Kyla Jones POV
My brain was reeling out. I didn’t turn back. Please let it not be him again....
I increased my speed of walking. I walked at the brisk place reaching my little apartment in a matter of minutes.
I felt a relief when I heard the familiar click of the lock opening and pushed open the door into my warm apartment.
I set my bag on the stand at the side slipping off my boots and coat, hanging up my coat on the coat rank. I jerked when I someone called me.
“ You’re back Kyla!” mom squealed.
“ Oh my God! Mom you scared me...and why are you still awake..” I said keeping my hand on my chest.
“ Well I had some work to do” she said lifting a heavy box.
“ Mom, how many times I have warned you not to lift heavy things. It’s not good for your health” I sighed taking the box from her.
“ Oh dear, can’t I do little things...you expect me to sit like an idol.!?” She pouted.
“Exactly! My mom is precious to me” I gave a peck on her cheek.
“ Did you eat? Did you take medicines?”
“Yes dear , your father took care all of it.” She said smiling widely.
“Good night ma” I said hugging her.
“ Good night sweetie.” Mom pecked my forehead and went off to her room.
I walked towards my room eager just to sink into the warmth and comfort of my bed after that terrifying walk.
Was it him or it’s my hallucination..?
It’s been 2 week since he attacked me!? Why do you care anyway?
Forget it and move ahead in life..
*Next morning..*
“Big siissssssss.....oh KYLAAAAA.....” Anna screamed from outside.
“ I’m coming down now, please don’t call my name again” I yell as I walk downstairs.
Mom was serving breakfast to dad and Anna was sitting on a couch.
“ Hey college girl” Anna smiles a bright, perfectly lined smile while standing to pull me into a tight hug. I hugged her giving same bright smile to her.
“ Aunty... I have a favour to ask! “ Anna chirped.
“ Go on dear, we are listening...” Mom said.
“ Well it’s like this.......Big sis Kyla has a friend who is offering her to stay in her house, you see as Sis Kyla cannot make up and down from college to house and vice versa. It will be hectic, so I am telling her to move in with her friend” she said in one breath.
“ Mom I cannot live without you all " I pouted.
“ Oh come on, kindergarten kid....it’s not like they going to eat you up there” Anna teased me.
“Aunty please.....please make her agree, it’s for her own good, don't y'all think?” Anna whined.
“ Dear I think Anna is right...3 hrs will be very hectic....in total 6 hrs for coming and going. Besides here environment is not suitable for studying dear.... maybe that’s better” Mom said.
“ But mom....”
“ Oh come on Kyla dear.... I am there with your mother, nothing going to happen to us. We just want you to have a good future and a comfortable life” Dad grinned.
I hugged dad and mom tears escaping from my eyes. Anna was silently, carefully wiping her eyes watching our family bond. I separated from them and I faced Anna.
“ Okayyyyy I’m staying with Remi now. Happy??...” I said giving a bright smile to her.
“Yay.... finally” she hugged me and started jumping like a kid.
*Next day....*
“ I just can’t believe you are in college! My only daughter, a college student, living on her own. I just can’t believe it” Mom whines and wipes her teary eyes.
“ Ma..... don’t cry, this is why I don’t want to leave you” I whined.
“ Don’t worry about her dear, just pack your things” Dad gave a pat on my back.
“ Okay sweetie, I am baking cupcakes so you could take them with you, chocolate! Your favourite” Mom winked and I giggled.
“ Thanks Mom, You are the best!” I kissed her cheek gently, mom and dad walked out of my room as I continued to pack my things.
After I filled 2 luggage’s, 3 small travel bags, and my backpack, I skipped my way down the stairs. My parents were giving me a nice farewell. I heard an auto honking sound. It must be Anna!
Everybody were there, Anna, Evelyn and Ron, other neighbours. Anna, Evelyn and Ron were coming with me as they wanted to see the big city as well as Arcadia university.
Dad brought all the luggage’s down and dragged it towards the auto. I hugged mom and dad and then we were off to the Remi's house.
Anna, Evelyn and Ron laughed and chirped as we travelled through train to the city.
We stepped out of the train as we arrived, Evelyn and Ron looked around the city station, holding the suitcase and bags... amused and thrilled.
" Let me guide you folks as I have been here before too so...FOLLOW ME!!!" Anna chirped out loudly making Evelyn and Ron follow her excitingly.
