Our eternal affairs

Cliff knocked, and tried to open Anna's door, but it was locked. "Anna? You in there?" No response.

As he turned to walk to his room, he saw a note sitting on the coffee table in the living room. An image of Anna, hanging limp and cold from the ceiling flashed through his mind. 

Immediately, he collided into the door with all his might. "Anna! Anna! Are you alright? Can you hear me!" He shouted, as he tried to break the door.

He broke the lock, barging in like a wrecking ball. His face and eyes were wild with worry. He stopped short, like a monkey that missed a branch mid-air, in the middle of the room, to find Anna, quietly sitting in a mediation pose on the floor.

 "Anna, oh my god, I thought… I thought you'd…," He stammered, his voice descending with realization.

Anna's eyes snapped open, her once serene face, was now replaced with a fierce scowl. She rose slowly to her feet, despite the simmering anger.

 "What's wrong with you, Cliff? Her voice was low and even, but was laced with irritation. "Can't you see I was in the middle of… something?"

Cliff's eyes darted around the room, taking in the calming decor, and the soothing music playing in the background. He appeared flustered, but his concern still lingered.

 "Oh, I thought you'd…hurt yourself," he admitted, "I saw your note, and I panicked."

Anna's expression softened slightly, as she realised Cliff's genuine concern for her. "My note? You mean the one about needing some time alone to think?"

Cliff paused, and cursed himself under his breath, causing Anna to sigh. "I'm fine, alright? I was just…meditating. I'm not planning on dying anytime soon, okay?"

Cliff nodded. "Okay...okay." He looked around again, before leaving the room. He was still a bit shaken but reassured. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Anna at all.

 "Where did that come from? And when did she start meditating?" He muttered under his breath, as he entered his room.

Anna sighed tiredly, picking up her phone. It was more than two hours, since she started meditating. She smiled, satisfied at her little progress, but couldn't help but feel sad. She was almost there, so close, before Cliff interrupted. She wondered how she was going to fix her door, and decided to try meditating again later.

Later that evening, Cliff left to buy new locks, while she paced the kitchen, making dinner. She made beef and broccoli stir-fry, with brown rice. They ate in awkward silence. Cliff eventually fixed her lock, and she gratefully retired to her bedroom early.

Determined to make progress, she decided to try to meditate again. She was running out of time, and she wanted results as fast as possible. She plopped down on her pillow, using it as a meditating cushion. Then she took a deep breath, trying with much effort to concentrate. After a while, she appeared at the orchard again, but didn't look for him this time, as she began to sing the words.

 "I ask with a helpless heart,

I seek you with a curious soul. 

I will knock with a brave spirit, and your mysteries will be mine to behold." 

She began to feel a cold sensation in her chest, that made her feel uneasy. She brushed it away, repeating the words, again and again.

Hours blurred by, but Anna still sat in her position. In her mind, Mr. Truce walked up to her, raised her face with his index finger, causing her to feel a rush of heat flood under her skin immediately. He stared at her for a long time, saying nothing. Anna stared back and slowly repeated the words. 

This time the sensation felt different. A small whirlwind rose behind him, and enveloped them. It became stronger and stronger. They stood between dust, rustling leaves and dancing apples. A small red thread appeared, tying her thumb. 

She felt something tug at her hand, and she opened her eyes. She saw the red thread tied to her finger. She jumped back, frightened. She wasn't imagining this.

 A strong, bright light appeared, and filled the room. She lifted her hand to protect her eyes, as she struggled to see what it was.

It looked like someone was inside the light, and an intimidating voice boomed five words at her. 

 "THURSDAY. NINE PM. VENICE RESORT."

Her body felt stiff after it disappeared from the room. She didn't know how long she stared at the empty space before her until birds tweeted, from outside her window. Snapping her back to reality.

She searched around for her phone, only to see it was morning already. She gasped in shock. Did she spend all night meditating? She didn't feel weak or tired at all. 

A red thread on the floor caught her attention, and she picked it up. She definitely wasn't imagining what happened at all. She took out her phone to check Venice resort on google map, and gasped in unbelief.