From The Dark World

Chapter 5: A Frightened Encounter

I woke up with a scream and my heart was racing wild as I thought I was back in that dark room, again trapped. But, as my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw a boy, maybe of my age, wearing school uniform, stood frozen in the doorway with wide and fearful eyes. He let out a faint cry and I guess the one shouted was he. He took a step back and had a pale  face. I made no move and only sat on my bed and was a little hesitant. At that moment, a familiar person arrived. It was the lady upon whom I stumbled.
"Anirudh, shut up! You're shouting like crazy in this room", she scowled at him, her expression stern. He looked frightened.

Before he could say anything, a voice from the background, though the speaker was unseen, chimed in, "Leave him alone, di. He didn't mean to cause trouble. He just got back from school and doesn't know what's going on here."

The lady directed her attention to the boy, "Go upstairs and freshen up. Your home tutor will be arriving soon, so hurry up!" The boy glanced at me before darting out of the room, likely heading upstairs.

The lady came forward to me with a warm and gentle smile.
"How are you feeling now?"
"Y-yes I am ok", I paused for a while then said "Thanks you so much for saving me." Before I could say something, the lady said, "No need to thank me. It was what we should do that time. So, dear, can you tell me your home details and all so that we can send you back to your home? And remember you are safe here, no one is going to hurt you."
"I don't have my home. I am alone."
There was a moment of silence between us.
"I'm so sorry to hear that. But tell me, how did you survive? Where are you from? We know nothing about you. This morning, my husband and I were shopping at the market when you suddenly stumbled into me and fell unconscious. We were confused to decide what to do. A crowd gathered around us, and seeing your disheveled state, we assumed you weren't receiving proper care wherever you were staying. So, although we felt guilty for not seeking your consent, we decided to bring you to our home for treatment. Now that you've revealed you have no home, you're welcome to stay with us."
I felt so grateful to that lady for taking me in and helping me and was relieved to be in a safe place. Slowly I told about my details and all the past events of my life and she listened to it attentively with empathy which got reflected in her eyes.
"Arundhuti, you suffered a lot, my child. I can't even imagine what have you been through. You are really a brave girl. Now that you have been here, you have to suffer no more. The whole Sinha family is with you." With this she gave me a warm hug and left me alone in the room to rest.