A Dark Beginning: A China Dark Novel Read Free Page A

“You seem to be enjoying your book.”
    Devak hovered, looking almost nervous as he waited next to the table. His kind brown eyes softly explored hers and the look of hope in his face was obvious. China sighed inwardly, feeling that she might never get into this book.
    “It’s a very good book. So far,” she said, and then instantly regretted the added ‘so far’ in case Devak took that as a hint that she was being sarcastic and would appreciate being left in peace. She rushed on, “It’s about a painting that is stolen by a young boy during a terrorist attack on an art museum. He’s about to find out that his mother died in that same attack.”
    “That sounds very sad, lady. Does that not make you sad?”
    “Yes it does, but sadness is necessary sometimes. We read to feel sad. We listen to music and watch films, often just to feel sad. It depends on our mood, but we all need to feel sadness as well as happiness.”
    “That is true, lady, but isn’t there sufficient sadness in the world that you do not need to seek it?”
    China thought about that for a bit. Her life was good, she thought, there was certainly no surplus of sadness in it. Some irritation was occasionally present, whenever her mother opened her mouth for example, and there was no denying that there was some rare anger when her and Philip would fall out. But true sadness would only visit occasionally, usually when she thought about her father. He had been dead almost ten years now and she still could not resist a tear when she thought of the wonderful man that had selected her name, taught her more about the world than any of her teachers, and instilled in her the values that she held most important in life.
    “Now I have made you sad, lady, I am so sorry.” Devak looked very worried, and his body seemed to flutter with concern as he reached into his waistcoat pocket for a crisp, clean white handkerchief. He offered it to her. She took it, noticing the smell of mint and warm spices, and wiped one cheek that was cooling with a single salty tear that had escaped.
    “I’m ok, Devak, I was just thinking of my father. And yes, you are probably right, why look for sadness.”
    “Indeed, why seek sadness when sadness so readily seeks you?”
    “But then, after the sadness any happiness seems so much sweeter.”
    Devak beamed down at China, “Such wisdom, lady.” He retrieved his handkerchief, now damp with China’s tears, and bowed gracefully with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
    “Now you’re teasing me, Devak.” She laughed.
    “Maybe a little, lady, but if that teasing brings a smile to a beautiful face where tears recently flowed, then it is no bad thing. Now I shall leave you in peace to read your sad, sad book without interruption.” He left with a crafty smile on his face.
    China knew then that Devak had not missed the extra ‘so far’ that she had subconsciously slipped into her earlier statement. He was far too intelligent for that she realized. She didn’t have time to tell him that, whilst her book was starting out with much sadness she had high hopes that it would have been skilfully written to take her on an uplifting journey through more than just the emotion of sadness. Devak was already retreating into the shaded interior of the café.
    She looked around her and noticed that the lunchtime crowd was starting to pick up. A few tables around her were occupied and more people were bustling past. The breeze that ruffled her hair and cooled her face did not affect the pleasant warmth of early summer.
    Her eyes were irresistibly drawn to the broad muscular shoulders of a tall man walking on the other side of the street, wearing a tight plain white t-shirt, and perfectly fitting Levis. He was slightly turned away from her but she just knew that he would be handsome without seeing his face. And she also knew the colour of his eyes. She could almost feel herself quivering with excitement just looking at the way he walked, so strong,