In QUEST of JOY

CHAPTER 6. MY HOME...

Being an Orphan was never a curse for me. But being born in such family where your own Maasi hates you was a curse. No doubt My both Mama and Mami loves me but still it is very painful to see your own Maasi, your mother's real sibling hating you.

Today there was a POOJA arranged in the memory of my parents. It was their Death Anniversary and every year we conduct this. So, today Maasi will also be here, with Uncle and Prisha. Prisha is my cousin sister who is 3 years younger than me. I love her dearly but I am afraid to be near her because of Maasi.

I was roaming here and there and playing with my cousins and friends when someone told me that Devansh is calling me upstairs. I ran towards his room but was pulled by someone into a dark room. I yelled but someone closed my mouth and I was frightened. Suddenly someone jerked me. I looked up to see Maasi standing there with her face red due to intense fury. I was trembling, trying to recall what wrong did I do now ? But I guess my existence was the sole reason why she hates me.

It's not new to hear her saying that even I should die that day on the accident with my parents so she could easily grab the property share of my mother. But every year on this day her fury crosses heights and she beats me with belt. And this year was also not an exception. She started beating me and I screamed but she put a cloth in my mouth to muffle my scream. Somehow I distracted her and ran out of the room. I went to last room in the lobby and called Kavin. Only he could save me now. I know he will come and save me. I called him. He was shocked at first but I guess he understood what I was saying because before I could say something further, I heard Maasi shouting my name so I immediately hid in a cupboard. I closed it and was sitting there scared and waiting for Kavin to come and rescue me. But I trembled when I heard Maasi calling out. My phone pinged with a message and I widened my eyes knowing that now she will know where I was. I anticipated her to beat me a lot. But what she did next scared me like anything...

She locked the cupboard...

SHE LOCKED THE CUPBOARD...

The first thought that consumed me was How would Kavin know that I am here ? How we he find me ? These thought scared me and I shouted for Kavin but no response came. I was crying and shouting for Kavin for how long I don't know. I even started feeling problem in breathing. I think I am going to die soon. I wanted to shout for Kavin to take me from here, far away from here. But no voice was coming out.

After what felt like years, I could hear Kavin shouting for me I wanted to shout and tell him that I am here but I was unable to. I hardly tapped the door of the cupboard and I could feel that he was trying to open it. He was saying some things but I was not able to listen it properly. But soon enough I found myself in his arms. I hugged him tight and gasped for breathe. He started soothing me and I could feel my breathe coming back. I was breathing. After I could breathe properly I started crying in his arms because of the fear. Fear of being beaten, fear of maybe dieing. Fear of all the things which I felt. I know that he won't let me get hurt. He would protect me. And I would be the safest with him. I cried for I don't know how long. But he calmed me down. I leaned my head in his chest listening to his heartbeat assuring myself that HE IS THERE. HE IS THERE TO LOVE ME. PROTECT ME. SOOTHE ME. And now I would forever run to him if something troubles me. He is My HOME. And a person runs to his home if something or someone bother him/her.

I gently broke the hug and looked into his eyes, as if conveying that now he has become my Home and I would always run to him. He smiled a bit may be understanding what I was tyring to tell me. He reassured me that he would always catch me. But when he was caressing my hands, I winced a little with the fresh belt mark. My eyes widened in realization that Kavin saw it. Now Maasi won't leave me.

I looked in Kavin's eyes and saw extreme anger which he was trying to control. As anticipated he asked me the question but I remained silent. How would I tell him that My maasi did that ? Maybe he won't believe me at the first place. Even she also threatened me that if I told anyone about it the consequences won't be good. I was thinking all this when Kavin again asked the question which I never expected him to ask.

"Was it Maasi ?"

I suddenly got sacred what if she comes to know that I revealed the truth. She would beat me a lot more than she usually does. I trembled at its memory. Kavin again asked while trying to control his anger. I again remained silent. At last he shouted a bit. I flinched and nodded yes rapidly. Then I realised what blunder I have created. I started panicking again and rapidly nodded a no that It wasn't Maasi.

I asked Evan twice but he was being silent and third time I lost it and shouted at him. He flinched and I immediately regretted it, but I saw him nodding his head in a yes. So my suspicion was confirmed it was his Maasi. But before I could say anything I hear his broken voice due to crying.

"No-o It wa-asnt Ma-asi. Ii-t wasnt Ma-asi."

He was rapidly nodding his head in a no as if he was terrified that something will happen to him if he spoke the truth. I immediately understood and pulled him in my embrace and assured him.

"Don't be scared Bachhe. Now no one will dare to lay a finger on you. And don't be scared of Maasi. She won't be able to touch you now. I am here Evan. I will protect you and hide you from the world."

I could feel him snuggling deeper in my chest. I rubbed his back but I could feel him sinking. He fainted in my arms. Dushyant rushed towards me to check Evan's heartbeats and he declared, "Evan has fainted due to stress."

I rushed with him and took him to his room and laid him gently on his bed. Happy Ji already called for doctor. I was continuously caressing his forehead in order to soothe him from the stress. He was looking so pale and lifeless. I was feeling guilty for not being there for Evan. I would have saved him from that cruel witch. But now I will make sure that she would never wander around Evan.

I could feel Mr. and Mrs. Verma stressed because they don't know about anything. We all were sailing on the same boat. I could understand but I couldn't help blame them about not knowing that there own family member was harming Evan. Devansh was silently crying. I gestured Dushyant to look after him. Dushyant went towards him and patted his back with reassurance.
______________________________________
Do vote and comment....

Yours,
Serene.