Monsoon Wings

Juno opened her eyes. The blackness covered her, and she rubbed her eyes, removing the covers. She looked at her right side. Lines of empty beds. Except for the one in the corner, a girl with a large sling occupied it and was sleeping. And there were food on Juno's bedside table. Packages of Chocolate Frog, grapes, and apples. Must be from her friends, who sneaked in and discovered she was asleep. Juno sat up, relishing the silence tormenting the room. She put her feet down on the floor, rubbing it there, tasting the smoothness of the floor, before putting her full weight on them. It was far too stifling in the room. She needed a walk. She needed to think. She hugged herself, walking towards the door.

She did not know the time, nor the direction she was heading. Her feet were like independent little creatures, guiding her through the eerie corridors and black corners, up the staircases.

It started in the sixth floor. Juno thought she saw a glow, a very faint flicker of light from somewhere up. Curious, and needing a light, she followed the rays up to the seventh floor. The rays were stronger now, lightning her path. She tracked the glimmers, and reached the Astronomy Tower. At first she thought it was the moon, but it did not come from the sky. It was somewhere near.

She looked, and found the blonde boy, dressed in blue silk pyjamas and a woolen robes, standing near the railing, holding his wand which was illuminated at the tip. It was bright, and she was fascinated by the light. She walked towards it.

The boy heard some scurrying which was not there before. His grip on the railing tightened, before he glanced back over his shoulder and discovered the pale girl, draped in a night gown. He reached a taut hand, and she responded. Her fingers were cold. Together, they stood and looked down at the grounds.

There were no words for at least five minutes.

‘What time is it?’ the girl asked softly.

‘Near dawn, I guess,’ the silver-eyed boy replied.

‘Why are you not in bed?’ the girl said. Their eyes never met each other’s. All the time they were looking away, at the trees, the sky, the clouds.

‘I was. Suddenly woke up and couldn’t sleep again. How about you?’

‘Woke up and decided to take a walk.’

The boy’s grip on her hand tightened. The rustle of the leaves floated into their ears. The sky was dark, but a purple line had begun to show in the horizon. At the same time, tiny flakes of snow had begun to fall. It was astounding, and when the first chip of snow hit her nose, she closed her eyes, savoring it.

‘I feel like dancing. Just a submissive dance,’ she whispered. He let go of her hand. She opened her eyes and found him removing his sandals, arranging it away. His bare feet touched the thin layer of snow.

‘Remove your—’ he realized she wasn’t in any footwear.

She was looking at his eyes, but he did not. Instead, he took her hand and escorted her to the centre of the tower. He looked at the sky. It had gone purple. The vision was blurred by the thickening snow, falling vigorously.

They stood, facing each other.

‘Put your feet on top of mine. Both of them,’ the boy said. When she did not act, he brought his gaze to her eyes, locking it on hers. For a second he felt something warm flowing from his chest, down to his stomach.

She put her right foot on his left one, followed by her left foot, both slightly slanting. His arms closed around her waist and hers went around his neck. She wasn’t heavy. The coldness beneath his feet was tolerated by the warmness of her feet on his. He raised his right foot. Then his left. Then right. Like dancing. Just how couples dance. Moving very slightly each time, step by step. Not actually dancing. Mostly hugging, melting in each other’s embrace.

She laid her head on his chest and felt the thumping.

The thumping was fast and rhythmic. Just like hers.

Above, the sky had gone pink, and the curved line of orange had made its appearance.

‘Don’t think I like you,’ she said, feeling warm and contented. He moved step by step, rocking her. ‘I still hate you.’

‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘I still remember I cause you pains and sufferings. Will still do it in the future. I will not give you peace.’

She grunted slowly. Not giving me peace? She wondered. He had given her the most relaxing tranquility and beauty.

‘So don’t call me a friend,’ she said.

‘I’ll not. We hate each other. That’s a deal.’

A peck of snow was accumulating on her hair, tangled and caught. She yawned.

If this is hate, she thought, then why does it lead me into such a pleasant, beautiful land?

*

Olivia trashed in her sleep. The snow was thick, and the sky had started showing bright colours. She figured it was nonsense to get back to sleep. She stared at the ceiling, a memory gushing through her brain.

‘I had been waiting for you, Draco. I had searched for you everywhere.’

‘I’m sorry, baby. You should have just gone to dinner and forget me.’

‘But I have said I’ll come and fetch you. Well, you weren’t anywhere. Where were you?’

‘I was— well, doing something.’

‘Doing what, Draco? Juno wasn’t seen also. Where were you?’

Olivia closed her eyes, and she kicked her covers. She rolled on her bed so that she was lying on her stomach, her face buried deep in her pillow. But then her stomach and breasts received pressure, so she rolled again onto her back.

‘You never told me about any audition.’

‘I’m sorry, Olivia. So did you eat dinner anyway?’

‘No. How could you forget I was waiting for you?’

‘I’m sorry. Listen, I’m really sorry. Sorry.’

A bead of tear trickled down the corner of Olivia’s right eye.