Chapter 28
Phoebe Point of View
Such Irony!
When I wanted to live, fate made sure I suffer while I live and now that I want to die, fate again made sure to keep me alive and give me death every moment.
The severe ache in my head is a proof to me that I’m still breathing and fine but the darkness evolved was hard to fade away. I tried to open my eyes from the deafening slumber but my unnaturally warm body is aching a lot resulting in heaviness.
What happened? I don’t clearly remember.
The last I remember was drenching in cold rain, after that I’m blank. For a moment I thought I was dead and was being shipped to hell but the body ache confirmed me that I’m somewhere alive though not well but still alive.
I can feel soft clothes around myself and tugged in warm duvet which should be making me feel good but the life experience I had taught me that something which feels good is usually bad for me.
I heard few faint murmurs around me but my still hazed mind couldn’t comprehend who they and what they are talking.
Drooping into another oblivious sleep for don’t know hours or days, the next time my consciousness returned was when I was able to tear my eyes open. Lights was gushing through the windows freely without any hindrance and so was cool breeze.
That was when I noticed the surroundings I was in. It was a large room with a double post bed so soft and fluffy. There are large French windows in the room and was equipped with a large TV.
Where am I?
My throat parched with the last of fluids and coughs continuously hit me hard again and again. It was very painful to cough with a dry throat but there was no water anywhere in the room.Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.
“I see you are finally awake, child.” I heard someone speaking. Leaning the back of bedpost, I slowly lifted my head up to see who it was with the little energy I seem to have.
Before I could see the face of the person, I was given a glass of water which I’m craving for. Without a second thought, I drank it thirstily in a second and sighed in relief when my throat felt better. And once I looked up to see the person who possible took me, I was shocked to see the old woman from the other day who came to ask why I was alone.
“Thank You.” I rasped out, coughing a little.
So she must be the one who brought me here. But why did she do that? I thought I talked back to her a little rudely the other day!
“How are you feeling now?” She asked me walked towards the chair beside the bed and sat there. She looked very young and energetic despite of her age.
“Better, thank you.” I answered in a meek voice. Somehow I felt ashamed of talking to her when I remember how I left her stranded the other day.
“Good. You were not well when I took you in. It took the doctor four days to get the fever down plus you were in a semi coma state for a week later on.” I nodded my head surprised at how long I was out of consciousness.
But then, I think my body is a little better with the amount of rest and care I had all these days.
“Thank you, ma’am” I said and tried to stand up and walk out, not wanting to impose on her anymore than I already am.
“Sit down young lady. I don’t take disrespect lightly, might I tell you.” I heard her stern voice order me and my body acted accordingly without my permission.
I sat down on the bed and bowed my head down trying to avoid eye contact with her. I can tell she is a good woman but with lot of power. Her posture, her eyes, the way she spoke commandingly, it was all the evidence I needed to come to a conclusion that she is not an ordinary woman.
“Good. Your dinner will be here in few minutes. Now that we are alone and here, I would like to know what you were doing alone in the old barn.” She asked me. She looked me like a strict mother who is waiting for one slip from her child and she would get an earful.
“I –”
“I don’t like hearing lies, girl. So better tell me truth.” I gulped audibly when I looked at her staring at me sternly. I was about to tell her some story because she is a stranger and I don’t think I can trust anyone so soon after what had happened to me; but guess her experience could already tell that I was about to lie.
“I had to leave the place I used to suddenly due to some reasons so I was… looking for a temporary place to fit before moving to a permanent one.” I told a half truth. I don’t want to afford to be hated by yet another person just because I came from a compromising position.
I had enough people judging me, it is better I get judged as a homeless poor person than a girl who was paid to warm different beds.
The old lady hummed in reply and scanned me with her scrutinizing eyes. I shifted on the bed uncomfortably when she continuously stared at me with a frown. But what caught my attention was her eyes.
Those eyes look familiar, painfully familiar eyes that brought back millions of memories of a certain person who filled my life with his essence.
“You stay here for few days until you find something for yourself.” I did not expect her to say that. I was expecting disgust or anger towards me because that is what people give me in return.
“I’m fine, thank you. I already – ”
“I live here alone with a few staff. Stay here till you find place and before you argue, I am not asking you. It’s an order. I can’t sleep at nights if my conscience mocks me about leaving a young woman on streets with no protection.” She cut me off and replied in a no nonsense tone. Her voice is like tons of authority falling upon you and compelling you to accept it.
Why does she want me to stay with her?
Who is she and why is she so adamant to keep me?
Is she trying to trick me and sell me off?
I don’t know when I became the way I am now. The Phoebe who used to trust people and do their bidding with eyes closed is not there anymore.
It’s like I had become a complete new person who has no energy to put faith in anyone else, not even myself. World has become a bad place to stay for me.
“I don’t trust you.” I muttered in a small voice without thinking anything. She raised an eyebrow at me and a small smile played on her lips.
I know what I said to an elderly woman who was kind enough to save me from dying but the day I ran away, something broke in me.
I wish I have Nicco with me!
“Good. I don’t trust you too. I don’t accept anyone free loading on me. Take good rest for two days and meet the housekeeper, Mrs. Jones in kitchen. She will assign you work. You be paid accordingly. This is a guest room, stay here for now. Mrs. Jones will get you few pairs of clean clothes.” She ordered again with a command and walked towards the door to leave before she hears my reply.
“Ah, your food is here. Eat and take the medicines that are kept in the top drawer.” Saying, she walked out leaving me and a lady who brought me heaps of food in a large tray for me.
I sat there confused and shocked at the old lady who seemed to have power over me, enough to make me comply with her decisions.
What I didn’t understand was, why?
I don’t think people is that good and kind to accept a stranger in their house?
Can I ever have a new start?
I don’t think so because you cannot live in past and hope for a new future.
My eyes filled up with tears when once again the sweet memories of my Nicco hit me hard. Everything I see, I see him. The food, the bed, the vase, the pot; everything brings out a memory of him.
Will I be a coward if I end this pain forever?
I wish I become brave enough end myself and the pain one day!
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