Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 2

“Sweetheart... we won’t harm you, you gotta trust us. You have to eat something.” Her eyes darting from left to right as she studied me.

I nodded and slowly managed to stand and sit on the bed. She held me like I was made up of glass but I didn’t hold any judgement.

She had made some soup which was re-heated. She blew it to make it lukewarm and pressed the spoon to my lips.

‘Ewww... I don’t like soups.’

I could have thrown a tantrum but right now, I didn’t feel anything. So, I opened my lips to suck the warm contents and tears rolled down the cheeks.

“Hey! What’s wrong my child? Is it too warm? Did you burn your tongue?” she asked holding my hands in hers while rubbing them.

“Wha-why? Why are you being nice to me?” I asked between my sobs.

“Why didn’t you just let me die....” this time I sobbed harder as the pain sliced my heart; as if I was holding so much on myself that wanted to be released.

“You weren’t born to just die like that? No parents raise their kids to let them just die in such a ruthless way.” That; made me cry even more.

“You don’t know how we found you. It was no less than a miracle because that was a lonely spot after 8 PM and we never took that trail as far as we know. It was like all the gods up above wanted us to find you and save you. If not for Adonis running to you and barking insanely; you wouldn’t have been found out in those dark swamps. You were barely alive sweetie and being a mother of two, how could I have just let you die there?” she rubbed my hair when Marcus came in with a huge tray of food.

“I don’t know if you believe in fate but I do and it was our fate to have crossed path with you on that night. Or else, come think of this; How come we ended up on that trail which we avoided since last thirty years? Nor just that, Adonis hate strangers and yet he was the one who ran for your rescue. I strongly believe it was god’s indication for your survival.” He praised lord which irritated me.

“There’s no such thing as god!!!” I yelled which took them aback.

“There’s ain’t god there. It just a tale of lies...” I cried.

Marcus hugged me and didn’t say anything for long.

“I am sure things turned bad for you but trust me it was his plan. He had planned something better than what you could have achieved that time. Don’t lose hope child.” He rubbed his hands on my arm but I didn’t have a heart to argue back.

They don’t understand... I used to have high hopes but that lead me here... I used to believe in truth and god but that ended up this way. There. Isn’t. Any. God!

After gulping down the food and taking my meds, I lay back on the bed crying to myself. I felt pathetic like this. Relying on others and not having strength to get up and do basic things.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt something crawl on me. My heart caught in my throat as I slowly moved my head to see what it was...

It was the scarf’s fur that grazed my arm and I let out a loud breath. I can’t live this way... I would better die.

***

Every night when I tried to sleep, I was pulled downwards with the darkness of my past and I screamed in fear and helplessness to stop them and to stop everything but was pulled back by Marcus and his wife.

After three weeks...

“Sweetie your coffee...” Maria passed me ‘My’ mug as she says.

I nodded and sipped on it. I noticed how their faces have changed. They looked older with red eyes having dark circles beneath. My chest tightened knowing I am the cause of this. They are helping me and in return I am troubling them. I realized I am not doing anything else than eating, sleeping or pitying myself.

I was upset over this and decided to ease their mind. I needed to do something for them.

I think I should better move out of here.

‘But where is the money?’

I needed to find myself a job first but without documents, who was going to give me a job?

That made me even gloomier.

I heard the faint bell chimed and then I knew what I could do. I can help them run their cafe and doesn’t need any document for them.

‘But how will I ask them for salary? That would be rude plus, I want to help them not burden.’

I sighed and grabbed my mug and washed the dishes in the sink.

I heard someone gasp and found Maria looking at me with a stunned face.

“Can I- I mean, I want to help you with your cafe. So, is it okay for you—” I fumbled with my words.

Her widened eyes and silence killed me. I guess I shouldn’t have asked that. She would think that I am getting too much involved.

“It’s okay if you can’t—“

“No wait! I’m just surprised... good surprise that you are willing to get out of your state of mind. I think working around and socializing will surely help.” She beamed and hugged me suddenly.

“Can I bake or something? I can’t really face people.” I asked uncertain of the demands I was putting up.

“Oh nonsense! The kitchen staff is fix so I am sorry you’ll have to take the counter and don’t you worry honey, we would be there for your help remember, alright? I want you to get back on your life.” She pecked my forehead and turned to walk away.

