《A Tulip in June》
Chapter 1
JANUARY 21,2019
GABRIEL RICH
Walking into the bedroom, my bedroom, without looking around I walked straight to the bed. The natural satellite of the earth reflected its light through the window; I can unmistakably see her lying in the large double bed. I stalked her with my eyes, her lips curved in a smile. Maybe she is having a fine dream without me. I felt my chest harden a bit, but having me in her dreams is the last thing which I actually wanted. If truth be told, somehow it twisted me not having me in her dream. Her curvy lines are driving me non-compos mentis. God''s appreciable fabrication on the female body is testing my stoicism.
The full spectrum of opportunities is lying ahead of me. Her thick raven hair which touches her waist is spreaded in the pillow. Her lips were pale pinkish, she had a soothing voice, pitch-black eyes, Greek nose, thick eyebrows and her eyelashes were velvety.
All-inclusive, a shapely figure. She turns heads wherever she goes, but not me.
I kept thinking about what I was doing and I don''t even know what is going on anymore and how I ended up in this situation.
Marriage! I got married.
It was not unspecified I ever gave many notions even if I knew I would marry Ruby and settle down in the fullness of time, still and all not like this, not with some woman I do not know. Looking back at the smiling face of this chick, I don''t even know if I had done the right thing. I felt so stupid. She must be laughing at my stupidity.
After that nightmare, all my thoughts were to destroy her bit by bit. But by some means, I learned to dominate myself from abusing her physically. I''ve blamed her for every single thing that''s gone faulty in my life. After all, she is the one to be blamed, easier than blaming myself or my extended family. It''s been ten months, I don''t understand her a bit nor I don''t know what to do with her. I have to hide from her or hide her from the world because I don''t want people addressing her as Mrs Rich.
I undressed and climbed into the bed lying next to her. Am not sure if I can do this. The inner agitation is killing me softly whereas my cleverest, sharp-witted and unfortunate bride is having her beauty sleep contorting mine.
***
I awoke from my sleep. My eyes opened slowly as the sun shined in the room. She wasn''t there near me. I must have fallen asleep while thinking about her. I got up from the bed and walked to the bathroom. After finishing my business, I walked to the closet and dressed well to the liking of Ruby.
I wished it was all a dream. But reality was staring at me while I stared at the picture which was hung in the wall. I wanted to take a moment and admire the picture of her and me. More than admiring us, I am infatuated with her picture. The portrayal of my wife, Mrs Aurora rich.
I sat in the dining table eyes looking at her watching her cook. Her waist-length dark hair was sprawled all behind her. Its out-and-out infliction of pain, even though it hurt me, I would willingly go through this torture just to have her in my house. I am a victim here who has been brutally tortured. I don''t want to make her feel like she needs to be the one who has to cook or look after me. However she is assuredly making efforts to satisfy my need for food. Not that I lay the blame on her for her cooking, my feeling of discomfort is not caused by lack of food but the strong craving for her is making me lose my sanity.
She loves to cook. She began to fill the house with smells that have never filled this area before. Slowly shutting the oven door, she sighed. Turning around she saw me sitting at the counter watching her. She is now all set to take her first faltering steps.
My name, I assume is stuck in her throat, unable to erupt from her mouth. She tried to turn, but I took a step. I walked straight to the fridge and took a water bottle and poured a glass of water and extended it to her. She took it from my hand hesitatingly and gulped it in one go. She shivered with anxiety. The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. Slowly she took baby steps and moved away from me.
Placing the mouth-watering breakfast on the table, "Here, please eat," she spoke to me so gently.
Taking a mouth full of food, "You going out?" I asked her confused as I remember that we were to dine together in my parent''s house tonight.
"No, I am not. Anyway not something you would like to listen to, ignore me," she waves me off-putting the bottle inside the fridge back.
Did she really wave me off?
That''s the thing which I cannot ignore. No one dares to raise a question against me. Here this female just waved me off as if I am her bond slave.
"Stay in your limits and don''t wave me off. Don''t think I don''t know anything. I cannot forgive you for ruining my life," I said and broke the glass plate in which she served her delicious food.
