STUPEFIED

I woke up adrift and looked around. Maggie was up, and as usual eating something.

“Hey cupcake” she said chewing, her words comically marred by her glutted mouth. I smirked.

“Hey, how is your ankle?” I enquired in my sleep tight voice and my eyes involuntarily hunted for Ethan around the room. He was leaning on one of the walls, looking at me with a smile playing on his lips.

“It's fine”

I got up, rinsed my mouth with some water and joined them.

“Do you think, if we stay here, someone will find us eventually? ‘cause, they had all those traps for the animals and all so…” she said still munching.

“No, Maggie, this place is too old and that rope, which caught your ankle, was too old too. We can’t hope for someone to just show up and help us get out of here” he said taking a bite out of the peach. Maggie fell silent after that. Our heads snapped to the door, in response to the scratching sound downstairs. I peeped out of the window. It was Mr. Rabbit! Ha. “I can’t believe he is still alive” I exclaimed and headed towards the ladder. “I am going to get him” I added and climbed down.

“I’m coming too” Ethan said and was about to climb down with me. I rolled my eyes at him.

“No, stay, I need the loo” I said.

“We have one here Ana” Maggie said frowning.

“I don’t wanna use that” I said climbing down. I wanted to refresh myself, the river was just few yards away from us. I noticed that, Ethan was climbing down too. Once I was down, I put my hands on my hips and glared up at him, after all, I told him where I was going.

“I will wait here, don’t go too far” he said suddenly uncomfortable, unable to meet my eyes. He swiftly picked up the rabbit, making it an excuse to hide his face. I finished my job and came back to him. His tension resolved when he saw me, he was seemingly thoughtful.

“I’m going to get us some water” I headed towards the ladder.

“Here take him up, he can give Maggie company while we stock up the place” he said. I went up to him to get Mr. Rabbit form him. I felt the weight of his gaze on me all along. I held on to the rabbit with more cautiousness than necessary. The rest of the day we were busy getting things done.

It has been six days, since our accident. I and Ethan hoarded the tree house with plenty of water and fruits, adequate for two people, for about two weeks. It took us two complete days to finish the job. Finally we disclosed our plan to Maggie. I was ready to leave.

“Who is gonna go?” she asked anxiously, her eyes swapping back and forth between me and Ethan.

“Me” I said at the same time, as Ethan did. I knew it. His head flashed to me. I did not look up.

“What!?” he cried.

“It has to be me Ethan” I said patiently, closing my eyes. How couldn’t he see that?

“Don’t be stupid Ana!” he shouted. I was startled by his outburst. I have never seen him this angry, in fact I have never seen him angry at all. I did not expect such an adverse reaction, a little restraint may be, but not such furiousness.

“Look Ethan” I said unnecessarily, as he was already glaring at me. “I should go and you must stay here with Maggie. Even if I couldn’t make it, once her ankle heals, you and Maggie can” I said meekly as if talking to a child. He looked, as if, I have wounded him with nothing more than just my words.

“Don’t do this, be reasonable, I will go, and I will bring back help” he said mirroring my tone. I could never let him do that, if anything happens to him, I will never forgive myself. It would kill me.

“No, Ethan, I don’t think me and Maggie can make it…if something hap…happens to you” It’s so painful to even think about it.

“Nothing will happen to me Ana” he said softly. No. It should be me. Not him. I picked his back pack up. I have been preparing for this.

“I have everything I need, and I have left some pain killers, sleeping pills and some of the basic medicines, you both should be fine” I said looking only at Maggie. She was dumbfounded, tears rolled down staining her cheeks. Ethan flashed to my side and grabbed my arms.

“Don’t. Do .This. Ana” he beseeched emphasizing each word.

“I have risked both of your lives enough. I don’t want to risk it further” I said haughtily, shaking free of his vise grip.

“Please Ana, stay!” he pleaded. He was breathing hard, he looked as if he was about to break. It hurt me deeply, to look him like this.

