Dear Laura 2

Prologue

Week three and I am still stuck in this place. I hate it. In my next lifetime, I will never commit a crime. Even if I'm held at gunpoint. This is absolute horror.

Anyway, for the first time since I got here, I received a letter in the mail. You can imagine how shocked I was when the guard gave it to me. My head was spiralling with questions. Who would write me a letter? My whole family wants nothing to do with me and I don't really have friends. A part of me was a bit scared.

"Who is it from?" I asked the guard.

"I don't know, why don't you read and find out?" She responded, clearly annoyed. I guess she needs therapy too. Well, I opened the letter.

"Dear Mia, I would have come in person, but I have a busy schedule and I needed to say this. It has been three weeks and you are not giving us anything. I know I am supposed to care about your personal drama as your therapist but right now the state is paying me so that I can get you out of there. The romantic story about your ex-lover is not going to help me help you get out of that place as soon as possible. If you need proper therapy to heal from all the damage Abdul has caused, we can do that after we get you out of jail. We had a deal Mia, and the deal was, you appeal your case to prove to the judge that Abdul had it coming and that it was practically self-defence. And at the beginning you told me that you had a valid reason for stabbing him; and you said that you had vital information that could get Abdul arrested and in exchange, you would get pardoned. Yet three weeks later, your letters are not giving us anything solid. Honestly, nobody really cares about your triangle chick flick drama. The justice system needs facts to build a solid case. Stop using this time to reminisce about the good old times.

"Love; Laura."

Whoa! That was harsh. Especially coming from my therapist. Laura should just relax; I cannot just jump to the end of the story. Doesn't she read novels? Or at least watch movies.

I decided to write back to her the next day.

Dear Laura, I didn't mean to drag it for this long, but I realized that reliving it is helping with the healing process. I heard that I have about forty-five days before I can appeal and get out of this horrendous place, so do not worry, I'd have told you everything you need to know by then.

I made a friend by the way. Her name is Ntombi. What a sweet soul. She was at the wrong place at the wrong time and that's how she ended up here. I feel so bad for her. She has been keeping me company for the past week. I know I said I did not want any friends, but the solitude was just too much.

Before I get distracted, let me just go on and tell you what happened after that movie scene kiss that took place at the airport.

I am hoping that by telling you about the ecstatic memories as well, you'll judge me less for staying with him for so long. Because that's the thing about a toxic lover, they are the only ones that can soothe the pain they've caused, to fill the hole they've made. Abdul was my toxic lover. Except, it took me a very long while to realize.