Terrorized By Love [ON HOLD]

Chapter 31: Thirsty for Love

Mahima waited and waited. She waited until dawn. The sun rose, and there was no sign of Aditya. She was famished, she was burning, she was thirsty. Her body was falling weak. Yet, she was even more weak for him. Why hadn't he arrived yet? He said he would try to come. Was he okay?

She didn't know what was happening. She was completely clueless. She had no idea where to go or what to do. Mahima was absolutely lost.

It was when afternoon hit, and in the scorching heat, Mahima decided that she couldn't take it anymore. She tightly wrapped the shawl around her face and started to walk ahead, her whole body crumbling under her own weight. It was only evening by the time that she managed to leave the forest.

All night she had been scared because of the sounds in the forest. There were animals, wild ones growling... but that fear paled in comparison to the fear that the man she was waiting for was not okay.

She had to somehow find out.

When she finally left the forest, she was walking across the side of the street, her face still covered. She continued to walk, until she couldn't take it anymore, and she stopped at a roadside vendor.

"B - brother... water... please..." she gasped.

"Ten rupees," the vendor said.

"I - I don't have any money on me," Mahima whispered. "P - please."

"We don't give charity here," the vendor said coldly.

"W - where can I go to get water then?" Mahima asked weakly.

"There's a village across the street in the corner. Maybe someone will help you," the vendor informed.

Mahima nodded and continued to walk until she reached the village. She stumbled into the small area, where there were a lot of huts. Maybe... just maybe, they wouldn't recognize her here. This place looked like it didn't even have electricity, let alone a TV.

She stumbled to the middle of the huts, where an elderly woman was working on a sewing machine outside in the heat.

"A - aunty," Mahima said breathlessly.

"Hi dear. Are you okay?" the woman asked in a very strong and raspy voice.

"W - water," Mahima whispered, and then she passed out on the floor, her shawl coming undone.

One by one, the villagers surrounded her unconscious body and gasped out loud.

What would happen to her now?