A tear escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheek. I couldn''t stand seeing her this way. Is my heart made of glass? Why does it break seeing her tear? This is the thing which I really wanted to find an answer. Couldn''t stand there anymore, I left the room leaving her all alone with much damage. I shut the door so hard that she jumped on her place.
Starting the engine, my thoughts drifted to 2018, the decisive day which sealed my fate with Aurora.
***
MARCH 05, 2018
GABRIEL RICH
I glanced at the woman in front of me knowing that the word ''I do'' would bind me to her forever. She was a complete stranger. Her features would make people covetous. She was not a female model, but something about her tempted me. Her eyes were so dark, but it was mysterious. The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes, but here my bride never smiled or her smile never reached her eyes.
"We are here today for the celebration of marriage," the preacher said. We exchanged our vows and rings and finished the ceremony.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," the priest said happily. Did he know I was forced into this wedding?
"You may kiss the bride," he says and I freeze again.
A quick kiss on her cheek would not harm me, but this kiss would not be a symbol of love. But what I wasn''t aware was...this simple kiss would absorb her into my soul. It was only then I realized I haven''t kissed her yet. I grabbed her by her waist and pecked her cheek so lightly. After that we took pictures with the family and the guest.
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In the reception, I noticed she was not snug in her heels. She started rubbing her heel with her other foot. She would take a seat whenever she finds a possibility. Irritated by her way of acting I carried her to my room and made her sit in the bed. Before she could utter a word, I stepped out of the room. When I was having a drink, my dad nudged me again, "Smile this moment will be remembered for years," he said.
"But dad, how could you do this?" I shrieked, but he shook his head and said, "You were always ungrateful!"
"Am not being ungrateful. I just cannot believe you made me do this!" I tried my hardest not to shout at my dad.
"You had a choice, Gabriel!"
"The choice between? Tell me dad, what choice did I have?"
"You had multiple solutions. Yet you married this woman, I didn''t shove you to marry her. I told you to marry Aurora, but I did not force you. You agreed!"
"You threatened me with the corporation dad."
"Is that so Gabriel? The factuality is, you paid attention to your heart. Have a good night son and remember ... Paying attention to your heart is worth a listen, Gabriel."
As soon as I was left alone, I walked to my room and took a long cold shower. This was going to be my life from now on. My future looked so clumsy. There were lots of questions in my mind. What would happen now? What kind of relationship we would share.
As am married to Aurora, what was I supposed to tell her now? The fact that marriage was very important to me and that I took it seriously or the fact that I am ready to give us a chance. I have decided to be loyal to Aurora. But I don''t want her to think I am loyal to her, she deserves my loyalty, after all, she is Mrs Aurora rich.
More than loyalty, I am a little insecure. I want Aurora to be loyal to me and am not in love, but I have flipped. If I come clean, the first time I saw her, I saw my future with her and I burned with desire. I craved for her even with the awkwardness of the first time. But when I kissed her on the cheek, I felt the need to protect her. I want her smile to reach her eyes. I want to give her all the space she needs. In my humble opinion, I want to inspire my wife Aurora.
I woke up from my thoughts. It took a moment to situate myself that am alone with Aurora. I glanced around and saw my wife on the sofa.
Aurora! My new bride is a person of exemplary virtue. I saw her in a beautiful white dress walking towards me. Her face is as calm as a white tulip. She looked like a ripened honeydew melon ready for harvest. I saw her fidgeting with her fingers in fear and nervousness; she was brittle as glass and stood near me with lenience. The white dress hugged her like a second skin and accentuated her curves perfectly.
At this point, I was overwrought. I did not want to be one''s lonesome anymore. I wanted Aurora to share my happiness, sadness and love with me. Moments of me trying to pick an imaginary apple from an imaginary tree is dead and buried now. I will give all my tenderness to this dainty lady who had held my hand without any calculation. She doesn''t know a zilch with respect to me. Yet, she made a choice to be Mrs Aurora Gabriel Rich.
"Sleep here with me tonight," I spoke softly.
