Walls of Fire

Chapter 6: Dark Chocolates

I deposited the plates at the sink quickly and swivelled around instantly.

There was something extraordinary about him, actually very strange. His cheeks were kissed a shade of ruby red. Not only his cheeks, but gradually his whole face and ears were changing into burning flames. He was struggling with the decision of where to look at - my face or down below at the plate of food. Ultimately after devoting an ample amount of time in holding back himself, James said meekly, "Aren't you forgetting about your menstrual dates?"

I scrutinized my butt filling the tight white jeggings and as soon as my hand landed up to the wet spot on my white bottoms, embarassment gushed down every cell of my body. I discovered that I was brutally leaking and being too much awared of my self-consciousness, I turned my back immediately only to make matters worse. My mind wanted to scream.

How could I be so careless!! I should had noticed my pre-menstrual symptoms like headaches, fatigue and swollen breasts. It was obvious my menstruatal dates were approaching. I should had been prepared accordingly but considering the fact that my mental health was devastated, I couldn't be blamed either.

"Oh no Amy! Don't be mortified. It's quite a natural part of the human life cycle and I deal with these kinds of things on a daily basis."

I was rendered speechless; I couldn't form the right words.

"I will buy tampons for you once I finish my lunch incase you don't have a box."

"Thanks. I would highly appreciate the help." I answered him shyly and spinned back. Keeping my gaze fixed at the ground, I slightly part my lips to speak, "You can deduct it from my salary. I don't have any money left in my purse to pay you."

As soon as my response hit his ears, a change overtook. A muscle twitched involuntarily at the corner of his right eye, his mouth formed a rigid grimace and he thundered, "I DIDN'T ASK FOR YOUR OPINION."

"Did I say something wrong"? I shifted my weight from one foot to another as I speak apprehensively.

"I'm not so cruel to charge you for this." The way his lips was lifted upward and his dimples crinkled as he spoke was so beautiful. The warm glow of his happiness relaxed my nerves. His smile was a ray of sunshine, and I was getting a major sunburn.

"I can afford to buy tampons for my woman."

The words 'my woman' amused me unknowingly and didn't miss the chance to make me smile.

Soon he resumed eating his food.

As promised, he had bought me two packets of tampons and refused to accept any sort of payment for it. He didn't allow me to work anymore and suggested it would be wise enough for me to rest for the entire length of the day. He took the responsibility of preparing the dinner once again and attempted to make the evening wonderful.

After dinner when I was sitting on the bed with my legs crossed and my eyes fixed at my phone screen, his sudden voice caught me off guard and made my heart flutter.

"How are you?" He leaned against the dark brown coloured wooden door with a smirk across his lips.

He had developed this habit of startling me. Perhaps, he used to enjoy ogling at my astonished face.

"Why are you asking?" I raised up my brow and placed down my phone.

"I was worried about the cramps." He ran his hand through his jet black hair and then locked his eyes with mine. He remarks in a serious tone, "I heard they are pretty bad."

"I am nearly habituated but you're correct; for some women the cramps can cause tremendous pain that it might put a halt to their daily work life. Especially, we women, have a special hatred in our hearts for the second day of our menstruation."

He stared at me with an expression of concern.

"I am absolutely alright James. Guys usually don't understand the pain a woman goes through."

"I am a gynaecologist and certainly I understand how it feels when muscles contract and crumbles like someone is punching you in the uterus and to make matters worse, with age the problem aggravates and intensifies."

Aw he is so adorable!!

This stranger never skipped a chance to impress my broken soul. He might be a doctor, but he is an amazing human being at the same time.

"Amy you should keep a track of your period dates." I could sense by his facial expressions that he was perturbed.

"They are quite irregular. It is not a big deal. Most women undergo through this experience."

James commented, "But you will never get a clue about your pregnancy."

"I have abstained myself from any kind of s****l encounters after I started suspecting Adam." My smiled faded away but he replies heartily, "I bought you some chocolate bars."

"James that is such gesture. I was craving some anyway."

