Priya gazed at Maya, her eyes filled with questions, eager for answers to everything.
She doesn’t even want to wait for answers. She’s here, trembling in fear, and Maya wants her to trust them.
She trusted them; that’s why she’s here. Otherwise, why would she follow someone she’s only known for three days?
Moreover, why wouldn’t she find it scary? It’s clearly something incomprehensible. Her mother, Mary, always told her not to trust anyone in life.
And now, she feels she was wrong to trust them.
Priya closed her eyes, trying to shake off the fear. Why does she feel like she’s in a more dangerous situation than she was before with Priyank?
“Here,” Maya said.
Before Maya could say more to Priya, a man came running with a phone.
“Sir Jackson is on the call,” he informed.
Maya immediately took the phone and put it to her ear. “Jackson.”
“Who?” the person on the call asked.
“It’s been eighteen years. Seems like you’ve forgotten my voice too, or is it because you’re getting old now?” Maya answered, her voice tinged with sadness.
“Maya, what the hell!” The loud voice pierced her ears.
“Yes, your one and only Maya, but your guards aren’t letting me inside. How about you do something about it so I can come in and meet you?” Maya stated, glaring at the two men who were still standing without moving.
She knows it’s their job to protect, but she can’t handle another punch like the one Rish got. That’s the button they shouldn’t be pushing.
“Give them the phone. I’ll talk. I’m coming. What the hell, wait for me.”
Maya handed the phone to the man after some talk on the call.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. You all can come and wait in the office,” he said, apologizing, as his life was at stake.
“Sure,” Maya replied and started walking, while Priya, Levi, and Rish followed her.
“Is this even safe?” Priya asked herself, her senses so heightened she wanted to sprint back.
Both men led the four of them inside the office, which was only a two-minute walk. A familiar feeling rushed through Maya’s veins.
She initially wanted to call her husband, but as she didn’t get any reply to the letter, she didn’t think it would help. So she decided to call Beta Jackson. She never thought he would be retired now.
It makes sense, too, because Jackson is old as well, and it’s hard to handle the pack.
As they waited in the pack office, Maya’s mind raced with thoughts and worries. She glanced at Priya, who looked anxious, and Levi and Rish, who seemed tense.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Jackson strode in, his presence commanding the room’s attention. He was a tall man, with a strong build and piercing eyes that seemed to miss nothing.
“Maya, it’s good to see you,” Jackson said, his voice firm but warm.
“Likewise, Jackson,” Maya replied, relieved to see a familiar face.
Jackson turned to Priya, Levi, and Rish, assessing them with a quick glance. “Who are they?”
“They’re with me, Jackson,” Maya explained, gesturing towards Priya, Levi, and Rish.
Jackson nodded, his expression serious. “Alright then, let’s get down to business. Maya, what brings you here?”
“I think these three need to wait outside. It will be better if we talk in private,” Maya suggested. She can keep Levi and Rish here as they know things, but Priya doesn’t know anything, so it’s not a good idea.
For Priya’s safety, it’s better if the three of them wait outside.
“Okay, Mom, we’re gonna wait outside,” Levi answered as she took Priya’s hand and started walking. Rish followed them out.
Priya was still dazed, trying to process whatever was happening around her. Two guys before, now this man. Maya wanted to talk alone. Everything just seemed suspicious. She had no one she could find trustworthy now.
As Priya followed Levi and Rish out of the room, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions and doubts.
Levi glanced at Priya, sensing her distress. “Hey, Priya, are you feeling fine?” she asked softly.
She knows this is a dumb question, but she can’t stop herself from asking it.
Priya forced a weak smile. “I don’t know, Levi. Everything just feels so… strange.”
Levi squeezed her hand reassuringly. “I get it. This whole situation is crazy. But, as Mom said, just trust us. You’ll know everything soon.”
Priya would want to trust those words in another situation, but right now, clearly, this is not a section she has any trust in.
Nobody knows she’s here. If she were to die here today, Mary and the kids wouldn’t even know. Just to escape from being caught by Priyank, she felt like she put herself in a more dangerously desperate situation.
At least Priyank’s house was in a place from where she could go to her orphanage. Now, she’s inside a forest; she doesn’t even know this place. Everyone is behaving so seriously, and she doesn’t even know the distance she is from her city.
Isn’t it absurd? And here, Levi is telling her to trust-lamest thing to say.
As Priya wrestled with her thoughts, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of being trapped in her thoughts.
Levi glanced at her, sensing her inner turmoil, and whispered to Rish, “She’s so shocked. I don’t know how she’ll manage to tell the truth.”
Rish nodded in agreement. He could see how tense Priya was, her suspicions rising with each passing moment.
Priya managed a small nod, noticing Levi whispering to Rish, which only made the situation feel scarier.
As they waited in silence, Priya couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched. Every creak of the floorboards and rustle of leaves outside made her heart race.
Levi and Rish exchanged concerned glances, sensing Priya’s unease.
‘We need to go,’ the voice in her head screamed.
Priya’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Go where?’
‘Anywhere, but this is not the right place.’
‘Who even are you?’ Priya asked herself, not understanding why she suddenly heard a voice in her head.
It felt like another person talking in her head, making her extremely uncomfortable.
‘Hear me out, you’re going to regret coming here… Ahhhhhhh!’
Priya’s head slammed with intense pain, making everything go fuzzy.
“Priya!!”