“So... Should I start it from now?” I asked myself and decided to at least get over with the fear.

When I opened the door, my eyes and ears hurt. The sunlight was bright and it blinded me with so much brightness. The air felt fresh and cold. I hated it. I hated the weather and somehow managed not to get back inside in now ‘my’ bedroom that was way inviting with the thick curtains shutting the light and blocking any voice from outside.

I closed my eyes shut, shielding them with another hand and dashed to the cafe that was built two houses across us with a huge wooden board ‘Smile over Coffee’.

I didn’t think twice before rushing to the front door but a crowd appeared out of nowhere and that made me anxious. I ignored them and dashed inside as the bell chimed and it irritated me. The sudden chattering, laugh and happy voices were giving me a hard time to compose myself. I was regretting my decision to come here.

Before I could have rushed back, Marcus spotted me and proudly took me behind the counter and to the kitchen that was just behind it.

“Hello everyone... I want you to meet our grand-daughter.”

My eyes popped out as I looked at Marcus who just smiled brightly at me. I was having mix emotions. In other circumstances, I would have enjoyed it but not sure about how I feel right now. They are strangers and yet behave so lovingly. Why? Why they have to do this?

“She would be helping us from now on so, please cooperate with her and yes... be patient with her!” Marcus said sternly to which the others nodded and cheered.

“Hey, I am Linda! I am so glad to finally have a partner. I was dying handling the crowd all by myself.” the chirpy voice was annoying me.

Why are they so happy?

She held her hands out but I didn’t feel like shaking my hands with her. I know it was rude but I wasn’t in a state to think about others until I saw her hesitatingly withdrawing her hands.

I felt a nudge and saw Marcus glaring at me.

‘Oh no!’

I sighed and plastered a smile on my face and quickly shook hands with her. She looked surprised but then smiled gently.

“Like I said, just be patient with her.” Marcus whispered in her ears as Linda nodded her head after giggling.

Why was she wearing a color shirt? Why they had a white apron?

I was turned around when the other two had finished introducing and sorry but I didn’t pay attention to what they said. So, you can’t blame me if I didn’t know their names.

“Now listen to me and very carefully. You will be at the counter, taking people’s order and serving them when Linda couldn’t okay? You will survive this. Do you trust me?”

I hope he didn’t ask that but somehow I think I can because it’s been three weeks and they haven’t yelled or showed any sort of annoyance with me.

So, I nodded in return.

“Good... Now make this old man proud!” he fixed a cap on my head and turned me back again before lightly pushing me forward.

I sighed and with trembling legs, I stood behind the glass window and kept wishing that nobody comes to me for orders. My eyes travelled around and it was now that I realized that there are so many people here. I felt pity at them. They were laughing and enjoying themselves and I wonder how long it will take them to realize that those who are claiming to be theirs aren’t theirs...

“Excuse me? Could you please take my order?”

I felt someone block my view and Marcus calling out my name.

“Uh yea! What do you—“ I cleared my throat. It felt weird to hear my own voice and felt weird to plaster an alien smile.

I can bet I looked like a fool with an awkward smile.

“A cheese grilled sandwich and a latte.” I heard the male voice again but didn’t dare to look at him. I nodded and quickly printed his bill and handed him the change.

“Oh can you add two doughnuts as a take out?” I heard the same voice so, did what he wanted and passed him the bill again.

The order was ready in next 10 minutes as Marcus asked me to hand him the bag. I was shocked. I don’t even know who he was. I didn’t look at the face.

I held the tray as I swept my eyes across the room and then landing on the business looking man. I narrowed my eyes at him. Just then he looked up from his phone and c****d an eyebrow at me. I didn’t know what to do so I held the tray up a little and gestured ‘Your Order’ to which he smiled at me.

He was handsome indeed. The black hair that were little messy with a chiseled jaw and face. He had a muscular body that looked even more drool worthy in that expensive suit of his. I marched to his table and turned to go.

“Hey, what’s your name?” He asked out of blue.

I looked at him stupefied. Why does he want to know my name? Is it possible that he had heard of me before because he does look familiar?

I was freaking out inside and maybe it reflected on my face since his expression changed from uncertain to scared one.

Before any of us could have answered, Marcus called me again!

Phew!

I nodded and rushed back to my place, feeling safe in this small isolated part.