GRANDMA'S DAUGHTER
1156 Words
IVY
I shut the door, rested my back to it, and waited.
When I heard retreating footsteps, I finally released the breath I was holding.
However, exhaling did nothing to stop my heart from thumping, or my stomach from remaining clenched.
Every single encounter with Vladimir left me wondering what the heck he was about.
Something told me the answer, if I ever found out, would be too surprising. Perhaps, it would be better to let it go.
My eyes tilted to the package in my hand, juggling my memory.
“What's this now?” I whispered questioningly, as I withdrew my back from the door and walked over to the bed.
Curious, I began to try to peel off the covers of the package so I could see within.
The covers came off, revealing a small box.
“Hmmm.”
So many options of what could be moved through my head, but nothing prepared me for what I saw.
I had to stand up, and sit down in successive motions when I ripped the box open, and found a phone with all its accessories staring back at me.
My heart rate that had begun to slow down, picked up pace.
“No way!” I muttered over and over again.
It took me a few seconds to calm myself enough to turn on the phone.
Up until the display popped up, I still felt like I was being pranked.
With my shaky finger, I scrolled through to see everything had been set.
That made me pause.
This gesture was just too nice. There had to be an ulterior motive.
What if the phone was monitored in a way that gave out all of my search, calls, and texts?
Yes, there had to be something to be gained by giving me a phone.
That thought laid heavily on my mind, causing me to drop the phone away from me, on the bed.
But my eyes couldn't help glancing at it at intervals.
I could call grandma. We could talk, and I'd feel relieved.
“No, stay strong, Ivy. Stay strong,” I encouraged myself.
As I was moving my eyes away from the phone again, I caught something that made me do a double take.
It seemed there was a note inside the box that I might have missed.
With a speed I didn't even predict, I snatched the note from the box, and spread it open.
A chuckle escaped my throat when I saw the three simple yet effective words written on it.
“It's not bugged.”
Chuckling didn't convey how tickled I was, and so my head flung back as I burst out laughing.
In the middle of my laughter, my mind wandered.
Was I that predictable? How did he know I would suspect it was bugged?
My laughter ceased abruptly.
Maybe he wrote the note so I could let my guard down?
“Oh Ivy, you're getting even more paranoid,” a voice in my head said.
I had to agree with it. After that agreement came the urge to damn the consequences.
The urge consumed, and compelled me to grab the phone again.
My fingers moved so fast that I didn't realise what I was doing until I heard a ringing sound.
A response came after the third ring.
“Hello?”
My heart melted the moment I heard Grandma's voice.
“Hello, who is this please?”
“Grand-ma?” My voice choked with too many emotions.
“Princess? Is that you, my princess? How is this possible? How are you calling me right now?” She went on a ramble that was most pleasing to my ears.
I didn't mind it. Although it had been only a day, I missed hearing her voice so much, my heart physically ached.
“Tell me, princess. Tell me everything.”
“I miss you so much, Grandma,” I found my voice, despite it being scratchy from the tears gathered in my throat. “Why did this happen grandma? Why am I here?”
She went silent at the other end of the line, and my stomach dropped.
This wasn't the time for her to leave me hanging. I really needed an answer. Perhaps, a reassurance. Anything at all to keep me going.
“I've put you in a terrible predicament, haven't I?” She finally said.
“No grand–”
“I taught you from a very young age that the male species were beneath you. I made sure you always had it at the back of your mind that a man was worth nothing. They had no control over you. No ruling over you. But when it mattered the most, I couldn't even free you from the hands of one. I'm so sorry for disappointing you, my princess.”
My eyes clamped tightly, squeezing a tear out.
Never had I ever heard grandma sound this defeated.
It seemed like she didn't even believe there was hope of me ever being free.
“I'm so sorry, my princess.”
I heard my grandma sniffle, and completely lost it.
The sobs broke out of me with pain and despair accompanying them.
We just remained on the phone, crying our eyes out.
About five minutes later, our sobs subsided.
“Your father got his way, princess. Even in death, he got his way. But I need you to be strong. I need you to know that just because I let you go without a fight, doesn't mean that it's over. When the time is right, I'll come for you. Until then, be strong okay?”
“Okay grandma. I promise I will be strong.”
I heard her sigh, and I exhaled along.
“Tell me, how has it been over there? Are you being treated decently?”
My mind flashed back to every encounter I've had so far.
If I was being completely honest, I'd admit only Ms Natasha Bratva had been truly unkind to me.
Vladimir was more domineering and arrogant.
“Yes I have,” I lied anyway. “Surprisingly so.”
“They'll treat you right of course. Until they get what they need from you. No matter what they ask, Ivy, you don't remember. Even if you do remember, do not let them know, okay?”
I didn't understand why she was asking me to feign obliviousness, but if grandma said it, then it was law.
“Okay grandma. Let's communicate through the phone henceforth.”
“You're sure it's safe, princess?”
“I think so. But I'll confirm properly later in the day.”
“How?”
I thought of Vladimir. He had made it clear we would be having a conversation later.
“When I do, I'll let you know.”
A few seconds later, we ended the call, and I sighed.
But a smile followed, because truly, Grandma had made me feel better.
- Writer
