Him

Chapter 9 (Alone)

I slowly opened my eyes trying to adjust my eyes according to the light. I am in a room that is painted white in color. A monitoring machine was lying on a table beside the bed on which I am laying down.

I am in a hospital.

That is the second time in two days that I fainted.

I heard footsteps nearing me and I don't have to look up to see who it is.

"You are awake? Are you hungry?" Zulfi said out of concern. I felt bad to make her go through all this.

Pathetic.

I am pathetic.

"No, I am okay" I said.

"Should we go home? I am exhausted" Zulfi asked.

Even though I want to say No. I want to tell her that I don't want to go there. That I am not feeling safe being in that home but I nodded my head anyways.

I don't know how long it takes for me to get discharged and after how much time we got in a taxi. Anyways we are sitting in a taxi going towards our home.

"Please don't tell Ammi and Abbu about it" I said looking outside the window. I have no power to look in her eyes. I am feeling guilty. She said she is exhausted. All because of me. Why am I like this?

"Don't worry, I will not" Zulfi replied. Suddenly something hit my mind and I asked her.

"You came alone to the hospital?" I asked her but this time, I am looking at her.

"No, somebody has come to help me hold you. I can't see him properly as he was wearing a cap and a mask. We took you to the hospital and before I could ask him who he was, he went away" she told me and I felt sad. I don't even know the name of the person who helped me.

As the taxi is getting near the house my heartbeat is getting wild.

The driver pulled the brake and I felt as if my breath has stopped along with the car.

Zulfi took my hand in hers and we got out. I tried to look as much normal as I can but deep inside I am afraid. Only I know how much it is hard for me to step inside my home. My own home is looking strange to me. The home that used to make me feel safe is now the reason of my fear.

We reached the door and Zulfi opened it.
We stepped inside. I ran my eyes on every corner of the house but nobody was present there.

No one.

Where is Ammi and Abbu?

"Ammi?" Me and Zulfi called out in Unison and I saw her coming out of Zulfi's room.

"You both came. Why are you so late?" She asked and I looked at Zulfi worriedly.

"I have extra classes and Farah waited for me. That's why we are late" she explained making me breath out a sigh of relief.

"Ohh. You both must be so hungry. Come I made your favourite dish Farah" she said making me smile weakly. My eyes are still busy in finding someone. And I really hope that they don't find anyone.

"Does someone.......visited today?" I finally asked as I am feeling restless.

"No. Why did you asked?" She looked at me with questionable gaze.

"Nothing" I asked walking towards the dining area. No one can guess how much relief I am feeling right now.

"Were you expecting someone" Ammi asked again.

"No. Anyways please bring the food I am so hungry" I said to divert their mind.
Ammi went inside the kitchen to bring out whatever she cooked. Zulfi was sitting next to me seeing something on her phone.

After having lunch I went to my room.
Sitting on my bed I was staring blankly at  the sky blue painted wall in front of me that has photoframes hanging on it. My eyes went to the right side of my room and I saw the mirror in which I can clearly see my own reflection.

"Missed me?" I remembered the text that had came to my phone from an unknown number.

The corner of my eyes started getting watery.

How long I have to live in the constant fear of him ? How long I am going to suffer ? I want to erase him from my memory. I want to go to the farthest corner of the world and hid there forever. I want to be alone. I don't want to be a burden on anyone. I don't want to live this life of fear.

Tears after tears are flowing down from my eyes but my reflection is showing no emotions.

My gaze shifted from myself to the corner of the room.
I can see the reflection of one more girl sitting in the corner of the room while keeping her knees closed to her chest. Her head was resting on the wall. Her ankles and wrists were chained. There is a bruise near her right eyes that has marks of dried blood. Her eyes were closed.

My tears got more vigorous.

I shifted my gaze from her reflection to myself again. And this time I can see my right eye bruised with marks of dried blood. My feets and wrists chained.

With a jerk I moved back on my bed to get away from the sight of mirror.

A sob left from my mouth and I put my palm over my mouth to suppress it.
But it came out anyways.

I put down my face on the pillow and let my tears fall as much as they want.

"You can not hide from me for so long my doll. I will surely come to take you one day"

His voice got crashed from my ears and my sobbings got replaced with crying.

I put my hands over my ears. But failed miserably when I heard his laugh that is echoing in the room.

"My naive doll, What did I taught you?
Escaping was never an option. Remember?"

I can't scream. I can't cry loudly. I can't go out and hug my mother and complain to her about the things that is happening with me. I can't go to my sister and tell her the things that are worrying me so much. My father can't be my shield when he is clearly supposed to save me from the evil of the world. I have everyone yet I am feeling alone.

Alone.

I am all alone.

There is only one way to put my heart on peace. I got up and went to the wall which has the photoframe of my family. I flipped the photoframe and took out the keys that I have hidden inside it.
I went towards my cupboard and in the locker section I inserted the key and took out my one and only companion.

My diary.