CHAPTER 1 - Two Shadows In The Forest
1104 Words
The night was calm; the chirping of the night birds and insects were the only noises that could be heard. After a while, the night was disquieted by the echoing cry of a wolf. The wolf’s cry continued. The darkness of the forest grew so frightening that nobody even the boldest one might try to walk alone.
Yet, the shadow of a beautiful maiden in her white satin gown came out walking alone under the dim light of the moon. She walked so fast, it was as if somebody was chasing her. With the deafening cry of the wolf, she smiled and ran as fast as she might.
The running shadow slowly stopped when she reached a beautiful waterfall. She stood at the top of a big rock near the waterfall and then opened up a small pouch where she got a bottled perfume. She opened the bottle and let the perfume’s scent join the sweet whispering of the wind.
The wind traveled with the perfume’s sweet scent until it reached the senses of another shadow standing bravely at the mouth of a big cave near the waterfall.
The wolf’s cry stopped. The silence was mesmerizing as the wind tenderly caressed every soft peel.
The second shadow hurriedly ran to the place where the sweet scent of the perfume came from.
After a second, the dim light of the moon illumined the figures of two embracing shadows.
“I thought I would cry ‘til dawn without seeing you, my Aloida,” whispered the second shadow in his husky voice.
“I’m here my Alexus, as I promised,” the first shadow answered in her gentle tone.
“When shall be the time that you will be with me, without any fear and worries about the passing of nights?” sadly asked the husky voice. His longing to have her until time stops is beyond compare.
“Be patient Alexus, that time will come, I promise.” The gentle voice was so assuring that it would pacify anyone’s worries and fears.
“I hope it will be soon, Aloida.”
“It will be Alexus, it will be.”
The two shadows embraced with longing while the soothing and caressing touch of the night's wind in their entwined bodies relaxed them.
The night grew calm until dawn. The two shadows had been awakened by heavy footsteps and shouting voices. The voices echoed all over the cave.
“Have you found them!” a commanding voice asked.
“Not yet, Señor Agustus!” two voices answered in unison.
Aloida stood up with fear on her lovely face.
“Alexus, they are coming, get up!” Fear was evident in Aloida’s voice.
“Sit down, Aloida, and be still, I promise you, they cannot come near us.”
Alexus sat on cross legs. Positioned himself and then, with an echoing effect, cried like a wolf. From a distance, many wolves cried in answer to Alexus’ plea.
Upon hearing such wolves’ cries, the intruders were frightened.
“Señor, I believe we should go back now. There are wolves here, and we can’t fight them, even if we have our guns!” a frightened voice shouted.
“i***t! We will not go home without my Aloida, and without killing that bastard first!” Señor answered like a madman.
The wolves’ cries continued, coming nearer and nearer, getting louder and louder.
The intruders became frightened more. One by one they backed off until Señor Agustus realized that he was already alone in the dark cave. Wolves’ cries were ringing in his ears. He can’t take them anymore. With madness overwhelming his whole senses, he decided then to retreat.
So mad for such defeat, Señor Agustus walked his way out of the cave.
Aloida sighed with relief when the wolves’ cries stopped. She smiled at Alexus, who was then so calm and pacified while sitting on crossed legs.
“They’re gone, Alexus, I should go home now, too.”
Alexus quickly answered, “No, Aloida! I will not permit you to go!”
“I have to go. Goodbye, Alexus. I’ll be back soon,” Then Aloida, without looking back, walked briskly until she reached a big old Spanish house, where Señor Agustus was waiting for her.
II
At the door, the big frame of Señor Agustus was blocking it. He was silent with his eyes deeply looking into the woman, whom he waited to come home throughout the night until dawn.
Aloida was hesitant to come near, with fear evidently shown on her face.
“Where have you been, Aloida? Our daughter, Aalyna was crying all night looking for you,” said Agustus in a placid voice.
Aloida was surprised to hear the gentle tone of Agustus. She knew it was just a façade. She knew Agustus well. Never had she seen her husband display anger or fear in front of her. Neither had he displayed affection to her nor their only daughter, Aalyna. He was too strong, too tough. She even thought how inhuman her husband was.
“I just made myself away from you. I’m not happy with you Agustus,” she retorted, with the intent to hurt and provoke her husband.
But Aloida felt disappointed. Agustus’ expression did not change. It was still unfathomable. Just like before, she did not know what he really felt.
“Come inside Aloida, breakfast is ready and Aalyna is waiting for us.” Thereafter, Agustus turned his back without even waiting for his wife.
Aloida bit her lips. How unlucky she was to be married to a man like Agustus.
Ahh, Agustus, who, according to most women, was a perfect guy. Agustus, the intelligent, handsome, rich Agustus. . . How everybody had been deceived by these descriptions. They were all superficial. Deep within Agustus was a good-for-nothing, self-centered, chauvinistic pig!
How can Aloida be able to forget why or how he was married to Agustus . . .
Agustus took advantage of her weakness as a woman. She was never courted by Agustus, and she did not like him at all. She was r***d by Agustus!
Agustus is a man who never wanted to kneel down, ask for pity, or even humble himself to court a woman.
Agustus believed that he could get women without asking or even pursuing them. He can have them with a simple tickle of his fingers.
“How I hate you, Agustus!” she thought while she walked inside the mansion.
How would a fragile woman like Aloida forget that night? It was a nightmare, haunting her every pore.
How did she become Augustus’s wife?
- Writer
