Chapter:18
"Nala"
I watched in horror as Zayden fell from the edge , his body disappearing from sight. A scream tore from my throat as I rushed to his side.
"Oh no, Zayden!" I cried, tears streaming down my face.
I run there . I saw him falling down .no, I saw his body Falling down. His eyes are closed . It I..it feel like he accept it .even if he did . It's me .it's me that hurt him . What can I do now . He's gone now .how can I help him . I wanna help him that's why I run but now he's gone . The only reason the only hope I have to live this life is gone .
And the worst thing is I shot him . I didn't wanted to shot him .I really don't but I can do nothing. It hurt . It's hurt like hell . It's hurt like I'm still in the prison with those gangster. Like I turn into kid again and they torture me but this time it's more more ..more hurting then very .
But my father's voice cut through my despair. "Nala, what's going on here?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing.
"You are crying over ..over a shit like him" he says .
No I have to become stronger. Even if zayden isn't here anymore. I have eto become stronger. I will take his revenge no matter if I had to be a rival of my own father .
I have eto become stronger to get revenge . I remind myself .
I quickly scrambled to my feet, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. "I…I didn't mean to, Father," I stammered.
My father's expression darkened. "You're crying for him? After what he's done to us?" His voice rose, his anger boiling over.
I took a step back, my eyes darting around frantically. "Father, please—"
But his hand shot out, grasping my wrist like a vice. "You're coming with me," he growled. He came towards me . He hold my hand stronger that I knew it will left a reddish mark on my wrist . He mummers let me teach you a lesson while dragging me away.
As we walked back to our car, my tears fell silently, my heart heavy with grief. But when we arrived home, my father's anger erupted into violence.
As soon as we enter he slap me so hard that I can't keep me balance .
Lenny came and help me up . I know he can't say anything to my father and he knows it to .
"What are you doing boy?" My father ask angrily .
"Boss, you have hurt mam . That isn't how it supposed to be . She kill the one whom you wanted to kill" Lenny says with a little anger .
He say it . I thought he never rebel. He's like a right hand servent to mY father but he spoke and it's for me .
"Get out!" My father shout .
"Boss-"
"I said get out . Guards drag him away . Throw him out of this mansion now" my father shout .
Some guards came they held Lenny and take him away .
He still shout " boss , please don't do anything to her."
I watch him being captivated and drow out of the mension .
My father walk towards me again .
"You're a disappointment to me, Nala, you have done what you could but you have turn my dog bark against me " he spat, his hand cracking across my cheek.
What his dog . His slap doesn't hurt that much as his words . "Lenny father work here for almost all his life . Lenny did to . He was not supposed to be a servent but he came anyway ."
I says
Then I become silent for some seconds.
"He choose to be loyal . He done many things he even take bullet for me . It's hurt while seeing your behavior"
My words enhance his anger more .
"You're supposed to be a killer, not a sentimental fool."
I stumbled backward, my eyes blurring with tears. But my father's blows kept coming, each one landing with precision and cruelty.
Finally, he tossed me into the basement, slamming the door shut behind me. I collapsed onto the cold concrete floor, my body wracked with sobs.
This basement reminds me of him .indeed I was being tortured but still the way he take care of me . The moment we spend together. No one can get this out of my mind . I can't forget them .
His words "I wanna run and live on beach" .
"I won't let you leave"
"I will make your life happy from now onward" came back .
This basement, my father slaps doesn't hurt much as the memories of zayden . Zayden...it's hurt .
I wanna tell him that it's not my fault . I wanna tell him that all I did was trying to save him .
But I couldn't. I ...I I shot him . His words the word betrayal coming from his mouth .
His eyes when he saw me coming out of the forest with my father's man .
How sould this will be real .
I shot him . I let him die . And even in his last moment the only things he feel is betrayal I know how much a betrayal can hurt . I know it .
Wise people used to say this:
The moment which ar egone can't come back . Especially happy cause the moment we laugh can become the reason for our tears .
And another ;
Mental pain is more then physical no medicine can cure it .
As the night wore on, my tears slowly dried, replaced by a dull ache that spread through my entire body. I curled up into a ball, my eyes drifting shut as exhaustion claimed me.
But even as I slept, my body remained tense, bracing for the next blow.
The next morning, I slowly came to, my head throbbing with pain. I struggled to sit up, my eyes scanning the dimly lit basement.
For some moments I forget that it's my house . I thought that just now after some minutes zayden will come and give me breakfast like he did before .
The sound of footsteps echoed outside the door, and my heart sank.
For real does zayden is here . I tried to stand up . I whisper "zayden"
But my hope died at the moment I saw father . My father.
The door creaked open fully , at first I can't believe but after seeing him fully . He came and he stood before me, his expression unreadable. "Nala, you have a mission," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
Mission what mission now . I don't want any mission. After giving me this much pain . He still wants to use me . I hate it . I hate him .
How can someone be this cruel . I hate it . I really wished that I had another father or I shouldn't have been born .
