HAZEL ARORA

"You remind me of my sister." Zaolini Marshall said as she shook my hand after our successful dinner. We had come to Harry's New York Bar to accomplish what counted as our sixteenth mission since we arrived GrewZong.

I had managed to gain my composure since our last meeting. I was more than glad that Zaolini didn't cause much ruckus. But then again, most of the time, ruckus was caused only after we almost left the place.

I had learnt to ease myself after my mother's incident and began my normal everyday task without much chaos or break downs. By normal everyday tasks, I mean looting the moneybags mercilessly and throwing their guards down.

But I suddenly froze hearing those words from Zaolini's mouth.

Sister?

I turned my head down so that Zaolini wouldn't be able to see the tears, forming profusely in my eyes, as the sweet memories of Zoya came flooding down my heart.

I hadn't talked to her since almost five months. I couldn't even write to her.

Ayushmann spoke up to save me from embarrassing myself, "Ah, that's so kind of you."

Zaolini smiled upon us, as she gave us a hefty check as an advance for investment.

***

"Let me cheer you up." Ayushmann said as Zaolini left us. We went to a pizzeria, only two blocks from the bar.

"Well, you absolutely know how to." I said to him as I devoured a hot slice of pepperoni pizza. I could eat this shit for every day of my miserable life.

***

"Is this how you talk to your elders?"

"What do you expect me to do when your so-called friend starts sexualizing a fucking sixteen years old?"

"I don't know, comply? It's not like you don't like getting attention now, do you? You keep fucking every other guy behind our back and think we won't find about that, huh? You dirty slut."

SLAP.

"You know how to bring your own downfall, don't you?"

"N-no, you are not seriously g-going to do this, are you?"

"You leave me no choice, you shameless whor-"

I woke up, bathed in my own sweat and tears. My body shook tremendously as I heard Ayushmann stirring up slowly.

"Hey, what happe- Oh dear, you are soaked. Are you okay?" he said, in a tense tone. I couldn't stop crying, nor could I bring any words in my lips.

"Hey, come here. Shh! Everything is ok. You're safe. You're safe, love." Ayushmann said in a low comforting voice, hugging me gently.

Somehow his embrace instantly brought me a soothing feeling. I sobbed silently, lying on his hands.

After a while, when he sensed that I had somewhat regained myself, he said slowly, not wanting to trigger me anymore, "Another nightmare?"

I nodded on his chest.

"It doesn't matter, darling. It's gone for good. What matters is that you have survived yourself out of that situation. And that is indeed a brave thing to do. I don't know what had happened, but I know you're so strong; you will survive out these dreary dreams too. Just give it some time, ok? I know you can do it." He said kissing my forehead.

I inhaled a sharp breath through my nose. This was over. I left my parents' home a long time ago. Why was it haunting me now?

"I d- don't know, Yush. I haven't seen these nightmares in a long while now. Not ever since Zoya started living with me." I said, my voice again breaking slightly.

He hugged me closer and whispered, "I know you can. It's only because of the event that happened two weeks ago. None of the things that happened was your fault, yeah?"

I detected a feeling of warmness in my chest. I hadbeen living my life miserably since a long time ago. But I felt, if Zoya was bymy side, everything would be alright. If Ayushmann was by my side, everythingwould be really alright.