The Goddess Of The Lake

By Shalaine Vaz

The Goddess of the lake

She arises from the depths of the water, from her deep slumber lasting a century, in search of true love. And over the decades and centuries, she had lost count of the times, she had to go back to her resting place, dejected, and forlorn, only to be left longing to hit the surface again. They would be mesmerized by her beauty, her skin glowing like the moonlight hitting the water, and her hair flowing like the waves, and yet, not one capable of truly loving her, not one who could finally break her curse, and set her free from the prisons of the lake. And yet, as she rises today, a glimmer of hope shines in her eyes, a feeling of excitement rushing through her body, as she placed her feet on land, all set, to find her one true love.

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After an exhausting day at work, Noah was craving for some icy cold coffee. As he was heading towards the café, all he could think of was the bittersweet taste of coffee in his mouth, and the chilled liquid pouring down his throat. As he entered the cafeteria, he saw her there. Sitting in the corner, with a book in her hand. she looked pretty in the blue silk top that she was wearing. Her skin, pink as roses, and her hair, long and dark. Her presence was like the sunshine in the rains, like cherry blossoms during autumn. Everything about her was mesmerizing, and Noah could feel himself slipping. What was happening to him? Why did it feel like he was hypnotized? Was it what they called ‘love at first sight’? could it really be happening to him?

“Noah!!” he was snapped out of his thoughts as he heard his name. “Lynn?” he said, looking at the cashier, a pretty, young girl who was beaming, “since when did you start working here?” Noah asked. “Oh well, todays my first day! What can I get for you, ‘Sir’?” Lynn said as she left out a little laugh. “Well, I’ll have a chilled latte with some whipped cream, ‘Miss’!” Noah smiled, “Good choice! Here’s your bill, please take a seat and your order shall be served”, “Thank you!” Noah replied as he paid the bill. And as he turned back, his gaze couldn’t find her. She was gone. With disappointment clearly visible on his face, he took a seat, and waited.

Noah frequented the café more than often now. His only hope was to see her once more, and this time he would surely strike up a conversation. He would wait for hours, gulping down several cups of coffee, but to his disappointment she did not turn up. “you know this guy right?”, one of Lynn’s colleagues, Diana, asked her one day, “Seems like he enjoys being here” she smirked. “well, he is actually my neighbor, a good friend too you can say. I guess I didn’t know he loves coffee this much” Lynn said with a smile. “Loves coffee, or….” Diana trailed off, as she raised her eyebrows with a pout. “Oh shut up, he never would” Lynn said as her cheeks began to turn red. “Okayy!!” Diana said as she pursed her lips to hide her smile. Lynn was getting butterflies. She always had a crush on Noah, and his consistent presence at the café gave her hope, hope that maybe one day he will be hers, in heart and in mind. And soon, coffee turned into small conversations. In no time, these small conversations, turned into long talks and hearty laughs, and a small friendship grew stronger by the day.

It had been almost a month now, and Noah was surely getting desperate. although he would now spend time with Lynn, He longed for the beautiful girl, and even the sight of her would bring him peace. And his prayers finally got some answer, as he saw her walking into the café one day. Noah felt a sudden rush in his body, his breath hitched, his body was sweating. “I have to approach her, I have to” Noah told himself. And with a lot of courage, he walked up to her table. “would you mind if I sit here?” Noah asked the girl nervously. She looked up to him, and smiled “No, please have a seat”. Noah’s heart was now thumping at a thousand beats a minute, his palms were sweaty, and his feet were cold, he was excited and nervous at the same time. “I’m Noah” he held out his hand towards her. “I’m Fay, Nice to meet you, Noah” she smiled as she shook his hand. “Well, actually, I do not have any friends here, but you seemed approachable” Noah said, “a little lie can’t hurt right?” he thought. “I am new here too! Its been a little difficult for me to make friends, and I’m glad that I can now have a friend right here” she beamed.

