The Devil's Sweetheart

With high hopes, Leena fixed her eyes on Francis's expressions which sent him into disbelief. He must be proud of my poetic skills, Leena muttered under her breath with a sheepish grin. ''Do you like the proposal I have written?''

''Did you write these lines? On your own?'' It was hard for Francis not to be skeptical about Leena. Without any hesitation, Leena bobbed her head. She copied a little from Devin, but that's fine. Devin is her husband, so she has all the rights.

Closing the book shut, Francis looked at Leena, his tone serious. ''This is a very cheesy proposal. I can't do this.'' He is not a teenager.

''Then how will Mom know your feelings. Mom loves...'' Leena shut her mouth when the words ' Mom equally loves you' almost sprinted from her mouth. Control your mouth, Leena. It's their moment. Francy would be thrilled if he hears the three golden words from Mom. They have wasted their youth with misunderstandings, and it continued—time to put a stop to this.

''Cheesy or not, you will listen to my words this time.'' Leena opened the book again and flipped the pages. ''As it is a weekend, we are going for a picnic in the countryside t_.''

''What Nic?'' Francis shouted.

''Picnic,'' Leena repeated. 

''I am not coming. Picnic is for kids.'' Francis said.

''You must come. My father-in-law and mother-in-law are also coming, and I have chosen a spot for you amidst the woods.'' Her eyes twinkled, imagining the scene already.

''Rick is coming as well? He didnot tell me.'' That's a huge relief. Maybe, this is the chance to confess his feelings for Heather. As Leena said, He doesn't want to die with regret. Taking a deep breath, Francis grabbed the book from Leena's hands, determined to make Leena's dream come true.

Meanwhile, Heather was listening to Cutie's babblings sitting in her room. ''I clied...but Dein..is yoga with eeena.''

''I do not understand, Savny,'' Heather asked about how Devin and Leena are doing, and Cutie started speaking in gibberish. Heather didnot understand a word except for the word Yoga. A while later, Cutie dozed off when she got tired, explaining the incident that she saw in the bedroom. 

''What are Leena and Francis doing inside the study room for two hours?'' Her curiosity piqued but didnot plan to go and disturb them. It's been a long time since both had talked, so she let them have their moments. With nothing to do, she opened her mobile and posed for selfies, her favorite pastime. Every day, she would talk with Francis for hours after dinner, and today she is feeling a little lonely. 

A little while later, she heard her daughter's scream before she appeared in the room. ''Mom, you are still awake?''

''Hmm..'' Heather smiled, keeping the mobile aside. ''I was waiting to talk with you.''

''Why didn't Devin come?'' Heather asked.

''I told him to stay alone. Tired of seeing his face every day.'' Replied Leena as she lay her head on Heather's l.a.p. ''I did the right thing, isn't it?''

Stroking Leena's hair, Heather nodded her head. Both chatted for a while, and Heather finally brought the topic that she and Evelyn wanted to discuss. ''Are your periods regular, Leena?'' She hesitantly questioned. 

''Of course, yes, Mom! I am very healthy.''

It looks like her daughter didnot catch her intention this time. But anyway, she understood, Leena's periods are regular, and she has to stop dreaming again. It's been a while they are married, and how long she has to wait to hear good news. Will I get the basketball team grandchildren? What is her tortoise son-in-law still waiting for? Before she gets irritated, Heather changed the topic, and both continued talking until the tiredness propelled, and then they slept. 

...

It was delightful out in the shady woods as they arrived at the countryside for the picnic. Leena's idea was to go for a picnic in the country, and she dragged the two families along with her. Grandpa Arthur and Margaret went fishing. By the happy look on their faces, one could see they are enjoying every minute. Fredrick was playing a snake and ladder game with Savny. Francis and Leena were nowhere in sight.

''This is such a refreshing place, Heather,'' Evelyn said as they played a board game on the blanket. ''We should come here often.''

