PERSECUTED

CHAPTER 9

Hey folks. I finally decided to do without that valentine part. Quite honestly, I didn't get time to really ponder over it and now that I am finally into this world of words, it's December. (A super cold weather in India with politics and protests in the air). And that, I definitely don't call romantic!!!

So guys, here's your update!
Comment and vote 💜

Helia's POV

We were finally home after a long walk and after finishing a not-so-exciting task of buying a beautiful olive green outfit for my (fake) college party.

"Okay mom, I am tired. I am having a small nap. Wake me up when the lunch's ready" I said lazily as I retired to bed only to hear my sister repeating my words and coming to sleep beside me.
"Night sissy" I joked sleepily. I don't remember if she replied. I was woken up by voice of someone- wait, is that Lily talking to someone? I drowsily opened my eyes only to see my sister stating outside at the sky and talking to herself.

"Should I die, god. I feel so trapped. I wish I could find a way out of it. This sucks. So fucking sucks!!!" Oh jeez... What's happening. I sat down alert on my bed. She didn't seem to notice my movements. She was punching the thin frame of wall with her delicate fingers.

I gaped. Suddenly my sisterly instinct took over and I grabbed her fist.
"Oh Jesus..." She was crying. My little baby. I hugged her. She cried harder into my shoulder while I gently stroked her hair.

"Lily, everything's fine. Tell me what happened" I whispered softly into her hair.

"Di..." She started. Her eyes looked at me pleadingly, like she couldn't tell me but wanted me to know already and expected me to understand.

"Yes sissy. I am here. Right here. Shhh... "

"I don't know what's happening di. I want it to stop. I can't. I don't want to do this. Oh goodddd" she groaned as she covered her face with both her palms. "I am such a terrible person. Agghhhhh" she screamed.

"All okay there? What's happening Lily?" We heard mom's approaching footsteps. I panicked. Lily stood there like a zombie.

"Nothing mommy" I called back. "She was just annoying me so I gave her a piece of her own pudding." I pinched Lily. She didn't react. After a second or two, she responded. "I'm coming mom" and left.

She left me just like that with unanswered questions thickening the air.

"It's wrong Helia" my conscience hit me before this idea. But I had to do it. Everything else apart, my sister is my life and something is definitely bothering her- not in a good way ofcourse.

I sprang into action almost immediately. I systematically rummaged through her shelfs... Course books, novels, old paintings, diary, dresses... Wait!
DIARY!! She used to keep a diary since she was a kid. I immediately picked it up and started ruffling the pages. She did not write regularly. Once or twice a month or sometimes she would simply skip a month or two. As I proceeded reading the dates jotted down in a beautiful, meticulous handwriting-
"It's wrong Lils, it's wrong. Oh GOD! . What's happening. Why me god? I don't even like his smell!!!
I wish I could stop this. Please stop somebody. Just stop this!!!!"

Is some guy physically molesting her? Why the hell would she not share it with me! I was fuming and wanted to hug Lily at the same time. Shit. But why would she call herself a terrible person, then? If it's what I believe, the guy is in deep trouble. But then again, her words echoed in my head

I don't want to do this. I am such a terrible person...

I staggered back. Damn this sounds bad. I need to calm down rn. Breathe in, breathe out. It took me moments to process that my sister is being subjected to sexual violence. Rape? How could I be so blind as to ignore the signs... My little baby sister- I can't even picture it. She is a a kid for god's sake. Why can't this stupid world understand that?!

I internally pleaded myself to relax, to stop my body from shaking like a vibrator. After a couple of attempts, I fell on the mattress with a "thud". Defeated.