Unforgotten Love

Chapter-14

Annika's pov:

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

I screamed on the top of my lungs while keeping my palm on my ear,as I was scared of what he just said, and I saw his obsession in his voice, I saw his eyes darkening when he inhaled my fragrance that almost made me want to puke. The way his hands touched me, it disgusted me. I was sweating from the fear that he had engraved inside me.

My hands were trembling as I was trying to get a glass of water, which was placed beside on my side table. But my grip on the glass was not stable, due to which it fell down and broke. Then suddenly, the door flung open, revealing Mom,Dad,Kabir, and Kaashvi.
They ran towards me and tried to touch me, but I stepped back, mumbling

"No.. No.... don't come to me close... Don't t-touch me....stay away from ME!!!!!" I yelled.

"Calm down, baccha, see we are only here,your family, whom you love and adore." Dad said in a calm tone, which made me come back to reality that he is not here.

"Dad, he will ta-take me with hi-im. He came, and he t-touched m-me. Dad, please stay with me. Ple-ase....." I said in a pleading tone and hugged him.

"But no one is here, Annika. Only we are here with you, and before that, one doctor came for a check-up. I think you are hallucinating." Kabir said in between.

"No.... No... trust me, he was there. Here in front of me. Please trust me, I am saying the truth, I am not hallucinating." I said and ran to hug him.

"OK, ok, calm down now, see we are here." Dad said in a calm tone while hugging me.

"Please, Dad, be with me. I need you."
To which Dad replied

"Baccha, we are always there, and with you, don't worry." Dad said while hugging me. I don't know, but after hugging my dad, it felt safe. I felt safe his melodious heartbeats made me calm. We only groove over the lovers when it comes to listening to heartbeats, but when our father hugs the feeling is divine, you can't feel more than safe other than your own father.

Breaking the hug, he made me lie down on the bed. He sits beside me while holding my hand, which makes me feel relieved. His mere presence always calms my soul. His face had a small assuring smile that he was there for me, and everything was fine.

On the other hand of the room, my mom was crying uncontrollably, and Kabir and Kaashvi were consoling her. Seeing her like this broke my heart, my heart clenched to see her like that, so I decided to speak
"Mom, I am fine now. Please don't cry." That's all I could speak till now because inside I was already broken and shattered. And that man is a new fear in my life. His words haunted me, ignited terror inside me.

Suddenly, Dad asked
"Anu, would you like to eat something it's already noon?" His voice held care and concern, to which I nodded and gave a small smile. But the fear of stalker was still there. But I didn't show them because I know seeing me in this condition they already are drowned in sorrow. I don't want to give them another reason to worry.

After a while, lunch came, which was provided by the hospital. After having lunch, which was tasteless, we talked about my childhood memories. The happiest moments we spent together. When I was struggling in my career, all of them supported me and protected me like a shield. My friends who became my family. But somewhere, I knew that they were hiding their pain while making me smile. So, who am I to snatch their happiness. They have done a lot for me. I will always be obliged to have them in my life.

After our long chit-chat session, Kabir said
"Enough of our talks, now Annika, I think you should rest. It's already evening."
"Please stay with me for some more time na." I said in pleading tone, making a sad face.
"No, Anu, now you should rest. Your health is still not that better. And we are here only beta." Dad replied in a soft tone. To which I nodded unwillingly.