A Tale Of Hidden Scars ✔️

18~The dread

Rhea recovered gradually, her physical wounds healing but emotional scars lingered.

Ashta visited Rhea frequently, bearing the brunt of her anger."Get out," Rhea snapped one day."I don't want to see you."

Ashta stood calmly."I understand, Rhea," Ashta said."But I want to make sure you're okay."

Rhea scoffed."You care now?"

Ashta's eyes welled up."I've always cared, Rhea," Ashta replied.

Rhea's gaze hardened."Liar," Rhea spat.

Ashta took a deep breath."I know I pushed you," Ashta admitted."But you attacked me first."

Rhea's face twisted."You'll pay for this," Rhea hissed.

Ashta felt a pang of guilt."If only I hadn't pushed her," Ashta thought. "Maybe our lives would be different."

Their marriage, once planned with joy, now postponed indefinitely. Ayan's silence weighed heavily on Ashta.

"Does he blame me too?" Ashta wondered.Ashta visited Rhea again, prepared for more anger.

But today, Rhea's gaze was different, a hint of sadness.

"Rhea?" Ashta asked softly.

Rhea looked away."You ruined everything," Rhea whispered.

Ashta's heart ached."I'm sorry, Rhea," Ashta said.

Tears streamed down Rhea's face."My life was perfect," Rhea sobbed."Until you interfered."

Ashta's guilt intensified."I never meant to hurt you," Ashta pleaded.

Rhea's gaze snapped back."You never meant to?" Rhea repeated."You destroyed me."

Ashta felt tears prick her eyes."I know I made a mistake," Ashta admitted."Can you ever forgive me?"

Rhea's expression hardened."Never," Rhea spat.

Ashta nodded slowly."I understand," Ashta said but deep down, Ashta hoped for forgiveness,for redemption,for a second chance to make things right and heal the wounds of the past.

Today was supposed to be their wedding day.The day Rhea and Ayan would unite in love but fate had other plans.

Rhea's recovery had been long and arduous and Ashta's presence had become a constant reminder of the pain and suffering.

Ashta, unaware of the significance of the day, entered Rhea's cabin."Rhea, I'm so glad you're going home," Ashta said warmly.

Rhea's gaze turned icy."You think you can just walk in here?" Rhea snarled. "After ruining my big day,I was supposed to get married today but you ruin it" Rhea's voice cracked.

Ashta's smile faltered."Rhea, I-"

Rhea's anger boiled over."You ruined my life," Rhea hissed."You took everything from me."Rhea grabbed an iron rod from beside her bed and struck Ashta's head with force.

Ashta fell, pain exploding in her skull,blood gushed from the wound, staining Ashta's clothes.

Rhea stood over her, eyes blazing. "You deserve to suffer," Rhea spat just as Rhea raised her foot to kick Ashta.

Ayan burst into the room."Rhea, stop!" Ayan yelled.He rushed to Rhea, jerking her away from Ashta.

"Please stop, Rhea!" Ayan shouted. Rhea struggled, but Ayan's grip held firm.Ashta's vision blurred, pain overwhelming her.

"Ayaa-n," Ashta whispered.Ayan's eyes locked onto Ashta's wounded head.

"Oh God, Ashta!" Ayan exclaimed. "Someone, call the doctor!" Ayan shouted.

Medical staff rushed in to treat Ashta's wounds and restrain Rhea.

Ayan's face etched with worry."Ashta, I'm so sorry," Ayan whispered.

Ashta's eyes fluttered shut,Everything went dark.

Ashta slowly opened her eyes, groggily taking in her surroundings.

The hospital room.

The beeping machines.

The sterile smell.

A sharp pain pierced her head, making her wince.She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her.Ashta fell back onto the pillow, gasping an hour had passed since Rhea's attack.

Memories flooded back the iron rod,the blood,Rhea's twisted face.

Ashta's mind reeled, reliving the horror.

She remembered Ayan rushing in stopping Rhea and calling for help.

Ashta's gaze shifted around the room,Ayan slept peacefully in the corner of her cabin.His calm demeanor contrasted with Ashta's turmoil.

Ashta's thoughts swirled, her gaze fixed on Ayan."He's the reason for all this chaos," Ashta thought."Rhea and I, fighting over him."

"But was he ever mine?" Ashta wondered." There was no commitment nor promises from his side it was just a whispered affection, a fleeting connection."

Ashta's mind tried to rationalize."It was never real, just a fantasy."

But her heart refused to listen. "Ayan's the one to blame," Ashta's thoughts whispered."He led us on, played with our emotions."

Ashta's anger simmered."Why did he let Rhea believe they had a chance?"

"Why did he let me fall for him?"

Ashta's eyes narrowed."Ayan's silence is complicity."

"He's guilty, no matter what."Ashta's thoughts convolved, twisting logic. Blame and anger overshadowed reason.

Ayan's peaceful sleep mocked her. "He has no idea what he had done," Ashta thought.

Ashta's darkness consumed her.She sat up, her eyes fixed on Ayan with a calculated move, she grabbed a sharp object nearby.

Her hands trembled as she approached Ayan.The object glinted in the dim light just as she raised it to strike.

Reality hit Ashta like a tidal wave.

What was she doing?

Trying to kill the person she loved Worse, fueled by the same rage that had destroyed her mother.

Ashta's hand shook violently.

The object slipped from her grasp,it clattered to the floor.Ashta's face contorted in anguish,tears streamed down her face.

Ayan's slumber broke hearing the sobs.He reached out, concern etched on his face."Ashta, what-"

Ashta's voice shredded."Don't touch me!" Ashta yelled."I'm worse!"

"Worse than my mother!"

Ayan froze, his eyes wide."Ashta, no," Ayan whispered.

"You're not like her."

Ashta's laughter was laced with despair."You don't know me," Ashta sobbed.

"I'm a monster."

Ayan's face crumpled."Ashta, please-"

Ashta's hands ward off Ayan's approach."Stay away!" Ashta warned."Before I hurt you."

Ashta turned away, her heart racing. She couldn't bear Ayan's concern.Her guilt and shame overwhelmed her without a word, Ashta fled the hospital room into the chaotic streets.

Tears streamed down her face.

Her feet carried her nowhere, just away from Ayan,from her darkness,from herself.People passed, oblivious to her turmoil.

Ashta felt lost, alone.

Her intentions still swirled in her mind.

Confusion reigned.

Why did she want to hurt Ayan?

The city lights blurred.Ashta's sobs echoed through the night as she vanished into the crowded streets.

A tiny, broken figure.

Adrift in a sea of strangers.