“Why? Why do you have to make it so difficult? Just let me go!” I pleaded him with my eyes.

“I can’t” his voice broke at the end.

“WHY?” I raised my voice fed up. Why can’t he just, stay here and let me go? We could have spared all these quarrel. His chest rose and fell rapidly. I can almost hear his heart hammering loud.

“‘cause, I’m in love with you Ana” he said gently looking straight into my eyes pleading. I was so stunned. This can’t be happening. I waited forever, for him to take back the words he just uttered. He dint. My heart pounded achingly.

“You have no idea what you are saying” I could barely whisper, my eyes widened, until it could no more.

“No, I know what exactly I am saying. I said I’m in love with you. And I’m not going to stay here idly, while you are risking your life” he said earnestly, gazing right into my eyes. I was dumbfounded. Is this even real…?

“You both should go” Maggie said. I turned towards her.

“And leave you alone?” I asked appalled.

“Ana, listen to me. You both should go, you both have better chance of surviving, together. I have enough food and water to last for a month. I will be alright, by that time they will find me Ana” she said in a rush.

“She is right” Ethan said. I glared at him. Did he bang his head or something? He is acting completely crazy today! What was he thinking?

“You should stay with her” I insisted angrily.

“Ana, she really will be alright, she will be safe in here, besides you have made your decision to go and I have made mine to go with you” he said firmly. I scowled at him.

“Ana?” Maggie’s pleading voice grabbed my attention. “I have everything I want in here, I have no reason to go into the forest, I am sure you both will be able to track the cabin and send help before the stocks runs out and me alone in this forest sounds thousand times better than either of you alone in the forest” she said I looked at her for a long time. I kneeled beside her. I know I lost it.

“Will you be alright?” I asked, tears welled up in my eyes. Ethan exhaled behind me how long has he been holding it? I don’t want to leave her alone. But, she is right. She will be safe here.

“I will be fine, Ana” she said and wiped off the tear rolling down my cheek, while her own eyes were filled with tears. She hugged me suddenly.

“I’m so lucky to have you as my friend Ana. So lucky!” her voice was thick with emotion.

“You know, you got that, the other way around?” I snickered. She chuckled shaking her head. “Take care Maggie” I said and got up. Ethan hugged her too. She was surprised.

“Be safe” Ethan said.

“Take care of her” Maggie whispered to him. I rolled my eyes at her.

“With my life” he said shocking me further. How can he say things like that!?

“Be careful” she said looking at me.

“You too” we left.

Once we reached down. I waved up at Maggie, who was looking at us from the window. I hope she is okay. I looked down at Ethan, he held his hand out to me, palm up. You gotta be kidding me. I sidestepped and stomped into the forest, carefully averting my eyes from his.

“Ana, wait!” Ethan called out catching up with me, within seconds.

“I don’t expect you to give me an answer immediately, take your time” he said in a faint voice. I should, stop this craziness.

“Ethan, I want you to leave me alone” I said slowly. He did not bother me after that. I was worried about so many things. I was worried about Maggie, this endless journey of ours, about which we don’t know anything for sure. It felt as though, we were wandering in the middle of nowhere blindfolded.

I was exhausted after hours of trek, through the forest. My watch read three.

“Ethan, enough for today” I huffed, taking the seat down on the ground and slumped against the tree bark, glad to give my back some support.

“I will set the camp” he said. “It looks like it might rain” he added looking up. Yes, it was getting colder by the minute. He added both of our leaf piles together. I did not complain, ‘cause there wasn’t enough space for both of us, plus it was too cold. Ethan gave me his only jacket and was wearing just, a T-Shirt, which perfectly hugged his gorgeous muscles. His eyes suddenly flashed to my face. I quickly averted my eyes, blushing for being caught gawking at him. I curled into a ball on top of the leaves, completely drained. Is he cold?

