Chapter 1

Darkness;

Who would have thought the mere glimpse of a shadow over taking rock would be so stunning. The sight overwhelmed with her emotions she could not explain. Absolute beauty hovered across the moon tonight. Yes, tonight was a special rare occurrence that always brought the entire world together- a lunar eclipse. Though this time there was something entirely different taking place. They call it the blood moon. She remembered stories been said, when she was a kid about this great event. The fascination almost drove her to insanity. Books after books, she'd read, staying up all night, wondering when this moment would come. Years later, here it was happening right in front of her, in her own back yard.

Glimpse of the red tinge was beginning to show. She bit her lips, grinning wide, excitement bubbling inside like a little child. Her eyes strained on the moon, she brushed the strands of her long hair away from her face. Surprisingly tonight it was also quite windy, which she did not expect in this 40 degrees weather. Deep down she believed lunar eclipses to be magical. Obviously she would never share such a secret to anyone because how ridiculous does that sound. Twenty nine year old woman who believes of a magical eclipse? Yeah, right. If anyone ever got to know her thought about it, they would laugh at her. Now she did not want to be laughed at. Yet there was a small problem here. She could not keep this inside of her. There was something so special about this very moment and she wanted to tell someone about it. Maybe what she thought was crazy, but she just wanted to. And so her wish was granted because seconds later, he arrived.

'Khushi?,' he pranced to her side, taking a seat on the chair next to her. 'What are you doing?' She gave him a look, and continued to stare up in to the sky. 'Khushi,' he repeated. 'Seriously what are you-'

'Arnav, I cannot believe you', she cut him off completely. 'Something amazing is happening tonight and you're asking me what am I doing.' Her gaze did not leave the moon. 'If you want to know,' she continued, 'look up to the sky.'

So he did- head titled, finally she saw him gaze up in to the night sky. Corner of her eyes, she watched his reaction; fascination, and awe. The sight made her smile. 'Beautiful isn't it,' she said, quietly. 'I have been waiting for a long time for this.'

Leaving his gaze away from the moon, he turned to her. 'For this eclipse?' Eyes still focused on the moon, she nodded. 'Hm, I read about the blood moon when I was a child. I heard many stories, theories, myths. It was so fascinating. I wanted to know more, and the more I read, the more I waited. Finally after so many years I am witnessing it. Overwhelming, really.'

'Wow, Khushi,' awe laced his voice. 'You never told me.' Casually, she shrugged. 'I am telling you now, aren't I? More special to share this news while it is happening.' His silence told her, he was waiting for her to speak more. So she continued. 'There are many theories concerning the blood moon. Superstitions, actually. Incas believed that the lunar eclipse was because a jaguar was attacking the moon.' A laugh escaped his lips. 'That's... weird.'

'Yeah, it is and they would yell at the moon so it would scare the jaguar away. Sadly, they would also beat their dogs so the howling and barking would drive it away too. One of my favourite myths, however is from the Batammalibia people. They believed that the sun was fighting with the moon. So they would let go of their old feuds and anger to encourage the sun and moon to stop.' Chuckling, she shook her head. 'It's quite funny, but then I should not forget about the Werewolves- I am hoping you already know that. Another one of my favourite theories though is the one about the rapture. In the bible it says that the first blood moon is the sign of the second coming of Jesus Christ. The signs are in the stars. Oh there's many. So many I read about.'

His fingers laced hers. 'Do you believe in all of that?' She let out a laugh. 'No of course not because I have a theory of my own. Something I believe to be a magical moment. Don't laugh.'

'I am not. Tell me.' The curiosity in his tone could not be missed. 'Lunar eclipses are beautiful, but in reality darkness is not something to be found beautiful. We are all afraid of the darkness, physically or emotionally. Our main goal in life is to find a light to guide us through the path of darkness. Sometimes things get so suffocating that we almost give ourselves to be swallowed in it. The moments we believe to be lost, wandering, unaware of where we are heading, we always forget these moments don't last forever. Eventually there is an end to this tunnel. And this is why the lunar eclipse is so magical to me. Because when I look up at that shadow, hovering across the moon, swallowing it whole, it reminds me something very important- soon it shall pass. The process might be slow, gradual, but eventually this shadow shall pass, and the sun shall shine once more to the moon. I feel like it's a transition, a new beginning. The entire world starting a new. Sounds lame, I know, but that's what I believe.'

Still silence settled between them. Embarrassed that she shared so much, she took her eyes away from the moon for the first time, and looked at him. Shockingly, she found his gaze fixated on her, intensely. 'What?', she squirmed, awkwardly under his gaze. 'Nothing,' he smiled softly. 'Just realized that you were my sun all long.'

Blood rushed to her cheeks. 'What...?' He got up from his chair, lowering himself to the grass, next to her. Brushing her cheeks with his finger, he whispered. 'Before you came in to my life, I endured this lunar eclipse for a very long time. I almost got swallowed in the darkness. Almost lost the man who I used to be. Forgot what it felt like to have a heart. And then, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Razaida, you walked in to my life. Bringing all that glorious light, reminding me that this soon shall pass. The process was slow, and boy did I make it so difficult for you, but you fought to shine your light. I became a new man. I transitioned to something better. You guided me, Khushi.'

Tears sprung out of her eyes. 'That's the most cheesiest thing you have ever said to me.' He let out a laugh, sweetly, placing a kiss on her forehead. Clutching the collars of his sweater, she shuddered. 'This has got to be the best Lunar Eclipse I have ever witnessed.' Gathering in her in to his arms, they continued to watch the transitioning of a new beginning.

***

Happy Birthday, Madame. I hope you liked it.