Forbidden Soul

Chapter 6: Like A Family

 Mia’s POV

The bright sunlight touches my face, forcing me to open my eyes. I try to cover my eyes with my hands. A sharp pain stops my action. Then I try to move. My entire body is in pain. What is happening? I force myself to open my eyes. Where am I? This is not my room! The bed is more comfortable than necessary. My hands are covered with bandages. My head is hurting like anything. I panic at first. 

Calm down, Mia. I inhale deeply to regain my composure. Then I try to remember what happened yesterday. The memory becomes clear. Scarlett took me to the woods, and I fell from a ridge. But someone has saved me out there. He caught me in the midair and then we landed safely on the ground! Just like some kind of superman. But how can it be even possible? I close my eyes. I can still see his grey hypnotic eyes. I touch my shoulder unknowingly. This is where he has touched me. I can still feel those tingles. My heart is racing. All I want to see him once again. Who was he?

“MIA! Thank god you’re okay!” A loud voice disturbs my peace. I open my eyes slowly. SAM!

“Sam? What are you doing here and where am I?” I ask her rapidly.

“Yay! You’re okay!” Sam hugs me tightly.

“Ah,” I groan in pain.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry,” she apologizes quickly, pulling apart.

I caress my arm just to find out a big bruise. Oh, God! What a great start to my new life!

“You scared me, Mia. When you… you know. But how did you survive?” Sam asks.

Yes, now I remember. She was also there. She was trying to help me. But how should I answer her? Will she believe if I say that someone has saved me? I doubt that. Hell, I myself can’t believe that crap.

“I don’t know! But someone was there, Sam,” I reply after a long silence.

“Someone? Who?” Sam speaks with furrowed eyebrows.

“I… I don’t know him. But his eyes, Sam, they were so captive and dreamy. I have never seen eyes like his in my entire life,” I reply. I am still in a daze, thinking about the moments when he saved me.

“Dreamy eyes? Have you hit your head?” Sam looks at me like I have grown two heads.

“Sam, I’m not lying! Someone was there. He saved me.” I reason with her.

“Then where did he go?” Sam asks again.

“I don’t know. I can’t remember anything clearly,” I speak defeatedly. Sam sighs.

“That’s okay. You don’t have to think about all these. Just take rest for now,” Sam responds softly. I nod with a smile.

“But you have to get better by the evening, okay?” And she is back. The real Sam.

“What? But why? What’s in the evening?” I ask her with a giggle.

“You i***t! You know nothing. We have fresher’s party tonight.” She declares loudly. I smile again.

A soft knock grabs our attention. Our eyes move to the door. A woman in her late forties is standing there. She is wearing a simple dress and has a motherly aura. It feels like I have seen her before somewhere.

“Mom,” Sam spells out.

So, this is Mrs. Williams. She looks kind and sweet. She walks in with a tray in her hand.

“Mia, this is my mom, and mom, you already know Mia,” Sam introduces us.

“Hello, Mia. How are you feeling now, sweety?” She asks as she keeps her tray on the bedside table and sits on the bed by my side. Her eyes are worried.

“I’m fine, Mrs. Williams, thank you,” I reply with a soft smile.

“Oh, don’t be so formal. You are Sam’s friend and so like a daughter to me. Just call me Aunt Hailey or Hailey. Whatever you prefer.” She speaks as she tucks a strand of my hair on the side of my ear.

I give a small nod. She is sweet. Maybe Sam has told her about my family.

“How is your hand now? Let me see,” she takes my hand and opens the bandage to check on my wounds.

“I’ll change it,” she informs again, caressing my face.

“Thank you, Aunt Hailey, for taking care of me,” I thank her again.

“Don’t thank me. I’m like your mother.” She smiles as she continues to treat my wound. “Thank god, they are not deep.”

She is so caring and soft. If my mom was alive, she would have been the same, isn’t she? I keep looking at her face while she is taking care of my wounds.

“Oh god, mom! Now she’s your princess. What about me?” Sam starts her drama again. I giggle hearing her complain.

