Episode # 3: (Something is going to change.)

Saraya groaned in her sleep and turned to her other side.

“You are awake,” a voice said. She opened one eye, rubbed it to clear her vision, and found Austin sitting beside her.

Wait, what? Austin? Saraya got up with a jerk but instantly regretted it when a sharp pain shot through her spine.

“Ouch,” she whimpered, falling back onto the bed.

“Relax,” Austin said, placing a hand on her shoulder. Saraya slapped his hand away and crawled back in fear.

Suddenly, she realized he was not alone. Sitting nearby on a chair was Justin.

“I’m sorry,” Austin said. Saraya, looking at both of them with a wary expression, froze.

“For what?” she asked. Austin hung his head low.

“For everything we have done to you,” he said. A sarcastic smile appeared on Saraya’s lips.

“Do you think I’m a fool? Our parents got married when I was around five. For the last thirteen years, I’ve been bearing your hatred and their torture. And now, suddenly, you feel sorry? I bet this is just another trick to punish me,” Saraya spat venomously.

Immediately, she slammed her palm over her mouth. They’ll punish me for talking this nonsense, she thought fearfully, glancing at both of them.

“I know what we did was a sin. But when I raised my hand on you, I realized I should have treated you as my little sister, not the way we treated you. Will you give us one chance to rectify our mistakes?” Austin asked hopefully.

Tears brimmed in Saraya’s eyes.

“When I needed elder brothers, you both were not there. When Thomas and my mother hurt me, you both stood in the corner and watched silently. Whenever I slept hungry, you never came. In these thirteen years, you never once spoke to me nicely. Then from which right are you apologizing?” she said, crying hysterically.

Justin and Austin felt terrible. They had a beautiful soul as their little sister, yet they had not cared for her. Now, when they wanted to mend their relationship, it was too late.

“We are sorry for whatever we have done to you. I hope one day you’ll forgive us,” Justin said, but Saraya turned her face away.

Suddenly, she remembered she had been outside.

“How am I here?” Saraya asked.

“I found you unconscious at the back of our home,” Justin replied.

“I want to sleep,” Saraya said, and both nodded.

“Will you answer one question?” she asked from behind. Austin and Justin, about to leave, stopped and gave her a questioning look.

“Why does my mother hate me so much?” Saraya asked.

Austin and Justin were silent.

“What should we tell you, Saraya? That your mother hates you because she thinks you are the reason your father died,” Justin thought, sharing a look with Austin.

“She hasn’t told us the reason behind her hatred,” Austin replied, not wanting to add to her misery.

Saraya said nothing, lying down and nodding.

“The food is on the side table. Eat something, then take the painkiller,” Austin said, but Saraya didn’t move. They sighed in defeat and left, closing the door behind them.

A sob escaped Saraya’s mouth. She didn’t have the heart to forgive them easily. She had tolerated things she didn’t deserve. At least they had realized their mistakes—but forgiving them? That was another story. For now, she didn’t want to think much.

Saraya slept unknowingly. Her sleep broke when she felt hungry. She got up, looked at the side table, and saw a food tray. Taking a deep breath, she rose from the bed and winced slightly at the pain in her back.

After freshening up and changing her clothes, she picked up the tray and began eating. It was 1 AM. While eating, her eyes drifted to the window and the jungle beyond. She finished her food and took her medicine while staring at the quiet view.

Morning:

Saraya’s sleep was broken by her alarm. She frowned; usually Austin woke her with loud cursing.

“Whatever,” she murmured and went to get ready. Her back still ached but felt much better than before.

She picked up her bag and came downstairs. Entering the kitchen, she stopped. Austin and Justin were standing there, wearing wide grins.

“We made your breakfast,” Justin said cheerfully.

“It’s difficult to forget everything in a single day,” Saraya murmured, leaving after picking an apple from the fruit basket. She felt bad seeing their sad faces, but it was hard to erase thirteen years of horrible memories.

She stepped outside but realized she had forgotten her water bottle. She went back in, but stopped hearing something.

“Where is that bitch?” Alisha’s voice called.

