𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Chapter 3: Strive to Escape

She didn't feel sleepy, not even for a single moment or maybe she didn't even try to sleep. She spent the whole night wondering where she would go from there and how she would reach her home. She didn't even know if she would find anyone to help her or not. She just had a hope that she would surely reach home. For now, she just had to get out of that place.

As soon as the faint light of the sun appeared, she jumped out of bed and ran towards the window. Everywhere was covered in snow, but she ignored it and remained firm on her decision to leave.

She slowly opened the door of her room and tiptoed forward. She was taking every breath with great caution. She didn't want to make even the slightest noise. She reached the hall. The door was right in front of her. She had seen that door last night when she had come down with the tray. As soon as she saw the door, a sparkle came into her eyes; she thought she would finally be free, she would escape from this cage. In her excitement, she forgot to be cautious. Except for that door, she couldn't see anything else.

There were flower pots placed in various places in the hall, and she collided with one of them. The sound of the glass flower pot falling echoed throughout the palace, even in Abbas Ali Khan's ears. He woke up from sleep. He understood that something was happening that he was unaware of. Soon, he came out of his room and entered the corridor. But he didn't go downstairs. He peeked into the hall from the corridor. He saw Zehra lying on the ground. Pieces of glass were stuck in Zehra's feet. She was in pain but was not making any noise. She didn't want to wake up the person who wanted to keep her trapped in this cage. But she didn't know that person was watching her. He could hear her silent screams.

Zehra removed the pieces of glass from her feet. Her silent screams might not have echoed in the palace, but they were resonating in Abbas's mind. She had removed the larger pieces, but some smaller ones remained inside.

She tried to get up. But she couldn't stand on her feet. After much effort, she started limping. The traces of blood were leaving imprints on the floor with her steps. Finally, she managed to open the door. A smile appeared on her face, and a glimmer of hope sparkled in her wet eyes.

Just then, she heard footsteps behind her. When she turned, she saw Abbas descending the stairs slowly. The ground seemed to vanish from beneath Zehra's feet. Her legs started trembling. But she didn't want to retreat now. She started limping outside. The cold wind was blowing outside, and she hadn't worn any warm clothes. Her feet were exposed to the cold snow. Except for the snow ahead, she couldn't see anything else. But she continued to move forward.

She could feel the person behind her. She knew he was approaching her. But he was not running. It was as if he was sure she couldn't escape from there. As if he was enjoying watching her like that.

Zehra didn't even look back once. She was crying because she realised she couldn't leave from there now. There was no one to help her. Her feet had completely numbed. The cold seeped into her bones, sapping her strength with each weary step. Darkness was creeping into her eyes. With a shuddering gasp, she stumbled and then collapsed unconscious on the snow.

Seeing her fall, Abbas quickly ran to her. He cradled Zehra's head in his arms and began to rub her arms as if trying to give her warmth.

"Zehra! Zehra!" He said while gently tapping her cheeks.

When she didn't regain consciousness, he quickly picked her up and started walking back towards the palace.

*****

He brought her back to the same room where she was before. He carefully laid her on the bed. He had placed a warm blanket over her. He quickly drew the curtains and left the room.