The Cage (Completed)

Chapter 3

"Don't get too close, it's dark inside"

Coming back to the place where you don't want to be, is hard. Coming back to the same place that holds nothing but painful memories is harder.

As I stepped out of the airport, I looked at the man holding my name plate.  'Dr. Kia Jain' it read.  Atleast I have  achieved something.

We drove in the taxi and he dropped me at my new home. I had made sure that it was in the outskirts of city especially ocean facing.  Oceans always helped me to calm down.
The house was well furnished and I loved my bedroom. It had a huge window, balcony and a walk in closet.
I threw  my bags recklessly and slumped on the couch. I was tired.  All the crying, decision making and the journey was now taking a toll on me.
I took out a cigarette and lit it. These always helped me in achieving distraction. The benefit of being a doctor is that you keep them in limits.  You know how many to take and when not  to take. Putting down the ciggerate, I went to the bathroom to have a long bath. After having a relaxing bath, Sleep overtook me as I snuggled myself on the bed.

***

It had  been two weeks, since I moved to Mumbai, but I never had the guts to get out and roam. I had some good friends at the hospital who always asked me to come along with them, but I never did.

Everyday routine was to go to the hospital and come back home.  It took fort five minutes for me to reach my working place as I wanted my house to be in the outskirts of the city, away from the noise.

"Good morning Dr. Kia. "  Dr. Nikita said.

"Good morning"

"Do you have any appointments in the afternoon? "

"Nope, I don't think so"

"Great, so we can go out for lunch" Nikita said.

"Uh.. I don't think so. I have other work... "

" I am not taking a no for an answer. See you in the afternoon " 
She left.

Damn it! Now I have to go, hang around in this stupid city. Am I ready  for this?
No. But I have to do it.

Nikita is stubborn. No matter what, she'll force me too come along with her.

I had ditched her a few times before, but this time she is not taking a no for an answer.  I met her when it was my first day here. It felt good to finally have a friend after a long time.
   
"You're ready?" Nikita asked as she entered my cabin.

" Do I have to go? "

" Ohh yess missy, you have to. "
I sighed as I took my wallet and started walking towards her.

"We're going to courtyard, a place where we'll get some delicious food. "

I stopped in my tracks. Courtyard?  This was the place where I use to hang out with my friends before. And if we go there, there are 90% chance I can run into them.  Crap!

"Nikita, can't we go anywhere else? " I asked trying to be nonchalant.

"Kia, I am trying to help you get comfortable in this city. Mumabi is a beautiful place!  So stop being such a workaholic and explore the city. Let's just say, I am teaching you how to enjoy! " she said with a fist bump in the air.

Teaching me how to enjoy?  If only she knew!

Flashback :
4 years before :

"Seriously? One hour late? " Ahana was looking at me with slit eyes.

"I am sorry, I was out with mom. She and  I went for shopping." I sighed as I took a seat at our usual place in the courtyard.

"Just because I love your mom, I'm not killing you. "  she laughed.

Ahana Sharma.  One of my best friend. Bubbly girl with a cute smile. The only person I know who uses a bad word in every sentence.

"Where is everyone else? " i asked looking around.

"Ditched"

"pcch. Anyways, we'll order something, I'm hungry. "

We gave our orders, sat at our place and started gossiping. Talking with her is like, once you start talking, you don't stop. 

"Ma'am, did you order fried rice? " A waiter came up to us and asked.

"Umm.. N-n.."

"Yess, we did! " I exclaimed as I cut Ahana off.

He left us a full plate of fried rice and left.  We were their regular customers, so they just believed us.

"What the fuck Kia? We didn't order this. "

" Free food is always welcomed " I laughed.

*End of flashback*

" Here we are" Nikita exclaimed.

I looked at the place as I got out of the car. It was the same, just a few changes here and there. Loads of memories and flashbacks emerged through my mind as I looked at the ambience.

"Let's gooo"

I was praying that I don't see anyone here.

"So what do you want to order " she asked as we took our seats.

"Hamburger and a oreo shake. " I said without looking at the menu.

She looked at me with confusion.

"How did you order the specialities of this place?"

"What? These are the specialities here? Wow, what a coincidence!" I said faking surprise.

Fortunately she bought it and placed our orders.  I looked around, nothing had changed. Everything is the same. The frames that hung at the end of the wall, same food, same menu. 
I guess some things never change.

As I was looking around, I saw a familiar face looking straight at me.
She was surprised, would be an understatement.

"The fuck! You've gotta be kidding me" she said. I was rooted on my spot. I was blank.  I couldn't move.  She started walking towards me and that time I actually came back to my senses.

I didn't know what to do! So,  I did one thing I have been doing for three years.  I started running towards the main door.

***
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