Ashnah's eyes was welcomed by the golden field of oats. She's on the narrow path in the middle of it. The path lead to a lush and huge tree. On the shade of the tree was a figure she can't recognize. She looked around and see no one around. She couldn't remember what she was doing prior to being in that place. She looked around and just see the overbearing tall stems of the golden crops all around. The narrow path was inviting to tread on. And so she did. It wasn't a long walk until she reached the top of the hill where the tree was. The sun was shining so brightly that she couldn't take a glance as to what's on the other side of the hill. She grasped the trunk of the tree to steady herself.
"I'm glad you made it here," said a familiar voice.
Her head turned curtly to the owner of the voice. Her gaze met a pair of eyes that reflected peace. Those pair of eyes depicts knowledge, wisdom, and sovereignty.
Funny thing is she knew those eyes. She knew as to whom they belonged. And she feel in awe in His presence. She also knew that the form that he is in is just one of his many forms. "I know you, right?"
His smile grew wider. "You know me, child."
"Where are we?" She asked and lifted her hands to shade her eyes.
"In the middle of life and death."
Ashnah hastily turned to him. "What? I'm dying?"
"No, I'm borrowing your time. This is the only time that I can talk to you directly without the enemy hearing."
"Enemy? You mean the devil?"
"Knowledge was bestowed to you the moment that you came here."
"Then, what is the important thing that you'd like me to know?"
"A lesson not learned will be a lecture to be taken again if you do not take heed. Oblivion will come, taking pleasure in the lies it whispers on your ears. But power belongs to me and so my steadfastness to my words. Let yourself do what you are supposed to do for it waits in silence for salvation. I will be your rock and your fortress. This truth cannot be shaken. In time of your adversary, lean on my shade and I shall restore your true self."
She felt the thumping of her heart. It's making her want to cry but she cannot point a finger on it. She opened her mouth but cannot grasp a word.
"Go," he said. "Your time to cross is not now. Walk back to where you are needed. Remember my words in time, my child."
"Wait," Ashnah sucked in the air. Gone was the one she was talking to. Gone were the fields of golden crops and the hill where the lush of the huge tree take roots. Ashnah tightly held up and realized later that someone is hugging her. It was Elix.
"Ashnah, stop giving me a scare like that!" His voice was angry but it was laced with worry.
She soon felt cold. Flashbacks of what happened before she lost consciousness came back to her mind. She was now able to comprehend why she's freezing cold. She's still drenched from the pool and so is Elix. Although heat was also eminating from him due to his temperature, it's not enough to calm her shudders. She felt someone put a bathrobe on her shoulders. Elix also took it and properly worn it for her.
"Thank you," she muttered, frowning as her nostrils and throat felt painful, probably from drowning.
"We'll get you something," he called out to someone and tell them to bring some hot drinks. Elix carefully led her to one of the benches.
As she looked around, she was embarrassed to know that there's a number already of people gathering around. Murmurs buzzed with relief and stolly retellers.
"Will I be on the newspapers or am I already?" Ashnah asked Elix, worried of the news by sunrise.
"Newspapers are too old, Ash. Probably already on the social media." Her groan brought a small smile on his lips.
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything that I can. Shoot it."
"Can you take me out of here?"
"Sure, that's easy," he nodded in understanding. "Act with me."
Before she can utter a response, his hands went beneath both her thighs and his other hand went around her shoulders. She was shocked when he lifted her up that she almost yelp.
"Elix," she whispered, slightly scolding him for doing the act without telling her in advance. "This is an exageration!"
"If you're embarrassed, just hide your face. Remember you're weak at this very moment so if we'll act out, we need to be at least convincing."
Ashnah slightly lifted up her head to meet Elix's gaze. 'The unapologetic lute! He's having fun right now!' Ashnah wanted to erase the irksome grin that he had on his face. But she also considered the situation she is in as well as the favor she asked from Elix.
She burrow her face on his chest along with her embarrassment. Her hands were coiled on his shoulders to make it easier for him to carry him out of the rising crowd. To her irritation, she pinched the skin just below his nape, not wanting to completely surrender to his truimph.
"That tickles," he smirked with amusement.
"Why do you get annoying by each second?"
"I'm sorry. I was just relieved," Elix sighed.
Ashnah felt his fear as he shuddered at the thought.
"You were breathless for a brief moment and that scared the hell out of me," he sighed to calm himself down. "You know, I should be scolding you right now."
