Not First Love (8 page)

After hearing the problem brought to her, she got up and went inside the hut and brought a bag full of dried flowers. There was jasmine and a kind of dried yellow flower. The smell that came out of the bag and around us was the same smell I got at the party. I can never forget it.

I was wondering what the yellow flower was. As if she read my mind, she said it was Ylang Ylang. She told our neighbour to take only a pinch of these dried flowers and ask her daughter in law to put in an oil lamp before they went to bed. She cautioned against using too much.”

“I like this story. So did it make him horny?” Arthur commented.

“It worked quite well. I later read at the library that these are libido enhancers. Today he has eight children.”

“Wow!” Arthur laughed.

“I later asked my grandmother why people would fear a tantrik so much but also ask for their help. Also, she had seemed so nice, not at all harmful.”

“What did she say?”

“She said that the study and practice of Tantra, by which one becomes a Tantrik is itself, just a subject. It brings to you a lot of occult powers and enhances your senses. You can do magic and cast spells.

But whether it will be for dark practice or white, it is up to the person’s character.

Most Tantriks are likely to put up a show to get people come and donate to them and make them rich.

Some do good to people. Others have darker passions.

Whereas some would just try to increase their knowledge and be closer to the divine.”

“I see”, Arthur crossed his fingers and brooded.

“Why were you looking for it?” Jan asked him.

“I got a message from one of the other vigilantes. He said there is a Tantrik somewhere around here.  He is probably making the Bloodsuckers stronger.”

“Here? In the States? Well it sounds improbable, but it isn’t impossible. Anyone can learn this. Imagine a white man trained in this art. He would live here like any of us and we wouldn’t know. ”

“How could a Tantrik make a Bloodsucker stronger?”

“Probably giving them what they feed on. Or by making their hunt easier.”

“How can he do that?”

“I don’t know but Tantriks do create portals and let things in. These beings help them in their tasks and get powerful. It is commonly known that a tantrik can summon or control spirits or such negative energy.

But these things come from the lower dimensions and Earth is of a higher dimension.”

“So they get weak right?” Arthur eyes sparkled. He was seeing through it at last.

“Yes so by instilling negative events it will be easier for them to stay here. War, hatred, lust and fear. Works great.”

“Lust,” Arthur looked at Jan. “If one creates lust in a group by using aphrodisiacs....”

“...and lead them all to illicit sex for which they would feel guilt later... it would break families....make them depressed....it would be a hundred times stronger in negative energy.”

Arthur was feeling the thrill of the fight coming to him. He liked these anticipations of danger, it brought in an adrenaline rush, it made him feel good.

“Why would anyone target yesterday’s party, Arthur?” Jan asked worriedly, half knowing the answer in her heart.

He got up and kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry,” he said.

*****

Jan went to bed. Arthur would sleep in the sofa like every night. Arthur watched Jan in the screen. She checked that the window was shut tight. Then she put off the lights.

Jan was awake, so many things were coming to her mind. After everything Arthur and she had discussed and known, one could not turn back on the truth.

It was scary but she could never tell it to anybody. Not even to Ron. It was a heavy secret in her heart.  She wondered where life would take her from here. Ron hadn’t called since the last two days. She picked the phone and rang him up.

Arthur checked his laptop, no updates had come. He put the lights off too and took off his t-shirt. He retired to the sofa and deepened his breathing. He had to keep on the practice of centering himself, the more one does, the better one becomes. 

He thought he heard footsteps coming from the stairs. It was Jan’s.

“Arthur,” Jan called out in the dark hall. Arthur got up and put on the lights.

Jan came running to him, “Can you imagine what Ron said? After all this?”

She was livid.

“Calm down Jan,” Arthur said slowly. His words had an effect on her. She calmed but then her anger had turned to pain. She came closer, put her head on Arthur’s bare chest and started to cry. Arthur slowly put his arms around her.

“Ron is so cruel,” she managed to say between the sobs.

Arthur’s felt his chest wet with her tears. She was whimpering. He didn’t say anything. Holding her closer, she let her cry her grief out.  Then he put his hand on her head and felt her calm down.

Jan had stopped crying but she didn’t move. Seeing her tears on his chest, she felt like he was that someone, who understood her pain. Arthur had let her cry her heart out. He didn’t stop her. He held her, waited for her. He was the one she wanted. She didn’t want to care about what Ron said or thought. She felt foolish to have believed in first love. Arthur is one she wants to be with.

“Are you feeling better?” Arthur asked her gently. Instead of answering, she moved her hands his shoulder and held him tighter.

Arthur resisted the feelings that came with it. He had to give Jan some time, for her to understand what she was doing. She was upset now and in a highly emotional state. This was no time to take new steps.