They had fun together, Fay and Noah. Going out to clubs, trying out new restaurants, and enjoying rides at the amusement park. They did it all. Noah was the happiest he had ever been. He was now spending less and less time with Lynn, but he didn’t mind. He was deeply in love with Fay, but he could never get himself to confess to her. Fay on the other hand, felt that her search for her one true love was finally ending.

Noah was waiting for her in the park. she was already half an hour late. She wouldn’t even pick up his call. “Where is Fay?” Noah said to himself. And that night Fay didn’t turn up. And neither did the come on the next day, or the next, or for a week. Dejected, Noah began spending his days in aloofness. He just didn’t understand why she would leave him stranded this way. Was it something he had done or said? He was upset. He was desperate. And one day he remembered he had another friend, a friend who might help him with his dilemma. And off he went to the café one day.

Lynn was there. She looked at him, and smiled at him but wouldn’t meet his eyes. She was obviously upset at his absence these past few days. “I’m sorry Lynn” Noah let out a sigh “I was busy” he said. “its fine” Lynn said with a straight face. “let’s go out, come on” Noah tugged on Lynn’s apron. “I’m working Noah” she brushed him off. “Pleaseee” Noah said as he made a baby face. Lynn smiled shyly, “wait a minute then” she said. Although Noah could share everything with Lynn, he somehow couldn’t get himself to tell her about Fay. Every time he would want to start the topic, his throat would shut tight, and no word would escape his mouth, as if his nerves knew he shouldn’t mention Fay in front of Lynn. There was no reason nor answer to this phenomenon.

There was no word from Fay for more than a month now. But he was having a good time with Lynn, and she genuinely made him joyful. Their talks would never end. He could talk to her about anything under the sky. They were the best of friends. And one day everything would change.

“I love you Noah” Lynn confessed nervously, “I’ve loved you since we first met” she said, as she looked at him expectedly. “I-I-I, Lynn, I-I don’t know what to say” Noah said befuddled. “It’s fine, you can say no” Lynn said with a hint of disappointment in her voice. “NO! wait, that’s not what I meant, I mean this came as a surprise” Noah said with a nervous smile. Lynn looked as if she was on the verge of crying. “Come, lets go” Noah said, “Where?” Lynn was now confused. “I know my girlfriend needs ice cream when she’s upset, so let’s go get some” Noah replied with a smile on his face. “Girlfrie- what? Girlfriend!?” Lynn asked in bewilderment. “Come on!” Noah caught hold of her hand and pulled her towards the marketplace.

Days spent with Lynn were happy times. The love was blossoming into a very beautiful flower. Noah felt happy, and yet, every once in a while, he would miss Fay. Her flawless face would come before his eyes. Sometimes, in the rarest of times, he would regret not waiting for her, but every time that would happen, he would assure himself that Lynn was the one. He loved Lynn. He gave her his everything , he pampered her. “Maybe its Lynn who’s my forever” he would say. Lynn on the other hand was on cloud nine. She was the happiest she had ever been, and everything she ever wanted was now hers. They shared a cute yet romantic relationship, and everyone around them adored the two.

It had been four months that they started dating. Everything was amazing. They couldn’t get enough of each other. But one day, everything took a turn, for good, or for bad? There was no telling. Noah was out buying a gift for Lynn. “Pretty earrings”, he heard a familiar voice say. And when he turned around, there she was, as beautiful as ever, Fay. At that very instant, he felt mesmerized. He remembered how much he had missed her, how much he had longed for her company. “Fay!” he said softly, “where were you?”. “I’m sorry that I disappeared without a warning” Fay said, “I had an emergenc-“ and she was cut off by Noah, who couldn’t resist anymore. He pulled her close, leaned in, and kissed her.

