The Devil's Sweetheart

Like electricity, Leena felt a shock seeing Devin and Francis conversing each other as if they are very close. Although she had a hunch that Devin might be knowing Francy, she didn't expect their closeness to the point that Francy even got to know about the dog poop uncle and niece story. Out of boredom, she cooked up a story on that day and she made a fault sharing with this devil. Never in her dreams, she expected this would reach Francy's ears. Is there a way to run off today? Leena was racking her brain to come up with another story to escape from this paradoxical situation but Francis called up.

"Come in here, Leena,"

"Did you see her demeanor?" Francis turned towards Devin and boasted again. "She is not even moving an inch from her place until I said so. That's the respect she has for me. She even prays to God every day that I should stay healthy and happy."

"Well, I did not believe when you portrayed her as a true blue but now I must say, she is truly a bien-pensant." Although Leena was threatening him silently not to spill any beans, Devin shut his eyes completely to her warnings. He has been anticipating this moment for a long time and did she think he would leave this matter just like that? Watching her cute annoyed expression has become his favorite and he went for it. As for the punishment, it can be worried later.

"Aren't you introducing this orthodox saint, France?" His tongue hung somewhere between sarcasm and humor.

"I completely forgot that part. She is Leena. I treat her as my daughter." Francis gently held Leena's hand and explained to her. "Didn't I tell you that I wanted to introduce someone to you? It's him."

Leena was fiddling with her dress, scared out of wits. 'What kind of rubbish Francy is speaking? Orthodox saint? I don't even remember the last time I went to a place of worship.'

"Hello, Leena." Devin offered a handshake but Leena was like a rabbit caught in the headlights without moving. Suppressing the urge to laugh wasn't easy seeing her but Devin managed it.

"Looks like she needs your permission for handshake also, France," Devin remarked with a sardonic smile. Leena gave him a stern glare warning him to shut his mouth at least now.

"Of course, I have raised her to be perfect. Do you think she is like the Jurassic girl who ran away from home?" Francis was finally on the point which Devin has been expecting. Francis did not know what's wrong with Leena's blabbermouth which cannot stay at a place, but he was glad she is behaving politely today.

"Who is Jurassic, Francy?" Leena asked in terror. Did this idiot vomit everything I told, including the names? I mean when? Leena wanted to run away but her hand was tightly held with no escape.

"It's one weird story, Leena. He met a girl recently and he seems to like her. Her phsyco uncle named her Jurassic Park and they have a dog pooping service company. She ran away from home unable to withstand the torture her uncle is imposing on her. Devin called up to ask my suggestion if he could proceed further with the relationship. Her uncle's name is even weirder. What is that Devin? I forgot?" Francis asked.

"King Kong Park!" Devin innocently added and looked at Leena who was throwing laser atomic daggers at him.

"King Kong Park, it is. Looks like both have used all animal names. Her uncle is one phsyco fellow. Torturing her niece every day making her do the dog scooping_"

"It's time to leave Francy. Why are you caring about those two people when we don't even know about them." Leena tried to drag him away but Francis pulled her back because he was not done yet.

"Wait, Leena! He is going behind a nut case leaving a beautiful and intelligent girl like you. At least I have to_"

Before Leena could lose her sanity, she pulled him to the side. "Zip up your mouth. He knows me already."

"What?" Francis looked shocked, a little crestfallen watching her downcast eyes. He is getting a rough idea about the situation now. "Jurassic Park is you?"

Her hesitant nod indeed confirmed that it's their story. "Go and sit in the car." He gravely declared.

Without a word, Leena turned towards Devin and raised a middle finger provoking him. Before he took a step forward, she ran away.

Watching her leave the place, finally, Francis gazed at Devin. He has become as sick as a parrot when he learned that he has been bragging about his own story. Then again, he is in no place to get mad at Devin when the fault is at his end also.

"Is she the one you like?" Francis asked to confirm.

"She is." Devin nodded wearing a hint of a smile.

"I am leaving. I need some time to process this story first." Before Francis could leave, Devin called him again.

"Is it a yes from your end?" Devin asked. Although they are in a relationship, he wanted Francis's permission to take their relationship to the next level, as in marriage.

"Why asking when you already know it?" With a sigh, he left the place to take care of the wackadoo.

When Francis was out of Devin's sight, a laugh escaped his throat which he has been holding for a long time. But it was short-lived when a sharp familiar kick landed on his right leg. Devin gasped for breath with the sudden pain and before he could organize his thoughts, the figure disappeared out of his sight.

"Buffalo kick is better than hers." Devin winced in pain. "How did she appear here? Didn't she leave already? Good that she did not aim her leg for some other place."

...

All the time from the hotel until they reached home, Francis neither glanced at her nor talked to her. When they reached home, he straight away went into his bedroom. Leena quietly followed him to curb his anger to some extent.

"Did you seriously use my name again? When did I ever torture you?"

"It was just a story. I did not mean that, Francy. That idiot has believed whatever I told." Leena explained with a sad little pout which would easily work on him.

"Next time if you are cooking up a story, I should be the king. I don't want that dog pooping business again." He sternly ordered. For a long time, he stopped reprimanding her for the crazy behavior and started following along with her. It would be a wonder if Leena doesn't set a trademark wherever she goes.

"Alright, Francy." Leena jumped and hugged him which Francis did not foresee."Next time, I will make you a Hitler in my story. Thanks for not getting mad at me."

"Silly child. Have I ever got mad at you?" He patted her head closing his eyes. For five long years, she has been hating men to the point that even she avoids the slight touch of Wilbur and Francis. Although she did not mean it, her instincts always make her hold back.

"Looks like you changed a little. Is it because of him?" Francis asked.

"Maybe yes." She pulled back from the hug and sighed as if a huge burden is lifted from her body. But thinking of that idiot, Leena wanted to knock his head once. "Is he close to you?"

"You can say that." Francis watched Devin from the day he was born and he long decided he is the one for Leena. In order not to distract Leena from her studies, he has kept him away along with all other men. But everything crashed when she went to university and met Ethan.

"When are you bringing him home?" He added. "Don't bring him until your grandma is back from the trip. She would kill me."

"How long she would go on a solo trip? I will call her and talk about Devin, she would fly back immediately."

"Alright. Go and sleep. It's already late."

Leena nodded her head and she was about to leave, but out of blue, she remembered something and appeared back again. "Did you get any clue on the person that saved me five years back?"

"No, Leena. The CCTV's could not capture his traces and the nurse who has first received you informed that she doesn't remember since she was urgently tending to your wounds." He explained. Even Francis wanted to see the person and thank him wholeheartedly for saving Leena. If it was a little late on that day, he couldn't imagine his life without her. "I will try to find him using all my power soon, I promise you."

Leena nodded her head and went back to her room and before she drifted to sleep, her phone buzzed. She doesn't need to see who it is. She grabbed the mobile to look at the message he has sent. It was again a sarcastic comment along with a winking stuck-out tongue smiley.

[What is my optimistic saint doing]

"Shameless idiot.." Leena sent a middle finger image and drifted to sleep.