We hired a taxi and we were off to Remi's house. After some minutes we reached near a posh street area. Every house looked big and area was neat and silent.
My eyes widened when I saw Remi house. Remi and Lisa waiting outside for our arrival.
“ Oh my God! This is your house!!” Anna gawked at the house.
“It’s nothing much...haha, let’s go inside folks” Remi said cheerfully.
“ See I don’t want to live alone here in this big house, I told Dad to buy a simple house but he bought this for me, I don’t want to be a third wheel in my cousin’s house since he has a girlfriend, so I decided to live here.” Remi said cheerfully.
“ Hmmmm.....so sis is going to stay in your big room!?” Evelyn said excited.
“ No...your big sis is getting a big room, exclusively for her! ” Remi laughed seeing our expression.
“ Now that’s why I love you big sis Remi” Anna chirped hugging Remi and jumping. I rolled my eyes by their behaviour. These kids literally...!
Finally I was in the room in which I will be living. It was 3 times bigger than my previous room.
“ So do you like it!? " Remi said raising her eyebrows.
“ Like it? I love it Remi, thank you!” I hugged her.
“ Oh it’s nothing, I am glad you accepted to stay here! I’m soo happy” Remi hugged me tightly.
Evelyn and Anna jumped on the bed, Ron was looking around with a excited face. I started unpacking the things.
So my dream really came true ha?...I can't believe I'm here...so my bright future begins from here.
I was kind of feeling homesick to be frank. Everything here was perfect but still I missed mom and dad. I have never lived alone before.
Did I make a right decision coming here!?
After few minutes. I freshened up wore my pyjamas. Anna, Evelyn and Ron helped me unpack and arrange things in my new room.
Evelyn, Ron and Anna ate some food and snacks and they were sleeping on my bed peacefully. I smiled at them while I was folding the clothes.
Suddenly Remi shouted from down.
“ Kyla..... come down look who’s here, come down I want to introduce you”
Introduce me!? It’s must be her cousin and her girlfriend perhaps..
I ran down the stairs. There were many people maybe around 5-6 people, but only Henry was facing me. Remi pulled me towards her and screamed “ LOOK WHO’S HERE EVERYONE”
Everybody’s attention was now towards me. I froze. God!
It’s them....it’s him....the guy who attacked me in the cafe!
My knees went weak, but Remi was holding me tightly as if I was going to evaporate. I spotted him....the maniac.
YOU ARE MINE! AND I WILL HAVE YOU SOON.......
My breath hitched in my throat, my heart started racing. He was directly looking into me.
I gripped Remi hand in my hand growing insecure under his stare. Even with the distance separating us I could clearly see those cold, cold eyes tracing my part of body and I felt naked.
I felt like he was stripping me, leaving nothing but heat and insecurity. He was looking me like I was his prey. His eyes were filled with pure hatred towards me.
*YOU ARE MINE! AND I WILL HAVE YOU SOON.......*
It was constantly ringing on my mind. Each and every scene of that night was repeating on my mind. My gaze averted to a girl who started approaching me...the girl whom I met in cafe at that night.
“ Hi Kyla..I am Henry’s girlfriend Emma” she raised her hand for handshake. My heart was hammering my chest. My mind was going blank. I started stepping back pushing the hold of Remi.
“ You.... “ I started stepping back.
“ Listen Kyla, I am sorry about the attack that happened on you at the cafe. It was a mistake, please give me a chance to explain” Emma started taking larger steps towards me. Then somebody shouted from behind me.
“ You what!? You got attacked in the cafe!!!” Anna screamed almost getting everyone’s attention. Ron and Evelyn standing beside her with drowsy eyes.
When did they wake up and follow me??
“ When, how, you didn’t tell me you little twerp” Anna pulled me towards her almost screaming on my face.
“ Please, give them one second, let them talk, they are having a important conversation” Remi reached towards us and clamped Anna’s mouth.
“ What do......you... want..” I shuttered not looking at the maniac and his friends, just staring the marble floor. I was panicking. My breath was becoming uneven.
“ Please calm down for a second, please someone give her a glass of water.” Emma shouted.
“ No please leave me alone, why are you here!?” I started panicking.
“ Please take Vincent outside, she is panicking seeing him” Emma ordered the boys out there. Henry and another guy left with that maniac.