But then zayden memories came back the promise I made to myself that I have to revenge an dfir that I have to plan properly .
I looked up at him warily. "What is it, Father?"
"You're going to find Thomas," he replied, his eyes glinting with calculation. "He's a secret FBI agent, working against us. I want you to bring him in."
I felt a surge of unease. Thomas? I'd heard rumors, Lenny tell me about him before in company when we were searching for Max , but….
"I'll need Lenny's help," I said finally, looking up at my father.
I can't do this alone I want some one to help me out .
He nodded curtly. "Very well. You can take him with you. But Nala?" His voice dropped to a warning. "Don't fail me."
I met his gaze, a spark of defiance igniting within me. "I won't, Father," I said, my voice steady.
I won't untill I take revenge I promise .
But as I turned to pack my bags, my mind whispered a different story. I would find Thomas, but would I bring him back to my father? Only time would tell.
As I walked towards the car, Lenny fell into step beside me. "Hey, where are we going?" he asked, eyeing the packed bags in the trunk.
"I've got a mission," I replied, my voice low. "And you're coming with me."
Lenny's eyes widened. "What kind of mission?. You have just gotten some better after what_"
"After what . Nothing happened. This is life . We have to walk if someone left behind" I says
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Lenny's curious gaze put me at ease. "I have to find someone," I said finally. "Thomas. He's a secret FBI agent."
Lenny's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Whoa, that sounds serious."
I nodded grimly. "It is. And I have to be careful."
As we drove away from the house, I gazed out the window, watching the scenery blur by. We passed by happy families, children laughing and playing in the park. I felt a pang in my chest, wondering what it would be like to be carefree like that.
But my thoughts were interrupted by a sudden text from an unknown number. "I hope you complete your mission soon."
I frowned, unsure who could be texting me. But something about the message resonated with me. I typed out a response. "Thanks for everything. I'll be back soon. I hope you're okay by then."
The unknown number responded immediately. "I'll be waiting. Be careful, Nala."
My heart skipped a beat. How did they know my name?
"Who is this?" I typed out, my fingers flying across the screen.
But the response was cryptic. "Someone who cares."
I frowned, unsure what to make of the mysterious texts.
As we arrived at the airport, I felt a thrill of excitement. The bustling terminal was a whirlwind of activity, with people rushing to catch their flights. Lenny and I made our way to the boarding gate, our passports and tickets at the ready.
As we settled into our seats on the plane, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. The hum of the engines and the gentle rocking of the plane soon lulled me to sleep.
I stood in a dark, deserted alleyway, the walls looming above me like specters. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows.
It was me.
Or at least, it was a twisted version of myself. The doppelganger's eyes gleamed with malevolence as it began to stalk towards me.
"You're destined for pain," it hissed, its voice like a rusty gate. "You'll hurt those you love, and those you don't want to hurt."
I tried to run, but my feet felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot. The doppelganger loomed closer, its eyes burning with an otherworldly intensity.
And then, everything went black.
I jolted awake, gasping for breath. Lenny's concerned face hovered above me. "Nala, what's wrong?"
"Nothings" I says
"Sometimes you feel to much that you can't express it feeling what would other think of you so you just says I'm okay it's nothing"
Time passed by, and Lenny and I remained silent, lost in our own thoughts. The plane hummed along, a steady drone that seemed to lull the world into a peaceful slumber.
But Lenny's voice broke the silence, his words gentle as he asked, "Nala, can I ask you something?"
I turned to him, my eyes searching his face. "What is it?"
"What was your life like…before?" he asked, his voice hesitant.
Suddenly why he is asking it .
Whatever .
I felt a pang in my chest, memories flooding back like a tidal wave. "It was hard," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I got beat up, played, and used. There were gangsters everywhere, and they hurt me."
Lenny's eyes widened, his face pale. "Why?" he asked, his voice full of horror.
I shrugged, feeling a bitter taste in my mouth. "At first, it was because I was a girl. They thought I was weak, easy prey. But somehow, I managed to escape, to survive."
Lenny's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "How did you do it?"
I smiled wryly. "I practiced. I watched the gangsters during the day, learned their moves. And at night, I practiced my punches, my kicks. I taught myself how to fight."
Lenny's face fell, his eyes filling with sadness. He reached out, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug.
I hugged him back, feeling a wave of grief wash over me. We sat there for a long time, holding each other, the world outside fading away.
Finally, the plane touched down, and we pulled our bags out of the overhead compartment. As we walked out of the airport, the warm Singapore air enveloped us, a welcome change from the chilly plane.
We hailed a taxi and headed to our hotel, the luxurious Marina Bay Sands. The hotel's grandeur took my breath away – the sleek glass towers, the opulent lobby, the stunning views of the city.
As we checked in, Lenny asked for two rooms, but I hesitated. "Let's just get one room," I said finally, my eyes scanning the lobby. "We can pretend to be a couple. It's safer that way."