She took her time. She smelled his neck and felt his body. She was feeling peaceful now. She moved away and looked at him. Arthur wiped the tears from her face. Her eyes were red from crying.

“I need to wash my face,” Jan said. Arthur nodded. He sat on the sofa.

Jan came back looking better.

“I am feeling better now,” she said.

“What happened?”

“I had called Ron. He usually calls me every day but he hadn’t yesterday or today. So I called him up.”

Jan sat close to Arthur on the sofa. “When I asked him why he didn’t, he started to banter about how I had no need of him because I was enjoying myself at Zilo’s parties. Without him.

I told him that I had been there only for a short time as a courtesy.  I told him that I loved him and wouldn’t cheat on him. I told him that as he had all the money, he should come and take me away from here.

He told me he didn’t have it. I was surprised, he told me earlier he had it and now he said he didn’t. Where did fifty grand go? What did he do with Zilo’s loan? His cousin and he had put into business. Did the business go wrong?

He said that they never had put it in the business. They had lost the money at gambling match within a month of the loan.

I couldn’t believe it. He had lied to me. And I had chosen to be confined here for him? I was so stupid of me,” she told herself.

“It’s not your fault, Jan. You trusted him.”

He put his hand on her shoulder and comforted her. “You did right.” It didn’t matter to Arthur if she did right or not. He just didn’t want her to feel pained.

She looked into his eyes. His green eyes were filled with love and understanding.

“We need to tell Zilo,” Jan went on. “He doesn’t have the intention of paying him back.”

Arthur sighed. This is exactly what he had expected from Ron.

“He is planning to run away Arthur, we have to tell Zilo.”

“Run away?”

“Yes Ron told me he will escape. He told me to run away too.”

Arthur sneered. Ron didn’t know Greg’s men were already watching him. This was not the first time for Zilo to have defaulters, and he knew how to identify and deal with them.

“What did you say?”

“I was shocked. How could he do this to Zilo? He is our friend. He helped them in time of need. Now he is going to betray him. I wouldn’t allow him to. He tried to convince me. He said I should plan to run away with him. I told him I would never do that and tell Zilo if he tried to escape. ”

“Then?”

“Nothing. He cut off the phone. After mouthing a few expletives. I think he was drunk all this time. ”

Arthur’s body became tight with anger. Ron had no right to speak to her like this.

“Call Zilo. Please. Let him know. This is not fair to him.” Jan was pleading.

“Relax Jan, Ron just cannot leave. Zilo knows how to handle these things.”

She was feeling tired, all the emotional upheavals made her feel drained.

“Am I doing the right thing Arthur?”

“You always do the right thing Jan.” Arthur looked at Jan, she was exhausted. She put her head on the sofa’s headrest.

“You must get some sleep now. We will discuss it tomorrow. Now come on, I will take you to your room.”

He led her upstairs. Jan sat on her bed and motioned Arthur beside her. “Stay with me tonight. Don’t leave me.”

“I won’t.”

Jan and he lay down on the bed side by side. Jan on his left. She took his arm and placed it under her head. She felt a relief come over her. She forgot her pains. She fell into a deep content sleep with Arthur beside her.

Arthur ran his fingers through her hair. With Jan beside him, he felt everything was under his control. He would call Zilo and get Jan free tomorrow. But that’s tomorrow. For now, he will be getting the best sleep of his life.

*****

Jan got up feeling fresh and happy. Arthur was not the bed, he had gotten up. Jan checked that she had overslept but she didn’t mind. She smiled and rubbed her hand with love on the pillow where Arthur had rested his head. She heard the sounds of birds chirping and the wind. Everything sounded beautiful. She heard the sound of Patrick’s motor on the driveway. She got up to get fresh. Arthur would be waiting for her downstairs. 

Arthur was waiting for her and smiled when she came down. “Looks like you had a good night’s sleep.”

“Very good sleep I had,” Jan smiled back.

“Hungry?”

“Very much,” Jan said.

They ate together. Arthur said he had informed Zilo of Jan’s conversation with Ron last night and Zilo had said she could leave if she wanted to. She was under no obligation to stay. But he wouldn’t harm Ron until Jan allowed him to.

“Zilo’s such a patient person, it’s unbelievable. But I am not leaving. I have a right to stay here for thirty days. “

“But Jan...”

“And you are under the obligation to stay here with me. I am not letting the chance go away.” Jan played with him.

Arthur smiled when he understood what she meant. Besides she would be safer here for now in case the Bloodsucker comes into the town, Zilo had said. He was not wrong.

“But I need to go to town to buy some things. Will you drive me there?”

“We can leave when you say,” Arthur replied.