"You shouldn't. It will turn into an argument and you won't be able to win against me," She said haughtily, her shoulders then slightly shook as she laughed silently.
"I forget--women. It's good that I didn't," his shoulders also shook but this time, its not because of fear.
Elix stopped as his hand around Ashnah's shoulder reached for the elevator button. Ashnah heard the elevator tinged and its mechanical voice announced 'ground floor.'
He went inside the elevator, still carrying Ashnah on his hands. "Ash," he called out to her. "Can you please push our floor?"
"Oh, gladly," she lifted her hand and pushed the floor where their room is located. It didn't take a while for them to reach their destination. "You can actually put me down now."
"It's okay. I can manage," he said shrugging his shoulders. "Though you're a bit heavier than I expected."
She beat his chest. That only gained an amused chuckle from him. "That's why you can put me down."
"Just kidding. You're too hot headed. Red days?"
"`Still a week from--"
She stopped as she heard him chuckled again. "Elix!" She beat again his chest, irritated how he's making fun of her.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." He was still struggling from stopping himself from laughing hard. They stopped on the door to their room. "Fina was sleeping before I went down. I bet she'll wake up once she heard the doorbell." There is a small button just beside the doorframe. That's a doorbell that can only be heard inside the room.
"You can actually put me down now."
Elix obeyed and gently put her down. Ashnah pushed the doorbell twice. It took quite a while before the door opened and Fina welcomed them with her disheveled look.
"What's up? You didn't brought your keys--Holy Molly, why are you both drenched to the bone?" She gasped as soon as she realized their looks. Realizing she's blocking the way, she opened the door wider and let them in. "Go take a bath directly. `Else you might catch a cold."
"You should go first," Elix said to Ashnah.
To avoid restraining her throat, she just nodded and headed to the bathroom. The necessities are already there so she just directly took a shower.
Elix on the other hand, waited for her to be finished. He filled Fina with what happened on the pool.
"Oh, my! It's a relief that she's safe." After thinking the events that appeard as soon as Ashnah entered the organization, Fina felt guilty for some reason. "The poor lady always gets in trouble. It's a relief you were there during that time. There's just too many bad things that keep happening around here."
"It's just luck that I was there."
They heard knocks on the door.
"I'll go get it," Fina said, gesturing to him to stay put. When she appeared back in the room, Desmond is already with her along with the child that they saved.
"Sir," Elix stand in greeting.
"No, just stay put. You need to rest. Both of you and Ashnah. We're just relieved that you both had saved my child from the possible tragedy." Suddenly, Desmond looked a lot older than his age.
Elix didn't see the two of them leave. His worry for Ashnah's well-being had blinded him of his surroundings.
The door to the bathroom opened and Ashnah came out with the bathrobe. On her head was a towel coiled up with her hair to dry it up faster.
"Sir Desmond," Ashnah greeted, dumbfounded why the man is in their room.
"I'm sorry to disturb your sleep," he started. "I'm here since my child keeps saying that she would wished to see you. We left the scene before when Alison went into shock. She was devasted seeing you...lifeless."
The girl Ashnah known as 'Ali' emerged from Desmond's back. She was still sniffing. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying. Her wet lashes stood evidence of that.
"Alison would like to apologize for what she had done," The girl looked up to Desmond. Desmond urge the little girl with a little nudge.
She grasped her robed tightly just in case that it will drop low. She ducked and smiled at the little girl. "Hi! I thought your name is just Ali. So it's Alison supposedly."
She nodded. "I-I'm s-sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you. I didn't know I kicked you when I was struggling in the waters," tears began to form on her eyes.
"No, it's okay. You must have been terrified. I'm still alive and kicking so you do not need to fear anymore. Even I have moments of outburst. A little temper will fade away if you'll know what's causing it," she held the child's hand and lightly squeezed it to comfort her.
A tear trickled down her cheeks. The child rushed towards her and wrapped her slender arms around her. Ashnah slowly caressed her back. Worry crossed Desmond's eyes. She smiled at him lightly to ease him.
"Alison, I think we better go," Desmond slightly tapped the child's shoulders. She loosened her brace on Ashnah, her eyes still lingered on Ashnah.
"Can I still talked to you for sometime?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, sure. Anytime. Just tell your dad. I think he has my contact information," Ashnah winked at her then smiled.
"Can I?" She turned and asked her father.
"Yes, you can, honey," Desmond smiled back.