Lover, mine.

He gave her a slow glance remembering, reminiscing why she was special. At a first look, she may seem normal with a regular routine. But he knew. He was absolutely sure how significant she was, like a brilliant flower among dried leaves. 

 

 

 

It became his hobby to observe her. Her carefree smile, how she moved in that dingy cafe where she worked part-time. She would easily joke and chat up everyone. Always smiling. He would talk with her a couple of times, about weather, the campaigns for better schools. He knew she would like that topic. He knew her active involvement in them for the primary school she taught at.

"For the kids, the future caretakers", she always said. He nodded with smile showing he agreed.

"Too bad", he thought. She wouldn't be there to share that future. 

 

With every passing day, he decided more reverently to tell her how he felt. To show her. He planned with care. He planned how and when he would show how much he cared for her. How possessive he started feel about her.

 

 

 

The harsh rustling of trees signalling an upcoming storm brought him out his reverie to where she laid peacefully under him. Too peaceful. She was wonderful.

 

 

 

He asked her out for lunch after she warmed up to him. He promised her a home cooked treat- a picnic by the riverside, within the forest lying on one side of the small town.

"A day to remember, unlike any other", he cajoled with a breathtaking grin.

It's hard not to fall for his charm. Those rugged features, intense blue hued eyes burning you with unseen force, naturally unruly mop of hair, sun kissed skin  and his greek-built physique complimented the clothes he wore. All the hard work, heavy lifting he does as a handyman doing the odd jobs did him good and no women ( and some men) with a sane mind can deny the silent spell he casts.

 

He cooked it all by himself. Her favourites. When she enquired how he managed to know all about that, he truthfully told her he couldn't help but over hear her conversation with her co-workers at the cafe, her friend who works in the school's kitchen.

 

They had a long walk in the forest, talking about everything that reached their minds while drinking in each others' company. A sumptuous yet humble meal later, they laid side by side by the river, tracing the pretty stones they collected,  getting closer by the second. He brought her closer with every word, every glance and every touch. He loaded his memory of sounds she made, her heady taste, how perfect she felt in his arms, under him, everywhere as he made love to her under the setting sun. After all he knew that's all the time he needed before the drugs kicked in. Satiated and slept, he carried her to his cabin hidden among woods.  

 

 

Tracing his fingers along her face painting it crimson red, he chuckled as he recollected how she fought him when she finally came to.

 

Dressed in his shirt and finding herself in unknown surroundings, she fought him to let her go, let her be. Oh, fight she did. That fire in her, simpered by her delicate beauty made it so alluring for him. She fought him when he told her that she belonged to him and he would never hurt her. When he tried to restrain her she managed to dodge his attempts, fleeing out of the cabin into the night and he let her. He waited as he counted the minutes, every breath and slowly reared his head to path she took. The chase is what woke the beast in him splitting his face in a sardonic smile that matched his eyes. The animal in him which chose her, loved her and claimed her as his; tracked her enjoying every whimper and squeak she gave out. He knew she wouldn't go far. Not in this thicket, not in storm coming night.  

 

When he finally caught her, he made sure to take his time subduing her. He removed the dagger sheathed in his boots and carved his lovers claim in her. She screamed with all her might but nothing reached out to others as the nature stood by his side, a rapturous accomplice in crime. He increased his pace pooling her in blood and faster the life drained out from her.

 

She is his. Forever his and his alone.

 

He laid her by the river where he enjoyed her smiles and laughs. Like an artist giving his canvas finishing touches, he arranged the stones and flowers she liked around her. She looked fiercely beautiful drenched in red and lying there so peaceful. As the rain finally started to pour in a great vigour, with a parting kiss to her lips, he left her to her eternal dreams.

 

Like a lover reunited, rain cleansed him of his deeds. It made sure to cover his trail, caressing him and making him smile. Time to move to some other town, find another lover and make her his.

 

He lifted his head and smiled, opening his palms to feel it every bit. He closed his eyes and sighed, muttering, " I find peace in rain."

      

Author's Note

My first short story. I wrote this inspired from a prompt: "End your story with the main character saying the line: I find peace in rain."

Coincidentally, I finished it tonight when rain started pouring after midnight ( which I was trying to do for four days)

Thanks a ton to Sereena and ANTO for reading this and giving their advice in fixing some places, making it better. :))

Review, critic and help me improve. Also a little help finding a title, please.

Reviews

[Ichi Shin]

Jinkies, Creepy cat lady..
Always plotting murder.

[Ichi Shin]

Please, don't come after me. I'll put a good word out about you.

[Sindu]

All of those except lady fits you!

[Saddam]

Its great dear.
I like it. This is fantastic. I love it.

[Sindu]

Thanks a lot saddam.

[~]

It is awesome to see you dip your toesies in new waters. You did a great job telling a story old as time, but with new brush strokes. I love the personification of the rain washing him free. :D

[Sindu]

Thank you Moon =D Honestly, I felt it's more about the rain than anything else :P

[R Smith]

excellent Sindu, the twist was a killer (literally) this story has bags of class and style in the writing your ability is demonstrated very clearly, love the beginning, middle and end, the whole is amazing as for a title, I have tried to think but the story is so different from any other that i'm struggling to find one maybe 'Love's End' guess that's not very good but a brilliant story Sindu, you are a remarkable writer :)

[Sindu]

Thank you so much Richard. Happy that you loved all of it and yes, for the very same reason, I have a little trouble with finding a killer title =) Your reviews are always a welcome too.

[James]

I saw two suggestions for a title and I think they work well together. She's a keeper/Mine - So how about 'She's Mine'?
good writing and twists SINDU !!!

[Sindu]

Thanks James. Good idea mixing them up. That is different
How about, other way round.. "Mine to keep"?

[James]

Here is a line from your write -
"She is his. Forever his..."
so how about 'Forever Mine' - genius lol.

[Sindu]

I came up something similar: Mine, forever.
haha..
But its an overused name

[AaronFreitas]

This is a great write especially for a first short story... couldn't tell by reading it was your first story as you wrote with good description and detail. Good work :)

[Sindu]

Thanks Aaron. That's great to hear :)

[Marie]

Good story. ANTO give good advice, because he's a very good writer, but I disagree with him in this case. "She's a Keeper" is too flippant for this dark story. I would suggest simply "Mine."

[Sindu]

Thanks a lot Marie. Yes, he gave good advice.
"Mine", does seem better. How about "Mine, forever"?

[Mayank]

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

[Sindu]

Surprise!! Hehe..

[ANTO]

How about 'She's a keeper' - for the title - bit of dark humour

It was pleasure to read this. You have a great mind Sindu and you put the ideas down as if you'd been writing short thrillers like this all your life. Kudos dear writer. !!

[Sindu]

Haha, nah this is the first one. I guess reading a lot of such stuff helped too.
As for title, it seems more of sarcastic humour than dark.

[Sindu]

But thank you. It is how ever better than mine