It felt like fireworks displayed in the night sky, like the waves breaking at the shore. It was beautiful, it was serene yet there was a whiff of elation in the air. Noah was finally feeling at ease. He had Fay, she was right there in his arms. And although he was feeling content, he was disturbed. Although he had everything he wanted, he felt incomplete. There was something that had gone amiss. His heart was not in its place. He broke off the hug, and smiled nervously, “What is it?” Fay asked, “Umm, it’s nothing” Noah said in an uneasy tone. “Tell me”, she said. “I-I’ll be honest, being with you is all that I’ve wanted, but something feels amiss. I’m feeling uneasy” Noah left out a sigh. “I need to go” he said with a tone of realization. “Go where?” Fay asked in a worried tone. “I’m sorry, but I need to see Lynn” Noah said with a slight hint of excitement. “Why Lynn, Noah?” “I’m sorry Fay, but Lynn is the one I love. I thought it was you, but I feel like I’ve been snapped out of a slumber.” He said all of it in one breath. “I love Lynn!” he shouted, “I love you, Lynn!!” he laughed out loud, and ran “I’ll see you around Fay” he said, as his steps grew quicker. Fay was left all alone, heartbroken.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks, as she made her way towards the lake. “He chose her, over me” she whispered to herself. “why is it that the one I desire, choses another? am I this replaceable? When will this curse be broken? will my true love ever come to me?” she thought as she finally reached the edge of the lake. The water seemed to be cold. “the Goddess is back to her resting place. And it feels like the first time.” She let out a sigh. And as she placed her feet in the icy cold water, her eyes went blurry, as she remembered the moment that broke her, yet another time. She lived The feeling of her heart breaking into a thousand pieces yet another time, as the kiss they shared played in front of her eyes. The one she thought would be her forever, her Noah, was kissing another girl, and at that very moment, she had heard the lake calling her back.

The lake was calling out her name loud and clear; all the other voices were hushed. So hushed that she couldn’t hear him call out to her. “Lynn!!” Noah screamed, “What are you doing Lynn?” he shouted as he got into the water. “Did she see us? Why is she trying to kill herself?” he thought to himself as he swam in the cold water towards the love of his life, who was almost underwater. “Lynn, STOP!! Let me explain!” he wailed in exasperation. He was nearing her, and as he put his hand forward to get hold of her, she disappeared. He searched for her crazily, beating the water as if to tear it apart and find her underneath. But alas, she was gone. It was too late.

Noah burst out into tears as he reached the shore. “I need to call the police” he said in desperation, “My Lynn is gone” he whimpered. “there’s no point in calling the police, no one can find her” Noah heard a voice say. He turned around to see; it was Fay. “what do you mean by that” he asked her. “She’s the Goddess of the lake, the cursed lady” Fay said. “What!?” Noah said in disbelief. “Many centuries ago, she was cursed for being beautiful by an enchantress who got jealous. She was banished into the lake, for hundred years, and when she would come ashore, she would have to find true love. If she failed, she was banished into the lake again, to fall asleep till her prison releases her.” “How do you know all this” Noah asked, still finding it hard to believe. “I am the enchantress” she said with a smirk. “I want her back, NOW!” Noah shouted, “I love her, I am her true love. Get her BACK!” “She’s gone, you lost her” she said, and disappeared like a whiff of air. And Noah was left, all alone.

Noah spent his days in anguish. It had been more than 3 months that he lost Lynn. He would wake up, get to work, go to the lake, and call out to her. Sometimes he would go to the café, and sit there for hours, reminiscing about his time with Lynn. Nothing would cheer him up. The nights were even more painful. He could feel his heart wrenching, feelings of hopelessness would take over. He sometimes felt that he probably should go into the lake and look for her, and on many occasions, he would go into the lake, helplessly swimming around only to be dragged out by a passerby. And one day, just like any other anguish filled days, Noah was at the café, sipping on cold coffee, he watched a couple nearby share sweet moments. As he picked up his cup for another sip, his gaze went towards the door. His heart missed a beat when he saw her walk in. everything slowed down as she walked towards him with a smile. His eyes were filled with tears, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Lynn was there, smiling at him. She was his now, forever. The curse was broken, the Goddess was free.

By Shalaine Vaz