I have always loved it when it rains, but on the basis I'm inside my house, comfortably lying on my bed either sleeping, eating or binge reading novels from my favourite Author; Crystal Scherer. But not when I'm outside, treading the muddy roads of the town of Astar, far away from the comfort of home, drenched in rain and running disheveled like a drowning rat. Pathetic and... quite sad.
Today, the rain is gravely unwelcomed.
Yes, the fickleness of human nature is to like what is convenient and hate what is not at different intervals, regardless if it is the same thing. But excuse me-- was I perhaps supposed to enjoy pain or discomfort?
I try to be philosophical. But sometimes I stray into the belief that I do not exist to suffer. And sometimes, philosophy justifies suffering. How philosophically said.
Just as I start to confuse myself more, I see my house in the distance. Green roof, medium sized three-bedroom flat painted dark ash, surrounded by similar looking neighborhood houses. Relief surges into my heart but drops fast as I grimace at the free swimming pool I'd have to cross before reaching the backdoor of my house.
One...
Two...
Jump!
My breath hitches as I run and leap over the muddy water, landing unsteadily on the stone-layered ground that helps keep the particular area from turning into a pool during rainfall. It helps in times like this, where you need solid footing to cross muddy obstacles and reach your destination.
I ignore the mud splattered on my legs and push open the back door, leaving my slippers outside as I walk into the corridor.
"Mummy! I'm home! I'm as drenched as an aquatic animal and I need hugs!" My voice fights for volume against the heavy pattering of the rain, though I'm sure I am loud enough to be heard.
But unlike usual, I don't hear my Mother's cold-hearted unnecessary scoldings, telling me to act normal or be mature. Neither do I hear the sarcastic and infuriating voices of my brothers from their rooms, who always have a say in my existence.
The house is silent, but I do not think much about it.
Either my brothers are busy in their respective rooms, and my Mother is either sleeping or too lazy to respond to me.
I walk to the drum, fetch some water from it, and move towards the back door in an attempt to rinse my legs of the filthy mud. But I stop in place when I see my Mother approach me from the corner.
"Jade," She calls out softly.
I am about to smile and begin my usual antics, but I notice something unsettling in her eyes.
Worry.
The slight furrow of her brows and her lips pressed in a thin line. Unshed tears glisten in her eyes; this much I can see under the reflection of the light which shines with a golden glow upon her face.
"...Is everything okay, Mother?" I probe gently.
"Please come with me." She does not respond, but turns around and walks with a kind of heaviness I cannot fathom in her steps. I follow hastily, noisily enquiring of her what the problem is.
"Mama, is it the money? If it's concerning the fees, you don't need to worry. Give me few more months and my new job would help us gather enough funds-"
She cuts me off with a clipped tone. "It's not the money, Jade."
"Then what is?" I press, hastening my steps to stand besides her.
She pauses and turns to face me, I mimic her actions and she responds in a soft whisper.
"Go in."
"What?" I almost didn't hear her, and to be sure, I stare at her inquisitively, trying to process what she means.
"Go, in." She enunciates, pointing towards the door which I've come to notice.
We are standing before the door that leads to the study room-- the most expensive and adored room in my home.
I stare, baffled and slightly traumatized. "Mom-- God! You want me to start reading ahead of college? When did you become this strict? Seriously, is this nec-"
"Ehimwenma, if I have to repeat myself-- I said, go in. You go. You go before asking questions."
I raise a brow in slight amusement, but nonetheless, I follow her instructions. I wonder what surprise she wants to show me in the study room, and inwardly I scrutinize the abnormality of her behavior. And I wonder again, where are my brothers? At least I would've seen their ghosts here and there, loud voices, sound of video games being played, anything, but now-- nothing.
I think they must be asleep.
Figures, the rain sure makes for the best naps.
I push the door open and walk in. My eyes instantly connect with stormy grey eyes on a face that shares uncanny similarities with mine.
For a second, I wonder if I'm staring into an older version of myself-with a different eye colour, hair colour, and... aura, I suppose.
I blink twice, staring blankly.
Then I turn my gaze back to my mother, who stands outside the room, clearly unwilling to accompany me on this rather confusing quest. But instead of addressing the questions in my gaze, Mother motions for me to move further inside, then gently shuts the door.
I stand at a loss for words, uttering the only thing I can think of at the moment.
"Okay..."
Is this the part where I ask more questions, or are the questions handed to me?
"They call you Jade, right?"
The woman speaks, her voice almost as gentle as Mother's, interrupting my befuddled thought process.
"Right... so who are you?"
I assume she's a guest my mom intends for me to have a private meeting with. Why, I have no idea. The entire event is a sudden and mysterious scenario.
"Please sit," she motions to one of the chairs in the study room-the one opposite her.
Hesitantly, I walk forward and draw the chair out, taking a seat with stiff gestures.
After I settle in, the guest does not immediately address me but stares with a... distressed, pained, almost tearful gaze.
I want to doubt my judgment, but I know a grieving face when I see one. Losing a friend to the arms of death once made me wear such a look, so I am quite versed in the expressions of grief.
Though unsure if she has lost anyone, I am certain the unknown woman is grieving something.
But who is this stranger, and why does she act so strangely?
"Viscountess Ashbourne. That is who I am, in case you're wondering."
She tilts her head back, exhales, and closes her eyes as though trying to restrain her emotions.
My lips part in slight shock, incredulity stirring in my heart.
Viscountess Ashbourne? The Viscountess Ashbourne?
Aha.
No wonder her face looks a bit familiar.
But seeing her in real life, I am more entranced by the similarities we share than by the familiarity of recognizing her face.
I barely even know the Viscountess. The aristocrats are always hiding. It was only recently, after the announced death of Viscountess Ashbourne's son, that I saw her face in the newspaper.
But it was only a casual glance.
I read the headline, glanced at her picture, and moved on. Nothing deep.
"To what do we owe your presence, ma'am?" I ask, warily taking in our surroundings. "In this humble abode."
Viscountess Ashbourne initiates direct eye contact, peering into my eyes unwaveringly as she says,
"Do you see the similarities in our looks?"
I have noticed.
But is that supposed to mean anything?
Subconsciously, hearing the Viscountess call it out makes me observe more closely. I see the depth and detail of our resemblance, and it is highly unnerving.
Full, heart-shaped lips.
Almond eyes that look catlike when squinting or shifting.
A medium-sized Roman nose.
A diamond-shaped face.
And skin colour.
Her skin is a striking replica of mine.
If I ignore the signs of aging, body shape, hair colour, and eye colour-we are the same.
"Is our resemblance supposed to imply some sort of otherworldly conspiracy?" I ask with a raised brow.
She looks confused.
"What?"
"Is our resemblance alone the reason for your visit? Is it the catalyst to some apocalypse? Hence you cannot speak easily of why you're here or what you want?"
"For the past few seconds we've been staring at each other like lovers taking a last glance before separation, and yet I wonder-for what reason?"
The Viscountess is taken aback by my words.
I expect her to be slightly vexed or annoyed, but contrary to my expectations, she smiles, amusement evident in her eyes.
"Adira."