Chapter 11: Bonfire- Part 3

Heidi who had been to the market was getting back when she met Noah who was running an errand for his family. Seeing her walk by him in deep thought, he bid bye to his friend whom he was talking to and called her.

“Good day, Noah,” she greeted him, seeing him carry a sack full of something behind his back.

“Good day to you. Everything alright?” he asked, hearing this her brows furrowed in question.

“It is. Why do you ask?” she asked bringing a smile up to her lips.

“You look a little lost like you’re not here,” he scratched the back of his neck nervously and then smiled.

She looked around to see if anyone eyes were upon them. With what she had known Noah was a good man but she didn’t want anyone spreading wrong rumours about them. The last time she had spoken to her sister, she had only mentioned what others had seen but she knew what Nora was capable of. With her looks and words, it wasn’t hard for Nora to twist clueless men around her finger. Thinking about what rumours might travel, she quickened the pace of her footsteps but the man kept up with her.

“I am alright. Thank you for asking,” and saw him nod nonchalantly.

“Good to hear that. I was actually waiting for you,” he confessed, “There’s this bonfire we have at the lake this Saturday.”

“What for?” she asked to see him stare at the sky and then to look back at her.

“It’s more of a bonding with all the families, celebrate brotherhood and sisterhood, birth and death. To pray to the forest and the sky and I don’t know what I am talking anymore. Ignore the last part,” Heidi laughed at his awkward expression, “There’s no reason for it. We do it once in a while. Just to enjoy the summer that’s come. Would you like to come?”

“I am not sure. I have a lot of things to do…” She trailed unsurely.

“Your sister has been invited too and she has agreed to come,” he said stopping as they had reached the place where their paths deviated, “Please. I know you don’t know about me but I would really like you to be there. It will be an unforgettable night. I promise,” he pleaded softly looking her in the eye.

She wanted to go, yet at the same, she didn’t want to. Heidi had never been invited before as she kept to herself most of the times. She had no friends in the town except for Howard, the middle-aged man who worked for the Curtis’ family. How could any woman say no when a polite person with a boyish charm was inviting her for something that the youngsters and family did.

“I will try,” said Heidi to see Noah beam.

“Great. See you day after tomorrow then,” he waved at her before going on his way to his home and she did the same.

Until the day of Saturday arrived, Heidi tried finding the right moment to ask her father if she could go out but she couldn’t muster up enough courage. She didn’t know if she was allowed to especially after it was declared that she would be getting married soon. Heidi knew, that this would be the last time she would ever get to spend time like this and she didn’t want to miss that opportunity. Fortunately, Nora was the first one to ask which led to her father telling her she could go if she wanted to. Once both the sisters had stepped out in the evening, Nora had gone on her way telling Heidi she would be going to her friend’s place before heading towards the lake where the bonfire was taking place. She knew her sister didn’t want to show up to the bonfire next to her not that she minded. She never bothered by those things rather she felt much better going there alone.

As she walked there, she noticed that the darkness had come sooner than she had expected, the starless night replacing the blue sky. She stepped over the broken twigs and leaves softy. Hearing the voices coming ahead of her in distant, she noted that that is where the bonfire was. Getting nearer she saw a large number of men and women there, already busy talking and laughing. At one side she saw few men singing and playing on the mandolin instrument tapping their feet and making others listen to them. It was a merry environment, the bonfire burning brightly at the centre. Heidi nodded her head and exchanged smiles with the people she knew from afar. As she looked around, she found her sister standing with her friend and two men talking to them. She caught sight of Noah who was with his companions laughing at something another man spoke. When he caught sight of her, he grinned and then leaned towards his friend to say something in his ear and slapping his back before making his way towards her.

“How long have you been standing here alone?” He asked her.

“Not much. I just arrived. I didn’t know that something as merry as this existed in our town,” she said looking at the couples beginning to dance.

“It is the best part. Where the townsfolk can enjoy and relax, forgetting and leaving the worries for some time. To feel how full life is. Would you like to dance?” he asked pushing the blonde lock of hair away from his forehead.

“I am fine. I think there are others who would like to partake in it if you would like to ask,” she replied and saw him shake his head.

“That’s alright. I don’t want you getting bored, after all, I was the one to invite you,” he stated looking at her. Both Heidi and Noah made idle talks before a girl came to fetch him for a dance. Before he left her, he said, “Don’t go anywhere okay? I’ll be here soon,” she only nodded and saw him being pulled near the bonfire where the music and dance took place.

She didn’t miss the look her sister gave her from where she stood. Sighing to herself she looked away, trying to find a place where she could watch the bonfire until her sister decided to leave. Finding a nearby tree, she leaned her back to support herself while looking at the people enjoying the night.

The sight and the atmosphere did take her worries away temporarily but she couldn’t run away from them.

“You must be a lonely soul.”

Heidi stood straight at the voice that spoke to her. Turning around she wondered if the tree had a life. A speaking tree! No that was ridiculous, she thought to herself. Walking around the tree she found a man sitting there against the tree.

“Good evening,” it was the unknown vampire! He lifted up his face to look at her and finally stood up, “Aren’t you going to enjoy the celebration like the rest?” he asked tilting his head.

“I-no. What about you?” she asked to see one side of his lips slowly lift up.

“Me? I am just here to hunt,” he answered looking at the crowd.

“So you’re a lonely soul yourself,” she chirped to which he smiled.

“Am I now? Stan would say something else.”

“Stan?”

“He’s my… friend.”

“You never told me your name,” Heidi said looking at him.

His hair was dishevelled and the breeze of air didn’t help it. The last two times she hadn’t noticed but now that she let her eyes roam over his features she realized this man looking dauntingly handsome. He had clean-cut features, serene almost but there was just something off about him that she couldn’t point out. As though there was something menacing behind the way he looked or smiled.

“There are things that are better left unknown,” she saw him narrow his eyes and realized he was observing her.

“I should be going,” she bowed at him as feelings of uneasiness began to creep in. He only hummed to her words and made no effort to stop her.

Walking quickly towards the circle of people she made sure to stay out of sight but when she looked back to the place she had come from, the person was no longer there.