Struck!

They were running. The howling winds and bending trees were clarion calls that signified that humans ought not to be out of their comfy beds in the midst of such a storm. The couple knew this, yet they ran. No one knew why they were running with a bundle in the man’s arms.

“Malik! You dimwit, where are you going in the storm? That too with your wife.”

“Always knew he had some screws loose.”

“Let them be. The deranged lot belong together.”

Malik paid no attention to the malicious comments from the villagers. They had never liked him and there was no reason to start now. He clutched his wife’s hand tighter and together they ran to the man at the edge of the village. The man that would solve all their problems. At least they hoped he would. Malik stole occasional glances at the bundle in his arms and each time he gazed into the sleeping face of his newborn daughter, his zeal was renewed and he sped up.

They got to the place they sought and before they stepped any closer into the windowless hut, a voice called from within.

“Malik, son of the hunter. Why is it you bring a child that should be safe in her mother’s arms to my abode when the heavens wrath is kindled.”

Malik and his wife, drenched in the rain and shivering from the cold were astounded. Malik opened his mouth to speak, but his body shook with the chill.

“Come on in!” the medicine man yelled at them. When they had settled by the fire, he took the sleeping child in his arms.

“Ah! You got the gift and the curse of the heavens.”

“Gift?”

“Curse?”

The couple asked in unison. But the medicine man continued like no one had spoken, smiling toothlessly at the baby. “I didn’t think I’ll see this in my lifetime.” After a long minute of admiring the baby in his arms, he turned a stern face to the couple.

“Yes, you’ve been bestowed with a gift from the heavens. But, it’s also a curse in its own right.”

Malik looked at his wife who was already beginning to sob quietly and turned a desperate look to the medicine man. “Explain what you mean, Wise one.”

“She was born on the night of the heaven’s wrath. She is no normal child. Hasten never to let a drop of tear fall from this one’s eyes, never to be filled with wrath or grief. Each time a drop of tear falls from her eyes, there shall be lightning. And there shall be chaos.”

Mustering courage that he lacked, Malik asked hesitantly. “And the gift?”

“For the remainder of her life, your household shall always be in health.”

Malik took the baby into his arms and whispered to her. “I shall call you Zaya. For you are the heaven’s gift to us.” As if on cue, there was a flash of lightning followed by booming thunder. And the couple saw a tear stream down their daughter’s face.

“That’s the last of the rain.” The medicine man said. “Take her and may the heavens be with you.”

Source

Sixteen Years Later

“Mama, I promise I’ll just be out for a few hours.” An excited Zaya begged.

Shalom sent a worried look her daughter’s way from her hardly aging face. “I don’t want you stressed, my love. Are you sure you want to spend today with him? Your birthday of all days?”

“Mama, I promise it’s fine. Sandy likes me. I think he’ll ask me out today.”

“Okay, you know the drill. Be positive at all times, and at the first sign of stress –”

“Leave the place immediately.” Zaya interrupted impatiently. “I know that Mama. You’ve said that like a million times.”

“Leave the girl alone, sweetheart. She’s been fine all along. What could go wrong now?” Shalom turned a scathing look to her husband but refrained from speaking anymore.

“You’re the best Dada. Can I leave now?”

“Yes, my stormy ball.”

Zaya sprinted to the lake where she was to meet with her four-year crush. She didn’t know why he insisted that they met by the lake but she supposed he wanted a romantic atmosphere, away from everyone. She couldn’t help the dreamy sigh that left her lips.

Zaya sat on the boulder by the lake as she waited. Twenty minutes passed and her smile didn’t dwindle. He was probably making last-minute preparations to make her birthday special. However, an hour passed. Then two, and her smile began to wane. She knew she was getting stressed but she couldn’t bring herself to leave just yet.

Why was he late?

After an hour more, Zaya knew she had been stood up. She took her satchel and walked calmly with an unreadable face not to her house, but to the lad that had just stood her up. As she approached Sandy’s house, she heard the music and the laughter. Loud and blaring.

The sky began to darken but Zaya paid it no mind as her fists clenched. Her parents, however, from their home, saw the sky too and sprinted to find their daughter like their life was on the line. And in a way, it was. Meanwhile, Zaya knocked frantically on the door before her. And when no one opened, she began to pound on it.

The music stopped and she heard someone from inside say, “It’s probably the freak.”

Her breath stopped as a smug Sandy opened the door.

“What do you want?”

“What do I want?” Zaya asked aghast. “We were supposed to meet by the lake. It’s my…” she paused. “It’s my birthday.”

Loud guffaws from everywhere was the reply. Sandy turned a mocking grin at her.

“Why? Why on earth would I go on a date with a freak like you?”

“Please don’t say that. I thought you liked me.”

“No one likes a white-haired freak. Have you looked in the mirror? You look like a ghost. A freak, that’s what you are.”

“Please, Sandy. Don’t say that.” Zaya pleaded, tears brimming in her eyes. The sky was completely dark now and a strong gust of wind blew. But her oblivious tormentor continued.

“That’s it. Cry. Everyone, the freak is about to cry.” He called out.

Zaya knelt like she had been struck. Behind her, the running footsteps of her parents came.

“What did you do to her?!” Malik bellowed, shaking the teenage boy furiously.

“I didn’t mean…” the frightened boy started.

“Mama,” Zaya called out. “He said I’m a freak. I’m a freak right?”

“No, baby you’re not.” Shalom pleaded desperately, but Zaya was already zoning out.

“I’m a freak.” She whispered. “I’m a freak.” She looked to the sky that was already pouring rain and with a sinking realization that she was the cause. She bent her head, her parents’ pleas a distant echo to her and let her brimming tears flow.

For a second, there was a great calm. Everyone and everything was still. Then, like a snap of the finger, all hell broke loose.

Jhymi🖤

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This is my entry to the The Inkwell's Monthly Fiction Prompt.

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