The Devil's Sweetheart

Days turned into months and months to a year. I forgot the color of the kid's bike my dad gifted me because it was no longer important in my life. I found a new interest, hairy monkey.

Although she sleeps a lot, I spend my entire day with the hairy monkey. She cries..a lot.. if I don't visit her for one day. I still call her with the nickname hairy monkey because she still has no name. 

When I thought she would turn into a big-sized monkey after she grew up. But I couldn't believe the changes I saw in her. She turned into a cute cherry. 

I gifted her a barbie on her birthday. I think she loved it because of all the gifts she got, I noticed her eyes constantly drifted to the Barbie. Along with the birthday celebrations, it was also the naming ceremony for her. Leena! She is named Leena. It's so beautiful, isn't it? Just like her.

When I turned three and a half, my dad put me into school. Technically, it was uncle France's idea. He is the evil mastermind behind this just because I am stealing Leena's attention. So, I had to cut down on my visits. But I used to make it up on weekends. Along with Leena's cuteness, her craziness spiked up. 

One weekend, Aunt Heather brought her home. Thank god, uncle France didnot tag along. My mom took us to the garden. She helped Leena into the reclining chair. I fed her oranges by peeling them one by one. Leena clung on to me like a koala bear.

''Wat is lhat?'' She spoke in her usual broken English, pointing to a tree.

''That's a banana tree, Little one.'' I said, wiping the juice on the sides of her mouth. What a clumsy kid! I am better at taking care of myself.

''lhat?'' I saw her pointing to an almond tree this time.

''It's an almond tree. We can make oil from almonds.'' I blabbered whatever I knew about almonds. ''Mom has a big bottle of almond oil. It's very good for_''

''Amond oil is male of amonds?'' Her eyes turned big, and tears rolled down her cheeks. 

''According to mom, yes..Why are you crying?'' I wiped her tears away.

''So, Baby oil is male of babies? Me baby.''

Devin: '' ''

''No..no.'' I had a hard time convincing Leena. Later, my mom reprimanded me because I did something naughty to make her cry. That's one kind of example to explain her illogical questions, but at the same time, I find them logical in some way.

When I thought I had a good time with her, the villain sketched another plan. Two years later, uncle France started sending Leena on picnics with grandma Margaret on weekends. I knew he did it on purpose. What can I do? I don't have the power to make him disappear.

Years passed, I got busy with school work and basketball. Every time I got a chance, I would take my friends to Wilbur's home.

When I hit my teenage, I stepped into modeling, hoping that Leena would see me on the TV screen, but I later learned that madam is obsessed with cartoons. I pleaded with my mom to convince uncle France. The message was to send Leena to our school, but instead, he sent her to an all-girls school. I googled up the curses in all the languages to use on him.

I don't know when it started, but my feelings for Leena have grown so strong that I sincerely accepted every emotion I felt for her. My first time meeting with her in the hospital might be a fate, but falling in love with her was beyond control. If I had told my friends, they would call it teenage adrenaline, but I knew it. I never felt the same for any other girl. It was only for her..her alone.

Later years, I didnot pay much attention to Leena due to my shootings until I found a boy stalking Leena. 

''Stay away from Leena.'' His disheveled hair, unkempt shirt, everything about him spoke danger.

''And I would warn you the same. Stay away from Leena. She is mine. Once Enger sets an eye, nothing will stop him from possessing.''

The resentment in my heart festered like a tide. Our verbal argument turned into physical fights, like the predators in the ring. In the nick of time, my hands were on his throat, ready to land a punch on his face..

''Stop! Please. Don't hit him.'' I halted and looked over my shoulders at the pleading voice. A girl in a uniform, akin to Leena's, appeared in front of us.

''Winter!'' Enger growled, grabbing my wrists. ''Stay out of this_''

''Leave him. I will talk to him.'' She softly pleaded, looking at me. ''You will neither see him in our school premises nor near Leena.''

''This is the last warning.'' Giving one last disgusting look at him, I jerked my hands off him and walked away.

''Why the hell you came here, Winter!''

''Did you take a good look at him? For god's sake, he is an athlete, Enger. I don't want you to get your legs broken in his hands.''

''So, it's all about..physical..''

The words trailed off into the air as my footstep's distance grew. Blood oozed out of my left hand as I walked towards the car. I was about to open the door, a hand caught my wounded arm. A girl with blond hair glanced at my wrist ''Your hand is bleeding.''

I jerked my hands off her. I felt something strange pass down my body when she touched my injured wrist.

''Don't mind the boy. He is my cousin, a little clumsy at times.'' She extended her hand. ''I am Morvena. I am a big fan of yours."

''Thanks.'' My popularity among girls is growing like the icebergs in Antarctica, except for her. Can't she upgrade herself from those comic relievers? Brushing my thoughts aside, I stepped into the car.

''How about a date with me?'' She pointed to the coffee shop opposite us. 

''It's N to O.'' I replied, starting the engine without looking back. Strangely, I was able to use my left hand without any pain or difficulty.

Morvena stared at the car until it disappeared out of her sight.. ''Soon, I will make you say Y to S, Devin.''