Myne

six

“What now?” Emi asked.

Rain had no answer. It was one book on the bed between them. It was one book they were both reading. And yet, it didn’t seem the same book. They had read only one chapter. And so far, only the name was different.

“Wait,” Rain said, suddenly scared. “How much do you say we read?”

“Huh?” Emi was confused. “How much? I don’t know. I didn’t read beyond the first page. What about you?”

“I don’t know,” Rain said, slowly.

“What do you mean?” Emi asked. She saw the strange look on Rain’s face. And knew something more was off. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Did you see me turn the page?”

“What do you mean?” Emi asked again. The same words. But a very different question.

“I can’t remember,” Emi said. “Turning a page. I can’t remember. I had the book in my hands. I was reading. Until you stopped me, to come home. I don’t remember my hands moving. I don’t remember turning any pages. It’s as if I was reading one page. But, that’s not possible. Isn’t it?”

“You’re right,” Emi agreed. “That’s not possible.”

The way they were looking at the book changed again. The mystery was only deepening. And they felt afraid. Both could feel their own as well as the other’s fear toward the book. In the end, Rain reached for the book anyway. They had to read. They needed to know. Rain more than Emi.

“Let’s read together,” Emi said. “I can’t sleep. And I certainly can’t leave you alone with the book.”

“What could happen?” Rain asked. Smiling. Trying to sound more confident, stronger, than she felt.

“Anything could,” Emi said. “Back at the library, you were in a trance. And remember last year? When you first found the book? You were gone, like the whole day. We were so worried. It was days before you were back to being yourself. We don’t want that to happen again. Not now. Especially after we know there’s something definitely off about the book.”

“What do you suggest then? We can read together, sure. But is that really going to be of any help? Just now, we read very different, didn’t we? Would you reading with me, make any difference?”

“I don’t know,” Emi said honestly. “It’s better than doing nothing.”

*

Rain pulled the old man in through the gates. The guards greeted her warmly. Looked curiously at the old man she was being so nice to. They had questions, but they knew enough to hold on to their silence. They wouldn’t overstep their bounds. They stood watching, as the young mistress and the old man went deeper into the mansion.

Rain pulled the old man around the main building to the back. Where her room was. And where there was a door that opened to the hallway that stopped right outside the door of her room.

“Come in,” she said excitedly. “I want to show you my room. Then, we can rest in the gazebo. I’m telling you, it has the best view of the lake, aside from my room. Even the balconies upstairs facing the lake, and the roof, can’t compare. Maybe it’s just me. I can’t say for certain it’s not. I like it anyway. And I’m sure you will too. They might like one better than the other, but everyone likes it all.”

The old man paused outside the door. As she reached for the doorknob, he pulled her back lightly.

“Dear little girl,” he said warmly. “You are sixteen. No longer a child. You shouldn’t be inviting people into your room so easily. Even if it is someone you greatly respect. It’s not good.”

She frowned. “I know you’re saying it for my good. Still, I don’t like it. I won’t force you. We’ll head to the gazebo then. It’s a pleasant day. Quite perfect to enjoy the lake. I’m sure you’d like something to eat as well. Wouldn’t you?”

By the time the two stepped out, Rain’s maids had arrived as well. The two young girls, slightly older than Rain, showed them to the gazebo. In fact, when the old man looked at the two girls, he felt old. The two had clearly been with Rain all along. At the market. On the way back. At the mansion. He had even seen them. But only now was he truly noticing them. What else could it be but age, that made him so slow?

The gazebo was right by the lake. There were a few rattan chairs inside, facing the lake. And the lake itself was a blue stillness. The water was bluer than the sky above. And as strange as it might seem, it was undeniable, that the lake was entirely disconnected from the sky. The water wasn’t reflecting the sky in the slightest. Instead, it seemed to be reflecting something else entirely. But how could that be possible? The old man, who had seen many things in his life, was stumped. Not because he couldn’t identify the phenomenon, but because he couldn’t understand how it came to be over here? For any such phenomenon required a terrifyingly strong catalyst. And he hadn’t seen, or felt, anything like that, anything that powerful within the mansion.

“What is this?” He wondered aloud.

“It’s our very own lake,” Rain answered proudly. She then spoke to her maids. “We’ll have our lunch here. Something light. Not too spicy. And warm ginger tea. Just the way I like it. I’m sure Mr Sky will enjoy it too. Inform Mrs Hanabello that we have an important guest. One who must be impressed. She’ll understand.”

The maids nodded, and left. And when it was just them two again, she continued.

“I have always loved the lake. And I always wanted to swim in it. Isn’t it so inviting? My room is right there.” She pointed to the room directly behind them. With a large window, the curtains pulled, that had a clear view of the lake. It was easy to see why she said she had the best view from her room. “I always feel comforted looking out through the window, at the still lake. It’s like an anchor. Father, however, wouldn’t let me swim in it. I can swim. I’ve swum with friends in the green river, by the hills, when the river is slow. Father is fine with that. Just not the lake. I can never understand why.”

“There are things a father cannot share with his children. Even if they are important. He can only tell them they aren’t allowed some things, and allowed others. Someday you will understand. Maybe even appreciate. Your father is a wise man.”

“I know,” she said, pouting. “So, after lunch, will you read my fortune?”

The old man smiled at her. She was clearly dotted upon at home. And it was easy to see why. She was such an adorable girl. He nodded. It was a promise. There was no reason to not keep it.