"But why?" Akira couldn't hide the irritation in her voice.
"I'm sorry, sweety. But you can't go. You have become a public figure now. Someone can recognize you." Mrs.Kim tried to reason with her.
Today was the trial in which her aunt was going to be proven guilty. They had all the proof and evidence to win the case. Furthermore, the lawyer hired by Amrita wasn't that good. She didn't have the money to afford a good lawyer. She didn't have a job and was living off Akira's money for so many years.
Mrs.Kim accidentally spilled this information infront of her husband. As predicted he didn't like the idea of Akira going there. He didn't even like the idea of her place in their lives. According to him she didnt match their family's status. She was a freaking waitress. But as long as his image was clean and the public supported him he was ready to marry his son with the worst person alive. He had always been hungry for power. Now he wanted more by entering politics.
He strictly ordered his wife that Akira couldn't attend the hearing.
Jaison was entirely oblivious to the situation. Currently he was in his office doing work not knowing the dilemma his wife was in. Mrs.Kim had purposely chosen a time he wouldnt be at home. He was already not happy with the decision of Akira being jobless. If he found out that she is being restricted in a lot more things he'll definitely go rouge against his father. Mrs.Kim felt guilty for keeping all this from him but she always wanted to keep up with her husband's expectations. He wasnt a good husband but she couldn't help but be a good wife.
Akira on the other hand didnt want her brother to go there alone. Just hearing that woman's name made her heart sink. The amount of courage he would have to muster to face that hex was unimaginable. She wanted to be there for him, she also wanted to witness the old hag's misery. It would give her tremendous satisfaction.
"Fine. But atleast can I meet her privately in jail." She said through gritted teeth. She wasn't going to take no for an answer. She was already adjusting to everything they asked her to do.
Mrs.Kim sensed her very valid irritation.
"Okay."
.............
They both stared at each other in silence. One held anticipation in her eyes while the other held mock. They both had been staring at each other for a while waiting for the other to speak.
Akira's heart was hammering in her chest. She still felt an inferiority in front of her aunt. Her entire body would have been shivering if it wasn't for the glass in between them acting as a barrier.
The court had announced the judgement And Amrita Sharma was proven guilty. She was also proven to be mentally ill. Her medical reports said it all. The charges against her were of child abuse, blackmail, publically threatening to take Aryan's life. The lawyer hired by Mrs.Kim had appealed to the court to investigate the sudden death of Amrita Sharma's husband 10 years ago.
It had been more than four hours since Amrita had been shifted to the prison.
"You seemed to have changed a lot, my child." The aunt tilted her head to the side moving her eyes all over Akira's face.
She noticed the light makeup, the small pendent that rested on her neck, the diamond studs in her ear lobes. The dress that she wore was certainly not cheap but it wasn't her taste. That wasn't her concern. How was she able to get a hold of it was.
Akira's grimed at 'my child'. How can that woman act like nothing happened?
"Dont call me that." Her face radiated tension.
The old lady chuckled as she playfully lifted her hands up in defence.
"Ouu, I'm scared." The lady's nonchalant ness had her floored. Her face didn't even show acknowledgment of her actions, regret was way too much to expect.
"Don't you feel ashamed?" her face scrunched up in disbelief as she couldn't help the exasperation in her voice.
"For what exactly?" The lady on the other side of the glass spoke with genuine confusion as she shrugged her shoulders.
Akira had started to feel a burning feeling in her chest that gave her an adrenaline rush. That adrenaline badly wanted to come out and it did but Not in a way she wanted it to.
She abruptly lunged forward from her chair and punched the glass as she screamed in pure helplessness.
"YOU SCARED HIM FOR LIFE! YOU TOOK AWAY EVERY BIT OF HAPPINESS FROM OUR LIVES AND YOU ASK WHAT DID I DO?" she aggressively palmed the glass as she looked at the woman with rage.
Amrita sat unfazed on the chair. She stared up at the girl's face as she smiled, satisfied.
"Thats my girl. Thats who you are. Helpless. Powerless. And completely useless." She spoke as she slowly stood up still staring into the girl's soul." You couldn't even save your brother and you wanted to save the world. You couldn't even see through his pain." She pouted her lips." Doesn't that make you a useless sister too?"
She knew damn well the extent of damage she words were causing. Akira stood frozen. She couldn't break the eye contact. Her body went numb as her palms on the glass started to tremble.
"Do you actually believe that sending me to jail will help you in any way. 12 years right. Don't worry. 12 years will pass away in the blink of an eye."
Akira's lips started to tremble as she fisted her palms.
