Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 3

I saw the old couple smiling non-stop and humming to themselves. It was strange to see them like that but strangely, their happiness didn’t annoy me.

‘Maybe this was because you wanted them to be happy?’

“Honey... Can you just set the table? Leave the rest please.” Maria pushed me away from the kitchen.

I set the table and felt worried because I never did this part before. It was always my mum who used to do it and it was too late to stop the whimper that escaped my throat.

Before I could have rushed to ‘my’ bedroom; Marcus appeared in front of me and looked at me dejectedly.

“What is it baby? I thought you were doing so well today? You even made us happy but I think you were just torturing yourself.” He embraced me while he patted my head.

“We want you to be happy but that wouldn’t help if you think of killing your happiness just to impress us.” He sounded hurt.

I couldn’t make them think that they were asking too much from me. Although it did pain but it was worth seeing them smile and sing.

“It’s about my mom.” I mumbled and sobbed hard.

Maria wrapped her arms around my waist as she placed kisses on my shoulder.

“Why don’t you call your family? They must be worried about you.” She cooed.

I shook while crying. I wish there was someone to have worried about me. I wish I could have called my family. That wasn’t possible but...

“If you want we can do a run through on your behalf. Those who left you in that condition deserved harsh punishment and don’t you dare say you don’t remember who did that because we can see right through you. I would suggest you to file a complaint against them.” Marcus spoke with rage.

“I can’t... They are powerful and I don’t stand a chance against them.” I mumbled.

“Why you can’t? We will help you and I am sure so will your family—” Maria begun but I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I can’t because that’s my family... They killed my parents and siblings along with me... They are my family who did all these...” I cried harder clutching Marcus’ shirt in my fists as I pressed my face in his chest.

Nobody spoke anymore and I was grateful for that. They kept raking their fingers through my hair and clearing hair out of my face.

“Let’s get you some food. Come.” Maria spoke as I nodded and turned to washroom to wash my face clean.

***

“Good morning Sunny! Please fix me a croissant and black coffee.” The regular customer said.

“Morning! I will be right back.” I spoke lowly in the same robotic tone that I have practiced from last few days.

“Hey Good morning Sunny! Please get my usual.” The same voice called and this time, I looked at him straight catching him off-guard by my behaviour.

“Sure, I would be right back.” I said in that same monotone with that same fake smile.

Linda was on leave today so it was my turn to do everything in here. Thanks to Marcus who joined me in the front and took the orders.

Placing the left tray on the kid- Mason’s table, I headed to place the tray on Grayson’s table next.

“Thanks Sunny.” He beamed which felt awkward to me.

I nodded and mumbled a quick welcome before taking my place.

“So... How is that guy Grayson?” Marcus smirked at me.

“What do you mean? Must be fine. I dunno...” I shrugged now glancing at Grayson and caught him looking at me.

We quickly diverted our eyes as I mentally cursed myself.

“I think he likes you and just FYI, we don’t mind if you date him. He seems pretty nice though.” Marcus smiled.

“Geez! Not interested.” I saw him checking me out again as I felt uncomfortable.

Marcus laughed and nodded.

Later that evening, I was pulled out by Linda as she dragged me to her car.

“Could you at least tell me where we are going?” I asked her feeling irritated.

“You’ll know now just shut up!” she replied with the same tone.

This girl... She was a pain in my ass. She was bubbly and wasn’t fazed with my mood. She cared less if I would have hit her due to my bad mood and what’s more irritating is that, she reminded me of my sister.

The car stopped at the Faneuil Hall marketplace and I looked at her pensively.

“So you decided to drag me here because you wanted to shop—” She cut me off and slammed her door before ‘ordering’ me to follow her.

I huffed and ran after her.

She is exactly like my sis.

I inserted my ear plugs on the way and wore a sun-glass to protect my eyes from the aching colors around me.

She entered a clothing store as she glanced at me and back to the store. She picked out few clothes and tossed towards me.

“Try them on!” she turned back and started rummaging through the stand.

“What?” I was baffled.

“Don’t you ‘What’ me Sunny... Just go and try them on!” she said getting annoyed.

I crossed my arms as I looked at her in disbelief.

