Nandi pushed out the old wooden doors open, it creaked and gasped as it went. Opening onto archways on archways on red and blue intricately placed pebbles in the mosque hallway. Minjun began opening up all the shutters, relieving the inviting sea and the sky that seemed to blend into the horizon. Marv walked into the beautiful home which had Persian rugs hanging or tossed across floors where pillows and cushions sat, ready to be laid upon.
Marv caught that familiar smell of the fresh salty sea, and she ran to the balcony. "Oh gosh, look at that sea," Marv whispered under her breath.
Arioch placed the suitcases down "Don't get any ideas, we are leaving immediately" he said before rushing off.
Nandi appeared next to Marv. "What's happening with your hair?" Marv touched her hair. It had grown.
"Oh, it's the humidity." She played with the tips of her hair. "I am gonna go freshen up." She smiled before Minjun showed her to her room.
"she's pretending that last night didn't happen" Nandi crossed her arms, knowing Arioch had been watching them.
"She had a knack for it" Arioch appeared next to Nandi.
A flash of sadness crossed Nandi's eyes. "She just shut down, in the middle of the dance floor" She wrapped her arms around herself "I shouldn't…" Arioch placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't," he whispered. Nandi took a deep breath.
She shook her head. "If she wants to forget, then we shall" She grabbed her suitcase. "I will get settled and organize a bonfire, so music like Sade" she smiled, running to her room.
"No, Nandi, we are not staying" he called after her but she just ignored him when Minjun came into the living room "Help me find the vessel" Arioch sighed in defeat.
Marv stretched as she walked out of her room, a chilly wind caressing her feet and her toes were cold on the hardwood floors. Her oversized eye-knitted sweater hung loosely around her body, but it exposed her legs with only short tights underneath. She spent the last three hours blowing and straightening her, but it still rose like bread, so she swirled it and threw a bonnet on. Her stomach was rumbling, urging for food, so she walked toward the kitchen.
It was so quiet, nothing but the padding of her feet and the soft silence of the stone home. Marv finally came to the kitchen. It was colorful, with intricate paintings on surfaces and cupboards. She moved the fridge and pulled it open; They filled it to the brim with wine bottles but no food.
Marv huffed, leaving the kitchen "Arioch" she shouted walking through the house "Nandi, Minjun" She moved upstairs and looked into a courtyard "I wanted to order something from Uber Eats but who is paying" she walked into the sunroom "Or are you and Nandi splitting the bill" her voice bounced about the house with no answer return.
She found a pair of stairs covered in red Persian rugs that curved into an open-spaced living room. The room looked untouched. Dust settled on the golden vase and trays that sat on a weave table. Clay shutters covered the tall mosque windows, and sunray streamed through them. Marv raised her fingers and caressed the light with a smile on her face.
A fireplace stood on the other side of the room. Marv moved towards a picture of a couple. They stood proud with twinkling dark eyes in them. Their long hair lay on their shoulders, silky black hair that was glittered with beads, and the woman wore traditional sarees that shone while the man stood pure white Achkan Sherwani. Jewelry cluttered their bodies and a sweet scent filtered against Marv's nose.
Marv caressed the picture with such longing but moved to the other photos on the mantle and ones scattered over the walls. Different people all looked happy, proud, or with a distant look in their eyes. Until her eyes caught that the cupboard was slightly opened, she kneeled and opened it.
A picture of two little boys, one was older than the other, but both had this look of innocence in their eyes. They dressed them both in formal crisp white kurtas, with tiny details of embroidered flowers and golden bracelets with precious gemstones on them.
'To Hilo and Arjun, May Selene guide your path'
Marv looked at their eyes. They looked so familiar, but she couldn't place them. She guided her fingers over the frame that felt like plated gold.
"Who is Hilo?" she whispered under her breath.
"what are you doing?" Arioch appeared behind her.
Marv stood up in fright, dropping the frame, But Arioch caught it before it shattered on the floor. He placed it back into the cupboard and shut the door. Marv moved away from him, suddenly realizing her legs were open for him to see.
"Don't you know not to go through things that aren't yours?" he sneered, watching Marv fidgeted with the hem of her knit sweater. He noticed the scarring on her legs.
"Who are Hilo and Arjun?" Marv asked in a huff.
Arioch's eyes get glassy. "Why are there scars on your legs?" Marv gasped and moved away from him.
"I deserve to know who they are and what happened to them. What happened to your soulmate?" Marv asked, stepping back towards the door.
Arioch crept closer, "How much more of those cover your body?" Marv turned away from her, rushing back up the stairs.
Arioch followed her up the stairs, past the courtyard, and into the living room where Minjun and Nandi sat around a coffee table. Marv had to get away from him and his protective glances. She needed the safety of her room when Arioch grabbed her shoulder.
She whipped her head towards him "Don't touch me" Marv got up in his face and sneered "Leave me alone" she hissed before she turned away again.
"Marv," he gasped out, "what have you been doing to yourself?" He reached out again, grabbing her arm.
Marv's eyes went blank. MARVEL!!!! LEAVE HER ALONE!!! Marv grabbed Arioch's arm and, with an impulse move, she pulled him over her shoulder and down in front of her. She stabbed her fingers into his throat and Arioch croaked out in pain while his hands clasped his throat.
"I said LEAVE ME ALONE, DAMON!!!" she shouted at Arioch, who lay at her feet, gasping for air.
The room was silent as the trauma left her mind. She turned to look at Nandi and Minjun, who just stared at her. Her voice closed up and her skin felt unnatural on her body. She grabbed her arm and ran to her room.
Nandi walked up to the Arioch, who was now lying on his stomach, gasping for air. She grabbed his hair and lifted his head. "She said to leave her alone. Take a freakin hint" She dropped his head and followed Marv.
Arioch moved onto his back. "Did you find it?" he gasped out as Minjun shook his head.