Broken Strings

MONOTONE

JAY POV

The screams are the only thing I hear right now. No matter how hard I try to block them out, they keep reaching out to me. My mom is pushing me under the bed and is tying up a cloth across my mouth, tight. I flinched as the cloth made it painful to let out even a small sound.

After completely pushing me inside, she started shoving bags after bags inside the bed, completely covering me up.

I tried to fight. I tried to push around those bags. I tried to take off the cloth. My hands are just too small. It is hot in here. I can't breathe. I am completely drenched with my own sweat. Exhausted I lie down flat across the tiled floor.

"Stay in there baby......Don't make a sound......You are gonna be alright......We won't let anything happen to you, Jay...."

My mom's voice faded as the darkness filled my eyelids. A scream woke me up from my suffocating slumber. That was mom. I know that without a doubt. I tried to scream but the cloth muffled my screams. I tried to push my way out. But they were. Just. So. Big. The screaming stopped and I  heard footsteps coming closer to me. I pressed both of my hands on my mouth and made myself as small as possible. The footsteps were getting closer and I can clearly hear them now.

"Search for him.....he should be here somewhere.......I know he didn't get out......"

A rough male voice was saying followed by a series of grunts and okay's. I pushed myself back, away from them, till I hit the wall and waited for them to just give up and go.

And suddenly someone was pushing those bags away and a hairy hand grabbed my collar and was pulling me out. I started screaming.

And I woke up with a start with the same old nightmare which has been haunting me since I am five hitting my head pretty hard on the bedside table.

..........................................................................................................................................

"Welcome, Mr. Chowdary."

Rachel McGregor, my secretary said as I entered my office. I nodded politely at her and we began our work. After 6 hours of endless meetings and signatures and shaking hands with people I don't give a shit about, I finally settled down in my office for lunch. Rachel poked her head in to ask me what I would like for lunch. I shook my head at her. She nodded her head in understanding and disappeared. I got up and made my way out of the office and waved off my driver as I took my seat in my Audi.

Maanav was waiting for me as I made my way inside his personal cabin. He grinned looking at me.

"About time, Jay."

He said beaming at me. I couldn't help my smile back and sat down in front of him as he served the lunch. I barely registered the taste. I need to know something.

"Anything on her?" I asked my voice laced with hope.

He sighed before shaking his head.

"I am trying, Jay. But she just doesn't want to be found. I don't even know whether she is-"

"She is not dead, Maanav," I said leaving no room for argument.

"You left her in a country where she knows no one with no money or a phone and pardon me if I make an assumption that she might possibly be dead!" He shouted at the last part and I flinched visibly.

"I just want to apologize to her. That's it." I said my voice low.

"Do you think she will forgive you? I know that whatever she did........it was wrong and stupid. But no one deserves to get treated that way like you did to her, Jay. I am not surprised that she is not keen to come and meet you. Maybe she is just telling you to give up and move on." He said his voice low and concerned.