Lucan Point Of View.
" Why is the orb cracking?" I asked in a very small voice my eyes glued to the flower in the glass which was almost dying it's petals turning a bright red.
Silence dwelled between us and I was hoping she had say something but when I turned I saw her staring at me with a faint smile on her lips.
"This isn't funny I asked a question."
But Numa dressed expensively for even a deity and holding a small umbrella smiled at me .
"You haven't even giving me a chance to speak." She said in a motherly tone.
I should have known having Numa here wasn't worth it, besides what was I even thinking she was a deity and comes whenever she wants even when I'm not in the mood to speak to her.
"The orb is having a crack because the flower needs air to spring out again." She said clutching the umbrella with her gloved hands and whirling it in the air.
I scoffed."I know that is not true." I said and run my hands through my dark hair which was falling over my eyes.
" You lack sleep, you should..."
"That is not the issue here."I found myself yelling at her." The issue here is that one of the petals of the flower is missing and the rest of the petals are turning bright red you should do something about this." I finished and turned around in anger feeling pain jab at my heart again and again.
" You shouldn't yell at me ." She said in a very calm tone and I wondered if she was ever angry.
" Yes yes I know that you are the seventh Numa,the diety of life and nature and it is your fault that I'm been tied to this theatre for years and can't go to the afterlife."
Numa smiled gently at me." But you are not dead and I thought you enjoyed living through the centuries why are you yearning for the afterlife." She said cocking her left eyebrows.
"I'm being serious here, 1,400 years is not 100 days."
" I know Lucien but it is a punishment which you have to serve until the end of time."
" What ." I stuttered."I thought it is until I find The Bitter One and I will be free forever."
She leaned close to me and her old wrinkled face broke into a smile again.
"Is the same thing until you find The Bitter One, let's go of your grudges and until the last ghost leaves in peace you will be free."
"Just tell me you are sick and I will understand."I said sarcastically and rolled up my white sleeves up my bulging biceps.
I thought that was over when she leaned to me again and whispered.
"I know how lonely you'll be so I had surrounded you with so much wealth and even made you so good looking that not even female ghosts can resist you." I turn to give her a sharp dirty look and she winked.
I shook my head slowly and looked away and thrust my hands into my pocket.
"You of all people should know Numa that I hardly leave this theater, my heart has never beat for anyone for centuries." I said in a small voice remembering my past which brought sadness into my heart and I looked away from the flower in the orb and walked to the window.
" But your heart once a beat for love." Numa reminded me." It once beat for The Bitter One."
"Don't remind me of my past she betrayed me and I will never go to the afterlife until I take my pound of flesh." I said in a low voice through gritted teeth.
For a while she said nothing and she seem to walk towards me.
"You asked me why the petals are turning bright red?" She said and paused."it is your grudge and the resentment you have been feeling."
I didn't allow her to finish when I spoke up again
"I've been feeling that grudge and resentment as far as I could remember, so don't tell me that."
"Remember one of the petals are missing it's with the one who holds your forgiveness." She continued as if she was deaf to all I have been saying.
I half turned to stare at her.
" And who is that person."I actually becoming interested in what she was saying." Is The Bitter One and The One who holds my forgiveness one and the same?"
She smile and I could see her eyes twinkling.
"Do you want them to be the same person, the one who holds your forgiveness will make your heartbeat again with love."
I rolled my eyes." I should have known that you are going to answer me in riddles again. Don't waste your time I have given up on love."
" Your heart can still love again ,I know the betrayal is still fresh."
"Can you just leave me alone and go back to where you are coming from?" I roared hoping she had jump in fright and leaving but she was still standing there smiling at me what was I even expecting she was a deity and I was just a human being who have been tied with this theater till forever.
" Don't you think you should invite me to your wedding ceremony."
I blinked back rapidly and cursed under my breath.
"Next time I will remind myself not to hide anything from you."I said sarcastically and poured myself a glass of whiskey.
" But do you love her?"
I gulped the contents in an instant staring at her through the corner of my eyes.
" Her family is only returning the favor I help them with years ago.So I'm not in love."
" I can bring The Bitter One to you,she will be with you soonest."
I almost laughed and poured myself another glass of whiskey.
"I have stopped fighting with you you are a diety you can do whatever you wish ,I'm not bothered."
I guess my reply was the best because she fell silent for a while and she closed the umbrella and work to the piano which was at the far end of the room.
It was playing a sweet but eerie sound , a sound which it had been playing since I could remember.
" So this still plays." She said casually,her hands clasped behind her peering at the piano which was playing itself.
I said nothing to reply.
"You should learn how to play this piano and you should also thank it ,it's been bringing ghosts to this theatre." Numa said and she was staring at me." It melody will bring the The Bitter One to you."
I was secretly hoping she had leave already because I was tired and I had lot of things to do.Numa knew about this but she kept bugging me with her presence.
" Its night already,won't you leave?"
" You have been doing a great job over the century Lucien bringing ghosts here..."
But I didn't let her finish when I slammed the wine flute on the table and it's almost broke.
"I didn't bring anyone here you brought them here yourself and I did just as I was meant to do over the years ,make them performa a play or a song which will help them release their guilt,regret and help them go to the afterlife.They are bugging me."
Numa face suddenly looked so stern
" Nefas Theatre is meant to help ghost perform everything you said , including their last moment and dying wish and you must see to it that no ghost leaves with regret.I hope you understand what the term Rest in peace means." She rattled off and stopped then appeared calm.
" Help them please get to the afterlife,help them have peace."
I was feeling angry though but I exhaled and looked away.
" You have a visitors." She said to me as I
grabbed the bottle and drank everything." A couple just arrived.Welcome then and help then go to the afterlife."