Superfan to superstar's wife

Chapter 13 : TRUTH

Chapter 13 : TRUTH

Sarah sat with Jia in her living room, concerned about her friend's well-being. Jia's mom had just brought in a tray of snacks and juice, but Jia wasn't touching any of it.

"Jia, you need to eat something," Sarah said gently. "You can't go without food for so long."

Jia shook her head, looking down. "I'm not hungry, Sarah."

Her mom intervened, "Beta Sarah, please tell her to eat something. She hasn't had anything for days. Maybe she'll listen to you."

Sarah turned to Jia, her voice soft but firm. "Jia, please eat something. Just a little bit. You need your strength to take care of your dad and yourself."

Jia looked up at Sarah, her eyes welling up with tears. "I can't, Sarah. I just can't."

Sarah got up and sat next to Jia, putting a hand on her arm. "Hey, it's okay. I'm here for you. But please, just try to eat something. For me, if not for yourself."

Jia's mom added, "Yes, Jia, please eat something. You're worrying me and your father."

Jia looked at her mom, then back at Sarah. She slowly reached out and took a small sandwich from the tray. Sarah smiled encouragingly as Jia took a small bite.

Sarah noticed that Jia's phone was on the table, switched off. "Hey, why's your phone off? And what's going on with your social media accounts? You deleted them all?"

Jia shrugged, looking down. "I just needed a break, I guess. I didn't want to talk to anyone or see all the messages and comments. It was too much for me."

Sarah put down the food and sat next to Jia. "Jia, you can't just shut off your phone and delete your accounts without telling us what's going on! We were all worried sick about you. Please turn your phone back on and talk to us. We're here for you."

Jia sighed, looking up at Sarah. "I know, I'm sorry. It was just too hard for me to deal with everything at once. My dad's accident, the hospital, the bills...I felt like I was drowning."

Sarah put a hand on Jia's arm. "We're here to help you, Jia. You don't have to go through this alone. Please turn your phone on and let us support you."

Jia nodded slowly, reaching for her phone. "Okay...okay, I'll turn it on."

As Jia turned on her phone, it buzzed with messages and notifications from the Mtjj group. Sarah smiled, relieved that Jia was finally reaching out for help. "See? We're all here for you, Jia. You're not alone."

Jia's eyes widened as she saw the countless messages and missed calls from her friends. "Wow, I had no idea...," she trailed off, feeling a mix of emotions.

Sarah encouraged her, "See? We've been trying to reach you, Jia. We care about you and want to help."

Jia nodded, taking a deep breath. She began to read through the messages, her eyes welling up with tears. "They're all so sweet...I don't deserve this."

Sarah put a hand on her arm. "You totally do, Jia. You're an amazing friend, and we're here for you through thick and thin."

As Jia continued to read, her face lit up with a small smile. "Hey, Sarah? I'm so grateful for your support. Just knowing you guys are here for me makes me feel better."

Sarah smiled back. "We're always here for you, Jia. And remember, your grandparents already took care of your dad's bills, so you don't have to worry about that."

Jia nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Yeah, they're amazing. I don't know what I'd do without them...or you guys.
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As Sarah mentioned Jia's grandparents, Jia's expression changed, and she looked upset. Sarah noticed and asked, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Jia hesitated, then said, "Sarah, can I tell you something?"

Sarah encouraged her, "Of course, what is it?"

Jia looked around the room, then said, "Let's go to my bedroom. I'll tell you there."

Sarah followed Jia to her bedroom, sensing that something was bothering her friend. Once they were inside, Jia closed the door and turned to Sarah.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you," Jia said, her voice low and serious. "Not my parents, not Raj, not anyone. This has to stay between us."

Sarah looked at her curiously but promised, "I won't say anything, Jia. Whatever it is, it's just between us."

Jia took a deep breath, her eyes welling up with tears. "Okay...I'll tell you."

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Jia's voice dropped to a whisper. "Sarah, my grandparents...they didn't just pay my dad's bills. They made me promise something in return."

Sarah's eyes locked onto Jia's, sensing something serious. "What did they make you promise?"

Jia's words came out in a barely audible whisper. "They want me to leave my parents once I graduate. Leave India too. And...and they want me to cut all ties with them. They want my parents to think I'm dead."

Sarah's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling from the weight of Jia's words. "Oh, Jia...that's so harsh. Why would they ask that of you?"

Jia's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling with emotion. "Because I'm a girl, Sarah. The only child of my parents. They hate me, Sarah. They hate me so much."

A tear slipped down Sarah's cheek, her voice quivering with disbelief and anger. "How can they hate you? You're their granddaughter! You're wonderful, Jia. This is...it's monstrous."

Jia's shoulders shook as she tried to hold back her sobs. "They've always resented me for being a girl. They never wanted a granddaughter. They wanted a grandson to carry on the family name. And now they're making me pay for it by tearing me away from my parents."

Sarah's face twisted in anger. "That's so unfair! You don't deserve to be treated like this. You're amazing, Jia, and it's their loss if they can't see that."

Jia's tears flowed freely now, her pain raw and palpable. "I just...I don't know what to do. I feel so trapped. If I don't do what they say, they'll cut off my dad's support, and my family will be ruined. But if I do...I'll lose everything I love."

Sarah hugged Jia tightly, her own tears mingling with Jia's. "We'll figure this out together, Jia. You're not alone in this. We'll find a way."

Jia clung to Sarah, getting strength from her friend's undeniable support. "Thank you, Sarah. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sarah pulled back slightly, her eyes searching for Jia's face with determination. "You mean everything to me, Jia. You're my best friend, my sister . We will find a way to get through this. I promise."

Jia's heart ached with gratitude and sorrow. "I don't want to lose my family, but I can't lose you either. You're my anchor, Sarah. You've always been there for me."

Sarah's grip tightened, her voice fierce with conviction. "And I always will be. No matter what happens, we will face it together. I won't let them tear you away from your family or from me."

Jia took a deep, shuddering breath, feeling a flicker of hope amidst her despair. "Together, then. We'll fight this together."

Sarah nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. "Together. We will find a way to keep you safe and with the people who love you. I swear it."