"Mai yahan hokar bhi tumhare saath hougi. Har pal tum bs mere baare mai sochogi. Kb, kahan, kaise mai tumhare saamne milungi, apni sari zindagi bs yahi sochogi. Tumhare dar pr, tumhari sason pr, tumhari neendo pr abse sirf mera hak hoga. Everyday you'll live but at the same time you'll die a little in the anticipation of what I'll do to you when I get out."
( "Even though behind the bars I'll be with you. Every second you'll think of me. When, where, how I'll come back, you'll think that all your life. Your fear, your breaths, your sleep I'll own everything. Everyday you'll live but at the same time you'll die a little in the anticipation of what I'll do to you when I get out.")
The gap between their faces slowly reduced. Akira's face was stricken with horror. Amrita admired the look on her face as she smiled a sinister smile. Akira no longer felt safe with just a glass separating them.
"By the way, you were right." She came more close to the glass as she whispered." I killed my husband." She backed away from the glass, proud.
"Time's up."
The female officer approached her aunt, cuffing her hands.
"See you soon." that was all Akira heard before she collapsed on the ground curling into a ball. The fear she felt was so overpowering that she went numb. Her face was void of any emotion as she stared into oblivion trying to control her shaking body.
She had come here to see the woman being punished for her actions. She wanted to free herself and her brother of the shackles they were restraint with. She wanted to move on from the chapter of her aunt and get closure. But she forgot for a moment that those shackles would exist as long as their fear does. That lady had left her mark on their minds and it would never fade.
She'll always have a grip to their souls.
............
Jaison looked around the living room in confusion. He entered the kitchen to find it empty. His frown deepened.
"Shall I cook lunch for you, sir?" He turned around to see Ms.Ara standing near the island with her hands clasped infront of her.
She didn't cook today?
"Um,.. Where is..she?" He tilted his head to look at the lady's back. Maybe she was behind her, trying to prank him again.
"She is in her room." She spoke monotonously.
"Oh, and you can go back to your room. I am not hungry." Ms.Ara bowed and left without another word.
He slowly opened the door and saw her laying on the bed, curled into a ball under the covers. Her back was facing him.
He slowly closed the door behind him, trying to make as less sound as possible.
Maybe she is asleep. But its weird to not see her the first thing as I enter the apartment.
He pouted unknowingly as he approached her un moving figure. He was startled a bit to see her eyes wide open as she stared ahead without blinking.
"Akira?" He tried to gain her attention.
"Here I thought you were asleep. Whats the point of laying down if you're not going to close your eyes." He huffed.
But the atmosphere started to tense as he didn't recieve a reply. It was already weird that she skipped cooking.
Maybe she was not in the mood but she would have atleast sat down at the table to wait for me.
He slowly sat down on the bed as he lightly tapped on her arm.
"Hey?"
She stayed unfazed. Her motionless eyes had started to concern him. He waved his hand infront of her face.
"Hey? Akira? Look at me."
It felt like only her body was present in the room while her mind and soul was somewhere else.
Every second you'll think of me. When, where, how I'll come back, you'll think that all your life. Your fear, your breaths, your sleep, I'll own everything.
Her silence was making him restless. He urgently stood up and went to the other side of the bed. He didn't care about his shoes and got up on the bed and palmed her face with both his hands.
"Hey, please look at me. Tell me what happened."
She finally blinked but still didn't look his way.
His eyes suddenly fell on her hand. Her knuckles were red and swollen. It was clear that she had punched something putting a lot of strength to it.
"How did you get this?" He couldn't help but raise his voice in worry. The fact that she wasn't saying something and was just lying like a lifeless body was adding to his agitation.
He roughly lifted her upper body and rested it on his chest. He held her swollen hand, gently rubbing his thumb across the wound.
"Akira? Please tell me what happened."
He went back to tap her cheek as she breathed into his chest.
"Akira please! I'll make it right. Just tell me." He held her body close." Just tell me. I won't let anything get to you."
I'll make it right.
I won't let anything get to you.
"MS.ARA." he suddenly roared.
The lady practically ran to their room. The intensity in his voice was scary.
"WHAT HAPPENED? HOW CAN YOU BE SO CARELESS? How did she get this wound? You are here to assist her!! DO YOU NOT KNOW HOW TO DO YOUR JOB-"
His venting was cut as he felt two fragile arms hugging his waist. The girl in his arms buried her face into his neck as she tightened her arms around him.
He was bewildered to see her react that way but still put his arms around her securely. One of his hands cupped the back of her head as if holding a baby.
"Yo-you'll m-make i-it right?" Her voice came out as a purr. He would not have heard her if he wasn't so close to her face.
"Thats right. I'll protect you."
"I'll make it right." He whispered back reassuringly as he tightened the hug.
.............