I gently patted her lower back tugging her closer to me and in a befuddle from our close proximity I placed my finger under her chin and in a leisurely pace lifted her head to meet my hot-blooded almond eyes.
Her gaze at me made me perceive the spiritual meaning of eyes. Her lips curved in a dinky smile, I lifted my hand and brushed her mane. Next moment, I found myself sweeping her in my arms. She let out a gasp and clung to my shoulder for support as I carried her to the bed. My eyes depicted prurience for her. Before I could stop my hand reached her shoulder and with a mild turn her facing me. She froze at my sinister eyeball, but spotted my leniency. I drew a circle over her dress, forcing it to slip back.
Instantly, red crept her cheeks and she lowered her eyes down. I got amused by her artless reaction. Kissing her cheek I raised her head and looked into her eyes for any sign of resentment. When I couldn''t find any, I kissed her neck hungrily roaming my hand luxuriously over her.
She took in trembling breath and her bosom rose and fell with unsettling anticipation. Her breath was like a melody which deflowers my ear with warm string tones. Her hand found a way to my head, gently fisting my hair while the other rested on my neck. Finally out of breath she slumped her forehead on my chest, her fingers dug in my biceps. Her heart which was beforehand too fast was now thundering like a torrent.
Am the heart of the city in her framework. Just when I am psyched up to make her altogether mine, voraciously I pushed my tongue inside her mouth devouring her sugary nectar while my hand was detaching her last piece of modesty.
"June..." she unconsciously moaned out loud.
***
"Gabriel! What are you doing here all alone at 4.00 am in the morning?" asked my best friend James suspiciously.
"I had a series of nothing jobs, so having a drink," I said.
"You know what, Gabe? You shouldn''t leave your new wife all alone on the first day of your marriage...you do amuse me Gabriel."
"She was asleep, must be tired from everything that happened today," I said with a wink.
"Am impressed Gabe, you have grown a man now," James laughed wickedly.
"Aurora must be really fortunate to have you. See you at the place of business Gabriel."
The second James left the place, my mental picture went to Aurora. The way she called ''June'' was resonating in my ears again. "Sleep, you must be tired," I said to her. After tucking her into the bed, I came straight to the bar to vent out my anger.
Her word ''June'' slapped my face with reality. On no occasion in my sentience, I felt that deeply shocked. For some reason, I felt deceived and lost. Dismay, anger, sadness and betrayal were the emotions I felt right now. My body was on fire, am burning for my traitorous missus, am getting even more energized because of her toothsome lips. She had shattered my whole emotional state by uttering the name ''June''.
Sex is more than pleasure. I yearn for her in the most faultless form. Every inch of my touch on her is true. True, she derived satisfaction from my touch with a different man in her heart.
I felt dirty, cut-rated and most importantly powerless.
Am her lawfully wedded husband. The vows which she took are stock-still in the panel of this house, her ''I do'' is rooted in my heart, our flower decorations, wedding cake, high-class champagne have not lost its significance yet. Our wedding ring, a symbol of commitment, has not seen the first snow up to the present time, but my sunshine has espoused a dark path.
I felt hurt. To duct my sundry emotion, I lit a coffin nail. My pupils got dilated. I left the buffet in a fit of pique. Driving rashly to my home, I banged the door shut to my bedroom. My dozed wife had woken up from the noise. She stood swiftly by seeing my bloodshot red eyes and quivered a bit but managed to stand.
With one strike I got rid of my blazer and opened the first two buttons of my shirt and rolled my sleeves up. She swallowed hard noticing my steps. She moved curtly and did her utmost to open the door, but I banged it with a ponderous thud. Unable to puzzle out what was happening, she stayed frozen in the spot.
In a swift motion, I twisted her both hands behind her, like a puppy she whimpered in pain. She was trapped between the door and my chest.
"Gabriel..." she whispered.
With one hand, I threaded her hair and pulled her head back brutally and she cried out in agony, we both looked at each other vacantly for a few seconds. All might have the conjecture that am maltreating my wife abominably, but the impair I felt when she cried and that too am the originator is slaughtering me.
