Sarah and Nicolas, the soon-to-wed couple bring Samara home, across the border from the USA to Canada, hidden in their vehicle. They pretend to be married although they aren’t. At the border, Sarah is arrested for carrying an ornamental gold pagoda in her handbag. She spends one night in remand and is bailed out the next day. Neither Nicolas nor Samara turn up at the police to inquire after her, although Nicolas hires a lawyer for her bailout.
Episode 3
Sarah went straight home and after a long bath, straight to bed. She was still trying to figure out the reason for the absence of Nicolas and Samara and ended up feeling Nicolas right next to her, in bed. Was he really there? No.
She got up and opened a window. It was stormy outside. She could see the trees swaying. On a sudden impulse she closed the window and began to put her clothes on. She had to wear a long coat to stand the cold and a solid pair of shoes.
The rough wind embraced her when she opened the door and she felt uncomfortable. But not even the most dreadful cyclone could stop her now.
Further away the gate was inviting, and, she walked towards it almost being blown by the wind. The delicate, fragile Sarah! She kept walking.
She looked at the road ahead. It was a narrow path, leading to the main road. She had to walk for about an hour until she reached Nicolas’s house. She didn’t know why she was going there, that late. But she was driven to it, and knew that it was the right thing to do. The stormy weather agreed with her and drove her faster than expected. She felt that she was walking faster than usual. The wind was blowing her to her destiny. She was still on the same narrow path.
She turned to the main road and felt that the wind was rougher. A thunderous rain was about to fall. A few vehicles passed almost mocking at her. She was the only one on the road, in such dreadful weather. She could see the vast sky very clearly as there were neither trees nor buildings to cover it. Horrified, she felt as if the sky was just about to come down, but she kept walking.
Nicolas’s house was a few minutes away now. She took the last turn towards it, more speedily. The wind was blowing in the opposite direction and she was almost flying through it. She could see his house far away and in no time it became close. The gate was locked and she had no way of entering. She wanted to give a thundering knock on the gate but she didn’t. She took time and decided to force herself in.
Sarah climbed up the gate. It was high but she found herself on his lawn in a brief time. It was a large garden. She walked towards the main door and placed her finger on the doorbell but some complexity behind her screamed and she drew back. The garden took her with open arms; she felt quite uneasy.
Finding the window to Nicolas’s bedroom wasn’t easy. It was difficult finding it in a massive house but she was very close to her target. She walked around assuming that one of the three secured windows that she could see at a higher distance had to be his; she was certain of it as she could also see the adjoining balcony.
Yes, there was no doubt; it was Nicolas’s balcony. She still didn’t know why she would enter without his knowledge but, that was her sole intention.
Climbing up to the window was equally hard. She knew that the balcony was easier to reach. Standing there any longer wasn’t the best idea so she hurried. There was a tree closer to her aim and she made use of it. The tree was rough and she quickly put on her gloves that she carried, ready for any need that might arise. She climbed to the lowest branch although she was unsure of its stability.
Holding the tree tight she continued her ascent. A rough branch brushed her coat and it almost got torn; she endured it. She was close to the barrier of the balcony. She kept one foot on its edge gripping the railing tight and, soon she was standing on the balcony. A glance at the night sky revealed the fading silver twinkles.
The door to the room was open. But large curtains covered it so nothing was yet in her view. She was doubtful why Nicolas would keep the door open in such stormy weather. She tiptoed until she reached the doorstep. Now she was seconds away from her destined moment and Nicolas was going to receive the grand arrival.
Sarah stepped in, to find Nicolas waiting for her, to receive her with the warmest welcome ever. She gently moved the curtain and walked in. And it was a shocking blow. Neither Nicolas nor Samara noticed the guest who had secretly entered their kingdom. They didn’t notice her perhaps because they were in the dark. Yes, they were in an obscure darkness. Sarah stood in disbelief and also in extreme belief. The lovers, making love, carried on their own melodic conversation.
“You have to somehow make Sarah understand. Tell this to her without delay! She has to know the truth.” Samara spoke her confirming words.
“It’s not easy. She’s getting ready for the marriage. But how can I marry her now? Soon there’ll be a court hearing and she’ll only have to pay a fine, she’ll be released with a suspended sentence. ”
“Is that what the lawyer says?”
“Yes.”
“So, who’s going to pay the fine?”
“Me.”
“Are you seriously going to pay it and take her out?”
Nicolas became speechless at this question. He wondered if his reply wasn’t obviously ‘yes’.
“Nick, don’t you think that it’s the only way we both could be out of her muddle?”
“What?”
“You don’t have money to pay her fine. She goes to jail and we escape.”
Samara gave a triumphant smile and Nicolas smiled back. Soon they became closer in each other’s arms. And how dark it was in there! They didn’t notice the little visitor who stood there in dismay.
Sarah couldn’t move from where she stood. She didn’t know how to move herself. She didn’t know whether to be distressed or angry. She stood there, the emotionless viewer, when her lover and her best friend made love, trying to think that she was merely seeing it. And yes, of course, she was seeing it. What a wonderful lover Nicolas was with Samara! And how enchanting Samara looked in his arms!
Sarah didn’t know the truth about the present sight. Was it the same like everything else? Was it a momentary happening which would vanish in less than a second? Yes, the marvellous sight kept changing every moment, just like anything and everything else. Sarah was too hesitant to understand it, so she continued watching it. If she only knew how inconsistent it was!
She was gradually becoming pale and weak, almost ready to collapse. She knew she had to leave. She drew herself back with a start, not knowing the right way. Back again to the balcony and climb down the tree? Well, she wasn’t sure. The next moment was quick. She drew the large curtain and Nicolas and Samara were startled by the sound.
“Sarah!!!” Nicolas screamed getting off the bed.
“I’m… I’m…I’m sorry” Sarah murmured.
The sudden occurrence stunned Samara. She stood up trying to cover herself. Sarah ran to the balcony and Nicolas followed her. She was withdrawn and didn’t possess the same strength she had earlier. She stopped at the barrier. It was a dead end and she turned back to see if there was another way to escape.
“How did you come here?” Nicolas asked his unfocused question.
“I don’t really remember.” She said.
“You don’t remember?” He asked his next question.
Sarah walked back into the room to meet Samara face to face who gave her a smile, a surprisingly tolerant one. She moved on and Nicolas followed her.
“Please open the front door! I need to go now!” She said giving him a quick stare before she ran out, pulling the door open.
“Sarah! Sarah!”
She heard Nicolas behind her as she was struggling with the next obstacle - the gate. She couldn’t climb it. Nicolas walked up to her. And then began the rain. It was a sudden rain, the heaviest rain ever and, they could hardly see each other.
The next moment, Sarah was on the other side of the gate, speeding home.
To be continued next week