~ 2: An Uncanny Resemblance and A Mystifying Feeling ~

~ Prologue ~

~ 1: The Robust Hysteria ~

&lt;p&gt;We walked to the gate of the children's play area. My head drooped down in thoughts so deep that I didn't realise when we reached the gate until I bumped into it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Tsk, tsk,&quot; whispered Alex, in a disapproving manner. &quot;Such a clumsy woman. Are your thoughts more important than your own safety?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I sighed. I was always stressed out by thinking too much, but if I didn't rack my brain enough, I was sure that I would never be able to solve problems quickly like I normally did.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From the corner of my eyes, I could see Alisha and the lady at the counter giggling at my accidental antics.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;'This is dreadful,' I said to myself while shaking my slumping head. 'I will surely fall into trouble one day for this.'&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I looked up and saw the lady looking between me and Alisha with a perplexed look on her face. At that moment, I felt pretty self-conscious. My brain was racing with multiple thoughts about myself.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;'Do I look alright? Is there something on my face? Did I wear my clothes or scarf the wrong way? Are my shoes fine?'&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;'What's wrong with you?' my inner voice chided me. 'You're checking yourself in public? People are watching you. Stop thinking that you are not fine.'&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But that never boosted my confidence until I heard it from the person myself. I was always thinking of perfection and I couldn't stop thinking about my mistakes till someone reassured me.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Is something wrong, ma'am?&quot; I asked the lady, curiously.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;No, miss,&quot; she replied quickly, with a smile. &quot;Nothing at all.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Say it, ma'am,&quot; Alex said, with a half-smirk and a half-smile, before putting Alisha down to sign the exit form. &quot;Or else she will die of curiosity. You have no idea how anxious she gets when she overthinks stuff.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Well, it's just that your daughter and the miss look very similar. Are you two, perhaps, married?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Seeing my aghast expression, she tried to take back what she said.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;I'm sorry. I think I crossed the line. It's just very queer how you two look akin to one another.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I couldn't believe my ears. His daughter and I were similar? No freaking way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;I will agree with you on that one, ma'am,&quot; Lish's father said, in a matter-of-fact tone. &quot;They are too similar to be true, aren't they?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The lady nodded in agreement. I was so astounded that I had lost my power of speech.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Hey, Alex,&quot; I said, when I finally found my lost tongue, &quot;please stop joking around, okay?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;You think I am kidding? Just look at those people around you and you will believe me.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When I did, I realised that the kids, who were playing before, were now staring at me with wide eyes filled with amazement.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Is that your Mommy, Lish?&quot; said one.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;She looks just like you,&quot; said another.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;You're very pretty, Aunty,&quot; I heard one tell me. &quot;Are you Alisha's mother?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Thank you,&quot; I replied with a grateful heart. &quot;I am-&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Yes, she's my Mommy,&quot; said Alisha. That was one unexpected answer, but I didn't show it on my face. &quot;She's just like how a Mommy is.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;And she's very smart too, kid,&quot; Alex added. &quot;But the problem is she thinks too much.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Okay, Mr Park, that's enough,&quot; I said. My brain was ready to explode at any moment with all the things I had heard. &quot;Let's go home now. I will prepare something for dinner.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Really?&quot; Alisha asked in a soft voice, with round, puppy-like eyes. &quot;Thank you! Also, can I call you Mommy? Pretty please?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I was taken aback at the request. Since I felt pity for her not having a mother, I agreed to her proposal. And then I got one long squeeze from her which made her father laugh and the perplexed woman smile. Then I took hold of Alisha's little hand and left from the play area, letting Alex finish off the payment with the bewildered lady-in-charge.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;What do you want to eat, Alisha?&quot; I asked when we were waiting for the elevator to arrive. &quot;Remember to save the good one for tomorrow.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Can we have chow mein today?&quot; she suggested the moment the elevator's doors opened.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;I thought you liked that more. How about we have chow mein and your favourite dumplings tomorrow, after Daddy's match?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Okay. Then can we have Hakka noodles today?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Of course, sweetie. I will make that for you.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Not until you have finished your homework, Lish,&quot; Alex replied, barging in right before the doors of the lift closed. Such a reckless man.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Fine, Daddy,&quot; she replied with a cute, sulky pout, which made Alex and I choke with laughter. We had to try to hold it in as the lift was full of people staring at us.