Chapter 40 UNCONDITIONAL
“Aaarhhh! What’s wrong with you Alba? Talk to me, please! ...” Alba’s face had turned pale, he looked sick and was almost about to fall. She quickly wrapped one of his arm around her shoulder after screaming for help.
Help! Veer! Where are you? We need you Alba isn’t feeling well!” Mahina screamed at the top of her voice seeking for help. Alas Alba’s condition wasn’t getting any better as she was struggling with him. he kept slumping to the ground as they were walking to the mansion. Seeing how sickly Alba was looking Mahina said to him in a soft consoling voice:
“Ho-ho-hospital! I will take you to the hospital right away. Just don’t close your eyes on me” Alba wagged his head without talking as she was struggling with him. seeing the seriousness in her face Alba struggled with his words and said to her:
“Home! Just take me home Mahina. I will be okay.” She nodded as they walked together gradually out of the farm to the main mansion.
Veer heard her scream and felt her fear, but his ego wouldn’t let him move. He watched from where he was standing as she struggled to take Alba to the main house. From the main house she got help from the butler to move Alba into the car.
She took out the car keys from his pocket and drove home with Alba. It was a long drive. Mahina was scared all the way. She kept asking Alba if he was okay all through the way. Meanwhile Alba was just looking at her sweetly even in his pain. He was happy with the thoughts that Mahina cares for him deeply. He placed his hand on her thighs and said under his breath:
“I am cold!” she placed her hand on his and patted it while replying to him:
“Don’t worry we will soon get home!” he slept off with her gentle supportive words.
Finally, they got home. She got out of the car and screamed:
“Help! Help me something is wrong with Alba”
The entire maids and butlers became present. They all rushed to help her with Alba.
“Please take him to my room!” she commanded.
“I will need help in the kitchen. I want to prepare something warm for him.” she hurried into the kitchen with a maid behind her back.
“I will be making coconut curry soup for him.” Mahina looked confused herself as she was struggling to make the soup. She went into the pantry and got the pots she will use and the ingredients. She dropped them on the counter and started giving out instructions to the maid, without even catching her breath. She was scared for reasons she was not even aware of. The maid could see how scared she was looking, she tried to talk to her but she wasn’t even given the chance to say a word. Mahina just kept working and instructing the maid until the soup was ready.
She ran out of the kitchen and went to check on Alba. She saw one of the maid named Aya that helped her get ready sitting on the floor and looking at Alba confused. Alba was restless on the bed and shivering she went and sat close to him and said:
“Please bring the first aid box for me.”
“My master doesn’t take medications he reacts to them. When things like this happen, he uses unconventional method to treat himself. Mahina touched his skin and removed her hands swiftly:
“He’s burning!” Mahina complained to the maid. The maid bit her lips. She was also confused and clueless as to what explanation to give.
“The maids are bringing in the ice for his bath” She answered the first thing that came to her mind. Mahina was shocked by her response. What good will ice do for someone who is sick like this? She wondered as she prodded further for more explanation.
“What? Are you even serious?” Alba hugged her from behind while she was still talking to the maid:
“I am cold!” he said. Hugging her tightly. She was perspiring from his hold on her body. His body was getting too hot. She held him and led him into the big Japanese style bath which was in a different section of the Massive mansion. The maid followed after her.
Once they got there she took off his clothes living him with only his shorts on. She followed him into the bath with her clothes on. He was hugging unto her body tightly.
Tell the rest of the maids to bring the ice here. The water in the big Japanese bath was cold but with Alba’s burning body it was turning warm. She held unto him tightly as they remained still in the middle of the water.
Mahina closed her eyes as they poured bags and bags of ice into the water. 'I will probably die by tomorrow with this cold water touching my body' she complained to herself inwardly.