“I WONT! I don’t even want any clothes in the first place.” I spoke through my teeth.

That surely got her attention as she looked at me with utter disappointment.

“Can you say that again?” She held my wrist and pulled me inside a changing room, making me face the mirror which I avoided.

A strange feeling creeping inside me when I stood so close to it; I was feeling self conscience. It’s been so long that I looked at my image. It was like she wanted me to face the reality which I was trying to escape.

“Look at you! You are wearing men’s clothes and that looks like hand-downs. Not to get offended, they look fresh and new but Sunny, they aren’t your size.” She tried to make me understand.

“But I like lose clothes.” I tried to avoid her.

“Shirts can do but not jeans... For god’s sake, for my sake, please buy clothes your size.” She sighed in defeat.

I mustered up the courage to look into the reflection and my jaw-dropped.

I was thin than before. I looked like someone with zero-size figure and that wasn’t clearly me. I used to be average with almost an hour glass figure. My face used to be full unlike the one I was staring at. My eyes seemed dead without a life and face looked so thin as if someone has sucked air out of it. It looked so odd. I totally looked someone else. There weren’t those smiling eyes, or that smiling face and clearly not that jolly girl.

My shirt was loose and that was okay but like Linda pointed out; my jeans were ready to slip off my waist. They were too loose and it was a mystery how it still managed to stay in place.

“Okay...” I heard myself say to which she gasped before squealing in excitement.

“But only black!” I told her sternly.

I know she wanted to retort because all those clothes I wore were black but I don’t feel like having any other color than this. Black was emotion. Black was meaningful.

“Whatever!” she huffed and we were back with ten new pairs.

***

It’s been six months and I learned to survive. I have learned to fake a smile that didn’t look odd anymore and successfully, escaping the color themed parties which the staff held but I also learned one thing; Marcus and Maria were having some hard time. Someone was trying to buy their land which would mean they would lose their cafe which was the only source of the income.

I shook my head while coming back from the cafe. I decided to search job in other parts so with the help of Linda, we picked up the newspaper to find jobs and searched online for more.

“How is that you don’t own a mobile? Everyone does.” She said in amazement.

“That’s because I don’t want to. Do you mind if I put your number in here?” I already did without waiting for her response.

“Sure! Let’s make you an email id too and social accounts.” She said excitedly.

“Nooo!!!” I yelled and regretting it later.

“I mean no. I will be fine with an email id. Just no social accounts!” I tried to cover up but it didn’t work well.

“Why? Some people can only provide you job if you have a f*******: account because that gives them a kind of assurity that you aren’t a fugitive or something shady.” She said making my heart sink even more.

“We will search for those who doesn’t mind it then and yea the one who doesn’t need any documents.” She looked at me like I have lost my mind and snorted.

“You must be kidding.” Having not received any answer, her face fell.

“What is it? Tell me. I know there is something that you guys have been hiding but please trust me. I can help you only if you did trust me.” She pleaded to which I shook my head.

“I am not ready yet.” I hope she understands me.

She dropped me back ‘Home’ and just when I pushed the door open, I was attacked by something.

I fell on the ground with a thud and screamed at the top of my lungs... I cried and screamed till I heard other voices and a laughter which was unfamiliar.

I cried trying to push the heavy body away from me but was surprised when I felt something hot and slimy on my face and wiping my tears.

I slowly opened my eyes to meet with the black eyes of the cutest golden retriever as he licked my tears away and pressed him to me wagging his tail slowly.

I felt a tug at my heart as I looked at him. I hugged him and started patting him affectionately as everything seemed silent.

When the retriever calmed, I scratched his chin lightly and cooed, “Awww... Thank you so much darling! You’re such a good boy!” I played with him till my eyes fell on the people standing in front of me.

Their eyes were ready to pop out as I c****d my eyebrow in confusion. Maria smiled to Marcus knowingly when I heard someone clear their throat.

There was someone else beside them. A boy nearly my age, stood there with bewildered look.

“Adonis! You traitor!” He playfully glared at the retriever.

Now it was my turn to be stunned. So this is Adonis who saved me that night. I felt warmth for the first time since then.

I kissed him on his forehead and kept rubbing his belly.