A Little Too Much

Part 21: Fine line

The sun peeked through the cracks as she blinked in annoyance and cursed the sudden intrusion under her breath. Unexpectedly, two hands came forward and strangled her, causing her to gasp for air. She started chocking and her reflexes acted, trying to free herself.

Her breathing became unstable, sweat beads dribbled from her forehead and her toe fingers curled as her spine shivered in strife for freedom. The darkness seemed to intensify as she fought to keep her eyes closed, for it to engulf her or maybe to take her to its end, her body was not giving up to the fight.

Out of nowhere, a shrill sound diverted her attention from the struggle and her hands fumbled in search of this hope to hold. A sweet voice nibbled her eardrum, ending her mayhem and dragged her out from iniquity.

"Priya, you there?" The voice asked after repeated calls.

Hearing her name from him made her sigh and bring back to reality from a haunting morning. "Yes...Ram", she hurriedly replied, finally opening her eyes. Adjusting the pillows, she propelled her composure.

"Hey, you fine?" Ram asked concerned.

"Yes", Priya responded meekly, inhaling a considerable amount of air to quieten her anxious self. 'It's just another dream Priya, you'll be fine, remember this', she repeated to herself.

He heard her mumble something over the phone but seemed more like a whisper to ownself. "Priya, what happened? Tell me, what's wrong", he was worried for her this time.

Pulling off the covers, she opened the curtains and flinched instantly as strong radiation hit her face. She wondered wasn't it too early for the sun to be up. "It's nothing, Ram", she sighed.

"No, I'm coming to meet you in your office", Ram spoke adding to her confusion.

"I just woke up. I have to get ready for office", she said.

"It's already 12. Aren't you too late?" Ram strangely asked her. Priya glanced at the clock in despair and sighed defeatedly. It's been long since she overslept like this and she herself had no idea why those things happened this morning.

"Priya?", Ram questioned after a minute of not getting any answer from her.

"Oh God, I need to rush Ram. I'll talk later", she scrambled off to get ready.

"Okay fine. I'll meet you in lunch break", he interrupted but was off shut by her.

"No, Ram. It's not needed. Bye now", she said, ending the call.

Before Ram could object, the call was cut. He looked strangely at the phone, thinking something was definitely wrong as it was so unlike of her. He had called her up to inform about the lined up meetings because of which he'll be late but was picked up by a dreading silence.

He sensed a strange fear in her voice when she first spoke, she seemed somewhere lost. It made him worried but clearly, she wasn't ready to talk. He wanted her to share as well but respect her space as well.

He didn't know how to make her talk, those eyes that were protecting her vulnerable soul in hidden mystery, he wanted to more of it. He felt defeated at that moment. But he wasn't letting go of the morning incident before she speaks up something at least, for which he had to finish off the meetings quick and meet her in the evening.

One meeting after another followed and he tried best to be free as soon as possible. Finally, at 6 he had the time to sit and check his mobile. His gaze immediately strayed to the message by Priya at 3 while ignoring the rest. It read, "Hey, I won't be able to meet today, I have some work. I hope you understand..."