Forget-Me-Not

20

It has been two weeks since I uttered the word "I love you" to Timothy and those two weeks had been a busy week for him. I just made that reason, so that I wouldn't think that he is ignoring me. I'm currently in my room, not Timothy's, my room, the one that I first woke up to.

I sigh as I watch the digital clock beside me read 12:00 AM. Timothy is not home yet. He thought that I wouldn't notice but he would come home after midnight and leave before seven in the morning. I just hope that he's busy and not bluntly ignoring me.

I shouldn't have uttered those words. It was the rush of emotions that made me say it. I spoke the words even before my mind could stop. So, here I am now, exhausted and awake. I got used to sleeping beside Timothy because being alone made me cold.

I turn and clear my mind. I was so exhausted with my internal struggle that I slept right away.

-

"Do you, Olivia Chase, take Ivan Gray as your lawfully wedded husband?" the pastor asked me.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Just say no, Olivia. Don't marry this monster. I looked at the person in front of me, he was glaring at me, daring me to say no. I waited for him to drag me away from this marriage, to speak out when the pastor asked for those who are against this marriage to speak up. I waited but he didn't come.

I can't do this.

I forcefully remove my hands from Ivan. "No," I look at the pastor. "I refuse to marry this man."

I turn and run to the exit of the hall. My father rented the most expensive hall to celebrate the wedding, but I don't care about any of that. I just want to be away from this place.

I quickly flag a taxi. The driver sent me a weird look since I was still wearing my wedding dress. I gave him the address to my apartment and prayed that I was able to create some distance away from the venue. I looked back and saw Ivan and my father standing in front of the hall, searching for me.

I let out a relieved sigh when the hall disappeared from the view. I removed the veil and threw it outside the window. When we reached my apartment, I asked the driver to wait since I'll just grab something. I quickly dash to my room and remove the horrible gown off me. I never chose this gown anyways. I dressed myself before grabbing a duffle bag from my cabinet and insert whatever clothes my hands would touch.

I didn't bother removing my makeup and headed downstairs to the waiting taxi, but instead of the taxi, I saw my brother's car instead.

"Get in," He said.

I throw the bag at the back and drop my body inside his car. I didn't speak up, until I was sure that we were away from my apartment. I lean back and sigh. "Thanks," I sent him a relieved smile.

"What's your plan?" He asked me.

I shrug. "I don't know."

"He's going to find you."

I nod. "I know, that is why the house in the cabin is the only choice that I have."

He stopped on the side of the road before turning all his attention to me. "No way! That cabin is in the middle of nowhere!"

"It's the only property that we own that Ivan doesn't know."

He rubs his forehead. He does that when he is frustrated. I begged because this is the only option that I have. "Please, Addy. Just for a few days, until I figure out how to handle this situation."

He didn't say anything and just started the car. I know he was against my decision but that is the only decision that we have. I closed my eyes when I suddenly felt exhausted. I don't know how long I was asleep, but I woke up to Adrian cursing and driving past the speed limit.

"What's going on?" I asked while glancing at the rear-view mirror. I gasped when I saw two black cars right behind us. A shudder rushed through my back when I saw who was driving the other car; Ivan. He found me.

-

I can't move. My whole body's paralyzed, like something or someone is weighing me down. My eyelids are tight shut, but my eyes are moving. I'm conscious, I'm aware of what's going on. It struck me; sleep paralysis.

A thought of whimpering came to my mind when I felt hands on my ankles, creeping upwards. I can hear and feel his breath on my ears.

"Help!" I yelled but it was just the voice in my head. My lips weren't moving. "Timothy!"

My breathing became rapid when his hands landed near the center of my womanhood. I can't move my body to push the hands away. I can feel my body shaking with fear. I'm awake and yet I'm still hunted just like in my dream.

In a flash, the hands disappeared, and I sat up gasping for air like I've been drowned under water. I grasp my shirt that is soaking in sweat. I look around the room, making sure that I'm alone. I wrapped my arms around myself to stop shaking, but it was uncontrollable. I was terrified.

I never had sleep paralysis before and to experience one like was supposed to be raped, terrified me until my next life. I can't be in this room. I don't want to be alone. I don't care what time it is, or he just got into bed, I just don't want to be alone.

I speeded walked towards his room and bang my fist on the door. I don't care if I woke up Mrs. Frero or Mrs. James, I just want to feel safe. I kept on banging on his door with my shaky fits until it opened and emerged a frowning Timothy. He opened his mouth to say something, but I threw myself to him and cried.

"Jesus, Olly, you're freezing!" He said, as he pulled me towards the bed.

Not once did I let go of him. I just held on to him and cried. I felt his hand massaging my scalp and the other rubbing circles on my back. He patiently soothes me until my shaking subsides. He pulled me towards the bed and cradled me.

"Will you tell me what made you shake like that?" He asked in a quiet whisper, afraid that if he said something, I would start shaking again.

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. I felt like if I would tell him, it would make my dreams real, but then I remembered Adrian's advice.

"I had a dream," It took all the courage to say that line. I gulped and retracted away from Timothy and sat farther away from him, disgusted with myself with what I'm going to say next to him. "I was—standing in front of the pastor asking me..."

"How..." Timothy stood up and faced me, but I kept my head down and continued talking. I should applaud myself for not stuttering. "Olivia."

I continued. "I was waiting for someone to drag me away from that wedding, but nobody went against the wedding. So, I ran. Adrian— "I stop a bit when I can't remember some parts of the dream. "He was there. He was helping me escape towards the cabin but... I can't remember anything after that. That's all I can remember being chased by someone I was supposed to be wed."

Timothy was silent and I kept on talking. "I woke up, paralyzed. I never had sleep paralysis, but I experienced one a few moments ago. It felt like someone was creeping up to me. Like—like he was...he was..." I trail off trying to say the words out loud. "Like he...was trying to rape me.