Deeply in love

Chapter 2- Betrayal

Serra woke up. She looked around her at the pale walls with worn-out blue paint. She was wearing a blue dress and a nurse was next to her injecting something through her IV. It was a hospital room. She was clueless as to how she got there and for a moment she felt peaceful, although she didn't know why.

She looked out of her window and saw an eagle, a very big one. She smiled at it and it returned her gesture. She was shocked and blinked a few times and the eagle wasn't there. Then came the memories like cold water thrown over her.

The last thing she remembered was she was running from her misery. Then a bike...

There were vague memories of her arriving at the hospital and a man's voice.

"Are you awake?" The nurse was now checking on her temperature. "You have been unconscious from last night."

She wondered what was happening at home. He might be breaking his head looking for her.

"You're husband just left. He was beside you the whole night." The nurse smiled.

Husband? She was alarmed. Did Adam rescue her? How dare he show his face again? She raged at the memory of the night. And he has announced that he was my husband. He didn't deserve to be my boyfriend in the first place.

The horrible events struck out of her mind.

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Serra was a self-sufficient girl. She made sure she wasn't a burden to anyone. That was why she made cookies, little cakes and brownies to sell in the local market. She did almost anything to pay for her tuition. She didn't want to be a responsibility to her parents and helped as much as she could.

Serra being an extraordinary student had come first in the final examinations held in her school. She received the scholarship and was accepted by one of the top universities in The West city. It had been the happiest day in their life for Serra and her mom. They were very excited but at the same time terrified of the thought of how they were going to tell this to her father.

Serra lived with her mom and her dominating dad in a compact yet well kept pretty house. Her father had never been close to her. He was always dominating and emotionless. She had once heard from her aunt that he was expecting a boy but then Serra was born and he had been disappointed. It was as if she had not lived up to his expectations. This disappointment never allowed him to connect with Serra.

That day Serra's mother talked to him about Serra's scholarship and her dreams of attending the university

He listened attentively with a scorn on his face and then replied.

"She wants to study more? She has already got more than enough education. It was a pity I let her study more. Ai, ai, Trenor did tell me it was a bad idea to let a girl study this much. I regret it now. Come here, Serra."

Serra slowly walked up to him.

"Look here girl, you have studied a lot already. In future, your husband is the one who will provide for you. What are you going to do with so much education? it's not like I'm going to send you to work."

"But dad I want to study. It's my dream. I have to go to university." She pleaded.

His expression changed and she knew what was coming. She walked two steps backwards.

"Did you learn to talk back? You little witch."

He pulled Serra's hair and pushed her face into his half-eaten bowl of soup.

"Leave her! Leave my daughter!" Her mom begged.

"It's your fault, isn't it? Didn't I warn you? See how she has grown up. I told you this was a pathetic child."

Serra was bothered and deeply hurt by his insensitive words.

"Why dad? Why? Can't you love me?" She implored.

"It's okay Serra, let's go inside.' her mom advised.

"Exactly and be ready tomorrow, Mr Thomas and his family will come here. We'll engage you with his son Marcus."

"Marcus is 40 years old." Serra's mom exclaimed.

"Yes, but a good man and earns pretty decent."

"But his job is indecent. He has connections with the Mafia, just like his father. Is this the future you want to provide for Serra?" She retorted.

"Go! This is my final word." He clarified.

"How much did you sell her for? Tell me?" Her mom began.

"Hold your tongue Sarah, I don't want to hurt you." Serra's legs were shaking and she was feeling lightheaded.

"Mom it's okay, let's go inside." Serra hushed her mother and took her inside her room.

"Oh, Serra what are we gonna do?" her mother sat down, crying.

"It's okay mom, you are more important. I'll get married. It's my fate."

"No, it's not." She asserted.

"What can we do mom? We don't have anyone in this world apart from dad and we can't go against his words."

"What about Adam?"

Serra looked down. "No. It's."

"Don't Serra, I know everything. I know both of you love each other. Go to him. Let him take you somewhere. Get out of this place. Out of this hell. Go to West city. You'll find more opportunities there."

She handed her a bag. "Here are your certificates, some clothes and cash. Get away from here."

"I can't leave you mom.. but was the bag already packed?"

"Yes, I packed it last night."

"Why? How did you know?"

"I overheard your dad speaking to Mr Thomas. I knew his plans and I knew this was our only way out. However, I hoped I could persuade him, but, never mind, listen carefully, in West city, meet Mr Morrison, the address is inside the bag, he's an old friend of mine, he'll help you with getting settled there and getting into the university."

"Mom, but you." Serra was overwhelmed with what was happening. She wasn't clear as to what she should do. How can she leave her mom behind?

"Let's go together. Please mom," she begged.

"I can't leave your dad alone, no matter what, but remember your dad cannot harm me. However difficult he is, he loves me, so he won't hurt me. This is your future, don't give it up because of someone."

"Mom."

"No more talking dear, leave." She hugged her mom for several minutes, afterwards Serra put on her coat and left the house.

She walked a few miles before she called Adam.

"Adam? Hello?"

"Serra? What time is it?" His voice broke.

"Adam. Listen. I don't have time to explain, please come near the old hospital."

"What are doing there? What are you doing at this time?"

"I left home, let's leave this place."

"Serra are you out of your mind."

"Please understand me. Father is going to marry me to my neighbour's son. I can't go against him if I don't leave."

'What about us?

"Let's leave together.".

"You are expecting me to leave everything behind? My job, family, friends, everything and come with you?

"I know this sounds ridiculous.."

"Yes, it is." He cut in.

"But please try to understand my situation. Adam, If we don't leave today, we might never be together."

"I'm sorry, but this sounds foolish."

"I'm leaving even if you are not coming." She decided.

"I'm coming. Wait."

She stood there for what seemed hours when she saw Adam walking through the bushes.

"Adam!" She cried. She was delighted to see him.

"Listen, this is not a good idea, let's go back." He started.

"Aren't you coming with me? Where's your bag?" She noticed his hands were empty.

"No. I'm not coming and you're not going. We'll think of something else. Whatever happens, I'm sure we will overcome everything together."

"Adam, but I can't go back."

They stopped talking when they heard footsteps and saw Serra's father standing right in front of them.

"How dare you, Serra? You're trying to run away with this guy? You disgrace."

"Dad. I.."

He ignored Serra and looked at Adam, then said, "Adam, I believed you were a good man. Your father speaks highly about you, I'll call him. Let him come and see his son's behaviour. He will understand you better."

"No. No uncle you misunderstood." Adam was almost shivering.

"Adam," Serra began.

But he interrupted her. "I saw Serra leaving and wanted to stop her. She's a friend and that's all. It's nothing like what you think."

The world started spinning before her eyes. Everything was like a daze. she was voiceless.

"Well done boy! Well done. At least she has some good friends." He replied.

"Serra, come here." Before she could deny it, he grabbed her hair and pulled her along the road while Adam just stood watching.

Serra looked at him with her eyes full and red. He looked down incapable of meeting her eyes. That was when she strongly decided she had to leave this place, no matter what. Her mom was right. She had no future here.

The next thing she remembered was that she had managed to escape from her father and had run through the bushes and then.. a bike...

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"Take these."

The nurse handed her 4 colourful pills and a glass of water.

She drank the medicine when the young nurse announced.

"Ah! here's your husband."

A tall handsome man arrived. He had a stern look but his grey eyes looked mysterious and kind.

The nurse smiled at them and left the room. Serra looked at the man in front of her. He was nervous, She sensed it.

"Who are you?" She asked him. "And how could you tell you are my husband?"