A smile made its way to my lips. I immediately stood up from my seat, expecting him to give me the phone so that I could make the call.
He disappeared somewhere and, in a minute, came back with my phone. He gave it to me and sat on the edge of the bed.
With trembling fingers, I switched on the phone. But just as I was about to press the call button, he tugged me back onto his lap.
I am not getting his obsession with making me sit on his lap.
His eyes were still heavy, and it seemed like he was doing his best to keep them open. I would be best in my interest if he just slept.
“Call before I decide to take away the privilege” he said as he kept his chin on my shoulder, his breath fanning my skin. “And I dare you to say anything unnecessarily, and the next thing you will her will be their painful cries” he warned me.
Through I wasn’t comfortable in his lap or with him being so close to me like every other time, he didn’t leave me with any other option.
I dialed my mother’s number, and the phone rang. It was already 10 minutes past 1, and I just hoped that she would pick up the call. My palms wiped the tears from my palm and beads of sweat from my upper lip with the back of my palm, turmoil of emotions was going on inside me.
“Hello, Nara” I heard the concern-filled voice of mother.
My body seemed to release the tension it bad been holding, and my eyes closed instinctively, allowing the tears to escape. It was such a relief to hear her voice. I was content to know that she was fine.
“Mom,” I said softly.
Ansell wrapped his arms around my stomach and pulled me closer to his body as if he wanted to make us one.
“How are you?” I asked.
“I am fine. Where were you, Nara? Why didn’t you call us? Your phone was switched off, we were so scared” she asked so many questions at the same time, and I could clearly hear the concern in her voice.
Ansell’s palms squeezed my stomach as if he were warning me, reminding me of his threat once again without uttering a single word. It was clear the potential harm that he could do to my parents if I said anything a miss.
“I… My.. I dropped my phone accidentally. It was at the service center. I forgot your number, and then I got busy with work. I am sorry, mom”
I know the excuse wasn’t that strong, but my parents have always trusted us. They raised us in suc a way that they knew their children could do nothing wrong. She has never questioned me, and like every time, she trusted me as well.
“You know we got so scared” she cried. “Your father’s blood pressure shot up”
“Where is dad?” I asked.
My voice trembled as I tried my best to Keep my sounds under control. He snuggled his face in the crook of my neck, and I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to stop my scream if he bit me there.
“He is resting. The doctor prescribed sleeping pills to help him relax, as he couldn’t stop worrying about you” she told me, “he has already not come out of William’s death” I could hear a loud sob from her side, which she tried to suppress.
“Mom, don’t cry, Please” I requested.
“I don’t know why I was feeling like something bad was happening to you. I can’t sleep” she told me.
“I am alright, mom” I reassured her, though my tone didn’t quite match my words. “Please, try not to stress yourself”
.”and what about the case? Have you made any progress in finding the truth?” Her question shifted the conversation.
Yes, I am sitting on the lap of the murderer. Fate had led me here, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for me.
“Not yet, mom” I lied, “but soon I will”
“I want you now: cut the call ” he whispered in my ear, his one hand reaching out to my bosom while the other tried to move up in between my thighs.
“The first thing I want is for you to stay safe” she said.
His movements became quick, and now his one hand was resting on my thigh, which was moving up while the other was looking for a way to remove my dress.
“I… I am safe, mom” I tried my best not to shutter. “You must sleep now” I told her.
“I want to see you, Nara. Visit here, even if it is for an hour” she requested.
I also want to meet my parents, hug them, and thank them for every comfort they have provided me.
My head turned in Ansell’s direction, who was busy torturing me. I am sure he was hearing everything, but he didn’t give any reaction.
“I will soon” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, my eyes cast downward to avoid any unnecessary attention from Ansell.
“Cut the call” he once again whispered in my ear, and this time he was getting impatient.
“Mom, I will call you later, and just in case I am unable to do so, don’t worry about me. A lot of cases are pending, and I have to visit the court frequently. I am also traveling to other cities for work. O will try my best to talk to you. But don’t worry if, just in case, I couldn’t. Take your medicine on time. Rest well, I will be there, soon” I said everything in a go that I wanted because he was now clawing at my skin.
I am sure I will come out of this hell soon and meet my parents.
“I love you, Nara. Take care of yourself” mom said.
“I love you, too”
I hang up, and the tears dribbled down my face continuosly.
“Say that again” his voice was rigid, his body tense as a board, and his breath was hot against my ear.
I was so emotionally overwhelmed that I struggled to comprehend his request, my mind in a haze of fear and confusion.
“Say it again” he commanded me once again, his arms locked around my waist, his chin on my shoulder.
“What?” I asked frustration.
I want him to give me some space to clear my mind and distance myself from the torment he is giving me without caring how deep an impact it is having on me emotionally and mentally.
“The last words you said over the call” he demanded, clarifying himself.
I sighed and closed my eyes. I was ready to stand up when his hold once again became tight on my waist, and he kept me fastened to his lap.
“You are very soft. Almost like a snuggling bunny” he said, squeezing my body against him, “and all mine to do as I please”
My eyes closed in disbelief, but there was no point in the argument. He is not going to listen to me. I am a mere object for him.
He then switched our positions and and made me lay on the bed before hovering above me.
“Say it again” he whispered.
“My mother or any other loved one is no longer around me. Why would I?” I asked him.
“Because I said so” he retorted, his tone a cold reminder of his authority over me.
“You say and want many things but I am not going to oblige everything ” I told him clearly.
“You would ” he said, tucking one of my hair strands behind my ear. “You will have to”
His tongue wasn’t under his control anymore wasn’t under his control anymore, and his eyes were drowsy as he leaned forward to kiss my nose.
Shifting his weight onto one elbow, his other hand set to work on my frock, his lips now tracing a slow path down to my neck. Fumbling with the collar, he pulled it down, exposing more of my skin to his bare eyes.
My palms rose and settled on his chest to push him away, to make the distance between us, and to stop him, but before I could do anything, he collapsed over me, crushing me under his weight.
I yelped in pain, he was so heavy, he needed to move away or he would break my rib cage.
Summoning all my strength, I managed to push him back slightly, creating a sliver of space. His body shifted, one half now resting on the bed while the other continued to envelope me under his bulk. There was no room for me to move.
For another second I heard his soft, even breaths which were fanning my neck, implying that he had slept.
Thought it was painful for me to lay in this position still it looked better than what he would have done if he had in his senses.
Every fiber of my being wanted to get away from him and hide in a place where he could never find me.