Coerced

Chapter 4

Mara's POV

It was six in the evening and I had just returned from college. "Hi Princess" My dad gazes at me in warmth running his hand on my head lovingly. "Dad, stop doing that to me in the presence of Vance. I am not a little girl anymore." I grumble with my eyes directed on my little brother who seems to have a good time watching our daddy-daughter show. 

"Oh, did I do something wrong princess?" Dad takes an innocent side as I give him a hard glare. He pulls my nose least bothered about my anger and my brother bursts to laughter that he was controlling all the while. "See, you made me a joker in front of Vance." I was no less a drama queen, pointing to my brother who was now rolling on the ground getting dyspeptic in a hysterical laughter.

"We are going to the dinner party of Mr and Mrs Samsung. It's their anniversary today. Would you wish to join us, Princess? You could also meet your friend Jessie." My dad asks me in expectation. 

I contemplated his attractive offer but the loads of homework I brought from my college seemed like challenging me with deride.  “Dad, I have to prepare for my monthly tests to uphold my scholarship for the next term. I will meet Jessie some other time. Also I have a lot of homework to do." I mumble with my voice going dim. 

"It is okay Princess, there is always a next time and you are not staying at home idling away watching TV." Dad cheers me like always with his encouraging words.  Vance tails me to stay home as he was not interested in going to parties.

It was ten in the night. I completed all my homework and was on the verge of dozing off. Putting on the night lamp and already surrounded with the coziness of the comforter I set my alarm for the next day and closed my eyes to welcome the dream world. Dad has a set of spare keys, so I need not worry about opening the door in the middle of the night. My brother was already fast asleep in the bedroom next to mine.

The dream

I walk along with my parents on a deserted road. Something about the atmosphere was screaming danger but I put my meaningless thoughts away. My parents are going to shield me from every danger. Dad will protect me. My conscience assured me all the time. I turn beside and suddenly note the losing form of my mother. There was an arrow pierced on her chest and she gradually succumbed to the floor.

I reach her with tearing eyes as she mumbles almost inaudible. “Take care of your little brother, my princess." I looked at my father for help but a bullet already pierced his chest and he was losing his conscience. "You need to be bold and stay strong for your brother, my princess." He repeats the words of mom in a dull voice and closes his eyes completely. I gaze at the resting form of my mother. Holding her hands in mine I urged her to wake up but she wouldn't budge.

****

Damn! I get out of the bed like a zombie holding my breath. What sort of a terrorizing dream was that? Calm down Mara. Everything is going to be fine. My face was covered in sweat. I walk towards the corridor. Looking at the mirror in front of me I wash my face in the wash basin and rush to my parent's bedroom to find their bed empty. Walking ahead, my eyes capture the wall clock hanging on one of the walls. The clock struck exactly two in the night. Why is it taking so long for mom and dad to reach back home? I checked on the adjacent bedroom and Vance was sleeping peacefully drooling on his pillow. I shake my head looking at my little brother with a smile and pull the blanket to his chest.

No sooner do I reach my bedroom, I hear my phone beeping. "Yes this is Mara Benjamin speaking." I answer the call. The voice on the other line was in a rush. "Miss, we are speaking to you from Holy city hospital. Mr and Mrs Benjamin are admitted in the hospital for an accident. You are requested to reach the hospital at the earliest as we are supposed to perform some urgent tests on your parents which require your immediate consent."

My throat felt dry, unable to register the information the woman gave me. "What? Are you calling the right number?" I ask her doubtfully. "Come and check for yourself madam." She replied morosely and I felt the blood drain out of my face.

Grabbing my cell phone and some cash for emergency purposes I ran to my car as fast as my feet could carry. I reached the hospital within half an hour and raced to the receptionist enquiring about my parents. 

She plastered a fake smile and started checking the register. Each second felt like an age. I drum my fingers on the reception desk in anxiety waiting for her answer.  “Please make it fast.”  

She raised her forest green eyes to mine and spoke with over sweetness.  “You are supposed to meet Dr Travis.”

I scampered to the doctor's cabin in haste and knocked my leg at the door in the process. "Careful young lady..." The gray haired physician looked out of his glasses which were hanging low on his nose. 

He looks at me nodding his head and beckons me to come in. "How are my parents, doctor?" My throat goes to a constriction as I enquire about their accident. 

Adjusting his black rimmed glasses, the doctor assessed me carefully. He signaled to take a seat and handed me a glass of water. As I sip the first drop the aged man stares ahead towards the entrance and looks back at me quizzically. 

I got the hint that the news I was shortly going to hear from him wasn't a good one. But I thought I was bold. Little did I know…. 

I told him that I was their only family and we did not have any relatives in Miami. He hesitated at first to speak and his ditherance was about to give me an anxiety attack. My lips start trembling as I take small sips of water from the glass bracing myself with the possible news. 

Understanding my vulnerability, he knew he could not postpone this news for someone else about to visit him. "I am sorry child. We could not save your mother. She was brought dead to the hospital." 

Emotions drained out of my face as I stared stolidly at him. 

Being aged and experienced he understood my shaking stature. Patting my shoulder he gazes at me in a fatherly affection and starts giving a pep talk. “I am sorry that you had to cognize this dreadful incident at such a young age. May God give you the strength in recovering from this sad news.”

After I regained my composure, he spoke the gospel truth. "Your father is in no better status. He has broken ribs, a fractured knee and a major head injury. Presently he is in a coma. Though we would always pray for the best to happen, I am sorry that we cannot guarantee you about his life too. Because your arrival here took a little more time than expected, we did the initial investigation for you. The vehicle your dad was driving is not covered under any insurance policy. So I regret to inform you that you would not be able to claim any indemnity bonus. It was a drunk and drive case, an exhibition of sheer negligence on the other side. Today's youth..." He shakes his head odious.  

“The driver of the car was declared dead a few minutes ago. We still do not have any information about his family. But we will soon find out. He appears to be from a well to do background. Dr Harris is handling the case. You can speak to him and... " He contemplates watching me but anyhow continues. “Maybe you could claim for the damages?" 

I stare at the doctor devoid of any emotions. I had no words to speak. My rationality stopped functioning and the world came to a halt around me. Many minutes later I dragged my feet to my parent's room shaking unperceivable and cried my heart out.