"Please..." she mumbled, fighting back her tears.
Unprecedented bile formed in my throat and my grip tightened on her and she found it hard to draw breath.
"Why?" She mustered her nerve to speak.
"Why! You want to know why?" With that, I authoritatively slapped her hard on her cheek and threw her on the bed. Before she could perceive what was happening I was on top of her. She started bawling and thrashing me with her delicate fingers. She called my name again and again and struggled hard to push me away, but I didn''t stir. At a slow pace, her pleading stopped. She turned toneless and lay immobilized, closing her eyes. Her fingers were numb and cold. Tears flew down her eyes continuously.
"Hey ...hey...look at me," I told her gently as possible, nevertheless she didn''t eat my words. With a frustrated sigh, I let go of her wrist and moved away from her covering her with a duvet.
"Sleep!" I said seeing her tear-stained face.
Like a puppet, she lied down facing the other side. I switched off the table lamp and left the room, the moment I stepped outside the room, I heard her muffled cries again.
I was a man, who had a heart once. But today it''s extinct. My temper had taken a toll on me today. I realized I would have almost raped her today. Never had I abhorred myself this much. What are you doing to me Aurora, I sighed finally hitting the bed in the guest room.
Chapter 1a
MARCH 28, 2018
GABRIEL RICH
I woke up with an incessant shrill of my mobile phone ringing making me roll on my bed trying to get up as well as to draw up where my phone exactly was. After finding it under the quilt, I cut the call without checking the Id. When the phone didn''t stop ringing, I gave in and finally picked the moronic thing with resentment.
"Gabriel!" My dad''s voice shrieked as if it were the end of the Milky Way galaxy.
"Finally, you picked up my call. Why are you not picking up your mobile phone?" The vexed voice of my dad irked me.
"Good morning dad," I replied dryly.
"I have been trying your phone for ages," the frustrated voice of my mum shouts at me, making me smile.
"Awe, someone missed me," I coos, before wincing as my mom curses.
"What''s it mom?" I finally asked her.
"Son, I would love to chat you up on every detail, but I have tons to do. So please take the next flight and come home. The family needs you!" my mom pleaded again.
"I wish I can, but I cannot just leave everything in here like that and come running home mom," I said finally.
"Gabe! You are married, you have a wife now," she answered me back curtly.
"So... how are you doing? Any plans to come to visit your wife?" She asked me, suddenly more irritated than before.
"I am going to visit you guys next month and I am planning to get married to Ruby," I said, trying to be as sweet as possible, but still there is an edge in my voice.
"What!" My mum went silent for a while, so I checked my phone to see if she was still there.
"Hello, Mom!" I called her out a few times until she answered again.
"Whoa...okay, no need to freak me out there," I said.
"No need to freak out? You are willing to get married to Ruby and you are asking me not to freak out, then what about Aurora?" my mom screams on the phone making me wince again and I wished I never took her call.
"You did this on purpose, didn''t you?" all of a sudden I heard the calm voice of my dad.
"What? What did I do on purpose?" I asked him bemused.
"You kept this information about Ruby and you in secret," he grits out through his teeth. "Ruby is not the right one for you, Gabe. You wouldn''t succeed in the marriage with Ruby. She is seducing you for her sick pleasure," he snapped at me in anger.
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"You know what dad, do not bother calling me again," I said.
"Gabriel rich! If I don''t find you in your house in the next 24 hours, then you will have no clue, what is about to come," my dad spoke so calmly before ending the call.
I stared at the phone too shocked and impaired by my dad''s voice. I knew the moment I confessed my fondness for Ruby, my parents could not take it back. But I didn''t think my dad would use such hateful words against Ruby. I got the traumatic effect by seeing them taking up cudgels for Aurora.
I have known Ruby since my college days. Ruby, James went to Utrecht University along with me. She was my first female friend and considered me her best friend. She is so charming and always understanding to me. When I was in my last semester Ruby confessed her love for me. Not willing to hurt her, I said I like her too. But when Aurora came into the picture, she got powerfully engraved in me.