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Who's driving today?&quot; Alex asked although we had discussed this beforehand.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;You, Daddy. I want to be with Mommy today,&quot; she replied.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alex turned around to see if he had heard it right. I gave him a nod to give him my confirmation that Alisha had called me &quot;Mommy&quot;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Okay,&quot; he mouthed back, still in shock of the sudden change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I threw the car keys to him and got in with Alisha on the back seat, with the kid on my lap. Alex, the gentleman he was, shut the door before I could do it myself, got in and started the car.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During the ride, I looked out to see the brightly lit city whizz by, which made me see lines of varieties of colours. It was a while before I noticed that Alisha's little yet slightly heavy head was leaning on me. I felt her soft breath and heard her mumble, &quot;You smell like Mommy.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;That got me a bit teary-eyed. I said to her, &quot;Don't grow so fast, sweetheart. I won't be able to carry my lovely darling.&quot; And I ran my fingers through her soft, silky and straight hair.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;'The kid is already four years old. Why is she growing so fast?'&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I started observing her cute little face. Her skin was soft and smooth like a cushion. Her nose was a little pointed and she had large eyes. She had chubby cheeks and small, kitten-like ears. Looking at her, I was taken back to my childhood. In her, I saw myself. Was it really true that she was somehow related to me? I thought about the differences in our lives: she was without her mother or a sibling or a playmate, and me who had all of it. My heart cracked at the thought. We were different and yet the same. In my blurred vision, I saw both the memories skip by quickly, giving me different emotions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Are you okay?&quot; I heard Alex whisper to me when we were at a junction. &quot;You are crying. Is something wrong?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I touched my face and felt the wet, empty stream left by my tears. I looked up at the rearview mirror and saw his concerned face.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Yes, I'm alright,&quot; I whispered back, looking at his reflection on the mirror. &quot;The signal is green. Don't keep standing here.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He turned his focus on driving the car. I gave the sleeping baby a small kiss on her forehead before I dozed off.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;*****&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I felt a soft, hot breath on my face. I thought the air conditioner wasn't working and it was sending hot air instead. Then I realised that the car had stopped moving. The engine wasn't humming and I could feel a bright light on my closed eyelids. I tried to move a bit, only to find myself sleeping in an awkward position. Or so I thought until I flung my eyes open to see if Alisha was alright.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She slept soundly like a baby in a cradle. I gave a sigh of relief that my cramped position hadn't crushed the small kid. I saw something move from the corner of my eyes and noticed Alex standing with the car door open. His face had a slight tint of pink.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;I will carry Alisha now,&quot; he said hurriedly. I passed the peaceful sleeping beauty to his arms and got down from the car in a daze, still moving on from my sleep mood and trying to understand what that hot breath was.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Was Alex trying to pick Alisha up while I was sleeping? Or was he trying to—&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;'No, don't even think about it. Such miracles never happen to you. Shut up about that topic and go ahead with your work,' my mind told me, and I followed its instructions like an obedient pupil.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I started to prepare dinner while the pair of them solved out Alisha's homework. Since she wasn't there to distract me, I could concentrate and finish my job faster. Well, a part of the credit went to her dad, who from time to time would help me out with slicing the vegetables and cutting the chicken. He would make a wonderful food stylist but he wouldn't believe me when I said that.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;That's one secret talent of yours that no one knows, isn't it?&quot; I asked while I toss fried the noodles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;It's not a talent, but it's definitely a secret that only you know,&quot; Alex responded. He's such a humble person that he will never agree to that.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I knew I was taking a little longer than usual but I wanted to make the food perfect. So I cooked it intently, making sure that there was no room for mistakes. All the while I prepared the meal, I could feel that someone was gazing at me. I kept turning around and glance once in a while but the pair of them seemed to have nothing to do with it. They sat on the side opposite to me from where I cooked. That made my focus wander off a bit. Was I hallucinating things?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Dinner is ready!&quot; I said, after spending nearly thirty minutes of hard work.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Took you long enough,&quot; Alex said with a smirk.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;It will take that much time since I'm not an expert cook like you. Plus, I believe in perfecting things than in doing them in a hurry and creating a mess,&quot; I responded.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He let out a laugh before helping me set the table ready. He knew he could do things well but he was always messy when he was cooking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On a normal day, as he had said to me, it would be so difficult to feed Alisha but today, she was gobbling it down. She remarked, &quot;The noodles were so tasty.