"You should have confronted about your desire." He winked at me and tossed the chocolates at me saying, "Here you go."

I was showered with chocolates but could catch none.

He exclaimed sarcastically, "That was a good catch!"

I lolled my tongue at him, grasped a piece of chocolate and tore off the wrapper. Popping the heart-shaped chocolate into my mouth, my eyelids fell to close. I was busy savouring the bitter sweetness of the moment. It slowly melted in my warm mouth, its taste getting even better. A small moan escaped my lips as I finished the delicious sweet that can only be compared to nectar and ambrosia, the delicacy of the gods.

"Dark chocolates are my bae during this time. Thanks James for everything." I grinned and my eyes went all teary.

"Stop thanking me for my every action. Or else I will need to punish you."

I c****d up my eyebrow as I questioned, "What kind of a punishment?"

"I'll tickle you until your weird habit goes away." He giggled and winked at me playfully.

"Good night Amy. I will see you tomorrow."

He tiptoed to me and planted a kiss on my cheeks. I experienced the warmth spreading through my limbs and my mind felt a pleasant buzz. The kiss was lightened my body like a fire cracker.



Back to Present (24th April, 2020)

"Ah that small kiss!" I exclaimed sadly. I still remember the butterflies I felt on our first meet.

My reverie is broken by the sound of the television echoing in my empty room.

"The Coronavirus has spreaded all across the world and has taken away so many lives as of 24th April. New York is a hotspot now with a report of an average of about 1000 deaths per day."

The news report builds a cloud of sadness upon me.

I glance down at my swollen belly and emit a whisper saying, "I promise to keep you safe my princess." The memories refill my brain as I speak.

"It is a difficult phase for all of us.

I don't know whether this will be the end of the world; not only me, no one can provide any assurity of how our future will be. However I will try my best to protect you, Princess."

There arises a constant fear within us. The howls and cries of losses and sadness always freaks me out. It assured me the fact that death can endowed over anyone. The condition of USA, in particular, is a bad one.

With a less number of ventilators and more number of patients, the number of deaths is continuously increasing. The nation has successfully overtaken Italy in no time by reporting 1000 deaths in 24 hours.

Honestly, the musing of undergoing or witnessing the wrath of such a pandemic has never striked my mind and I feel I am not the person with this opinion. Technically, no one imagined about a situation where an unknown virus will stop the lifeform.

I huff and remark sadly, "There is no hope left inside me. Right now, I am Just waiting for the call."

My eyes flicker with a tear rolling down my cheeks and landing on my hand. The cold wind blows away the pages of my dairy and flips foward some pages. I resume my reading.

The week glided by soon. James was a total workaholic man. He would drive to his clinic sharp at 9 a.m. and unbelievably never be delayed to return home by 10 p.m. He was just as accurate and perfect as his watch. I was provided with details of his work place and phone number just in case I needed it anytime.

Usually, being an introvert it has always been hard for me to interact with new pupils well but unusually, we had started to develop a great bond of friendship in the shortest span of time.

I was accustomed with my new lifestyle and was enjoying every bit of it. James possessed a natural charisma and I had the confidence to announce it that he wasn't a playboy.

But surely the tag of friends was the only thing I wanted or atleast that was what my mind thought.

Suddenly, my phone chimed up with a message. I stared down at James's message and it emitted a smile on my face immediately.

Hey Amy, today I don't feel so bad. Will be back home soon:)

~Take care

An unexpected knock on the door made my heart sprang.

"Is it James?" I questioned myself to which the answer was unknown.

"He has texted me a few minutes back then how can he get home so quick.

He must have planned to suprise me."

Before rushing down to unlock the door, I examined my reflection on the mirror and soon hurried down to welcome him.

With my hopes high, I turned around the doorknob and flashed my smile.

I noticed a tall scrawny woman outside the doorway. The small grey bun on top of her head was so tight that it pulled the skin back giving her a strained look. Her nose was a hawk's beak. With her small eyes were sharp she scanned me well before gapping her soft light coloured pink hued lips to speak in stolidly, "Who are you?"

TO BE CONTINUED