Episode # 2:- (Meeting someone in the jungle.)

“Don’t know when I’ll be able to eat ice cream again,” she murmured with a sad pout, pushing a pebble she found on her way back home. Playing with the small stone, she came near the house and looked around.

It was all quiet. She went to the backside and stared at the pipe going up toward her room window. Taking a deep breath, she held it with both hands, ready to climb. Suddenly, she heard footsteps from behind. Startled, she turned her head—and at that exact moment, everything went dark.

Saraya’s sleep broke with the usual pounding on her room door. Austin was, as usual, shouting his lungs out and cursing loudly.

“I wish I could choke his throat,” Saraya murmured in her sleep and grimaced, slowly getting up.

“Coming,” she replied as usual and lazily dragged her feet toward the restroom—but paused.

“Was I dreaming?” she thought, scratching her head in confusion. Her eyes fell on the window. She drew the curtain aside and peered at the jungle. Today it looked quieter than usual.

For the first time in months, Saraya felt scared. She hurriedly covered the window, did her morning chores, and came downstairs with her bag on her shoulder. Today was not her lucky day: Justin and Austin were sitting at the dining table.

“Bring your lazy ass here and make our breakfast,” Justin hissed angrily. Saraya quietly entered the kitchen, made their breakfast, and set the plates in front of them.

“What the hell?” she heard Austin’s voice as she picked up her bag and turned. He was spitting his food as if it tasted terrible.

“Did you empty the entire salt container into this omelette?” Austin asked. Saraya gave him a horrified look.

“No, I didn’t,” she shook her head vigorously. She glanced at Justin, who wore the same angry expression as Austin.

“Do you think I’m lying, you filthy garbage?” Austin snarled and slapped her hard. Saraya blacked out for a moment from the intensity of the slap. She held her cheek and looked at Austin, tears streaming continuously down her face.

He may have complained to Alisha and Thomas, cursed her, irritated her, but he had never raised a hand to her. Today was the first time.

“Austin, what have you done?” Justin asked from behind, hurrying to her. Austin’s expression changed to shock, as if he hadn’t meant to slap her.

“I… I—” Austin began, but Saraya, feeling the burning sensation on her cheek, picked up her bag and ran out. Tears continued to flow like a broken necklace. She touched her cheek and felt thick liquid—blood. A sob escaped her lips as she ran toward the jungle side, hiding her cheek with one hand.

She stopped when tired and settled under a large tree. Her sobbing echoed in the silent area. She didn’t know how long she sat there until she heard rustling.

Looking up, she saw a person walking toward her. The sound came from leaves crushing under his feet.

“What’s a beautiful girl like you doing here?” he asked, approaching. Saraya looked at his face; she had never seen him before. She didn’t reply, keeping her gaze on her lap and her hand over her cheek.

“Are you hurt?” he asked. Saraya looked up. He was tall, and because she was sitting, she had to tilt her head. He seemed a year or two older than her, but his height made him appear almost giant. Seeing her struggle, he kneeled in front of her.

Saraya squirmed, but he raised his hand in surrender.

“Hey, I’m not doing anything. I just saw you struggling,” he said, eyeing her blank stare.

“It’s not a crime to talk to a stranger… perhaps if you’re mute or something,” he added. Saraya stiffened. How does he know I’m mute? Is he a stalker? she thought, glaring angrily at him.

“What happened?” he asked, confused by her glare. She said nothing.

“Is something wrong with my handsome face?” he murmured, rubbing his face, then took out his cellphone and switched on the front camera.

A small smile appeared on Saraya’s lips when she saw him making funny faces, looking for something on his face.

“Hey, I’m handsome as always, so why are you glaring at me?” he asked again, scratching his neck.

“How do you know I’m also known as mute?” Saraya finally exclaimed. He made an ‘O’ face.

“I said it randomly because you weren’t speaking. But by the way, why are you known as mute?” he asked, curious.

Saraya didn’t reply, turning her face aside.

“Okay, if you’re not comfortable, that’s fine. But why are you sitting with your hand on your cheek? Are you hurt?” he asked again. Saraya absentmindedly removed her hand.

“Oh fuck, you are hurt,” he said, taking a napkin from his jacket and holding it out to her. Saraya flinched at the sudden movement. Seeing her reaction, he froze, realizing she was just protecting herself.

“Sorry,” Saraya murmured, holding her hand in front of him. He placed the napkin in her hand, and she pressed it to her cheek, wincing at the sting.

“We can go to the hospital,” he said, but Saraya shook her head.

“Did someone hurt you? If yes, we can go to the police station now,” he asked angrily.

Saraya gave an amused look; it was the second time someone worried about her. Yesterday, Phoenix saved her, and now this guy.

“No, I’m fine,” she said. He wanted to argue, but seeing her expression, he stayed quiet.

“Can we at least go to the pharmacy to bandage your wound?” he asked again.

“No, I’ll be fine. Thank you for this hanky,” she replied, standing up. She picked up her bag and turned to leave.

“You haven’t told me your name,” he called. Saraya smiled faintly.

“I’m Saraya Louis,” she replied. He smiled brightly.

“Nice name,” he said, waving goodbye. Saraya realized she hadn’t asked his name.

“What’s your name?” she asked. Without moving, he tilted his head slightly.

“Vidhant Mittal,” he replied and left without turning back.

His name is Asian, but his accent and appearance seem English. And what was he doing in the jungle? Saraya thought, shaking off her thoughts and leaving.

She exited the jungle and looked around. She was late for school and didn’t want to go home; they must all be there, and she didn’t want to face them.

“What should I do now?” she murmured, looking at the bloodstained hanky.

Walking in one direction, she came to a small cafe. Suddenly, she banged into something hard.

“Oomph!” she exclaimed, palming her nose, tears welling from the pain.

“Keep your eyes open; you never know if the person in front of you is good or bad, Honey Bee,” she heard a voice. She jerked her eyes open and looked around, but nobody suspicious was near.

Honey Bee? I’ve heard that before… Saraya murmured, gazing around. Who was he, and where did he go? She sighed in frustration.

Unable to make sense of anything, she decided to go to a park—but before she could, she fainted.

“She hasn’t eaten for a day or two. That’s why she fainted. I’ve treated her cheek; it wasn’t deep, but someone slapped her, probably wearing something pointed,” a voice explained.

Saraya groaned as a bright light pierced her eyes. She blinked a few times, confused, and saw a white room. A middle-aged lady stood there, alongside a man in a white coat.

“Oh dear, thank God you’re awake! You fainted in front of my cafe, so I brought you here,” the lady said.

“Thank you for helping me,” Saraya replied meekly, trying to get up but feeling dizzy.

“Lie down, dear; you’re still weak,” the doctor said. Saraya shook her head. It’s already late. I don’t want any more beatings today, she thought, getting up. The lady and doctor tried to stop her, but she grabbed her bag and bolted.

Saraya reached home. Her head pained like hell. Avoiding the front door, she went to the back and looked around. Nobody was there. She hung her bag on her shoulder and tried to climb the pipe.

Dizziness increased. She jerked her head and tried to climb. She was a few feet from the window when everything went blank, and her hand slipped.

Saraya whimpered as a wave of pain shot through her spine. She tried to get up but fell into the deep well of darkness.

To be continued…