Switching the car engine off Riddhima sat in her car watching the icy flakes gently float down to the ground. The breeze ruffled through the tree's making them sway slightly and shimmer under the winter sun; though rare with its appearance, when the sun did make a show however sparse they were, it bought a flood of life with it. Today was no different, inspired by the sun and the beautiful snow, birds twittered away singing to their hearts content.
The joyous songs of the birds played the perfect part of the stark contrast to the building they adorned. The building although only two storey was still very grand for its kind; the sharp edges of the building toned down by the circular pillars holding this magnificent building up, the balcony area at the front very prominent overlooking the park she was trudging through which would be a delightful green covered in flowers and bushes of shades and sizes. The sight always amazed Riddhima no matter how many times she laid her eyes upon it.
Stepping out of the car she wrapped her coat around her tighter keeping the cold air out, clutching the small box and envelope under arm as she made her way across the park towards the entrance; holding her signature bouquet of lilies. As her boots crunched on the fresh layer of snow inching her closer to her destination, even the beautiful serene settings couldn't block out the chills her annual visits caused. Even after coming here year in year for the past 5 years she still felt nauseas dreading the outcome of her meetings.
"Ridz darling how are you? His been waiting all day for you" the podgy old receptionist gave Riddhima the sweetest of smiles as she signed her into the building.
"Thank you Irena, I have something for you to today" Smiling widely Riddhima gifted the cheery receptionist with the bouquet of pink lilies "Something to warm up your reception area till spring kicks in"
Knowing her way around the place Riddhima walked down the corridor towards room 224. Peering in through the window she found herself staring at the never changing sight. There he sat looking out of the window, talking no doubt to Abhi. If the sight of the building sent shivers down her spine then this sight down right frightened the life out of her, Armaan talking to Abhi had only ever meant trouble for her. Determined not to let Abhi get the better of her yet again; heck hadn't Irena said he had been waiting for her? She couldn't exactly leave now could she; Riddhima knocked on the door to make her presence known.
"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Armaan, happy birthday to you" Placing the present and card down slowly next to his bed Riddhima proceeded to give him a quick awkward hug. Another necessity she was feared but had to perform.
"It's Abhi's birthday too you know" beckoning towards the window where Abhi was unmistakably staring back at Riddhima with all the content in the world.
"Yes but why would she wish me? She hates me remember, she hates us. She only wants to hurts us that's why she put us here. You should have been done with her when you had the chance! But no you were weak; you are weak and always will be!" the venom spewed out of Abhi's mouth, his features twisted to show his true ugly face, the hate evident in every crease of his mouth and frown; The eyes full of sheer disgust for not being able to do anything being the weaker of the two.
"That's not true. Shut up! Riddhima is our friend and she only wants to help us. It wasn't her fault. She is our friend. Aren't you friend?" Puppy eyed, innocent Armaan turned to Riddhima and held her hand caressing it affectionately, as though reassuring him of the facts rather then asking a question.
This was how it had been. Armaan always trying to find the good in their relationship while Abhi only ever tried to poison it; Armaan being the man she fell in love with, while Abhi being the man who tried to' the memories still made her break out in a cold sweat.
Inhaling the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee Riddhima sank into her seat while looking out at the New York horizon. It was just past 4am but the idea of sleeping was outrageous, sleep meant closing your eyes, closing your eyes meant releasing control of your mind, releasing control of the mind only allowed it to wonder and wonder it did' to places she never wanted to visit again.
It would be another sleepless night for her, if there was someone staying over then the comfort of not being alone gave her a sense of security allowing her to close her eyes. But when even the stay in house help had decided to go to their mothers, sleeping was a no go area. Picking up the remote control she flicked through the channels before deciding upon watching the news, as nothing else of interest was on. It drawled on and on and on' before long and as fate had intended her mind drifted off to the darkest of places known to man. The unconscious mind'
The skeletal figure staggered wounded through the isolated shadow covered streets. The howling wind screaming like a thousand ghouls could turn anyone's blood to ice as it travelled across the thunderous sky; the foggy air added to the desolate atmosphere, sharpening the corners of the buildings as they broke through; and through this she staggered on still.
Clutching at her minimal clothing dragging the wounded leg she bore in search of shelter, the sound of her whimpering and laboured breath now took over, the piercing screams of the wind a backdrop now to this new sound. With every staggered step she took, came a fresh whimper of pain; the blood leaving a trail as she hurried to hide in any shadow she could find.
The pitch black surrounding suddenly seemed to take light as a lamp flickered not too far from where she stood. Dragging her leg as a fresh of flow of blood made its way down she tried to reach her new destination, all the elements against her, wind, wound, cold but nothing was going to stop her... nothing but the shadow which now took form under the light; her electric blue eyes turned icy white matching the blood drained pale complexion she now wore. If it weren't for her rosy pink lips which were also fast turning a shade of blue, she could have easily passed for a corpse.
The lamp kept flickering on and off, on and off; as a broad dark shadow slowly started to take form below the light. Standing hunch backed stood a large masculine figure covered mostly by a large coat of sort. With every passing moment the shadow seemed to be get larger and larger; realising it was coming towards he, heavy footed and carrying what appeared to be some form of a bat, dripping with what could easily be passed off as blood, she knew she had to make a run for it now.
It seemed the shadow had some form of hold on her, or was it the sheer fear this shadow had cast on her that had frozen her to the spot. Sensing she wasn't moving she looked down to see what was restraining her, what was making her legs go against her wishes she found them frozen to t he floor. The icy winds had frozen her feet to the ground and now she was a sitting duck waiting to be caught.
Opening her mouth to scream for help she was completely overwhelmed when only a wisp of smoke came out, her hot breath mingling with the cold air... but that was it. No audible sound came out. She looked up one more time to calculate the distance between her impending end and the shadow when an arm from the shadow came out and grabbed her by the throat; threatening to squeeze the life out of her. As she struggled to inhale deeply the cold air stabbed her lungs like a hundred daggers, as she felt her blood freeze over, breathing which was such a simple automatic movement was no becoming difficult to do.
Flaying her arms like a desperate lunatic she tried to swat away the arm around her throat in vain. With his free hand the shadow grabbed the back of her head and pulled it forward, twisting and ripping out the hair in the process. The stench of the dead fish and rotting garbage filled her nostrils immediately, making her want to throw up her insides just to get the stench out. He dragged her face closer to his until she was so close the stench nearly made her pass out "Guess who sweetie"
Jumping up spluttering for air Riddhima shook with fear as cold sweat trickled down her brow; the mangled sheets evidence of her struggle carrying over from her dreams to reality. Clutching her throat she waited for her pulse to stop racing "it was just a dream... no nightmare, nothing else. Its over"
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