HER SAFE PLACE

Meal

MATURE CONTENT AHEAD
------

Rocky's POV

Since dawn, I’d been busy working on something incredibly important, a project I’d taken on with only her in mind. It meant sacrificing time with my babydoll today, but I knew that in the end, all of it would be worth it for her—for us. By the time I wrapped up and headed back, the afternoon sun had already dipped, and I was eager to finally be with her. But as I drove, a sudden figure appeared in my peripheral vision. Priya was sprinting toward my car, her face tear-streaked and twisted in fear, her clothes torn and disheveled, bruises scattered across her arms. I immediately pulled over, feeling a rush of concern, and she banged on my window, shivering and breathless.

I rolled down the window, and she managed a desperate, “Rocky, please… save me…”

The terror in her voice was enough to get me out of the car in an instant. She threw herself into my arms, her whole body trembling. I held her shoulders and gently guided her back, taking off my coat to wrap it around her. Her fingers were cold, her eyes darting around like a trapped animal. “Priya, breathe,” I murmured, trying to calm her down. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

Her trembling hand pointed down a side street, but there was no one in sight. Her voice cracked as she tried to explain, but the words stuck in her throat, leaving her in sobs. “Rocky… they… they tried to…” She couldn’t finish, and I felt a wave of anger rise as I realized the fear she must’ve faced.

I didn’t press her for more, instead gently guiding her into the passenger seat, starting up the car, and driving her home. The drive was silent except for her quiet sniffles, and I tried to keep my own emotions in check, torn between fury and concern. When we arrived, she seemed exhausted, drained. But the moment we stepped inside, she gripped my arm and hugged me tightly, her voice shaky. “Rocky, please… could you stay? Just for a bit? I’m… I’m so scared.”

Her voice was so fragile, and the fear so clear in her eyes, that I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. “I’ll stay, don’t worry,” I assured her, watching as she finally relaxed a little. I encouraged her to go change and get comfortable, hoping it would help her settle.

As she disappeared into her room, I leaned back, pulling out my phone to check messages, planning to leave as soon as she was settled. But an hour passed, and still, she hadn’t come out. Concerned, I walked to her room and knocked, calling her name. No answer. A knot of worry tightened in my chest as I tried again, still hearing nothing.

Unable to wait any longer, I opened the door and checked the room. It was empty. Heart pounding, I went to the bathroom door and knocked. “Priya?” I called out, but the silence persisted. After a few more attempts, I pushed the door open and stepped in, only to see her curled up on the shower floor, water pouring down over her as she hugged her knees, sobbing softly.

“Priya,” I said quietly, moving closer. She looked up, and the pain and despair in her eyes hit me hard. Before I could say anything, she reached out and hugged me, her voice weak and broken. “Rocky, I… I want to end it all. I feel so… so filthy. It’s like their touch is… is still on me. Rocky, I just… I can’t…”

I knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Hey… don’t talk like that,” I said softly, trying to comfort her. “Look, this isn’t your fault. Don’t let them take away who you are.”

She looked at me, her expression so broken it was hard to look at. Slowly, she stood up, but even then, her hands clung to me, her fingers trembling as she gripped my collar. The water still streamed down around us, and she whispered, “Rocky, please… help me… make me forget…”