Just then I dialed Liz, "Liz prepare my departure to the Netherlands."
"Right away sir?"
"Yes!" I replied curtly to my secretary Liz.
APRIL 02, 2018
GABRIEL RICH
My dad poked his nose again in my private space. He wants me to take Aurora on a vacation. In other words, he anticipated me to prove to Aurora that I am a fantastic husband.
Yes. Damn sure I am a fantastic husband who assaulted and left his wife in the middle of the wedding night. Morally am more than cruel to her. After the day of the wedding, this is the second day I am noticing her face properly. My honeymoon phase is so much fun for my family. The discussion is continuing for more than an hour now. Every mother''s son partakes in my honeymoon conference except me and Aurora. How I wished to put a bullet in my dad''s head to bring me here in this state.
"Gabe, you should collect moments with your wife, maybe by next Christmas, I would play with mini Gabe or mini Aurora," he showed his teeth boiling my blood again.
"Why not you and mom make the trip in the interest of me and Aurora? Dad! Am sure that would be like a fairy tale," I scowled at him defiantly.
"How about Paris?" My mom shouted happily.
"No! let them go to Australia," whispered my granny.
"Hawaii!" My bestie, James spoke from the kitchen. Much to my irritation, the forum continued.
"Aurora!" Everyone''s heads immediately snapped in my direction.
"Aurora, do you have any proposals for the vacation?" I asked her carefully.
Am sure she wouldn''t want to draw closer to me after that episode of our wedding night, but here am catechizing her idea to come with me all alone.
But to my dismay, she gave me a warm smile and said, "Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden."
Before I could utter anything, "What?" questioned James to Aurora.
But she fixed her gaze on me, without any kind of repentance, "I want to visit Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden in India, Gabriel."
"Honey, do you want to visit your family?" asked my mom.
"I miss my family, but I would like to visit that Garden," she replied.
"I apologize for coming over unannounced like this honey, but do you like tulip garden?" My dad asked softly to Aurora.
"I''d love to visit the garden...with my husband," she finished.
"Then, Keukenhof tulip garden in Amsterdam would be great for the vacation," James said playfully.
"Then it''s settled, we leave within a week, now am taking my leave. I have greater work to finish," I said and tried to leave the forum.
Just when I left the lobby, my dad captured me again.
"Gabriel!" he continued, "Am not querying you, why you ran in the middle of your wedding night. Be sweet to Aurora, I know you like this Indian woman; she is your wife now. Just give her a chance. Not a soul is familiar with what''s going on behind the closed door. Just don''t mourn after you lose her," he said and patted my shoulder, and left me there.
Maybe my dad was right in one thing, I like Aurora and I should give us a second chance to make this marriage work. I hope the time alone with her may mend our broken hearts for real.
Chapter 1b
APRIL 18, 2018
GABRIEL RICH
Keukenhof tulip Garden is Abrahams¡¯s bosom. I could walk endlessly in this garden with her by my side. She was holding my hand as a child does to its mother. It¡¯s the first time am seeing her more word for word. Predominantly I was hypnotized by employing sexual want. On my wedding night, I had a desire to make her mine. But this garden changed my standpoint on her; I don¡¯t understand the potential of this garden and these tiny flowers.
Now I need my wife to hold my hand forever. I would give her all the good things she desires for. I felt so peaceful. Just then I thanked God for this wonderful garden and this innocent woman by my side. This is not my first time in the Keukenhof tulip garden, but today it¡¯s different. My family has lived in Holland for centuries, but this is the first time I am thanking the creator for this wonderful garden in my country.
There is a Japanese saying,
The moon is often hidden by the cloud;
Flowers are often scattered by the wind.
I didn¡¯t know Keukenhof would backpedal my life with a new start. Just then she broke my thought by placing her lips on my cheek.
The flowers bloomed, and so did my hope.