Jan went to her room. She would let go of her old loose clothes. She wasn’t wearing those anymore. She could give it away to the needy, she thought. She would get new clothes and a nightdress. She hadn’t brought one with her when she came here. She made a list of some other things as well. She needed a shampoo and some cookies too. She was doing her hair when she heard the motor of a car driving in. Not one, but two cars. She was familiar with motor sounds, especially this one.

It was Ron’s.

*****

SIX

She felt her heart beat faster. Why were there two cars, who had Ron brought with him? Will he take her away? Will he put Arthur in trouble? Questions raced through her mind.

She went down. Arthur was standing outside. Two cars had driven in. Ron had brought a cop. The cop came to Arthur and talked to him. Was he holding a girl here?

Jan felt furious at Ron.

She wouldn’t let him do this to Arthur. Ron had been a jerk to her but she won’t let him touch Arthur.

She dialled Zilo and when he picked up, she said only one sentence, “Zilo, Ron’s yours.”

If Jan could see his face, she would have seen him smiling. “Greg’s bored of following him. I will tell him to go get his prey.” Zilo replied.

Jan disconnected the call and controlled her anger. She walked outside confidently. Ron saw her coming out.

“Jan, oh my god, are you all right? See I have come to free you.”

Jan ignored him and went to Arthur. “What’s wrong Arthur?”

The cop looked suspiciously at Ron. “Are you Ms. Archer?”

“Yes I am Janaki Archer. How can I help you?”

“Ronald had been telling that you have been kept confined here against your will. Is this true?”

Jan feigned a surprise and laughed. “Do I look in way confined to you? I am staying here yes, but on my own will.”

“Jan, why are lying?” Ron cried out.

“Why are you lying, Ron?”

He turned to the cop and said hurriedly, “She is lying, I will explain.”

“Ronald it doesn’t look like she is in trouble. You have just wasted my time. You do that again and I will arrest you.” He barked at Ron.

“Sorry for the trouble guys”, he said to Arthur and Jan.

They saw him drive away in his car. So did Greg.

Hatred had built up Ron’s eyes. He looked at Jan like he was going to hit her. Arthur caught hold of Jan and moved her to safety behind him.

“Jan you cheated me,” he shouted. “You lied to me when you said you were missing me.  I knew you had been sleeping with Arthur when I came to meet you.”

“If I cheated someone, it was myself. I should have never been with you. I always lied to my feelings. But I would listen to my feelings now.” Jan said.

She put her arms around Arthur and kissed him in front of Ron.

Arthur had his hand on his weapon if Ron tried to attack. Jan was kissing him but he had to keep an eye on Ron’s movements. Ron took a step forward but then stopped. He was now thinking of something to tell her to get her back.

“I love you Jan.”

“It’s too late Ron. Goodbye.”

Ron heard footsteps behind him and saw Greg. “What are doing here, Ron? You got the money?”

Ron started to panic. Greg placed his hand on his shoulder, “Zilo was missing you, let’s go meet him.” Greg hustled Ron to the car.

Pushing him into the car, Greg turned and waved at Arthur.

“See you again.” Arthur waved back.

He looked at Jan. He admired the way she played it coolly. She was much stronger than she looked. All she needed was a little love.

“Can we go to the town now?” she asked. Arthur nodded.

*****

Arthur drove her to the town. He dropped her at the supermarket and told her to meet him here. He would be back within two hours. He needed to go around and check a few places. Check for any signs of anything out of the normal. He also needed to look for the Tantrik if he is here. He would look for a place which could have sold such exotic aphrodisiacs. He noted the time when to pick up Jan.

Arthur also needed to see Patrick. First to tell him, they are here in town now so not to deliver any food today. Second, he knows everything that happens in town. He can give him a scent.

Arthur drove to one of Zilo’s cafes where Patrick worked. He went in and told Patrick to come to his car. He will wait there.  Patrick came out after ten minutes.

“So what does the Hunk want from me the Potbelly other than food?” Patrick joked, “and how is my lovely lady doing?”

“She is fine. Tell me Patrick, where can I get some jasmine aroma? She loves the smell.”

Patrick thought for a while. “I don’t know about jasmine. There’s this shop where I have heard the ladies get perfumed oil.  They call it ...aromather.. something.”

“Aromatherapy?”

“Right. That’s what they call it. So you can see if you find it there.”

Arthur asked a few more questions to him. Then he drove to the aromatherapy shop.

It was a small but well decorated shop. A mixture of aromas greeted him when he entered the place.

There was a middle aged lady, he guessed she was the owner of the shop.  The only other person was a customer, a young girl who was looking at a catalogue.

He looked around, rows were beautifully stacked with exotic dried flowers, vases and oils. He smiled at the lady and told her he was looking for jasmine or ylang ylang oil to gift his girlfriend. She smiled at him and told him he knew what to gift. But she warned him against it telling it create too strong a sex drive. He should take rose.