“ Now please calm down, let me explain it to you.” Emma said in calm tone.
A tall boy maybe of 6’2 was standing beside her. They made me sit on the chair. We were all sitting on the dining room, across the dining table.
“ We need your help Kyla, it’s severe, I know it was wrong to approach you like what happened that night, we didn’t know he would be there” Emma said concern lacing her voice.
“ Let me tell you something....please listen carefully, you need to know everything “ Emma said in dead serious tone.
“ Vincent is suffering from cyclothymia disorder. It’s basically a mood disorder that causes depression and mood swings. People with cyclothymia can typically function in daily life, although it may be difficult.”
“In some people, traumatic events or experiences may act as a trigger for this condition, and Vincent became the prey. He started developing this disorder because he was betrayed by his ex lover. Her name is Eva Smith, Blake show her the photo” Emma ordered. Blake came towards me and handed me the photo.
No way.....she just looks like me, same face, same hair, same eyes...it’s like cut copy paste.
Well she was a rock version of me. She was so stylist, her personality was dead opposite of me.
Here I was a simple girl with no style, no makeup, all bland looking.
Suddenly Emma cut me off “ she’s the one that Vincent loves”
“ So he mistook me as his Eva” I said shocked gaping the photo.
“ Exactly, that’s the point, he was so smitten by her. They started dating when they were in 5th grade. She was another powerful businessman’s daughter and she always visited Vincent’s house.
Now that’s where he fell for her trap. They started dating each other. Everything went so fast. He danced according to her tune. He was addicted to her. I don’t know what black magic she pulled upon him.
His laptop, PC, iPad, were full of her videos and photos. Let’s say he was crazy in love. Everything was going on ease. Vincent was the most popular guy, and every girl dreamed of him.
He was perfect in everything sports, looks, studying, his social status. He was the top student in our school.
His relationship started getting sore when a new transferred boy entered our school Jake Kinley. He was a new competition to Vincent. He was the son of Vincent’s father enemy, another tycoon in the world.
Vincent became the school football team captain. So Vincent and Eva didn’t get much time for each other. Vincent somehow managed to spend time with her. But she started acting weird. Vincent started loosing many positions, because he daily fought with Eva.
She always got irritated by him eventually. His emotions started to get unstable. Jake Kinley was taking his all positions from sports to his girlfriend.
He heard many rumours that Eva was going out with Jake Kinley, but he was so blindly in love with her, he never accepted it.
Until one day, she was caught making out with Jake. He was way beyond shock. His mind wasn’t accepting that she betrayed him. He craved for her, he was addicted to her.
He begged her to come back to him, but that b*tch never came back. She insulted him in front of everyone and accused him being a psychopath, abuser. He was begging her, crying for her....hoping she would come back to him, but it never happened.
Slowly he was going into depression. Everybody was talking about him, about them, it was making him more depressed, he started developing several mood swings.
Eva and her new boyfriend left the country after they finished senior high school, because Vincent was going wild, he was going insane without her.
He was admitted to hospital for several months. There is no cure for cyclothymia, but there are treatments that will help you manage your symptoms.
The medicines helped him only for short duration of time. He did calm down from coming back from NIMHANS, we thought everything's going fine again but....
He became way too dull than any normal being. He became very inactive and closed himself from everyone. Not responding, he was never like this before."
Emma's eyes were filled with tears. I and my juniors were shocked listening to his story.
" We begged Eva to come back but she was a gold digger, she only loved his status and fame. Vincent is not same anymore...and we don't know how to mend his life."
" Please only you can help him, we are not asking you to be his girlfriend, but if you stay around him, maybe he might feel better, atleast we can hope for his little activeness??"
" I want my real him back, It will only happen on your presence. If we let him be as he is, in his own world....chances of him getting better wil be worse."
" Cyclothymia can increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder." Emma clasped her both hands together, tears flowing through her eyes.
" Only you can make him stable Kyla. If he be around you, we can lessen his disorder. Please I beg you, please help us."
“ In short you are saying that our big sis Kyla should babysit a psychopath, a depressed guy!? ” Anna said anger lacing her voice.
We flinched when Blake stood up angrily making a thud sound, by hitting the table.
“ Listen you little piece of meat...don’t f*** with me, mind your language “ Blake spoke angrily at Anna.
