HOPES LIGHT * NEW FF UPDATED Check PAGE 34 - Page 3

CHAPTER 4

"Wh...Wha..do you want?" She asked terrified, her eyes closed as she closed her eyes, she felt the cold blade pressed to her neck.
"Money ...give me your money." He whispered in her ear...she could feel his putrid breath. The cash she has tucked into her pocket felt as though it was burning her thigh. It was her one piece of freedom if she lost it now...but what else could she do..thinking quickly she said, "the bag..", indicating the little tote with her meager belongings. Hastily he raft the bag from her hands so hard it left burn marks on her skin. Before he could start rifling though it though the voices of people approaching sent him hurrying away leaving her standing there alone as if nothing happened .
Sugni made her way back to the terminal in a complete daze as to what just happened. Taking a seat she closed her eyes . Why ??Why her...? from the time she could remember her life was nothing but a hell hole. What was the use any more? If this is what life is she had just about had enough...no more...she done! She felt a part of her spirit just shrivel up and die.
Another part of her was relived to have made that decision...anything would be better than this she was sure. She was not sure if she believed in God , a higher power or anything, but as a child she always herd her mother say , as Long as you are good to others and as long as you do your part with out hurting others , you will always be blessed and protected.
For a while Sugni believed that and always thought even if it looks bad it will get better one day. That delusion cracked when her mother died , but she still held on to it, then her father blaming her for everything bad in his life deepened that crack...when her father traded her in ...her faith was completely shaken until it was non existent...then she met Amma...who did the best she could and protected her from what she knew could have been worse...a little of the faith was restored...and a little more today after meeting Vickram...but again just now what was restored crumbled in the space a few seconds of terror. It seemed when she took a step forward she was pulled 10 steps back...

The bus pulled up but Sugni was paying it no mind, that was just another trip to a hell she rather not take, getting up she walked out of the terminus and out onto the street.

//***********//

Try as he might he could not get her out of his head. He kept telling him self he did all he that could do he made sure she had a place to go and a way to get there. She was happy it seemed to be leaving . So why was he still worried about her. He only knew her a few hours . Cursing under his breath Vickram made a U turn at the next light and made his way back to the bus station...he just had to make sure she got where she was going safely, that was it he told himself. As he got to the station he saw that the bus had already left the terminal and she was no where in sight. Well look at that, he was worried for no reason , he shook his head as he realized she was on her way to where she wanted to go.

Making his way back to the Jeep he glanced at the clock and saw it was well pass lunch time and he still had a long drive a head of him, now he doubted he would reach Mowhari before night time. Deciding that he will have no further delays he quickly went into one o the food places for a bite to go and decided to top up his gas at the near by station to the back of the terminal before starting off him. As he waited for the attendant too top up his gas tank his eyes took in the scenery, his eye was drawn to what looked like a precipice on a little dirt road. At the edge of that precipice stood some one who looked like Sugni, with long brown hair, her head bent. But that could not be , she was on the bus he was sure. Right? ...

Sugni looked at the rocks below and wondered if it would hurt much, look around she saw the place was deserted, why wouldn't it be, there was nothing here except dry abandoned land..the bus station was the last building on the stretch, no one would notice her, no one would miss her. She made the decision ...all she had to do was jump...so why was she suddenly scared. Closing her eyes she took a breath to build her courage . She could do this.

"Sugni?" She opened her eyes it couldn't be. Slowly turning around she saw Vickram he was staring at her in shock.

"What are you doing?" he asked

"I don't know" she said.

"Why are you not on that bus?"

She shook her head.

While speaking he was slowly walking towards her.

"Come on" , he said stretching his hand out.She looked at it for a few seconds then took it. Silenty he led her to the jeep...silently she followed.

Back in the jeep, Vickram started it and pulled of. So much for no delays. He observed her as she sat quietly not saying a word..staring out side. Her face was absolutely blank..no expression...it was as though she shut her self down.

Why was he getting so involved in this he had no idea, but some how leaving her alone seemed like the worse thing he could do. She looked like some one who had completely given up and that was just heart breaking. Why did it matter to him again he had no idea but it did.

"What happened? he asked noticing the fresh bruise on her arm.

"He stole my bag" She said, telling him about the mugging. Good Lord.!

"Sugni what were you doing back there?" He asked

"Jump" She said seriously. Vickram did not know what scared him the most , the fact that she said it so plainly or the fact that there was no emotion on her face or body language. Since he called out to her she had been moving almost mechanically. Making another spur of the moment decision he said:

"Listen I am going to my home Mowhari, will you come with me?"

"OK" : she answered.

Six hours later Vickram pulled into the yard of his home, dead tired from driving all day. He came out of the van and tapped Sungi on her shoulder...

"We're here" he said.

"Hmmm "

Robot like she stepped out of the jeep and followed him into the house. She spent the entire drive staring out, only moving to eat when he asked her to, and once to go to the bathroom. She slept some but jumped awake all of a sudden shaking..then went back to staring again...

"Dhanuma" he called as an old lady came walking out the back, she was a plump woman with a pleasant face.She has been with his family since he was a child and to him she was no less than family, even if she was the house Keeper.

Dhanuma stopped in shock watching the girl who was behind Vickram, this was a first, Vickram was not the type to bring strange women home, and ever since his wife died a three years ago he has shown no interest in dating any one.

Why would he ? he and Reva were inseparable until her death, and after her death it took him years to start living again.

"This is Sugni, she will be staying with us for a while , can you get the guest room ready please?" He asked.

"Sure " She said , "Hello Sugni" She told the girl, who gave no response.

"Come with me " She told her Sugni did not budge.

"It's ok go with her" Vickram said She followed Dhanuma with out a word.

Curious as to who this girl was and why she was with Vickram, but knowing better than to ask questions she showed to the room . Sugni simply lied on the bed with out a word. Interesting. Dhanuma thought.

"Amrita, I need your help!" Vickram was on the phone a few minutes later.

"What's up Viki babu?" She asked in her cheery voice. She knew he hated the name , but loved teasing him with it.

"You're not going to believe this ...but..." He proceeded to tell her the events of the day.

"She should be in a hospital it would seem"

"I tried that she almost went into a panic attack, I couldn't just leave her there" he said.

"OK I will come over i the morning and we'll figure this out "

"Thanks , I knew I could depend on you!" He smiled

"Ohh anything for you Vicky babu! " She laughed. He could not help but smile.

As he hung up the phone , his eye fell on the picture on the bedside table...he picked it up staring at it. 'OH Reva what am I getting myself into..."