SMITTEN - Chapter 147

AISHA

She watched in horror, as everyone who had heard the man who was accusing her darted their attention towards them.

She was still wearing a cloak over her head, but she could feel the tension in the air as they started to talk about her.

Aisha’s hands went clammy as she felt like it was only a few seconds ago before she was cornered like that. And now it is happening again.

“This is why you shouldn’t dare get swayed, Aisha,” she scolded herself as she recalled that she had managed to stay hidden for years and that now is her first time going downtown.

The mother whom she was just talking to a while ago looked at her with her finger on her parted lips.

“Is it true?” she asked. “I knew it,” her face brightened up. “We have been looking for you, my lady,” she smiled as she reached out and pressed her hand.

But Aisha quickly withdrew it away. “No, there is a mistake. That guy is just making it up,” she stammered as she slowly stepped backward.

Her eyes quickly went to the guards that the man was talking to. They seemed to be confused. But now they were slowly walking towards her.

Aisha didn’t know what to do. “Why are the heavens against me today?” she muttered to herself as her wary eyes looked around for a way to escape. “Is this destiny?”

Just then, the little boy spoke, “Are they going to harm her?” She grabbed on the skirt of her mother.

Then he looked up at her with sympathetic eyes and said, “But she seems to be a nice lady.

As she gazed at him, she couldn’t help but remember her own son.

‘What would happen to him if I showed myself?’

“Maybe my  case was already cleared.’

‘Maybe I can go if they learn that I am alive.’

The mother must have seen her dilemma and being aware of her situation, the mother spoke out, “You must be mistaken, everyone. She is my cousin, and we’re here to just fill in our barrels.”

Then she put her arms around her and guided her away.

As they walked away, Aisha’s nervous hand held onto the mother’s strong arm. The smart little boy seemed to know what was happening as she held onto Aisha’s skirt. “Let’s go, auntie.” He said with a smile.

Aisha couldn’t help but smile back at him and say “thank you” as they bolted out of that place as fast as they could.

She was also in a tight spot. But this time she has someone with her. And she was glad.

She thought that after what happened she was alone and nobody sides with her except Rosalia. This is the only positive thing that she could see with her situation right now.

“Do not worry, my lady. Just tell us what you need, and we will try our best to help you,” the lady smiled at her, making Aisha desire to reveal herself to her.

If only they were in a different time and place. She is the second person who knows that she is still alive for real. Even with her difficult situation, she felt somehow glad knowing that someone was on her side at that moment.

“Wait, not so fast,” the guard stopped them from moving further. Aisha froze in her tracks as her eyes darted to the exit that was just near them.

They were already close to escaping. But she doesn’t want the mother and her son to be affected by the consequences of disobeying the King’s command.

“Remove your cloak,” the guard instructed as they neared her.

Aisha could see the tension in the little boy’s face, since he was the only person she could see with her head bent down.

Then her head slightly tilted to see the mother.

She was also anxious. But she wasn’t saying anything. Maybe she was also confused about whether to help her or not.

Aisha drew in a deep breath as she thought of how she could escape the situation.

She knew that she didn’t look like the old Aisha. But would it be enough to conceal her identity?

If it doesn’t, this mother and son will suffer terribly with her. And she doesn’t want to be the cause of it.

With her heart in her throat, Aisha removed her cloak just as they said and closed her eyes with the little hope that she had.

She crossed her fingers, wishing that they would not recognize her.

The guards weren’t saying anything. But the man pointing to her confirmed his statement.

“It is Lady Aisha, indeed,”  he said, making Aisha’s shoulders drop in dismay.

As she did so, her eyes caught on the butyron that she had bought for her son’s birthday.

Now, she could not just be able to make a cake for him. She also would not be present. Her gift for him would be her absence.

A stabbing pain seemed to strike Aisha’s heart, making her embrace the butyron snugly. “My poor Magnus.”

Aisha must probably be so overwhelmed at that moment because something bizarre happened.

Just as the guard was about to touch her arm and hold her under arrest, it seemed like a canopy enveloped her, making the guard jolt back in surprise.

“What the – ” he reacted as lightning seemed to electrify him as he touched that protective shield.

Aisha was also startled. Her wide-open eyes couldn’t blink as she saw guard after guard trying to touch her. But all of them were electrified by the same energy around her.

“What is this?” Aisha muttered to herself. This is the first time that this has happened to her.

But she didn’t marvel for too long. This was her chance to leave this place!

She quickly bowed down to the shocked mother and gave her a promise, “Thank you. I will repay you for your kindness.”

Then she ran with all her might out of the exit, leaving the stunned guards behind.

**************************

God is faithful; he will not let you experience trials beyond what you can bear.. But when you are in it, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.