The Cage (Completed)

Chapter 1

"Time never heals anything
You just get use to the pain"

Another ring of smoke was puffed out of my mouth as I was lost in the beautiful scenery laid in front of me. The sun was at its horizon, different shades of colours were scattered in the sky, people were either hanging out with their friends or family.
Family!  They all had family, I had no one.  Finishing my third smoke for the day, I dragged myself towards the kitchen to prepare some dinner for myself. 
A call on my phone distracted me from doing my task.

"Hello? " I answered.

"Hello Dr. Kia, I am speaking from Cummins hospital, Delhi.  We are still waiting for an answer about your transfer.  Have you decided yet? " the girl on the other side asked.

"No. " I answered flatly. " I need time"

"You will have to give an answer by tomorrow ma'am, we have to do the further procedures. "

"What? Tomorrow?" I exclaimed. 
"I got to know about the transfer yesterday, how do you expect me to make such an important decision in a day? "

"I am sorry mam, this is an urgent transfer, you have to tell us by tomorrow, hope you have a great day!"

And she cut the call.

What the hell?

It's been three years since I left that place, or rather ran away from my hometown to get away from the pain, the memories. And these people want to send me back to that hell again?

I am a doctor, head surgeon of one of the most renowned hospitals in Delhi 'The Cummins hospitals'. They had selected me as the member of their board and requested me to handle the new branch in Mumbai because of three reasons,  One, they said I was a very good doctor and could handle things well.  Two, no other doctor wanted to leave Delhi.  Three, the other didn't wanted to leave Delhi because of their families.  So, I was selected for the transfer because I didn't have a family and so I could move away easily.  Little did they know, that the place they were transferring me to, is my hometown. Mumbai is a place where I grew up, a place where everything started and ended.

I sat down on my sofa and pulled  my hair in frustration.

"What the hell should I do?" I yelled.

There was no answer.  The thought of moving back to that place gave me goosebumps.

Unwanted memories, blood, scream,  yelling. Everything came back to me as I closed my eyes.  Tears were streaming down my cheeks. I need air, I need another smoke, drink or something that would take these haunting memories away from my brain.   I ran towards my cabinet and took out my anti-depressants. They have been the reason of my survival for three years now.  I gulped down two pills in a row and sat down on the floor. Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm myself. 

On the side table was a photo of my family.  Mom, Dad and my elder brother. 

"Why did you all leave me? " I screamed  as  tears fell down my cheeks.

"I need you all and you all are not there, noone is here" I cried for an hour till finally the sleep overtook me.

***

My neck hurts and my back is sore from sleeping on the floor.  The sunlight was streaming from the window making my eyes blind.

I looked at the clock,

"Shit!  It's  7"  I ran towards the bathroom. I had to reach hospital by eight.

I took a look at myself in the mirror,  my eyes were red and puffed,  tear stains were evident on the cheeks and let's not talk about my hair.  It looked like a mess would be an understatement.

Ignoring how beautiful  I looked,  I took a quick shower and  changed into decent clothes.  Just when I thought I was ready, my stomach roared like a lion.  Damn, I didn't have my dinner yesterday, I was hungry.  I quickly took an apple with me and ran towards my car.
Right at seven fifty eight,  I reached.

" Good morning " my assistant smiled at me.

" Morning Rina" I smiled back.

"So, how many appointments do I have today? "

"2 surgeries and 5 regular checkups, also you have a meeting at 2 with the board members. "

  " Okay thanks! "

I still didn't knew what my answer would be.  When I left Mumbai,  I had decided I will never come back to this place again.

"Are you okay mam? " Rina asked.

"Huh?  Sorry I was lost"

"Moving out would be a tough decision? "

"Yeah it is" I sighed.  I was literally tired of this.

"I've heard it is your home town? "

"Yeah it is. How do you know? " I was surprised.

"Well,  it was there on your resume. I found it when I was cleaning your desk. "

" Ohh"

"Can I tell you something? "

"Yeah? "

" I know there is something that you are trying to hide from everyone, maybe it's pain or fear I don't know, I am a very keen observer and I know you since  three years, I can say you don't want go to Mumbai because of your fear.  Face it! Till the time you don't face your fears, it won't leave you.  It will haunt you. Try it out. "

And just like that I knew what my decision would be.

***
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Thankyou for the amazing cover @honey.sinha