The Human Vampire

Chapter 2: He Comes Back...

You know the feeling when a child is told for the first time that Santa was never real, and how they never wanted to believe that, yet a part of them drew closer to the reality. That's what Jeesha felt, her head with unprecedented noise yet a thin voice echoing to her that she was a vampire. She wanted to shut those voices in her head.

Being a reader she was always eager for plot twists as much as one is eager to go on their favourite vacation after a huge bonus. It always kept her on her toes, those turn of events, when the protagonist realises that they were different in a way that was incomprehensible to any human being. But, now, as she was facing the moment of revelation herself her body went numb. It was as though she was paralysed while her brain played multiple roles.

A sudden sting entered her nose, and her gaze flung towards the source—her brother's leg that was bandaged but a small oozing of blood seeping. Her eyes immediately widened with a sudden realisation. She ducked her eyes, her mind trying to control her body.

"Just breathe and let go of the thought," Dusu said, catching on to her breathlessness.

Once she finally found my ground, she looked up. 'If I am a vampire, that means….that means my family is in danger...…from ME.' Her voice cracked, as the thoughts sent Jeesha to the hell of a thousand dooms.

Silence. It was the worst kind of reply—something that struck more than a sword. Jeesha's legs couldn't take it. She sat, her eyes not leaving the ground for a second. Her parents rushed to her, holding her close.

"Please listen to me_" Dusu tried to explain as he extended his hand towards her, when Jenis' younger brother blocked his view. His dark, deep eyes seeped right through Dusu, daring him to take a step towards his sister. Though he was a petite lad, Dusu found him adamant and domineering.

"Stop it. Can't you see, my sister is not well? Please leave." Her brother said, extending a light push enough for Dusu to take a few more steps behind.

He understood that she needed more time to accept the truth than he was giving her. He felt he was being pushy so he turned and disappeared into thin air with a 'pop'.

Jeesha's parents lead her toward her room. She sat on her bed, yet in shock. Her parents understood her and gave her some space.

After everyone evacuated, Jeesha dug her face into her pillow and began sobbing bitterly. The deeply suppressed emotion was evoked like a flood, and it wanted the dam to open and let the water flow out. She couldn't believe that she was the one pulling her family down. She was the one who would harm her family. She was a threat to her family.

A sudden evocative memory filled her…..

***

A little girl stood near the bed, peeping over to have a glance at the man on the bed. She tiptoed, patiently watching him move the cold cloth from his head to replace it with a washed one. A lady entered the room holding a tray of white tea, one looking clear and pale as the man on the bed.

The man suddenly began coughing hard as the lady left the tea over the table and scurried to her husband's side. She sat next to him, holding his hand, till his cough finally reduced.

Jeesha just looked at her parents helplessly. She was scared and powerless. Suddenly a hand held hers. She looked beside her to find a younger boy looking at her with a tear in his eyes. She pulled him into her arms. "Hush! Don't worry. Hello will be fit in no time." She reassured him a million times, not realising that she was actually reassuring herself.

That day Jeesha noticed the fear of death in their eyes. Even though later her father got well, this had an impact on her perspective of life and death. Since then, she had made a vow to become a doctor to support and protect her family. Everything she had been doing since she was a kid was to protect her family. But now…

***

'No, I can't break down. I must not break down. I will not let this affect me. I will have to be strong, just like pa, and find a way to get back to my life again.' Thinking, she wiped the tears on her face with her dress. Then she lay on the bed and fell asleep.

***

The next day, Jeesha came out of her room lazily and sat at the dining table. Her mother was frying some bread. Her dad and brother seemed to be engrossed in a very important discussion. As soon as Jeesha entered the area, each one of them stopped their work and started looking at her. But when they felt the uneasiness, they again continued their work, but with pin-drop silence.

"What's for breakfast?" started her brother to break the ice

"Bread-Omelette." "Jeesha, why don't you help me buy some eggs from the market?" Her mother said trying her best to distract Jeesha from last night's event

Jeesha, without a word, grabbed some money and left the house. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she let out a small sob. She knew her family was trying their best to cheer her up. But she just felt so bad for them...

**

Jeesha was carrying the basket of eggs and returning when suddenly she felt dizzy and suffocating.

"No, not now. Not here." She thought to herself and looked around, breathing hard, yet making sure that she did not catch the attention of passers by which she was glad weren't many.

Her vampire disease had furthermore aggravated. It was the autumn season, so the sun was hidden behind the clouds. But even that heat caused her skin to burn. This caused a red patch on her hand up-to her body. She couldn't take it any longer. She would pass out any moment.

First, her legs started wobbling with weakness. Then all the eggs from the basket fell. She tried to balance herself by grabbing the nearest wall but failed to do so.

Suddenly she felt someone grab her and pull her towards a shady area. But before she could see who it was, she passed out.

***

Light seeped in with a blurry vision, and Jeesha started regaining her consciousness. She sat up to find that she was in her room. Her family members surrounded her. But her attention went to the corner of the room. She could see a figure. It was Dusu. He had saved her.

When Dusu saw Jeesha regaining her consciousness, he stepped towards the door.

"Wait. I want to have a word with you." She said to Dusu "Alone." Her family looked at one another clearly not comfortable with her choice. Her brother wanted to retaliate, but one look from Jeesha and he pinched his mouth.

When everyone finally left, except Dusu, Jeesha stood up and walked toward him. She was not yet strong. So she walked weakly, holding on to the chair or whatever came her way.

"Why did you save me?" She cut to the chase

"Because..... you are one of us." He repeated

"Even if that's true; what is my relationship with you? Why are you protecting me?"

"You..... You... Are you just like me?"

"Don't beat around the bush. Tell me the truth. Why do you care about me when you could have let me die and no one would have cared?" Jeesha felt something unusual in the way he looked at her. He showed...concern! His eyes showed care and worry which gave Jeesha a warm feeling, something that felt...home!

"...Do you really want to know?" His brows narrowed as though Jeesha's answer was going to determine whether he lived or not.

Jeesha did not answer but just looked at him waiting for the answer.

"Fine, you are my sister."