Our eternal affairs

Behind Anna's closed eyes, her world whirled about. Drops of colours danced in cold darkness and tried to mix, but they didn't seem to blend.

She groaned softly in her sleep, forcing the dream to continue.

Suddenly, she found herself on a desolate road, the sun was a deep purple in a murky sky. Red dusty hills and rocks flanked both sides of the road, as she stood, alone, in the middle. Her blue jean pants were soiled, and torn at some corners, her white short sleeved shirt, had turned brown. She stood barefooted on the lonely road.

Just when she opened her mouth to ask a question, the sound of sirens pierced the air, causing her to clutch her ears at the deafening sound.

When she turned around to see what it was, an ambulance came crashing down the road and stopped a few feet from where she stood.

Half of the van was missing and it looked like the passengers… The half-van swirled in front of her. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest and she turned, to look away from the gruesome sight, But just then, she caught sight of a clone of herself, inside the van, mangled and broken.

She tried to move her feet, to step into the van, but they were stuck to the ground.

What's happening? Why can I move my legs?

Just then, panic set in, and the ground seemed to notice the agitated weight on it. It opened up to swallow her. 

Slowly, Anna felt herself sink into the muddy earth. Her heart throbbed with anxiety and she lifted her hands, swirling in the mud, she saw Doctor Luke standing behind her. Hope surged.

 "Help me!"she cried out, stretching her hands toward him. But he stood still, beside the dusty road, his voice whispering, "SIX monthssssss." And the earth echoed in agreement.

Anna awakened, and sat up from the bed in a start. Her heart pounding in her chest, and her eyes darted round the room. 

The knock on the front door startled her further, and she jerked. She rubbed her eyes, and shook her head, trying to shake off the vivid dream.

 "I'm alive. It's just a dream Anna, it won't happen to us." She whispered inaudibly, and hugged herself reassuringly, but the image lingered.

The wind fluttered her cream curtains to let itself in. The buzz of the morning traffic and an angry neighbour's shout outside her window brought her crashing back to her body.

The incessant knock on the door drew her attention. With a huff, she peeled her duvet away and stood up, walked to the front door, wondering what Miss Patel wanted so early in the morning.

Was it still morning?

She pulled the door open, exasperated, only to be shocked by the sight of her cousin, hauling in a black duffel bag behind him.

 "Yoo couz," he hailed. Anna stepped aside, dumbfounded, letting him in.

 "What took you so long, huh? Don't you care about my knuckles anymore?" he joked, but Anna was not amused.

She closed the door before turning to follow him into her small living room, her feet pattering on polished hard wood.

 "Cliff? What are you doing here?"

 "Long time, no see sis."

He stared up at her, and couldn't help but notice the dark circles under her eyes, and a worn-out look on her face. He had always remembered her as a beautiful lady since he'd seen her last, about three years ago.

 "You seem tired milady, don't tell me you slept all day? Is something wrong?"

 "I should be the one asking. Your distant cousin doesn't just appear on your doorway everyday, does he? What's going on Cliff?" Anna said, pointing to the bag on the area rug in the room beside the coffee table, made of reclaimed dark wood. A vase with few fake flowers, and few books, and a broken mug, filled with shiny rocks and a bunch of keys, decorated the table.

A large window stood against the wall at one end with curtains of sheer white fabric; a desk with a comfortable looking chair, was tucked at one corner, and a few plant pots, were scattered around the place. A large framed photo of Anna, in a red evening dress hung behind the couch.

 He let out a dramatic sigh and flopped onto the light-gray couch, "Tanya kicked me out!" 

 "What! Why?" she asked surprised and narrowed her eyes, as she sat on a matching armchair, in the same clothes she wore yesterday.

Who the hell is Tanya?

 "Oh, don't remind me of my misery Anna," he whined.

 "You gotta explain what happened." She ordered, crossing her arms on her chest, and he sat up straight.

 "Well," he breathed, running a hand through his brown hair. 

"Her father's strong wishes prevailed this TIME. Someone more affluent would surely fit his status." His fingers formed a quote sign, when he mentioned affluent. "We had a fight and I knew things wouldn't be the same again. She's hooked with this guy, Anna…" He kept on rambling.

Anna who was listening patiently, trying to keep up with the story was now distractedly rubbing a spot on her head as another headache had formed. They've been very consistent recently.

Cliff Malcom was her cousin, and a very dear friend. He was orphaned at the age of seven and spent a year in an orphanage home before he was dumped in boarding schools by child services.

She knew he had a wild streak, and had often called, to chatch up on life's events, but didn't seem to remember the relationship, or the girlfriend. Ex now. Has it been more than a year already?

 "Anna. Are you even listening?" He waved his beaded hands in the air.

 "I was…" She returned politely. "Sounds like you had a hard time."

 "Ugh, my records with women are a mess. Got any snacks?"

He asked as he moved into the kitchen.

By the left, here was a petite, porcelain sink sitting beneath a large window, allowing cool air flood in. Beside the window, was a neat workspace, where a spice rack hung above. In front was the two-burner stove, with a pegboard, hanging beside a cupboard.

By the right, a fridge was tucked in the wall, and cupboards lined up and down, the walls, arranged to maximize space. In the center of the room, was a large, marble counter, with high stools round it.

 "So… how long is this crisis going to last?" she asked, following behind him with her curiosity piqued.

He shrugged, "Just for a few days…I guess. I promise NOT to cause any drama or get in your way." He looked around before adding. "I'd even stock your kitchen and cook for you."

 She raised an eyebrow. "You can cook?" 

 "I'm quite handy you know." He flashed an easy smile that highlighted his features, gesturing his plea.

 "Why don't you have an apartment anyway? You have the money." She retorted.

 "I can't possibly live by myself." He said, moving towards her side, feigning helplessness. " I'd die of loneliness and depression. And you know that, so pleaseeeee?" he blinked twice, pouting.

Anna thought about it. He could be a handful, but since he volunteered to stock her kitchen, who was she to object? She'd always welcomed free opportunities, warmly.

 "Mmm, I like exquisite meals." She said after a while.

 "Does that mean you agree?"

She hesitated, then nodded.

 "Yes!!!" He whopped, and hugged her tightly.

As soon as he released her, she felt her legs buckle beneath her causing her to stagger. He quickly caught her.

 "Are you sure you're alright? You look exhausted." He worried immediately, peering into her eyes and feeling her lanky arm.

 She waved him off dismissively. "I'm fine. I just need to rest a little."

 "No, I'm taking you to the hospital." he brought out his keys, "we need to check you pro…"

 "NO!" She yelled, before adding dramatically, "I've been so stressed with work and all," she breathed, feeling her forehead with the back of her hand. "I haven't had time to rest at all."

Cliff relaxed a little. Her outburst sent shockwaves down his spine. He looked skeptical, but accepted her excuse.

 "Alright then, let's get you settled in, nice and warm." He replied, leading her to her room.

 "You do have a spare room right?"

 "Last door down the hallway on your left. Beside the kitchen." She replied covering herself.

 "Okay, thank you sis."

 "Anytime." He watched her snuggle on her bed before shutting the door behind him. With the way she shouted earlier, he knew something was wrong and she was hiding it.

Beneath the covers, Anna wondered if it was a coincidence, that he was here, at her worst moments in life, or he knew something about it. An unladylike yawn escaped her lips. Her mind was too tired to confront any hidden situation at the moment.

He let out a cry, when he opened the door to his room. Spiders, dust and pests have been checking into this suite. 

 "Time to evacuate." He said, lifting up a broom.