It was at 7:00 pm we entered our suite. My wife was super tired from all the running. She then took her comfy clothes and went inside the bathroom. Just then I changed into a t-shirt and shorts. After it felt like everlasting life, she came out wearing a pleasing knee-length yellow dress. It was a little baggy. She had wiped out all her makeup one hundred percent which magnetized me to touch her. She took her hand purse and took a white tulip and placed it inside what seemed like a diary.
When she noticed me staring at her, she placed her diary in her bag. It was drizzling; the temperature was so cool outside, and my heart was so warm. I ordered food for both of us. She was deadly by the choco truffle cake piece. So I gave her the piece on my plate, and she grinned like a child and took a slice and lifted it near my mouth. This is the first time someone was hand-feeding me as if I was a child. I took a bite from her hand, devouring the taste of the chocolate whereas my wife ate the remaining piece and licked the chocolate in her hand. She looked more than a child to me.
After that, I took a warm shower. When I opened the door of the knob, I saw her near the window looking outside.
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Without turning back, ¡°Gabriel...¡± she whispered. After a few seconds, she continued, ¡°Gabriel! Do you like me?¡±
¡°Like?¡± Does this woman know the effect she had on me? I have a strong connection with Aurora. Though we haven¡¯t talked a lot I can unmistakably identify her reflection. I went near her and stood behind her. She then turned and locked her eyes with me. I kissed her tenderly and not greedily. I didn¡¯t dominate her, but she will know the answer to her question. She lost her last breath and pushed me slightly.
Gently placing my hand on her shoulder, ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± I asked her sharply.
She thought for a second, ¡°Aurora.¡±
¡°Full name,¡± I went again.
¡°Aurora rich,¡± she answered not knowing what else to say.
¡°Aurora Rich today and always will be,¡± I said, giving a peck on her forehead.
I know she is ready to be a part of me. But I want to know about her, love her and treasure her. I want to give her all the little happiness she deserves. Like a 16-year-old boy, I am willing to pamper her for eternity. And then the day I feel she has unmitigated faith in me, I would make love to her. I didn¡¯t know what came over me; I made her lie on my lap and started reading the novel ¡®The Notebook¡¯ to my wife. Then and there, she would stop me to explain certain things. It was comfortable with her. It was around 3:00 am, when I was on page 68 I saw her closing her heavy eyelids. Sleeping solitary encircling her hands around my torso.
That¡¯s the time I realized I can never let her go today or one day in the future. I am a great businessman with power, wealth, and fame. I can get anything I want. Many business associates wanted me to marry their daughters who excelled in the business world but my dad selected Aurora who is the daughter of my dad¡¯s close friend Dr. Harry. Though I liked Ruby, it was more different kind of like. My heartbeat was faster and I got overflowed with joy seeing this beautiful woman who had taken a toll on my heart.
I recalled the way I had caused pain to Aurora on our wedding night. Thus far, I haven¡¯t expressed my regret to her. To patch up, I took a moment¡¯s thought. I placed her head from my lap onto the pillow, freshening up I took the keys and locked the door alertly. I drove the car to the nearby flower shop. It was so early that the shop hadn¡¯t opened yet. Ergo I waited for another two hours doing nothing.
When the flower shop opened, without dissipating I picked a bunch of fresh yellow tulips. I bear in mind yesterday¡¯s incident where she was holding a white tulip in her hand. So I bought a ¡®white tulip¡¯ and wrote a sorry on a small piece of paper and roped it with the white tulip. When I reached the suite and unlocked the door I saw her sleeping holding the pillow tightly. By seeing the sight my inner voice whispered, Mrs. Rich.
Her thick flocks sheltered her face out and out. I set down the yellow tulips on the bedstand table. Taking the white tulip I searched for her bag. I took the diary and placed the flower inside the book. Quite then the pages turned and it read ¡®Aurora¡¯.
Ohh! It¡¯s her private diary, I thought. But what caught my attention was that below her name was written ¡®My Tulip¡¯.
I didn¡¯t know if I should turn the page or not. She is my better half and I thought for a second and stumbled with inner turbulence. My fingers rebelled against me and I turned my head to look at the sleeping form of my wife. I sat in the chair on the balcony and turned the pages and it went back to 2010.