MELINOE

The beginning of execution

Chapter-25                                                                                                                                                                             

Jenny will jump off her bed and rush inside the restroom. She'll feel claustrophobic and dead-scared inside, thinking about the previous night, the bruises, and Father Andrew. She got taken aback and started thinking about Rayan, and how happy they used to be together. She splashed water on her face. As she tapped dry her face with towel, she found red stains on the towel. She'll lose hold of it and as she looked at the mirror, there stood her reflection bleeding from the forehead exactly how it was when she saw Rayan for the last time. She will close her eyes and open again. Her reflection seemed absolutely normal. She will just run out of her room, and left for her studio in the same clothes she put on the previous day, without having any time or thought of changing. The same girl who used to always dress perfectly, even for College!

As she entered the studio, she found Nikki. Nikki had come there to take some printout for her College project. Jenny went up to Nikki and they started talking about College. "But Jenny, are you fine? 'Cause you look really tired and stressed too," asked Nikki, shocked on seeing Jenny shabby for the first time. "I'm really worried about Father... Haven't slept properly ever since he had went missing "Jenny replied. "I understand.. You have quite a lot of bad memories here," said Nikki. That offended Jenny and she said, "I don't have bad memories here, just that I fell for the wrong person." Jenny and Nikki then came together to a cafe for brunch where I was already waiting for Nikki. After a while, Nikki stood up to leave saying she had to buy some stuffs for home and also she had lots of work pending for the project. Jenny turned towards me, "So, who all are there in your family?" "Mom, dad and me," I smiled.

"You should visit our farm once, it will surely get you the calm you need," I tried to sound friendly enough. "Nothing about that place is peaceful," Jenny mumbled. I heard somehow. "Are the previous owner's furniture still there?" Jenny sounded curious. She tried to find out whether I knew anything about the history of that house. "Just few chairs and a table," I replied, pretending to be more interested in my favorite sandwiches. "Well, we found an earring that doesn't belong to anyone in our family," I said. This statement scared Jenny. She started wondering whether it was hers and whether she left that in hurry that night, when she last went to Rayan's place. "Can I come over this weekend? You were talking about the farm..." Jenny seemed really anxious. "Actually, this weekend we all are going to a relative's place. You can surely come sometime later," I kept up my innocent smiling face. "Okay. We'll catch up soon. Bye!" Jenny brought her right hand forward. We shook hands and parted ways. On her way back, Jenny was making her mind to visit my home and find out about the earring to make sure no evidence was left.

I reached home and rushed upstairs to Nadiya's room. Nadiya was sitting still on the floor, gaze fixed on the mirror. "Nads? Is it you? Or..." I asked. "Its me. Come in Noa," Nadiya replied. I narrated to her about our conversation at the cafe. "Is Rayan sure he wants Jenny to come here?" I asked. Nadiya turned to the mirror and remained quiet, probably waiting for an answer from Rayan. Then she turned to me and nodded, "Jenny has to come." I stood up and asked Nadiya to join us for dinner as she looked really really sick. "I'll come in a while," Nadiya replied. As I left the room, she turned to the mirror again and started murmuring, "I don't know how long it will take Noah to find out about my bruises." Rayan consoled her saying that he will make sure nothing happens to her or her family because of him. She'll be soon free from his soul and all the bruises and the mind-body battle.