“Don’t worry about anything, Ana” he said softly, looking down at me. He gently tucked my hair behind my ear. My heart pounded. This has become a routine. Him tucking my hair in place and my heart trying to leap out, in response. I tried not to think about all that happened today, ‘cause most of it appeared like an illusion, I eventually, dozed off.

The next day we started our journey earlier than usual. It was just past noon ,when I felt something move amidst the bush on my left.

“Did you hear that?” I asked. Ethan was closely observing the bush, squinting his eyes. He was concentrating so hard. Suddenly the sound came from our right. I gasped. Ethan pulled me behind him. It went silent again.

“It’s probably, rabbits” I said remembering the last time, I got so worked up.

“Let’s get out of here” he pulled me along, clutching my hand. After thirty minutes of our walk, I told him that I wanted a break and headed into the forest, while he sat by a tree.

I checked my watch, I have been walking for three minutes now, As my mind was clouded with several thoughts, I did not realize that the tree branches around me were broken and the grass floor under my feet was crushed. It almost looked like a clearing. I halted to a stop. It’s too late. Few feet, ahead of me was a giant elephant, munching a huge bamboo stem. My eyes were transfixed at the huge form in front of me. I can feel the sweat dripping off my forehead. I should leave this place before it notices, I swayed at my feet, extremely cautious not to make a sudden move as to startle the giant. And right, when I stepped back, it noticed me and turned its huge form towards me. My stomach churned and adrenalin spiked, clouding my ears and eyes gradually. I quickly pondered my mind for a way to escape. I have read that a lone elephant is usually crabby and that elephants are possessive of their territory. Very bad. Suddenly it gave out an ear splitting cry. I cringed. I know I shouldn’t move, but I stumbled back. The elephant charged right at me. I pried my feet from the ground from where it was rooted and turned to run but Ethan was suddenly in front of me. He pushed me behind him.

“Ana! RUN!” he cried, glaring at the elephant.

“No! What are you doing? Run Ethan!” I shouted, and pulled at his hand. I could not budge him. He pushed me down on the ground and ran for the elephant. Crap. What is he doing!!? “ETHAN!" I shouted at him. The elephant was only few feet away from him. What is the hell is he doing!? I was watching at him with wide eyes. And then just like that, Ethan grabbed the elephant’s trunks with a jump and brought them down hard. The elephant staggered to a halt, my eyes bulged. What!? I blinked wide eyed trying to make sense of the image in front of me. I could see that the elephant was panting hard. After a minute, Ethan pushed the elephant few feet back, and placed his hand on its trunk, it looked like he was waiting for it to calm down. He was so small beside the giant and how did he…? How could he...Within few seconds the elephant turned and was treading the other way. I looked at the retreating form of the elephant. I can’t believe my eyes. I never thought I had such an imagination to have dreams like this. Ethan slowly turned to look at me, frozen on the ground right where he pushed me. He walked towards me cautiously and kneeled beside me.

“You okay?” his eyebrows creased. I reached for his hands surprising him. I looked at his hands, there were no sign of damage.

“Please tell me, I’m dreaming” I whispered, looking up at him clutching his hands harder. His chest was rising and falling at an abnormal rate. He gently pulled his hands out of mine.

“I’m sorry Ana, you aren’t dreaming” he said and caressed my cheek with his thumb. He cupped my face in his right hand.

“I am I hallucinating then?” I asked breathless. He shook his head and tucked my hair back.

“I really did see you fight one-o-one with…with a giant elephant then?” I asked in a small voice, my question sounded so absurd to my own ears. He nodded, his thumb still skimming my cheeks. He scrutinized my face for a long time, his breathe short-winded. He got up and offered me his hand. I hesitated.

“Trust me?” he asked suddenly. I placed my hand on his. Of course I trust him, dint he just save my life? He pulled me down to the beach! We have been very close to our first destination, all this time!! I was already at the peak of shock. The beach couldn't overthrow the shock of what I just witnessed few minutes ago.