Chapter 3

Aurora (Devi) was left confused and she had to decide. Her grandmother was ill and she didn't have all the money she needed for her treatment because it was way above her pay grade.

She decided to get home and rethink of it as she walked him with Ellen. They didn't live too far from each other and once she got home, she met her grandmother coughing out blood, all weak and dreaded, and she helped her up, cleaned her mouth with a tissue, and gave her a bottled water to drink.

Aurora helped her lay down on the bed she watched her try to get some rest while it hit her suddenly,

" I have no choice, I have to give in to his demand. It's just sex, right? I only wanted to keep it until I met the right man, and that isn't happening any time soon," she whimpered feeling like her life was almost over. Life was hitting her hard from a different end and she decided to close her eyes with her grandmother and just fall asleep.

Early the next morning, a call woke Devi up from her beauty sleep, and it was her grandmother's doctor. Wiping off her eyes and stretching her body on the bed while her brain was being reset, she picked it up,

" Hello? Devi?"

" Yes doctor, good morning," she responded.

" You can bring your mother in for her treatment that will begin tomorrow."

" So she should check-in today," the doctor added.

She was astonished.

" How...?"

He interrupted by saying,

" I got ten payments in your name so all is good".

" I will be waiting for her then, have a nice day," he hung up. Devi was left with pink eyes, making it impossible for her to sleep again.

" This was his doing," she said. Even before she made her decision, he had taken it into his hands.

" How was this possible? what an arrogant...."

Another call came in, interrupting her statement and her cursing at the invisible Mr. X.

" Hello? Who is this please." Devi asked?

" I think you should focus on getting your grandma to the hospital for her treatment," the caller spoke.

" Last time I checked, I didn't accept your help," Devi answered.

Mr. X laughed,

" See you at seven Aurora," and he hung up, leaving Devi in an angry mood. She did not expect he'd go around her like this, but on the positive side, her grandmother would be fine. Aurora got active, prepared her grandmother and made breakfast them both, and invited Ellen. While they waited for Ellen to get there, Devi's grandma began speaking to her with her voice appreciating Devi for everything she had done, and in this light, she felt guilty.

Devi felt like she should tell her grandmother how her treatment came about and just as she was about to start talking about it, Ellen walked with her usual joyful and ecstatic self.

" Good morning family," she said out loud. Immediately she picked up a fry and was about to put it in her mouth when Devi hit her hand.

" We pray first, Ellen," she said, giving Ellen a warning look and then made her grandmother laugh as they began their breakfast, and everything was good.

Not long after, they both took Devi's grandmother to the hospital and once they arrived, Ellen realized there was a black van that had tailed them from when they got a cab to the hospital. She hinted at Devi about it, but she thought it meant nothing, so they went on with what they went there to do either way.

Not long after, while they sat at the reception waiting for the Doctor's report, Devi received a call, and she didn't want to pick it though. Her mind could not take his worse and she did not want to speak to the mischievous Mr. X any more than she will when she saw him and just about half an hour later, the doctor called her attention to tell her that although her grandmother's health condition was deteriorating, her treatment had started that day was a good choice she made. Devi was left in her head, wondering but still figuring out the words to express her joy, because her grandmother was finally going to be okay. Even though the circumstances surrounding her treatment wasn't the best, it was good.

She rushed back to the reception to share this good news with Ellen. "Ellen!, Ellen!". She cried out loud.

" She'll be okay, she'll be fine," Devi said. They hugged each other while she cried, and emotionally prepared herself for her big night and after some moments, they soon stopped hugging, when Ellen looked her straight in her eyes and asked calmly, ". Are you going to do it, though? Is it what you want?" and Devi took in a deep breath and asked her,

" What else can I possibly lose?"

This was as good a response as it could be,

" All was well."

They both decided to get a few snacks at the hospital canteen, and leave immediately after and while walking out of the hospital, Ellen felt like they were been watched the whole time, but again Devi thought she was being delirious. And, just as they stepped out of the hospital gate, Ellen spotted the same car she noticed had been tailing them from the time they left Devi's home, and with fear, she pulled Devi and tried showing her a hand gesture that would get her to understand that someone had been watching them and was driving behind them slowly, but Devi didn't get Ellen's means of communication in time, just before the car got closer, and its doors opened, letting out some huge men to pull her in...Devi tried resisting, crying out loud, screaming, " Help, help," but who would hear her?

They had walked a few meters from the hospital and it was a little deserted where they'd got to. Ellen made an effort to pull Devi from the men who took her, but it was a useless effort, and She watched the car drive away, she was speechless. She immediately ran back to the hospital, hoping she'd find security or someone who trace the vehicle while her friend struggled in the van, but it was to no avail as she could not get out. It was hopeless.