shadows

1 - 04

Avian was on the wrong side of the mountains. At least that is what those in the capital and the bigger cities will tell you. And when you look at it from their perspective, they are right. The biggest and the most populous and the richest cities were all on this side. This side was also the more eye catching, the more spectacular, the more fun, and the more beautiful. Even the weather was easier on this side. Much more pleasant.

The other side was where the old tales were though. Where the legends were.

And Avian had tales of its own.

A few thousand years ago, two gods had gotten married. They had been in love forever. And had finally tied the knot. They needed to place to build their home. A humble abode. Secret from the other gods. Shielded from prying eyes. While searching, they found Avian.

Legend has it that the gods stayed till the end of time. Till their love lived. And so, Avian was also the blessed land for lovers. Of course, that is for those who still cared for the old tales.

Today, Avian had a new visitor. There were numerous tourists every day. The town was a three hour drive from the capital, along the eight lane expressway. It was a drive as smooth and comfortable as it was stunningly beautiful. The expressway went further down. Avian was merely a pit stop. Yet, it entertained enough tourists.

This visitor was different. She wasn’t a tourist stopping for a toilet break or a snack. She wasn’t enjoying the expressway, though she did do that. Avian was her destination. And she wasn’t here to see the town. She was here to stay.

-

Emilia’s first stop was the clinic. The two story building was like every other building in the town. Lifted from a century ago and dropped here. Or maybe, time didn’t worm its way into the town. Stopping outside the borders. But that didn’t mean modern world wasn’t present. The townspeople had mobile phones and tablets. Offices had desktops and laptops. It was just the perfect mix of the old and the new.

The receptionist was a middle aged woman, a little chubby, wearing the warmest smile. “Hello my dear, what brings you here?” She asked in the kindest voice that deservedly fit the smile and the warm woman.

“Is there a gynaecologist?” Emilia asked. Her voice trembled. Rightly so. She might have gotten used to the little guy. But only now, standing inside the clinic, did she realise that wasn’t the same as confirming her pregnancy. What the difference was, was beyond her.

The woman didn’t falter. “Of course, we do. Dr Waters is brilliant. If she wasn’t born here, we wouldn’t be lucky enough to have her. I’ll give her a call. Why don’t you take a seat dear?”

Emilia nodded. Sat down across the hall on the wood chairs against the wall. Her eyes were on the receptionist. She would be staying here now. And she would be a regular at the clinic. She should know the woman’s name. And introduce herself too.

That was exactly what she did a minute later, when the warm woman addressed her.

“Dr Waters will see you now dear. Go on down the hallway. Her name’s on the door. You won’t miss it.”

“I’m Emilia,” Emilia said, offering her hand for a shake. “Emilia White. I should have introduced myself earlier. Sorry.”

“Oh my. You’re so nice. I’m May. May Awars. You can call me May. Everyone does.”

The women shook hands. Shared a smile. And already felt close.

But there was the question on May’s face. That couldn’t be clearer. That couldn’t be missed. That Emilia smiled at before replying with her voice.

“We will be neighbours,” Emilia said. Paused. “Is that how it is? I will be staying in the town. Can we be neighbours even if our houses are not next to each other? What should I call us then? Fellow townspeople? Yeah. Fellow townspeople. I’ll see you.”

Leaving a confused May, Emilia walked in to see Dr Waters.

Dr Waters was a woman younger than May. Prettier. And much more discerning. “Hello,” she said in greeting. “What brings you here?”

“I think I am pregnant,” Emilia said without missing a beat. She sounded confident. “I want to confirm I am right.”

The doctor smiled. Emilia was interesting. “Alright,” she said. “Let’s confirm it. Your period is late?”

“No. I’m not sure,” Emilia said. “Last I had s*x was three weeks ago. Yes. My period is late.”

The doctor didn’t stop talking while she performed the tests. “So, what brings you to Avian? A tour of the mountains and the expressway?”

“No,” Emilia answered honestly. “I am moving here.”

“Moving?” The doctor was intrigued again. “Tell me it’s not to do anything with this?”

Emilia looked at her hands resting on her stomach. She looked at her little guy. And smiled a smile that only mothers have. Her eyes were glowing as she looked back up at the doctor. “It has everything to do with this little guy.”

“Hmm.” The gossipmonger inside the doctor was awakened. She pushed her chair, leaned close. And spoke softly, in a conspiratorial voice. “He doesn’t know?”

Emilia shook her head. “He cannot know,” she said. “He’s married. The wife found out. I had to leave. They cannot know.”

“And you’re still so cheerful?”

“I knew what I was doing. Before I started the affair. After meeting the wife. Before leaving. After coming here. I know what I am doing. No reason to not be cheerful.”

“I like you,” the doctor said. And she sounded, and looked, like she meant it. “I’m Tabby.”

“Thank you. I’m Emilia. Emilia White.”

“Emilia White,” Tabby said nodding. “You are right, Emilia. You are pregnant. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Emilia beamed.

The unasked question was answered. Emilia was keeping the baby. That was the whole reason she came here.

“Now, let’s talk for a while,” Tabby said. She wasn’t the doctor now. Just a curious lady making a new friend. “You chose Avian. How? Why?”

“At the airport, I bought a travel book. It mentioned Avian. After landing in the capital, I read up more on the town. It was enthralling. I was already in love. I flew out with no destination in mind. I just needed to find a new home. And Avian seemed perfect. I got onto a bus. And here I am. And having arrived here, turns out I was right. This does feel like home.”

“You will fit right in,” Tabby said. “Us townspeople are like that. Just feels like home. Avian. So, you don’t have a home yet. How about moving in with me? I’ve got room. I’m not married. I don’t have a boyfriend. I will remain single. We can keep each other company. I was born here. Grew up here. This is home. I can show you around. And I can also be there for you. Pregnancy can be scary. The first time even more so.”

Emilia didn’t hesitate a moment. “Sure. I’ve got a good feeling about you. I think we’ll be great friends.”

Tabby beamed. “I think so too.”