Part Three- Chapter 45
" Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . ."
-C.S. Lewis , The Four Loves
DARYA P.O.V
It is my birthday today and I looked like a scarecrow.
Scowling at my reflection, I began using compacts and other cosmetics products to conceal the redness of my eyes and nose.
I know I will get lots of pitying looks today but I wanted none of that. I wanted to forget what had happened and just enjoy my day. His day too... No. That asshole can fall in the deepest pit of the hell!
Quillon hurt me by breaking my trust and I... what did I do? I burned his pack down. I felt thoroughly ashamed of myself as I realized what I had done to Serene. I flinched inwardly every time I recalled the cries and pleas of the pack wolves. They were literally begging me to spare them but I did not once consider it.
It was a good thing the Goddess stopped me from destroying Serene. I had vague memories of where I was yesterday at this time. After I felt myself being raised from the ground, I fell asleep. I don't know if it was dream or reality, but I dimly recall being in an open meadow where trees where dancing slightly as the gentle breeze drifted through. I recall staring at the sky blue eyes through blurry eyes. I recall hands soothing my hair. I recall a soft, musical voice gently telling me that I had done a something wrong. I was in a dizzy state at that time but I honestly felt like the voice belonged to the Goddess herself.
It felt real and I like to believe it was real.
The Goddess said something else too but I do not recall what it was. All I know was that, I was in the middle of the woods, the same place where I killed Konrad, when I opened my eyes next.
When I finally woke up, I was lying on the bed of this very room.
I stiffened the moment I heard footsteps approaching towards my room. Quickly, I hid the makeup kit and washed my hands. Lorcan pushed open my room door and barged in like a little whirlwind.
"Daroo" he said and I knelt on the ground to hug him. "Happy Birthday" he said and placed a loud kiss on my cheek, which just made my day.
"Thank-you" I said with a wide grin and kissed his nose.
I stood up as Duncan and Sel entered the room. They hugged and wished me too. "Here is your gift" Sel told me handing me a box. I knew what it contained because every year, Sel is the one who gifts me a birthday dress.
Smiling, I sat on the bed, while Lorcan stood next to me. "Want to open it" I asked and he nodded enthusiastically.
"Lorcan" Sel called in warning and pouting, he shook his head.
"Let him be" I told her and pulled the ribbon while Lorcan tore the gift wrapper. Inside the box, amidst the tissue paper was a light pink sequined one shoulder dress.
I gasped in wonderment when I saw the dress. As usual, Sel choose the best dress. "I love this" I told her and she beamed at me.
"It's a dress" Lorcan complained.
"Well, of course it is. Darya doesn't like toy cars" Duncan told him and then looked at me, "What do you want for your birthday?"
"Haww... You didn't buy me anything?" I asked feigning anger.
"I didn't buy you anything but I have got a surprise for you and it is going to be delivered this noon" he said and I blinked. I looked at Sel and she too seemed unaware of this. "You have to wait until then" he shrugged and after kissing the top of my head, he walked out of the room taking Lorcan with him.
"You know what he is-"
"No clue and he is not telling me either" she said and I huffed.
"I will wear this in the evening" I told her as she sat beside me.
"How are you feeling?" she asked me quietly.
"Good" I said and as the silence lingered, my lower lip started to wobble. Sel placed her arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer, so that I could rest my head against her arms.
"It's his birthday too"
"I know" she told me. "I also know he hurt you badly, but it cost him dearly. He lost you and that realization was hurting him" she said and I looked at her in surprise. "You want to talk to him?" she asked and I shook my head. "You don't want to wish him on his birthday?" she asked and I gulped.
I wanted to but I didn't want to either.
"I will just text him" I mumbled and she nodded. However, we both knew that I didn't have my phone with me.
"You want to stay at home today?" she asked me and I shook my head.
"I will go to farm. It will make me feel better" I said and she nodded.
After Sel left, I got dressed in a blue high waist paisley skirt and white singlet. After deciding to leave my hair loose, I searched for my bracelet only to realize that I had lost it that night. Did it burn too?
A sob got caught in my throat because I felt terrible. The bracelet was precious to me and I lost it too. Picking a tissue, I wiped my tears and with great difficulty composed myself. While applying another layer of mascara to my lashes, I wondered how my eyelashes hadn't fallen off because of the weight.
Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile at my reflection and then picking my bag, I went downstairs.
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After breakfast, Duncan decided to drop me to the farm. I was quite during the entire drive until I felt something being placed on my lap.
"Your gift" Duncan said as I stared at the small black box. My guess was it would be ear-rings.
"Mine? Thanks" I told him and pulled the ribbon. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw the platinum coin inside. A wolf howling was depicted on the obverse and a five pointed star on the reverse.
I smiled when I saw it because it was one of the most unique gifts I have ever received. I picked the coin which was the size of a cucumber slice.
"Why a coin?" I asked Duncan, staring at it in wonder because it had good weight.
"You will understand soon" he replied and I grinned. I will then!
"It's beautiful. I am never going to convert it" I said and he smirked slightly.
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It was only after everyone finished wishing me in the farm, did I realize that Wesley wasn't in the farm. I called his parents number and like the last few times their phone was switched off.
"It's been ten days now, hasn't it?" Nancy asked and I turned to look at her. "Wesley is not coming ever since I showed you a picture of his dad" Nancy reminded and I stiffened. "Did you find out anything about his dad?"
"I... I asked Nick to find out. Unfortunately, he..."
"I know. Sorry" Nancy said remorsefully and I shook my head. My eyes glistened with tears as I thought about Nick. The day he was killed I had asked him to find the truth and when he had gone to do that, Konrad had noticed him.
"I will ask someone else to look into the matter" I promised Nancy and when I looked at her, I found her staring at something behind me with wide eyes.
I followed her gaze and noticed Wesley and Mr. Adams walking towards us.
"Darya" Mr. Adams smiled when he saw me. "So sorry for not informing you about Wesley's absence but we were out of town for few days" he said handing me Wesley's bag.
"Something wrong?"
"Oh no! Nothing dear. I was out of town on work basis" Mr. Adams filled in. "Anyway, I have to go" he said and turned to leave.
"Hi Wesley" I said linking my hands with his.