Lenny raised an eyebrow but nodded. We took the key to our room, a spacious suite with a stunning view of the city.
As we entered the room, we set our luggage in the closet, and I headed for the shower. Lenny settled onto the sofa, flipping through the TV channels.
When I emerged from the shower, I was shocked to see Lenny cooking up a romantic dinner for us, complete with candles and flowers. He grinned at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "We're a couple, remember?"
I laughed, feeling a flutter in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, this mission wouldn't be so bad after all.
We sat down at the dinner table, the candles casting a warm glow over our faces. Lenny smiled at me, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "So, Nala, tell me more about yourself," he said, his voice low and gentle. I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But Lenny's kind eyes put me at ease.
"I grew up on the streets," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I had to fight for everything I got." Lenny's eyes widened, his face pale. "I'm so sorry, Nala," he said, his voice full of compassion. I shrugged, feeling a pang in my chest.
Lenny reached out, taking my hand in his. "You're safe now," he said, his voice firm. "I'll protect you." I felt a flutter in my chest, my heart skipping a beat. No one had ever promised to protect me before.
After dinner, Lenny suggested we watch a movie together. "Hey, Nala, want to watch a movie with me?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"I don't know, Lenny," I replied, feeling uneasy. "I'm not really in the mood."
But Lenny's persistence wore me down. "Come on, Nala, it's been years since we've had a night like this," he said, his voice low and gentle. "Just one movie, please?"
I finally agreed, and we settled in on the couch, the TV flickering to life. Lenny put his arm around me, pulling me close. I felt a sense of comfort, of safety, that I'd never experienced before.
The movie was called "Friends Never Die", and it was a heart-wrenching story about two friends who would do anything to protect each other. As we watched, Lenny told me more about his life. "You know, Nala, when you were gone, I went to college," he said, his eyes taking on a faraway look. "I made so many friends, and they really helped me. But then I heard about you, and I had to come back."
"I came back because of you, Nala," Lenny said, his voice soft.
I turned to him, my eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks, Lenny. You did so much for me."
Lenny smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's okay, Nala. I'd do anything for you."
As the movie reached its climax, Lenny's eyes welled up with tears. I watched in amusement as he sobbed uncontrollably, his body shaking with emotion.
"Gun dies!" he wailed, his voice hoarse from crying. "Oh no, it's so sad!"
I couldn't help but laugh at him, his tears making me giggle. "Lenny, you're such a crybaby!" I teased, poking fun at him.
Lenny glared at me, but I could see the laughter in his eyes. "Shut up, Nala!" he said, pretending to be offended. "You're just mean."
I chuckled, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Lenny. "I'm just not a sap like you," I said, grinning at him.
Lenny rolled his eyes, but I could see the affection in his gaze. "You're not an ice queen, Nala," he said, his voice soft. "You're just as warm as me, but you just don't show it."
I raised an eyebrow, feeling a flutter in my chest. But before I could respond, memories of Zayden flashed through my mind. His words, his touch, his eyes…everything came flooding back, and I felt my heart ache with longing.
As the movie ended, Lenny turned to me, his eyes serious. "Nala, can I tell you something?" he asked, his voice low.
"Of course, Lenny," I replied, my curiosity piqued.
Lenny took a deep breath. "At first, I took you as my sister. But when Zayden took you, and I was dying…I really regret one thing."
"What is it?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.
Lenny's eyes locked onto mine. "I don't know. At first, I took you as my sister, but now it's different. I can calculate it...in terms of math and numbers, at which I'm best.":
As Lenny's eyes locked onto mine, I felt something strange. My heart didn't beat as fast as it did when Zayden was this close to me. I didn't feel the same flutter in my chest. I didn't know what to make of it, but I felt uneasy, like I was stuck in a dream.
"Good night, Lenny," I said suddenly, getting up from the couch.
Lenny looked up at me, his eyes questioning. "Good night, Nala," he replied, his voice soft.
"Sometimes a strange thing happen in your life it is a feeling for someone who is important to you which you can't feel at the right. But when the right time comse you feel it to much" 💔
I walked to my room, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I closed the door behind me. I climbed into bed, my mind racing with thoughts of Lenny, of Zayden, of my past.
As I drifted off to sleep, memories of Zayden flooded my mind. I remembered his life, his seven years of torture at my father's hands.
And then, I remembered the worst part – the part where I shot him. I felt a wave of grief wash over me, and I burst into tears, my body shaking with sobs.
I deserve rver pain not him. I'm mssing him . I'm missing how he help me when I was in pain . Indeed it was cause of him but somehow it was comfortable.and better then what this is it now .
✨"And people ask how can someone love an abuser,they forget those who starved will eat anything" ✨
I cried for what felt like hours, my heart heavy with grief. I cried for Zayden, for the life he lost, for the pain he endured. And I cried for myself, for the guilt and shame that I felt.
"Just for making the one we love happy we hurt those who love us" 💔
As the tears finally subsided, I fell into a fitful sleep, my mind still reeling with memories of Zayden.