Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Chapter Four

Sonya

The school day was finally over. Sonya came out of the school gate and started walking to the nearest Bus Stop. As she was walking she called her dad. Her dad picked her phone after the second ring. “Hello dad. You're there, right?” “Yeah honey. I've just arrived. You sure you don't need a ride?”

“No dad, I'm taking the bus. I have to make a habit of taking public transport so it won't be a problem in the future. I'll be right there.” Her dad sighed. “Honey, you do know that we don't want you moving out? We very much like you to stay at home with us and complete your studies from there. Why do you have to move out and you're also doing a part-time job.”

“Dad, I'm a big girl now. I'd like to be a responsible person and if you won't let me, I will always remain a person who looks up to someone else to solve my problems. If there's a problem that I can't solve on my own then I will tell you. You trust me right?”

“You're right. I trust you. We'll talk later.” “Alright dad. Bye.” Sonya said when she reached the bus station. Three other people standing on the bus station, a boy, one man and an elderly woman. Sonya waited for her bus to arrive as it did, she entered and took one ticket.

Sonya looked and saw most of the seats were empty; only four or five seats were occupied. She took a seat in the corner. She opened Google Maps and saw that her station was the fifth one.

Sonya opened her side of the window and looked outside while air caressed her hair and face. Sonya was scared of moving away from her house, and she did not want her father to know how tempting his offer was.

She wanted to remain in her shell where her mom and dad took care of her every problem. Still, Sonya knew that if she didn't try now to get out of her comfort zone then probably, she never will.

She did not want to become one of those girls who stayed at home and waited for her husband to take care of her and solve her problems.

She wanted to become one of those girls who after dying can stand in front of God and say “See god, my life wasn't a waste. I made the most of it and I wasn't a disgrace to women.”

Sonya knew she wouldn't be able to achieve something extraordinary but it didn't hurt to believe that she could and after all this gave her a direction to work on. Sonya then started thinking about the incident that happened.

There were five guys in that group and …. ShitShitShit.... What station was it? Sonya looked at Google Maps.

Oh! damn she almost lost track of time and place. Her station was the next one. Sonya stood up and went to the front. The driver was an old man around the age of fifty or something, by the looks of it.

He smiled and said “First time riding the bus?” Sonya looked at him and smiled “Yeah, I think you're going to see me more often now.”

Driver looked at her and turned back to the road.

Still smiling he said “You're always welcome. Be sure to always keep something for safety. Bus rides can be a headache sometimes. It depends on the type of people you meet.”

Sonya's heart thumped once. These things like meeting creepy people really scared her although she doesn't like to show her fear. So she smiled and nodded “Thanks for the advice.” Her station came and she left the bus.

After ten minutes of walking she finally reached her friend's (now roommate) house. Well she wasn't really her friend more like an acquaintance but everyone thought that way so Sonya did consider her friend.

Well practically it was not her friend's house but the house owner was a good friend to her father. So he let her friend stay, but he clearly mentioned that he might accept other students to stay as well.

Her friend thought it was a great time to ask Sonya to stay with her. For Sonya, it was a great opportunity also it didn't hurt that it was cheaper than other houses for rent.

Well back to present, it took her twenty-five minutes to reach this house.

“Guess it's going to be a daily routine now.” Sonya thought to herself. She talked to that driver because if she was going to ride that bus regularly it's probably going to help her in the future.

Sonya rang the doorbell and waited. Footsteps came to the door and the door opened. Sonya was greeted by the face of her friend.

“Hi Kara.”

“Hi Sonya. Come inside.”

Sonya stepped into the house and was greeted by warmth.

“Your dad and mom are waiting for you.” She started hearing voices of her dad and mom. Sonya's mom and dad turned together. Sonya found relief in seeing their faces. Her parents smiled with warmth and Sonya's mother pulled her into a hug. Sonya's father petted her head.

Sonya felt guilty of not appreciating them. Whatever her life was and no matter what her parents wanted her to become, at least they were there. They never turned her back against her when she needed them.

Sonya left her mother and saw that her father had brought everything she needed. There were piles of boxes containing her things. Sonya and her parents sat down and chatted with her asking normal questions.

“How was school? How did her day go? Did she make any friends? Was any kid mean to her?” And so on. Kara came outside with four cups of tea. Sonya's mother offered to help in shifting.

Kara replied “Don't worry Mrs. Allison, I will help her out. I don't have any homework to do and you both must be getting late. After eating something we'll do it together.” Sonya looked at her friend. Kara knows how Sonya is.

She accepted the way Sonya was and didn't ask her to live the way normal people do.

She left Sonya alone when she wanted to, even though she herself was an extrovert. She's such a nice person. “Yes mom. We'll handle it. Dad don't worry about me.”

“Alright then, we should go. You two little young girls take care of yourself. If any of you need any help then let me know. 'Any problem'.”

“Don't worry Mr. Allison. I will take care of her.” Kara said softly and tugged Sonya to her side. Sonya went to the car with her parents. “Bye dad, bye mom.”

Sonya tried but could not hide the sadness in her voice. She looked down because she knew that her expressions were so raw on her face that anyone could read it and again she did not want her parents to worry about her.

When Sonya looked up her mother took Sonya into a hug. When they broke apart her father did the same. He patted on her head.

They both sat in their car and drove off. Sonya's mother rolled down her window, brought her head out and waved towards Sonya. As Sonya was waving, she realized how hopeless she felt.

She realized that you don't value someone until they leave you. Weird, it wasn't even a second after her parents left, and she already was missing them.

She starts walking to her new home and starts having second thoughts about really living without her parents.

Sonya entered the house and without even eating anything started moving boxes to her room. She knew which one was her room since she already visited this place thrice.

She was still wearing her school uniform, but she did not want to change. Sonya just wanted something to do to keep herself busy.

Otherwise, she again starts having second thoughts about her staying. She felt the pain of her parents leaving. It's like a whole new chapter has started.

Which she certainly was not prepared for. Kara came out from the bathroom and without saying anything started helping her.

She knew Sonya better than to speak to her now. After placing all her stuff into her new room Sonya asked Kara to leave her alone. Kara said “Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”

Sonya sat on her bed and touched the fabric of the blanket. It was cold.

“Don't want to do anything. I Want to go back.” Sonya said to herself.

“Start working idiot.” It was not a foreigner feeling to her. She always felt the same way when she started something new.

The difference was that she, now, has to do it without her parents advice and their comfort. They will not be here if something happens. She has a new school filled with unfamiliar faces and this, her new house also gave her the same feeling. Sonya stood.

To distract herself she played horror stories on YouTube and unpacked her stuff. She put her things in place. After a while she completed this work.

She told Kara that she was going out for a walk. She left the house and wandered outside for a full hour. Sonya explored different streets, but she avoided any path that was dark or if she had any weird feelings about a specific place.

She trusted her gut instinct and usually listened to it. It was almost eight pm. So Sonya decided to go back. As she was going inside she stopped and abruptly looked in the direction of the house parallel to her.

She thought she saw someone shutting the curtains fast. She must be seeing things she told herself and shut the door behind her.

The guy who was watching her from the window looked outside once more to check if she was still there or not. When he did not see her he closed the curtains and went inside.