''Indeed, Eve. This is beautiful.'' Heather smiled and looked at the surroundings. Except for Cutie, Carrot, Fredrick, there was no other person here. ''Did you find about the people from the cruise ship?'' Heather asked in a whisper.

Évelyn signaled a yes with her eyes. ''Let's walk around the woods and talk.'' Not before they took two steps forward, Heather received a call from Leena asking her to come into the woods. ''Leena found a unique plant, and she wants to show us. Let's go, Eve.''

Evelyn instantly denied Heather's request. ''Well, not to brag or anything, but you know about my husband. He can forget what he is doing while doing it. I can't risk Savny's life. You go and take a look.'' Evelyn smoothly slipped. She doesn't want to be an embarrassment to the two. Finally, the day has come. Today will be the happiest day of Heather's life.

''Alright.'' Heather nodded and walked into the woods where her daughter asked to come. When she reached a certain point, she saw Francis sitting on a wood log. 

Francis nervously snapped in the direction of the rustling sound of nearing footsteps on the ground of the woods. The more Heather's steps started to hear, his fear inside grew.

''Francis?'' Heather called him, surprised to find him sitting here alone. For some reason, Heather was finding him nervous since morning. ''What are you doing here?''

Francis got up, his posture stiff and tensed. There was a rush of energy as if his heart was beating irregularly, or he felt that his heartbeat has moved to his head, he doesn't know. 

''Are you not well?'' Heather asked, feeling worried when she looked over his face. He was sweating excessively, contradictory to the cool Weather.

''I_I am good.'' He replied, wiping his face. ''Weather is too hot, isn't it? If there is any magic on this planet, it is contained in water.'' 

Heather '' '' 

''What?''

''I mean, weforgetthatthewatercyle and lifecycle areone.''

Heather looked at him in disbeleif. What's wrong with him? Has he gone mad?

A little distance away, hiding behind the tree, Leena sighed. ''Come to the point, Francy. Why the hell you want to talk about the Water cycle now?''

''Is there any progress?'' Leena jumped in fear when she heard a voice from behind. ''You scared me.'' She yelled in a whisper, looking at her father-in-law. Leena then addressed the first question Fredrick asked. ''No progress. He is still beating around the bush.''

''I already knew this would happen.'' Fredrick lazily glanced at his friend. 

.....

''What's wrong with you today?'' Crossing her arms, Heather questioned. Since morning, he didnot talk, and when she tried to speak, he would speak in monologues, and now he is overtalking.

''I_I have something to tell you.'' He said, taking a deep breath.

''You have been telling the same thing since I came here,'' Heather said, her voice laced with irritation now. ''Tell me fast. I have some other work.'' She was in an important discussion with Evelyn about the cruise ship people, and here he is, wasting time talking about Weather and the water cycle.

Francis flinched at Heather's brash voice. ''I...I ..you sun...I moon.. Sun is m_oon...Moon is..."He paused and slightly opening his palm. He briefly looked at the content before continuing. ''Without moon.. no sun...Without sun...'' He paused and again looked at his palm. ''Leena was born...I shoelace.''

''Sun, moon. Moon Sun...What the hell you are trying to say? do not understand a single word you are speaking.'' Heather cut him off in the middle. ''I am leaving. Come back, and talk when your senses are working properly.'' With that, Heather left without looking back.

''Why can't she stay here until I confess. I am trying my best.'' Francis cried, kicking the log.

Leena and Fredrick looked at Francis as if he had grown three heads. "Francy has pen down the confession lines in his palm,'' Leena placed a hand over her mouth. Last night, she trained him for two hours like a teacher prepares the children for the exam, and he failed the exam literally.

''Never I have seen such a coward in my life.'' Coming out of the hiding, Fredrick and Leena gave Francis a look of exasperation.

''No wonder you are still single,'' Fredrick commented.

Francis's face was red with shame. He doesn't know where to put his face now. He thought he could confess his feelings bravely, but when Heather appeared, his brain went blank. 

Until now, Leena thought her Francy was brave, but no. She decided to make her mom to take charge from now. She has put a faith on the wrong person.