The girl with the catalogue stole a glance across Arthur and smiled.

Arthur told her that his girlfriend preferred these. She looked disappointed; she said she didn’t have any stock of ylang ylang or jasmine now. 

She looked forlorn. She said she had it stocked for four months with her but someone broke into her shop at night and had stolen all her jasmine and ylang ylang oil, only. It would take at least two weeks to get the stock. She complained that the cops have not been able to catch the thief.

Arthur decided to get a bottle of rose oil. She sorrow changed to a smile and she bought it for him. He asked her how he could spray it. She told him to mix with any liquid or water and use it in a sprayer.

She reminded him to put only a few drops at a time. Arthur thanked her and went out. He checked out some other locations and went back to pick Jan.

Jan was happy. After a long time, what had been years, she picked clothes without worrying of whether Ron would have approved or not.

She picked dresses that would suit her figure and make her look beautiful. She also got some stylish nightdress at the lingerie section, all satin and lace. Short with spaghetti straps.  

She wanted to buy something for Arthur as well. She went looking at the gifts section. She saw cigarette lighters but remembered she had not seen him smoking. She wondered if she should give him a t-shirt but she wasn’t sure about size. She saw beautiful black pens but walked past it. She was almost running out of ideas, when her eyes fell on wrist watches.

Yes, that would be the best thing for him. She looked at the rows of watches neatly kept. The salesperson came to her and she told him she was looking for a watch to gift her boyfriend. It would not be too sporty or digital but she didn’t want the ones with metallic chains. Leather strap, as she tried to remember what she had seen him wearing in his slim strong wrist.

He showed her some pieces. She saw one which looked different. The dial was not round, as most watches have nor was it a full rectangle. It was rectangular with slight curves. It looked very masculine and very classy. She knew it was perfect for him.

Arthur waited for Jan in the car. He saw a small flower shop across the street. He knew Jan loved flowers. He went to the shop to get some for her. The only problem was that he knew nothing of flowers.

He was happy to find a young guy in the shop. He would tell him to pick for him instead of getting the wrong flowers, he told himself. He told the shopkeeper that he wanted flowers for his girlfriend. The guy enquired if it was for an occasion or just for romance. Arthur confirmed the latter. Did Arthur want roses? Arthur said yes, he didn’t know much of any other flower.

He readied a beautiful bunch of red and pink roses. It did look good, Jan would like it, Arthur thought. He came and put the flowers in the back seat.

He saw Jan coming. She had three bags in her arms. Jan saw Arthur leaning on the cars with his arms crossed.

“So it is true that women do shop a lot?”

She smiled, Arthur took the bags from her and kept it on the back seat. “I got something for you.” He gave her the roses.

Jan was ecstatic, the roses were really beautiful. This was the first time she got roses from any man, she was moved.

Arthur felt a hint of pride to have made her so happy. “Let’s have lunch and then head back.” Jan said she wanted to have pizza. They sat in the car and Arthur drove. Jan saw the little bottle in the car. She picked it up and saw it was Rose oil. She asked Arthur about it.

“I went to an aromatherapy shop looking for jasmine and ylang ylang.”

“You went looking for aphrodisiacs?” Jan teased her.

“It was for you,” he teased back. “But instead I found only rose.”

“Rose is for a romantic atmosphere only, it won’t work as well. “

“I only bought this for information. Actually the shop hadn’t a single drop of the two oils left, all were stolen.” Arthur spoke and drove in to the pizzeria.”

“What?” Jan exclaimed. She couldn’t believe it.

Arthur got out and held the door for her. She was still holding the bottle absent-mindedly. She kept it in the car and then both walked into the restaurant.

They finished eating and Arthur said they should get something packed for dinner. He had told Patrick not to come today. Jan told him not to worry, she will cook dinner. She was tired of eating the restaurant food so she had bought some vegetable and other supplies.

When they were driving back, Arthur asked her if there was any way to identify a Tantrik, any marks or symbols that would set him apart. She said some preferred to wear red or orange clothes and some smeared saffron or ash on their bodies. But that happened in India. Not here. Actually there was no need to dress up in a particular way, it was simply a matter of personal choice of how one identified himself with practice.

But personally, she had seen that they seem to have powerful eyes with an almost hypnotic look. The stronger one would be, the stronger the power in their eyes would become.

It was not going to be easy to find him out, Arthur thought.

They came back. Arthur helped her with the bags and then sat on the sofa and opened his laptop. He checked the Google images of Tantriks. Most looked as dramatic as Jan described. Although there were some practitioners that looked like normal people.  Nothing to set one apart from him or Jan.

He looked at Jan, she was getting the things out from the shopping bags. She looked so happy and beautiful.

*****