“Sam, have you forgotten? You’re just our pet monkey,” another voice drags our attention to the door.

 My eyes fall on a girl at early twenties, wearing sweatpants and a crop top. Her hair is tied up in a pony. She has a killer figure. She steps in with a smile on her face. That must be Ivy, Sam’s sibling.

“Shut up, you bimbo!” Sam yells.

And they keep going back and forth. Aunt Hailey and I keep laughing, watching them fight.

“OK, enough!” at the end Mrs. Williams stops them.

“Mia, meet Ivy, my elder daughter.” Aunt Hailey introduces me.

“Hi, Mia! You’re so cute,” Ivy smiles. 

Then Hailey faces me again, “Mia, stay here as long as you want. Think of it as your home, okay?”

I don’t know why she is being so kind to me. But she is opening the memories of my mother. Mommy was just like her. It’s just that I have very few memories of her. But every word of Mrs. Williams is warming my heart. I am feeling much better after talking to them. They have taken away all my loneliness just like this. I am feeling like I have finally found a family.

“Thank you, Aunt Hailey, I’m feeling much better,” I whisper. She kisses my forehead once before leaving the room.

As she steps out, I look at Sam, “Sam, I guess I should go back to the dorm. We need to attend the classes as well.”

“You i***t, we don’t have any class today.” Sam brushes me off.

“But Sam…” She cuts me off.

“Yo, listen,” Sam sits on the bed, “I gotta go! I’ve to take care of a lot of arrangements, okay? You just rest and think about what you’re gonna wear.”

“Sam… I…” I try to reason with her, but Ivy jumps in.

“Sam is right. Mia, just stay here, and then I’ll drive you later.” Ivy insists.

“But… Ivy, I have to go back. I don’t have any clothes with me.” I smile apologetically.

“That’s not a problem! Wear mine!” Sam suggests. These Williams sisters are really consistent. They are not gonna let me leave.

“Alright!” I surrender.

“Fantastic! There’s my closet. Help yourself! But now I gotta go! BYEEE,” Sam strides out of the room.

“She is no less than a storm,” Ivy smiles, watching her leave. Then her eyes roam towards me, “Mia, you settle down, okay. I’ve some work to do. See you later.”

With that, Ivy also leaves the room. I stand up from the bed. I guess I should take a shower first. Hours pass by sooner than I have expected. I am standing in Sam’s closet searching for a dress. You won’t believe the dresses she has! I must admit, Sam really has some collection. Her closet is screaming how rich they are. But look at her, always wearing just an oversized hoody or a loose t-shirt. I chuckle inwardly.

After searching for hours, I finally come up with a light pink dress, stopping at my knees. It’s not that fancy or anything, but somehow it feels like me. I look at the clock. It’s already five. Sam will be here any minute now. I change into the dress quickly and then comb my hair properly. I guess I can use some of her makeup and she definitely won’t mind. Gosh! She has everything in her closet. And all untouched. Some lipsticks are still in packages. I shake my head and apply a little lipstick. I tied my hair up in a bun.

I stand in front of the mirror to take a final look. Not bad, Mia! I smile at my reflection. For the very first time, I get to wear a dress like this. My chain of thoughts breaks as the window gets open suddenly with a loud bang. My eyes fall on that instantly. It must be the wind. This room is on the second floor. I sigh in relief. It has really scared me.

I move my eyes from the window to the mirror again. My heart skips a beat. Someone is standing behind me! WITH THOSE SAME HYPNOTIC GREY EYES! I gasp as I turn back instantly. But a gusty wind touches my face, forcing me to close my eyes. I feel the same spark on my skin. It’s him! It has to be him. I take a deep breath. The same manly scent. I feel his finger running down my cheek. A chill goes down my spine. What is it all about? Am I hallucinating? My heart is pounding. The touch is intoxicated. I have never felt this way before.

Suddenly everything stops. The room becomes silent again. The sensations are gone, leaving a blank spot in my heart.

“Mia? What’s wrong?” I open my eyes as Sam’s voice rings in my ear.

The room is empty. I look towards the window instantly. Even it is closed. How this can be?