Prey of a Predator

Chapter 48

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What? How could he? He promised me. No, this can't be true. This has to be a false rumor. I can't believe my ears. No, please. He can't.

I can't stay here anymore not after hearing this and with the one who brutally broke my trust. I knew that I shouldn't have been trusting him in the first place but still I did. I guess I fell for his tricks again.

I still don't believe in it completely, I have to see it myself. I sat up, searched for him. When I found he was not in sight, I got out of the stall and started walking in the opposite direction of the way where we came from and eventually started running.

He can't, right? I can't. I shouldn't have trusted him in the first. I knew it. I knew it but still, I did. I am pathetic. I am such a fool to fall for some petty words of a Britisher who are best known for manipulation. I can't be with him anymore. I can't control his presence in front of me.

The best thing was I couldn't find him anywhere near me so it was easy for me to run.

I don't know where I am going but I am just running away so that he won't find me. There are so many people in my way today and I must be looking like a crazy person who is running without any reason but I have to, for myself.

Just then I heard my name being yelled loudly by him. Now he knows I am not there so he will come to find me. Before he does, I have to escape this village.

While running, I remembered all those talks, encounters and everything he said. His pain, his love for me, he assured me his trust but to think he will break it like this. My heart didn't want to believe it at all but my mind said otherwise.

I felt sympathy for his loss and hence even told myself once to try to love him but he..........

Just then I tripped on a rock, falling on my front. I lept my hands on the ground to protect my face but my hands were bleeding now due to the uneven road. It was paining as hell but I have more important things to take care of.

Just then I noticed that I have entered a forest which looked quite familiar. I think I have been in this forest. But with so many emotions twisting in my heart, I don't know what and how to think about anything right now.

Just then I heard a gunshot. Oh no, is it him? How did he find me so easily? I have to make sure to not get caught this time at all.

I ran with all of my strength and reached a lakeside. I looked at the lake and recognised it almost immediately. It is the same lake where I first saw that Henry. Same lake where he called me that night. Same lake whose one side was in the village where Avni and I used to go to play.

So that means that my village is nearby. Finally after 4 months, I will be going back to my home. I hope it's not burnt down as it is rumoured to be or else I will die.

I was just going to slow down when I heard another gunshot. I fastened my speed because of it. It seems I have seen this scene but where? I don't know.

I just ran and ran until I exited the forest and entered the village. I looked at the whole village and looking at it, my tears won't Stop at all.

All the houses were burnt, the plants were completely in ashes and no one was to be seen in here.

I roamed further in the village hoping to see anyone but found no one. I wandered around until I found my home which was now completely black from the top two bottom.

I went towards it and pushed the door but instead it turned into ashes as soon as I touched it. And I went inside, everything was burnt down, every corner, every table, cloth, vegetables, Tulsi plant which was in the backyard, everything. Tears rolled at even more fast speed looking at these.

But the strange thing was that I found no one. Where is everyone? Not one single villager have I found until now. I even tried calling everyone but no one answered.

I came out of the house only to find him standing in front of it and looking pale. It's over. Everything's over. Now, I don't even any one to call my family anymore. No one to protect, no one to love, nothing in life is left for me to cherish.

Why is nothing in my life is going according to how I want it to happen? Why have been doing this to me god? Was I so bad? Am I not deserving of love and care from anyone? Why me? What have I done?

I have no reason to continue my life now. Now, I am just a slave for him and I have to be like one. If not then I will also be killed. As it is that I have lost the hope of going back and now this.

I stepped out of the house and stood in front of him, looking at him, asking him many questions but from my tearful gaze. He dropped his gun and hugged me tightly as if I will just vanish right now from his sight.

I hope I can then I won't have to endure all this now. But I can't. I have to just go on living like this until its all over.

I didn't hug him back this time and just sank in his arms, crying my heart out. He, after sometime, pulled back and cupped my cheeks, kissing me again. But this time, it was a soft peck unlike other times. And I am pretty sure that my tears have only gone inside his mouth.

I didn't even say this time when he picked me up in his arms and started walking towards the village where the horse was.

After 3 hours

I am sitting in the bed crying and because of that news, I didn't feel like eating so I skipped lunch.

I was crying between my knees when I heard the door opening and Henry entering. He strided towards me and seprated my face from my knees. He hugged me tightly and rubbing his hands on my back, he asked me why am I crying?

I didn't reply and just continued crying. I thought that he will scold me or worse, shout at me for crying but he did nothing. Instead, he cupped my cheeks and sticking his forehead with mine, he looked deep into my eyes and soul, asking me the same question again.

This time I glared at him and but still said nothing and after sometime, averted my gaze. He told me if I won't tell him what's wrong then how will know about it.

I just told that it's nothing and it is not important. He made me look at him and wiping my tears, he kissed my eyes. Then, he left my lips and cheeks.

He then said if not now then the next time he ask will me, I have to answer and even after sensing that I want to be left alone, he didn't leave me.

Instead he brought the plate of food in front of me which he probably brought with himself. It were those same chole bhature from that stall.

I refused to eat but he didn't listen to me and with his own hand, he tore the Puri and after dipping it in the chole, he made a uneven bite and brought it infront of me.

Just then I heard my stomach growl because of the smell of the food. I know I shouldn't be trusting him now that he broke my heart in million pieces but I seem to refuse the food now. So, I did what no one in my place would do, I opened my mouth and took the bite from his fingers.

When I ate everything, he told me to wash my face and went to keep the plate. I went in the bathroom to freshen myself up and then didn't wait for him and went to sleep after this long hours.

1 week later

"Madam, this broach is of the other madam."

So, this broach belongs to Veronica. Why would she drop it in the first place? It seems that I have to give it back to her as if any maid went to give it to her, she will blame her for stealing so it's better if I go.

I came out of my room and looking at dark sky from the window, I went towards her room. Why are they still staying here until now? Just what is there purpose?

When I reached her room, I was just about to knock on her door when I heard her yelling,"so you mean it was you who put the fire and not Henry?"

What the hell?

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