Magic in the air - short stories online

The sky was a deep blue velvet, studded with diamonds, there was not a cloud in it to mar its beauty. The air was balmy with the scent of champak and jasmines. The cool breeze after the heat of the day and the heady fragrance of the flowers sent me into a trance. Life couldn't be any better, it was as if there was magic in the air. I wouldn’t have been surprised to find my skin covered in gold dust, it was truly an amazing evening. The rustling of the leaves on that late December night, under the pale light of the moon, added to the ethereal quality of the atmosphere. The leaves shimmered and shuddered in eager anticipation.

The silvery moon was casting its glow on everything, making it seem surreal. I pinched myself to make sure that I was not dreaming. I was in the seventh heavens, the soft music of the bamboo trees and palms moving in the gentle breeze made me sway rhythmically from side to side. There was something in the air that night, there were goose bumps on my hands and a tingling on my spine, my sense of anticipation heightened. I admired the beautiful diamond ring on my finger.

A few years ago...

Life had not always been easy, there were days when I could not leave my home, I cried out in pain, but only when I was alone. Ignored and abused I had become the voice of silence. You could see me, but never hear me. I had lost that spirit within me that was so full of joy and fun. I had become a ghost of my own self. I had forgotten how to laugh and sometimes even, how to cry. A robotic existence you could call it. Into that frozen emotional world, spring entered abruptly. I am not complaining, but it was rather unexpected.

In those years, I had lost my sense of awe and beauty. I had forgotten that there was immense beauty around me, if only I had the heart to see it and sense it, but I was lost in myself and to myself. The treasure that I held in my hands now, had opened my eyes to this world of beauty and magic.

It was around dusk that I decided to go out for a walk, I had not ventured out on my own for months. That day there was this deep longing within my soul to go out, the moon was already rising, full and bright and beautiful. I walked to the church nearby, for that was the only place I was familiar with. The white church building looked ethereal under the silvery rays of the moon, the spires looked longer and Gothic arches looked more beautiful than I had ever cared to notice.

The Gulmohar tree in front of the church looked like a silver umbrella, ready for the elephant lead procession. The bushes of yellow dahlias in front of the church, appeared like they were made of fine, burnished gold. The plants had just been watered at dusk, after the merciless rays of the sun relented. The smell of soil was still in the air, causing me to be transfixed as I dreamily took in the atmosphere. Where had I been all this while, why had I not enjoyed and exulted in the glory around me before this day, I wondered.

Walking into the garden behind the church, lit only by the silvery moon, I could smell the night-queen which fenced the garden in, the smell was too strong for my liking normally, but today it seemed like heaven on earth. The pianist and the violinist in one accord were playing that jumpy Christmas music, making me waltz around the garden. I was afraid that I might be watched, I stood still and looked in all directions, no one seemed to be there in that part of the church compound. I danced, like I was on a freshly waxed floor, I sang with all my heart. My voice rose slowly and steadily. I was unaware of it. I had not sung in years, I had thought that I had forgotten how to sing. Now it was the soul’s song, that rose from deep within. A song of release, a song of freedom and joy. Lost to the world, I sang for myself, for my lost happiness , for my lost childhood and for my lost youth, my song became sweeter and the softer until it was almost a whisper.

A gentle breeze shook the flowers of the Java cassia tree under which I now stood and it rained soft petals on me. The feel of the petals on my skin made me shudder and aroused within me those feelings that had long been locked and deadened for years.
The sensual feeling of pleasure spread through my body. They were sinful I knew, but it grew on me gradually, like the blooming of a bud. My face felt the impact of it, the warmth and color it had not seen in the past now worked their way through my cheeks. As I was still reeling under the unexpected pleasure of what was happening to me, I felt a pair of strong arms around me. I opened my mouth to scream and it was covered by the soft feel of heaven. Rocked off my feet and glowing with pleasure, I was devoured in a kiss. It was my first, followed by a rain of kisses, like the cassia blossoms that fell on me just a while ago, but producing a stronger effect this time on my newly awakened senses.

I knew him, even though I could not see him. He was the one I played with,from the time I was four, the one who had followed me everywhere, Ralph. He was the one who was the cause of my misery and chained existence. It was his love that made me a prisoner in my own home. He was the man, I refused to dream about and yet his touch and kiss awakened in me something that I thought was not possible. In his arms I came alive and without my knowledge, seeking more of it. His hands, like a million fireflies were all over me. I struggled to my feet as I became aware of what was happening. He held my hand, kissed it and slipped his ring on my fingers before I knew what happened, he had vanished, just the way he came.

Still shaking, I walked back home, unwilling to be seen in that awakened state. I walked up to the terrace and gazed at the sky. I had longed to feel this magic within, for a few years now, and at twenty five, I seemed to hold it in my palms, this precious gift. It held my future, my dreams and hopes. My dog that sat quietly beside me as if sensing my stillness and the magic in the air, suddenly ran across the terrace chasing after a leaf, as I took in a deep and satisfied breath. I could not even imagine such happiness was possible. I could still hear him softly call out into the night, “Wait for me my love, I will be back soon.”

Now...

He was true to his promise. He was back within a few months. Looking into the unending ocean of shadows and glimmering lights as far as the eye could see, I was happy to be here. This was my home, the place I have made my home for the last few years. Today as I stood under the balmy sky, proudly wearing the ring, he was mine and I was his. Life had never been more beautiful. There was a promise in the air, our love was fresh, young and beautiful even after years.