“ Lower your voice! " Lisa came in between glaring daggers at him. " You might think this is useless , but my friend's life is precious. I can’t let her risk her life for that maniac, he has already attacked her in the cafe what else we have to wait for” Lisa snarled angrily at him.
“ Why you....” Blake was saying I interrupted him.
“ Lisa calm down, look ma'am I am sorry but I can’t help you...we are students here, we have worked hard to reach here. Please leave us alone to live peacefully. We don’t want any trouble”
“ How much money do you want!?” Blake raised his voice.
“ Excuse me “ I said confused and angry.
“ Just speak up, how much money you want to pull this act, I know you low class people want money, you go up to any extent for money” Blake spat the words like fire.
“ What did you just say!? Low class people? We don’t give a f*** to your money, who wants your money, how dare you talk about her like that, you spoiled rich brat”
Anna spat the words on his face whereas Ron and Evelyn shook their head angrily agreeing to Anna.
" Yeah! Our sis Kyla is more important and she has worked hard to get here not babysit a man!"
" You kids....I can f***ing crush you with my single hand do you know that!?" Blake hissed at them making them flinch a little but they didn't step back even though were slightly afraid for his audacity.
" Aye who the f*** are you?? Don't you dare scare the kids!" Lisa came in between shielding the kids.
“ Guys stop it” Emma said pulling Blake to a side.
“ I knew it, I told you Emma this is useless, turns out she is same as that b*tch, gold digger, heartless, after all she carries the same f***ing face of hers, even her personality matches” Blake kicked the chair furiously making it to fall.
“Oh don’t you talk about her personality, she is the most beautiful from inside as well as outside, we down need your opinion” Lisa spat at him pulling me behind her.
“ F*** you! Let’s get going Emma there is no hope from this b*tches. “ Blake dragged Emma out of the hall.
“ Please reconsider your decision, we need your help” Emma shouted while Blake was dragging her outside.
“You .....you were the one who set up all this “ Anna barked pointing at Remi.
“ No wonder why you were asking my sis Kyla to stay, showing all of a sudden concern. I should have seen it coming" Anna said flashing her angry eyes on Remi.
“ You people think we are cheap just because we are poor, because we don’t match your status. Is is our fault we are born in poor family. " Evelyn said her tears almost spurting out.
" We do have a heart and we have a right to live too, make decisions, you people think you can buy everything by money"
Anna started breaking down. I caressed her back crying. " I should have let you stay in your house, it was my mistake. What will I say to your mom and dad if anything happens to you. It's all my fault big sis!"
Anna started crying, so did Evelyn and Ron seeing her. Oh no, not this!
" Hey! Hey kids!! It's alright! Nothing has gone wrong..." I pat their back, wiping their tears.
" But...that big man...scolded our sis! He looks dangerous, what if he comes back to get our big sis! " Ron said between his sobs.
" Nothing's going to happen kids I'm will be fine!" I try to convince them.
“ Let’s get going from here, we shouldn’t stay here” Anna wiped her tears and dragged me towards to my room.
Remi blocked us “ Please listen Anna , Kyla I am sorry, please forgive me. I didn’t know the situation would turn out like this. But you are my true friend, please don’t leave me. I admit it I was wrong....but please don’t leave me alone here I promise it will never happen again” Remi started crying.
“ Please think about your parents, your studies, nobody is going to harm anyone here! I will tell them to take this topic out of their mind! You can’t leave it like this, your parents have so much hope on you, please don’t give them pressure for small small things. "
" Besides it’s 11pm. What will they think! I promise I won’t repeat it again. It’s ok if you don’t want to help them, please don’t break our friendship” Remi begged trying to hold my leg.
“ Remi what are you doing, I pulled her up. We hugged each other.
“ Blake is blunt but he is good by heart. Everyone are good. They didn’t mean to be rude please I am sorry” Remi said in between sobbing.
" That big man is goo..good?" Ron said hiccupping wiping his tear.
" Yes everyone are...they just asked favour to you big sis and nothing else! All are good person!" Remi tried to convince them.
“ Please don’t leave me alone in this house Kyla! I personally wanted you to stay here. I know what you people are. I always envied you. Please don’t misunderstand me”
“It’s ok Remi....I am sorry I raised my voice at you” Anna hugged her.
We went off to sleep. Anna, Ron, Evelyn slept in my room, we hugged each other sleeping on the king-sized bed.