“Don’t call her that,” Austin hissed, clenching his fists.

Thomas, standing beside Alisha, gave an amused look.

“What happened to you both? Suddenly in love?” he asked.

“We were fools, nothing else. But today we warn you both to stay away from her,” Justin snarled.

“Today you love her, but does she love you? It’s been thirteen years,” Alisha smirked.

“We’ve caused her pain for thirteen years. If she wants thirteen years to forgive us, that’s fine. But from today, stay away from her,” Austin said, leaving with Justin.

Tears brimmed in Saraya’s eyes as she quietly closed the front door. Her heart softened, but she remembered her plan to leave on her eighteenth birthday.

“If I stay and they realize they hate me again…” she thought.

“No, I won’t take any risks. I’ll leave. If I want to meet someday, I’ll contact them. For now, it’s better to go,” she said firmly and walked toward school.

At school, students walked around as usual. Saraya was putting her bag in the locker when a hand grabbed her and turned her sharply.

A whimper escaped her lips as her back banged against the lockers. Looking up, she saw Peter. She tried to remove his hands, but he tightened his grip.

“How do you know him?” Peter hissed angrily. Saraya gave him a confused look.

“Tell me, dammit! How do you know Blackthorn?” Peter demanded, slamming her against the lockers.

Blackthorn? Saraya thought, trying to control her scream. Her back ached again.

Before she could react further, someone grabbed Peter’s collar and pulled him back.

“Stay away from her, you bastard,” a voice said. Saraya, controlling her sob, looked at the person who saved her.

Vidhant? she thought, wide-eyed.

Vidhant said nothing else and held her hand as they left, giving Peter a deadly glare.

“Are you fine?” Vidhant asked. They were at the back of the school.

“I’m fine, just my back is aching,” Saraya replied.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

Vidhant smiled. “I have a football match with your school’s team. My team came here, and they are in the canteen. I was going to the restroom when I saw that guy misbehaving with you.”

Saraya realized he was telling the truth; he wore a football uniform.

“Okay, I’m late for my classes,” she said, getting up. Vidhant opened his mouth but stopped.

“See you later,” he said and left. Saraya watched his retreating figure before heading to class.

“Yeah, she’s fine,” Vidhant said to someone on a call before disconnecting.

A few days later:

Austin and Justin tried to show her they had changed. Saraya hadn’t forgiven them, but she spoke to them occasionally. They kept Thomas and Alisha away, and she was glad for that.

It was Saraya’s birthday. Austin and Justin brought a cake at midnight. She cut it and fed them politely. They gave her gifts and left. Saraya considered staying back after seeing their efforts.

But she didn’t know her life was about to change in a few hours.

Around 2 AM, Saraya, unable to sleep, finished her homework and went to the restroom. She came out, wiping her face, and noticed movement outside. Looking toward the jungle, she saw someone standing there, dressed in black, raising a hand to wave.

Saraya felt as if he was trying to say something. She opened the window, and he stepped forward. Before she could react, her room door banged open.

“Saraya, come with me,” Austin said hurriedly. Justin, worried, was behind him.

“Where?” Saraya asked fearfully. The person outside had vanished.

“I’ll tell you later. Come with us—we don’t have much time,” Austin said, taking her hand.

“Not so fast, sons,” a voice boomed. Austin and Justin froze, hiding Saraya behind them.

“We will not let you take her away. She’s innocent. You can’t do this,” Justin said.

For the first time in thirteen years, Saraya felt safe with Austin and Justin.

“Justin, Austin, step aside. They are coming to take her. If you try to stop me, I’ll stuff you both alive,” Thomas said angrily. Austin pushed him back and ran downstairs with Saraya.

“Austin, stop, or I’ll shoot!” Thomas shouted, pulling out a gun. Justin tried to disarm him. Austin and Saraya heard a gunshot as they ran.

“Justin!” Austin shouted as Saraya went numb. Justin lay on the floor, a gunshot wound to his chest.

“Austin, save her, and Saraya… please forgive me,” Justin said, breathlessly, before taking his last breath.

To be continued…