Shivika FF : CHASING THE WILD (chapter 3 updated on page 3) 21/05/17 - Page 2

I waited. I waited for so long that my foot was starting to hurt and my eyes were being blinded by the suns glare. Where's this girl?

Sighing for the umpteenth time and repeatedly looking at my watch, I suddenly realized that she must've left.

I scoff at my ill fate, and for expecting things that were out of reach. So much for wanting a friend.

I get back to my car and I pull open the front door and sit inside with a thud, I throw my bag behind and increase the volume of my radio. I speed up to my place, listening to "fight song" by Racheal Platten. I've always loved her songs. There's always a depth to all the words. I had always imagined what it would be like to experience it. The irony of this situation was almost formidable comprehend. I'm not doing what I'm supposed to instead I've been standing on the shore for so long that I haven't realized that it had pulled me into the deep blue sea. Consuming my being, suffocating me. And the worst part is that I'm letting myself be drown.

I pull up at my good-for-nothing apartment and think of what I would've done if not for it. It is true that this place isn't a place good for living on a daily basis. It was really old and could fall apart at any given time. But for some reason, it felt good being there instead of a room with memories that I couldn't cherish. I somehow found solace.

I sighed. Again.

I went in and took my books out and started doing all my homework. I felt like there was no need for a shower, and even if I did take a shower I would just end up weakening myself further by crying.

I quickly finished my work and got ready to do my shift at the pub. I wore my one and only black dress which reached till my knees and tied my hair up a bun, wore my heels and I left.

It was nearby, just few blocks away so I walked.

I'm a late night singer at Marys'. As you know my fate had disowned me and let me cripple in endless miseries. Fortunately, the owner of the pub I'm working on was my mom's friend and she had been kind enough to employee me and provide me with a little bit of money that is needed for my survival in this cruel world.

Today somehow, the roads were eerily quiet. It felt... off, like something was not right. The cold wind blew soothingly onto my exposed skin, but nothing felt right. The wind didn't calm the burning thoughts that raised inside my scalp.

When I get there, I'm taken back by surprise at the lack of customers, least to say there wasn't even a crow insight. I knew something wasn't right.

I rush inside to see what had happened, but to my dismay, things weren't the way they were supposed to be. It's havoc.

All the chairs and tables are on the floor tattered into pieces along with that there were thousands and thousands of shards of glass making it impossible for me to walk through all the mess and most importantly, there was no one.

I thought make a call to the police and I realized that I didn't know what to say. And even if I tell them it's us who'd be in trouble, considering that this pub didn't have a legal certificate and neither are debts being repaid as they've been piling up. Moreover, my identity would be exposed and I'll fall right back into the trap I had worked so hard to get out of.

"MIA! What the hell is going on?" I barged into the staff quarters concerned.

Everything is dark inside and nothing is making sense.

where the hell is this woman?'

I checked everywhere and there was no sight of them. My thoughts raced madly,

did the debtors come back?'

but they wouldn't have done something as horrible as this'

who could've done this?'

I took my phone out. It's just a normal phone with cracks and cello tapes running around it, holding everything together. Just so you know.

I quickly call Mia, only to see that her phone is switched off. Then I call one of my co-workers and the same thing happens. The call gets disconnected.

I pace around calling each and every person I know that works here, screaming at the phone at intervals. My neatly tied bun was now all over the place so were my thoughts.

There's no sight of anyone, not even their phones are working, and to top it all I'm clueless as a person living under a rock.

I suddenly hear a crashing sound from the inside, I run in to see what had happened while thanking the stars that it could be someone I know.

As I run inside my heel gets stuck onto something and I feel myself being pulled down. Abruptly, I feel two arms encircle my waist in a tight grip and I am thrown back at the sudden change of events. I feel myself get smashed into a hard chest as it held my pieces from falling. Suddenly everything goes still, I'm stuck in between my saviors' arms and chest, and not to mention the grip.

"are you alright?" he spoke, huskily.

I nodded subtly making his lips touch my exposed skin, sending a thousand watts of electricity down my being. I shiver at the sudden contact, as I struggle to make myself snap back to reality.

His lips were so close to my ear that I could feel his hot breath fanning my neck. This movement somehow caused me to close my eyes and move closer to his lips, wanting to feel the sensation again.

"are you alright?" he asked again loosening his grip hesitantly.

I finally regained my consciousness and came in terms with what was happening. I quickly jump out of his grip, as my breath quickened. I'm quite sure that now my face was darker than a cherry.

what the hell Anika, did you knock your head somewhere? what on earth was that, since when did you let you brain go haywire because of a guy? whom you haven't even seen?'

"I-uh-I'm fine, thank you" I said while looking down. Not wanting to look at the stranger.

"it's okay", I could feel his eyes piercing into me. But for some reason, I can't make myself look up, as I burned in embarrassment.

"Anikaaa!!!!" I turned to my right to see Malika walk down towards me.

"what the hell are doing in here?" Malika asked while crossing her arms and giving me a pointed look.

"well, I work here", since there isn't anyone, and neither of them are answering my call I'm not sure of that anymore.

"but this place looks secluded, are you sure about that?" Malika looked at me concerned.

"I-I don't know, everything was fine yesterday, today when I walked in no one was there and the things are all over the place and I-I-called them to see that their cells were switched off and I-I-don't know what to do anymore"

Before I could control, all the tears were now freely flowing down my face. I fell down to the floor clutching my face in my hands as I shook uncontrollably.

"Anika, oh god, it's alright now stop crying" Malika sat down in front of me and placed a soothing hand on my arms, and she pulled me into a hug.

"it's okay, they'll be fine, stop crying, shhh"

"I-I-looked f-for th-them everywh-where, and..." I suddenly realized that there was a guy standing behind me. I removed myself from her embrace and looked back and to my surprise, there was no one.

"and?" Malika asked holding my face, "and what happened?".

"I tripped and someone caught me. he was right here before you came" I said pointing at the place he was standing.

"strange, I didn't see anyone when I came here, are you sure that there was someone?"

"yes" I said looking back at her.

She looked confused. And so did I.

"what are you doing here?" I asked Malika while wiping away my tears.

"Om wanted me to get something from the market outside and I saw you walk alone so followed you."

"If you were there then why didn't you come talk to me?"

"I was not alone, I came out with Shivaay and he had asked me to stay outside and not to go anywhere, so I had to make sure I wasn't gone for long before he comes back."

"oh..."

"I was supposed to stay out because he knows that if I went in I'd end up buying the whole of the candy section, and he wanted me to stay in so that I don't get gobbled up by strangers" Malika said with a smile etched on her face.

"he sounds... protective"

"that he is" her smile turning into a full-grown grin.

"Let's get you home, come on" Malika held my hand and stood up, and I stayed there still.

"I don't want to", I said realizing that I would be alone.

"wanna crash at my place? We are having a movie night today. You can join us and meet Shivaay too".

"is it okay?" I asked hesitantly.

"oh, come on don't do that again."

"do what?", my "confusion" must've been as clear as the sun.

"remember ditching me at lunch?" Malika said laughing.

"honestly, I was feeling left out" I said with an eyeroll.

"I realized" Malika said winking.

"so, my place tonight?" Malika said hopefully as she held out a hand.

"sure" I said as I took her hand in mine.