Khanna & Reena

Reena watched intently as the horizon drained of colour. The air was surprisingly hot, and humid like in the summer when the heat was pressed down before one could feel a slight relief from the storm. They said it would rain for a few days, transforming the capital, Eugola, into a damp mess. Water will pour down the streets into the ocean as more and more water merges in from the sky.

 Reena knew something would change sooner or later, although she wasn’t sure if this change would be a positive one or not. She wasn’t happy, not for a while. She turned around and moved back to her chamber as soon as a few drops of cold water landed on her face. Her chamber wasn’t big, but it was larger than her maternal house back in Gour. As the blue sky was overpowered by the black exasperated clouds, her room became a dark gloomy space with a dressing table near the door, which was facing her small bed. It was large enough for one person but if another joined it would have been a struggle to sleep comfortably. She lit her oil lamp bringing a little bit of light alive. 

She unhooked the lantern from its stand and moved it towards her table. She looked in the foggy mirror as she sat down and saw her curls all tangled up, and it hit her. She hadn't combed through her hair for days. She was wearing a white nightgown and a faded blue robe. This robe was a present from her parents, filled with so many memories. The happiness of spending each night together talking is long gone… gone for good. As soon as she was married to the Eugolian royal family. Her husband Loch wasn’t too interested in her since this marriage was of an arranged type. Reena was never afraid of marriage and arranged marriages were common, after all her parents were arranged too.

 She saw how Morag treated her mother and thought every relationship or marriage was full of joy and laughter. She knew her marriage would be loveless, because of the secret she carried in her heart. She was hoping for a gentle husband and someone who could be her confidant just like Khanna was. Boy was she wrong, she thought, while her mouth curled into a sarcastic smile. There was a thunderstorm outside. Reena could hear the rumble faintly as she looked down. She let out a heavy sigh then moved her gaze back towards her reflection. 

She rubbed her face and pulled her hair into a misshapen bun. She secured it with her only wooden hairpiece and she snapped the middle drawer open and took out paper, an envelope and a pen and with that she started writing.

“Khanna,

Do you remember the time we spent in the summer? Our herb garden flourished and after we tended to our daily duties, we took shelter from the scorching sun under the beautiful Peach Blossom tree. The blooms were falling with the light breeze, creating a petal blanket underneath it. The garden was so stunning that I kept turning back to see if I am not dreaming, if we really grew this majestic scenery together. 

You took my hand, and held it in your lap, and what to me seemed like a childish play, for you it was the moment before you had enough courage to say something. I enjoyed every second of your touch, I closed my eyes to savour this moment, breeze brushed against my hair and quickly my cheeks, hoping this moment never ends. I remember your words, your nervousness, your fidgeting and your blushing face, it warms my heart every time I think about it… About you. 

You said ‘Reena, I have something to tell you, but please don’t interrupt me since I barely have the courage to speak now.’ Then I stroked your hair, and smiled, trying to let you know that there is no reason to be anxious around me. We are the ones who never hide anything from each other. Since we met, I knew we have a stronger connection than any relationship I will have in this life. When I smiled at you, you bravely took my hands in yours and you snuggled in them, then you left a light kiss on my fingers.

 You took in a deep breath and started again ‘You’re that would never judge me for anything, we’ve shared astounding seasons together and I cannot imagine my life without you going forward. You are my best friend, but at the same time, I feel like that is not enough. I want to hold your hand and experience everything in this life that is humanly possible with you. I want more than a friendship, my hands tremble, my lips are dry, I feel like I am going crazy as soon you are present nearby…when I am with you my heart skips a beat, that is most certainly not how a friend feels about another, there is only one conclusion… Reena, I love you… I love you with all my heart… Without you I’m incomplete, you warm my soul, with you I feel like I’m unstoppable and invincible… You are my light at the end of the tunnel, you’re my strength without you I would fall apart… I know you might not return my feelings, but I had to get this off my chest, it was eating me alive that I had to keep it a secret, just because these feelings are unusual for another woman.’

 Your eyes started to fill with tears, but you were trying so hard not to show it them to me. I always wondered why… We cried countless of times together, either from happiness or sadness I never knew there would be something that you would make you so vulnerable in front of me. I felt the same way about you, and just like that spontaneously I moved closer took your face on my hands and kissed you first on you cheeks nose forehead… then your lips… your quivering stunning lips. When the initial shock wore off you, you returned my kiss, and hugged me close, when you placed your hand on my waist my stomach jumped as if someone had released hundreds of butterflies within. We spent days, weeks, months entangled but our first time under the peach blossom tree will always be my favourite.”

Tears formed in Reena’s eyes, but she was smiling. She felt like thinking about Khanna or remembering their time together, melting away the sadness she felt living in Eugola. Living in Eugola was suffocating, like a nightmare you cannot wake up from. When she remembered her beloved Khanna, her one and only lover those were the times Reenafound peace and patience to keep going. Someone knocking on the chamber door interrupted her daydreaming. She quickly wrapped up the letter and hid it in her drawer and said, ‘Come in'.

 It was her handmaiden, the one she kept close to herself in Gour and when they moved to Eugola. Her trustworthy maid hurried in, and said ‘The master has called for you, my lady. He asked to prepare to stay the night in his chambers. Shall we start with your bath?’ Reena’s face turned sour. There was visible disgust in those brown eyes that didn’t gounnoticed. Her handmaiden Noy didn’t move without Reena’s consent and stood by the door. After Reena went through her usual six stages of grief she said ‘Let’s start with my bath. I also have a mission for you. The usual letter posting.’ Noy nodded and smiled at her lady then quickly started making preparations for the night, meanwhile Reena wrapped the letter beautifully, sprayed some perfume on the envelope and sealed it with some wax she had left over. 

‘My lady I know it’s unpleasant for you since My Lord is a bit cold towards us, but I can assure you that once there is an heir to the kingdom, I am sure things will calm down after that. Reena looked at Noy up and down, she was a middle-aged woman, in Gour she started working for the Tress family, later Morag Reena’s father let Noy take care of her completely. They had a great relationship. Noy’s face and hands showed her age and Reena knew she was right. She has way more experience in life than her, and she has seen the worst of humanity. ‘I know you’re right, but I deserve a little tantrum in front of you before I do my duty, wouldn’t you agree?’ Reena snuck near Noy and wrapped herself around Noy’s arm. Reena’s eyes widened and her face looked as innocent as a toddler’s. Noy smiled and patted her head. ‘Now quick, My Lady the bath is ready.'