&quot; And Alex didn't stop complimenting with his, &quot;That was a hearty meal. Thank you, love.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After dinner, we both cleared the table and washed the dishes. We sat with Alisha and Alex read us a funny story before putting the girl to sleep.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As I prepared to go, he reminded me about his match with his arc rival the next day. I assured him that I will be there, as I had promised. And with that, I left for home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Although I felt sleepy, I forced myself to sit down and write down a bit for my blog, even though it was past midnight. Then I peeled off my clothes to change into my pyjamas. The moment I hit the bed, I was fast asleep. Little did I know that I would stray off to a dangerous zone.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; segoe=&quot;&quot; ui&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;Eira Sultana is an amnesiac woman who had a rough past life. Her amnesia has turned her into a completely different person - from a frosty, ill-tempered introvert to a warm, bubbly and friendly person. Her amnesia is the cost she has to pay for escaping from her past.&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Her life gets more complicated when she encounters three men - one from her past, another from her present and the last one from her future.
&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alexander Park, her closest friend, has kept her company since the day she faced her nightmares and he is the only one who knows her darkest secret. He is loyal and patient with her and is the only pillar on which Eira has been leaning her entire life - during her torment until the present.
&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ayaaz Khan is a cold-hearted man and can sometimes come off as rude to people due to a dreadful history and a horrific prophecy that could break him forever. He is socially awkward, physically strong, knowledgeable and a keen observer. When his icy heart starts to melt, he understands that Eira's future is at stake and is willing to help her escape from the endless abyss before the hole closes. But he has to make a choice between sacrificing his immortal, superhuman life or his love.
&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Shazin Lee is a malicious and merciless person from her past. He has inflicted her with unhealable scars and caused her to lose her memory so that he can add her to his collection of four wives, making him have the highest number of spouses in the land. He wants all the stars in the sky to be his alone as he has a dark, archaic power that no one can imagine.
&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On her journey to recover from amnesia and fighting against her nightmares and for her close ones, she must choose the right man. Will she choose the Sturdy Cemented Column, the cold Summer Prince or the black-hearted Knight? Or will she choose someone else for her serendipity? What will be her fate for the decision she makes? Will her torment extend? Will she get back her memory? Will her dark secret be revealed?
&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;~
&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;The Auguries of Espousal - A Prophecy
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;When the forgotten realm shall have the century's first rainfall,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;The one with five wives the people would call,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;King, they will crown this man,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem; font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;When he would marry the fifth wife from his clan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;Tyranny shall rule the land,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;Until the fifth wife shall sever the marriage band,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;For her deed, she shall face&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem; font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;The blemish the vindictive King shall place.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;Three men shall the woman meet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;When in the desert the first snow shall fleet,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;If one among them shall make her his,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem; font-family: &quot; noto=&quot;&quot; sans&quot;;&quot;=&quot;&quot;&gt;Her world shall be made or destroyed by this.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;~
&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Love is all about being petty, child. If you aren’t, then you lose much.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;i&gt; &amp;nbsp;— Alexander Park&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Should cold and warmth mix with one another? I’m afraid of what it might bring about.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;— Ayaaz Khan&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“I would never do it. Not even if you gave me all the wealth, love and extra lives to live. I will never give it up. You can never take it from me. &lt;i&gt;Never&lt;/i&gt;.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;— Eira Sultana&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“You &lt;i&gt;will pay&lt;/i&gt; for it. I will make sure of it. You &lt;i&gt;belong&lt;/i&gt; to me.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 1rem;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;— Shazin Lee&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;~
&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;WARNING:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt; This book contains mature content. Readers under 16 are advised not to read this book. Please proceed at your own risk.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Updates every fortnight.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;
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