resign then they may suspect that you have a hand in this.”

“I want you to stay safe. For me.” He leaned his cheek on her head.

“I would come back and find you myself Zella. I promise.”

Hazel’s heart was sinking. Zek did not know her real name. How would he find her?

 He did not know anything about her.

“Zek … I … I am …”

“Don’t worry sweetheart. I would come back for you. I promise. I would not only come back, but I would also find you.” Tilting her chin up with his index finger he traced her lips with his thumb.

Hazel’s heartbeat got faster.

“Do you trust me, Zella?”

“Yes, I do Zek.”

“Then make sure to leave the palace. Don’t discuss anything about the palace if you want to stay safe. Promise me you would stay safe for me. You would keep yourself alive.”

“I promise. When would you return?”

“Soon. After three days it would be my eighteenth birthday. If you hear any gossip about me. Anything which sounds peculiar. Don’t get scared. Once I am back, I would explain everything.”

She did not understand what he was trying to tell. But she did not ask any questions. He was leaving. And this was supposed to be their last night together.

She was holding his white shirt in her fists with a deadly grip. She did not want to let him go. Not now. Not ever.

“You also remember this Zek. No matter how your treatment turns out. Please come back to me. I will wait for you. Even if you are not able to see or stand. I promise I would be with you.”

She felt his heart accelerated and sensed his lips on her wig. He was sniffing her. Trying to absorb her scent in his nostrils.

She did not know when she fell asleep but he stayed awake. Holding her, sniffing her, kissing her head.   

He was clueless when he would be able to hold her again. But he had to take the risk, for her. She was the sole reason for it. He was doing it for her.

It was past midnight when he heard Albik coming towards him.

“Sir, you need to let her go now.” He whispered, not to disturb her sleep. He was here for the reminder.

 When Zek nodded, he left.

Zek started trailing his forefinger on her face, trying to remember every feature on her face.

“Sweetheart. Vanilla. Wake up.” He was using all the endearments to wake her up. “Nella, honey.”

Hazel stirred a little, her eyes fluttered and then opened.

“Is it morning?” She was still sleepy.

“No. Not yet. Just past midnight. You need to wake up Zella.” With a deep sigh, she nodded and stared at his face.

“So this is goodbye Zek?” She again wanted to cry.

“Don’t cry honeybee. I want to remember your laughter. And keep practicing those dagger moves. Ok?”

Hazel could not stop herself from giggling.

“That’s like my girl. Come on.” He stood up making her stand with him.

“Zek … Watch out … You …”

“It’s ok. I can stand for one or two minutes. Remember?” he asked caressing his knuckles on her cheeks.

“And I was saving these two minutes of tonight’s meeting.”

“Saving? Saving for what?”

“To kiss you my Vanilla!”

Her heart skipped a beat when she heard that.

He leaned a little, only halfway. Waiting for her to cover the rest of the half by herself. It was a silent permission, he was asking for her consent.

He was a true gentleman she realized.

“Sweetheart. Make up your mind fast. Because I don’t have more than two minutes.” He whispered against her face. She smiled at him gently and leaned closer to him, standing on her toes. He must have felt her hot breath on his mouth.

He smiled, then very gently taking her in his arms he pulled her closer and placed his lips on hers. The moment he touched her lips he felt sparks.

He quickly got back, a little shocked.

What the hell was that!

“Did I do something wrong?” He heard her voice, telling him that she was quite unsure of herself.

But he did not want to waste the time to tell her that she was perfect.

He leaned again and started kissing her tightening his grip.

“Kiss me back Vanilla,” he whispered against her lips. She obeyed.

They were kissing each other with passion. Tasting each other. Without holding back anything.

After about one minute his knees started shaking a little. He had to break the kiss, he realized.

Pulling himself from her with great might he kissed her forehead and then stepped back a little to sit on his wheelchair.

They both were panting. Hazel was standing there with her fingers on her lips. It was her first kiss. And whatever happened, it was just magical. She wanted to do it again. She looked at him hoping he might be affected by the kiss as much as her.

But he seemed casual about it except a little breathlessness. He moved his hand and reached forward, Hazel gave him her hand. He pulled her on his lap.

Holding her face he brought it lower to kiss her again. This time she became bolder. Trying to pour all her strong emotions, her love in his body. When he broke the kiss he hugged her.

“Zella. You do remember what I told you. Resign! And don’t look back. I would come for you.”

She was worried. He did not know her real name and she could not tell him because she promised Noah.

“Promise?” She asked a little desperately.   

“I promise.” He said while giving a quick peck on her lips. “Now go.”

With a heavy heart, she stood and took few steps then turned to him. She kept looking at his body in the wheelchair.

“Go!” He said, this time with a little authority...

She nodded silently feeling like a fool because she knew he could not see her and she had promised him that she won’t cry.

She switched the elevator button. And when she was about to enter it he called her, “Zella?”

Instead of stepping into it, she turned, “hmm?”

There was amusement and mischief in his voice when he asked, “What is your real name?”