A Dark Love ✓

Chapter Twenty-Four

Two hours. Two 'frickin' hours.

That's how long has been passed since I entered this goddamn room. And I have tried nearly everything to not keep my mind at bay. I have roamed the room, checked my phone for any sort of message, tried reading a book online, tried searching for a book offline, flicked on the TV to search for something to watch, changed my clothes, made a hairstyle and then, ruined it. I tried everything to not think about it but nothing seems to grab my attention the way I want it to at the moment.

Two hours. How more long will it be? Parichay's words come back to my mind.

He has had his fair share of violence.

Do you think I will leave you alone with a man of his stature?

His obsession over the Stone.

My inner voice that told me not drink the tea or the coffee.

I still have no clue why the last one happened. Still no clue.

Damn you Parichay, what will I do if something were to ever happen to you? Please come back soon. Please.

Hot tears begin making their way down my cheeks and I can do nothing to stop them. What shall I do? A sob escapes my lips. And then, another. And then, another. And the trail continues.

*****

I hear a knock on the door. A ringing of the bell.

He never rings the bell. Who is it? I get up from the corner that I had sinked in, merely in fear and maintain my composure. No one should see me in this state, right?

I hear someone fumbling with the key-card. Someone has the key? Oh damn, Parichay, did the old man do something to you? The person on the other side is still fumbling with the key-card. I would have happily gone and checked on who it is but then, the guy will catch me quite easily. Perhaps, I should...

Tip-toed, I make my way to the washroom. This is the only place where I can hide.

Two steps. Just two more and I will be safe. I hear the door being unlocked. That happens right when I enter the washroom and lock the door.

A moment passes and all I hear is silence.

Another moment and yet, silence. I hear some more fumbling. Who is it?

That's when I hear this. His voice. In my head. Finally, I breathe a sigh of relief.

'Shree?'

'Where are you?'

'Where are you?'

'In the room. Someone is fumbling around. I hid myself in the washroom.'

No answer. Where did he go? And that's when I hear a knock on the door.

"Open the door, Shree," he says. And I release a breath that I never knew I was holding. Slowly, I open the door.

"What are you doing here?" He scolds.

"I thought..." And I trail off.

"Yeah, you thought that I wouldn't survive. Oh Shree, don't you trust me, at all? I told you I'll keep you safe, remember?" He wraps me in a bear-hug. And I cherish the feeling that follows. Perhaps, it may not last long.