(???? POV)
*Heaving ... gasping sounds~ .... *
"We did as you told us, but why didn’t you ntion it was this risky. My people and I almost lost our lives over this shitty job. Those guys~ .... they have sealed all the borders, and now we are being hunted down by those wild, untad dogs. Are you going to take responsibility for that?" a man spoke, his voice full of irritation.
"You fuckers. I asked you to bring one kid, even gave the specifics about it .... why did you touch the other one? Why did you bring two?" another man spoke. "You have created this ss on your own in the first place. How can you make such a bizarre mistake, huhh?" His hands were on his temples.
"Don’t give that bullcrap. Anyways~ ... whatever, we have done the task. Now, give us the money. But as compensation for risking our lives and causing distress, I want triple the amount that you promised. And I, along with my people, will be out of your hair, out of this place and out of this country, for~ever," the first one said.
"Handover both the kids to first," the second one demanded. "Then we will talk about other things."
The first person said, "Geezer, don’t you know what give and take ans? Hand us over the cash, and I will give the children to you." He extended his hand.
"PREPOSTEROUS. Do you think I can’t do anything to you? People like you, I can make sure that your necks are snapped with the flick of my fingers, and nobody would know about it. Don’t test my patience any longer; just give the kids, and I will put the money in your hands," the second one promised, though his tone remained authoritative and threatening. He then sneered and added, "And~ .... don’t you dare try to be funny here. Because if you don’t get out of this place in ti, those ’wild dogs’ you were talking of, they are going to find you and torture you to the extent that you will beg to die. Do you understand? So, do your part and vanish."
The first one gulped down his saliva. He wanted to retaliate, cuss out, but whatever the other one said wasn’t untrue.
Feigning indifference, he tried to sound casual, "Fine~ ... fine. Charlie, go. Get those children," he ordered one of his n.
Without a word, Charlie nodded, turned around and walked away.
"But tell one thing. You are all dressed up in custom made suit and tie, and these high brand shoes, you don’t look like a trafficker or anything of that sort. At least, you don’t give the vibes. So, what’s with this child abduction? Why did you hire us to kidnap a newborn? What will you do with them?" the young man asked with anticipation in his eyes.
The person gave him a near death stare and warned, "Curiosity ’ki~lls’ the cat. Have you never heard of this saying? ... Don’t run your mouth uselessly. After getting the money, disappear from not just this country but this continent. I don’t want you to get caught. I don’t want to see you again in my life. Got it. I don’t want you anywhere near this place," His voice was stern and cold. "No one should find out about you."
"Tskkkk~ .... you are way too uptight," the man shook his head in disappointnt, not getting the gossip he wanted. Soon, the one nad Charlie ca back with a picnic basket. "Here~ .... the things you asked for." They handed over the basket to the man wearing a Fedora hat. He adjusted his hat and then his mask.
Then, he took the willow wicker’s lid from one side and checked thoroughly. After making sure both the children were safe and okay, he let off a huge sigh, a relieving sigh. As if a burden has been lifted off.
He then handed over the bag to the other party, "Take this and leave." After that, they parted ways.
__________________________
(Myra’s POV)
"Myra~ ... my baby~ ... my poor baby~ .... How could they do this to my baby? Will, how could they~ .... do this?" I heard soone call my na, as they broke down into sobs. Painful, tear filled sobs.
Listening to it made my heart brim with sorrow.
"We need to stay strong, honey. We can’t let her see us like that. As for those people, I will find them at any cost and won’t let them breathe freely. They will be punished according to the law," another voice ca, attempting to comfort the person.
The more I listened to them talking, the clearer their voices beca as I recognized. It was Mom and Dad’s voices.
Slowly, languidly, I opened my eyes. The first person I saw was, as expected, my mom. She was holding my hand with both of hers. As soon as she realized I was awake, I heard her say, "Myra, my baby~ .... you are awake." Her right hand reached my cheek as she asked, "My baby~ .... How are you feeling now?"
I blinked my eyes in response and replied, my voice still hoarse, though it wasn’t as bad as before, "Mom~ .... I~ ... I am fine." I smiled at her. At least, I tried to~ .... But the movent of my lips tugged on my wounded cheek.
She didn’t say anything for a brief mont. I could tell she was trying not to cry in front of . The tears were just sitting at the corner, ready to flow anyti. Then my eyes darted to the person who had their hands pressed on my mother’s shoulders. It was Dad. He looked at . A gentle and soft smile broke on his face. But I could tell by the bags under his eyes and tired, exhaustion filled face, how worried he would have been all night. It had barely been a day since I last saw him, and he looked too old and too weak for his age.
Though they were trying to maintain their calm in front of , the crestfallen behind their mask, it was a sight that hurt the most. Even more than these injuries. I felt like soone had sucker punched . An involuntary lump settled in my throat, my nose was stinging as well.
Still, I smiled. I kept my smile. I plastered it on my face even though it was aching. IT REMAINED THERE.
I can’t let them see in a dispirited state. I can’t let them see broken. I need to be strong.
Circling my thumb on her hand, I spoke, "Mom~ .... Dad~ ...."
"Yes, my baby. Do you want sothing? Are you feeling uncomfortable sowhere? What can I do for you?" Mom inquired.
I paused then said, "You know~ .... I love you. I love you two the most in this world," I confessed. These were the words I had heard from them countless tis, but I hardly conveyed my feelings in words to them. But with what I have been through, I wanted to express my feelings wholeheartedly to them.
Those two, who I call parents for most of my life. We might not be related by blood, but they have sacrificed a lot just to take care of . They have done so much for that I can’t even describe it in words. They have been my eternal support.
People have mocked them, scolded them openly, even taken jibes at them, for taking in an unworthy orphan with their middle class background. But they didn’t budge. They fought for . They have been like a rock for .
Even after Wendy was born, they never differentiated between us. They never made feel like an outsider.
So, today, I wanted to let my heart out to them.
As soon as those words left my mouth, the fountain broke. The emotions my mother has been restraining ca undone. The next second, she let go of my hand and embraced instead. She cuddled while sobbing. Her warmth made feel like I had beco a kid again.
I, too, couldn’t help myself, as I held her tight. As tight as I could. Both of us were overwheld with emotions. She kept repeating, "I love you too, my child. I love you too," like a mantra.
I don’t know how much ti had passed, but we remained like that, crying, sobbing, wailing until no tears were left to let out.
Dad’s soft voice brought us back to reality, "Honey~ .... you can let go of her. Else her injuries will gape again." Listening to his words, my mom instantly backed away and started checking up on .
While she was making sure I was fine, I glanced at Dad as we both cracked a light chuckle. Then I noticed sothing and asked, "Umm~ .... Where is Wends? Did she not co with you?"
"Ohhh~ ... Wendy. Of course, she had co. She has been here just five minutes ago. I wonder what’s taking her so long," Mom spoke while looking towards the door.
As soon as she said this, the door slid, and soone stepped inside. The mont my eyes landed on them, they dilated as my mouth agape.
To Be Continued . . . . . . . .
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