With the cold-water touching Alba’s body, he was gradually regaining his sanity. He opened his eyes, and they were burning gold color like a burning coal:
“The nerve of that twat!” he said it out loud unknowingly. Realizing his stupidity, he closed his eyes and continued breathing deeply. Mahina innocently patted his back saying:
“I am sorry Alba! It was all my fault. Believe me it’s going to be okay. I didn’t know you were allergic to the rain. If I had known, I wouldn’t let you pick blueberries with me. Look now the fever is making you say nonsense”
Alba held unto her body tightly and increase the pace of his breathing to make it look convincing that he was still running temperature. Since they were hugging each other and facing each other’s opposite direction. Mahina couldn’t see his burning golden eyes.
Alba took out his trembling fingers and made the Pran Mudra sign and rambled some words. While he was at it Mahina creased her browse confused of the words he was saying repeatedly:
“Naan, yil, Ahm” the words translate as Heaven, earth, water.
Alba kept saying the words repeatedly until the ice filled water began to bubble on its own. Mahina looked at the water suspiciously and confused. She struggled to release herself from his embrace and when she was free from his embrace, her eyes caught sight of his glowing golden eyes. She was confused but as soon as she attempted to say a word she fainted.
Alba jumped out of the water with her in his arms and landed some distance away from the water. He glanced at the pool and at that moment the water in the pool erupted everywhere. He sighed and said under his breath:
“Damn it that could have been me… the twat got me this time… not to worry I will teach him an unforgettable lesson.”
He cackled as he walked back to Mahina’s room effortlessly with her in his arms. He laid her on the sofa in her room and took off her wet short gown gently. Staring at her slender curvy body full of hidden secrets made him remember all she did for him when he was out of it. It wasn’t just about her helping him that warmth his heart. When she ran to help him he felt her emotions and they were the most immaculate feelings he had ever perceived from anyone he has come across. There was no reason attached to why she helped him it was an unconditional act with sincerity.
Even though she knew her fragile body couldn’t carry him she still bore the burden of supporting him on her shoulders. The look she gave him when he was about to slump made him feel loved. And for the first time in ages Alba remembered his mother. No one has ever cared or listened to Alba like his mother. Yet this mysterious woman Mahina somehow dug up his mother’s memories from the depth of his heart.
Even though Alba wasn’t exactly a lonely man, most of the people around him respected him out of fear and not love. With Mahina it was unconditional, for there was no reason attached to why she helps him, the need to help him just arouse from deep within her naturally. At that moment when she supported him Alba felt special as if he was a part of her. While many may believe that it’s better to be feared than loved. Alba believes secretly that its indeed better to be loved genuinely than feared forcefully. No one knows this better than him. He grew up been feared naturally by his people and loved conditionally by the people around him.
He carried her and laid her on the bed after striping her of all her clothes. ‘She will definitely make a fuss when she wakes up and finds herself sleeping without clothes’ Alba thought to himself. He swiftly went into her wardrobe and got her a gown. After helping her wear, the gown, he covered her with the duvet and sat lazily beside her with his legs crossed as he examined her closely with his eyes. Her cheeks were looking colored as if she was blushing hard. Her nose and ears were also colored. Alba was confused for a moment. He swiftly felt her temperature from her cheeks with his hands and realized she was running temperature.
“It must be because of the cold water she jumped into with me” He was thinking out loud. He climbed the bed and cuddled with her to keep her warm. Mahina snuggled into his arms the moment she felt the heat emitting from his body.
Dora was stuffing her face with vegetable rice when her Orb called out to her:
“Dora!” she was reluctant to answer, so she stayed silent for a while before she finally answered:
“Mmm!” she rolled her eyes and continued eating while she listened:
“A caged bird was chosen some weeks back and she might just interest you…” Dora sighed and said:
“I have told you before that nothing concerning the cage birds elates me… so I don’t know what your problem is...”
“I know it doesn’t make you happy to know about us, but I also know it will devastate you to realize that there is one dwelling close to your friend in Alba’s mansion.”
“What!!!”