I'm officially nineteen and I'm acting like a two year old. How melodramatic!

My eyes leaked like a broken faucet. Shock still dominated my feelings, along with another crawling feeling that I didn't deserve any of this.

This is not my birthday! I don't have one!

August the fifth was just the day I was found. The date that the state of New York decided should be in my birth certificate.

Asha's grin wound down into a small sympathetic smile as she got up from her chair. She rolled around the table and squeezed her petite body next to me. " You really forgot your birthday?"

Wiping my tears with the palms of my hand, I turned to give her a faded smile. " Yeah. I don't really celebrate it since...."

Since I was ten? Since I've finally got to live with a nice foster family who let me go in less than a year, because I was too much of a burden? No, I'm sorry, Ash. You don't need to know this. The dead parents trick sounds better.

"Oh! Sorry. So you're gonna smack me now?" She chewed her bottom lip.

"How did you know? " I asked, my voice squeaky.

" Your file. You forgot I was the one who accepted your papers?" She nudged me gently with her shoulder.

I sniffled and gave her an awkward sideways hug. "Thank you... It's too much. I don't even need all of this stuff."

"No problemo. Plus, I can borrow them when I want to. It's a win-win situation! " She patted my back with the firmness of a feather.

"They're going to drown you." I chuckled, playing along and trying to lighten up the mood.

"Ok then, I'll borrow them when I'm married and six months pregnant. Is that better?" She made a face, twisting her lips.

"Ha ha!" I mocked an offended frown. "But how did you know my size?"

"Well, I have eyes. They're gorgeous and naturally defined, but I also have six over six vision," Asha teased.

"That's not even convincing." I narrowed my eyes.

"That's right, it isn't. You forgot we went shopping before, nitwit?" She stuck her tongue at me.

The corners of my lips curved up. Only Asha's name-calling  could make me smile. "Thanks, Ash. You're an amazing friend. "

"Yeah, sure. Now let's eat, the pizza is getting cold." She snatched a slice of pizza, her hand floating to my mouth. " Who's the good girl? I am!" Her hand swerved to her mouth and she snapped a little bite, giggling childishly.

I couldn't eat much this time, I felt stuffed after two slices. It must've been the exhausting day taking effect. Asha was so generous today, but I couldn't help worrying about how I was going to trawl all these shopping bags to the shelter.

"There's a problem. How am I going to carry all of this?" I pointed to the jammed bags under our table.

"Worry not, my dear." Asha told me, while rummaging around inside her purse. "Accio magic sack!"

My brows furrowed when she recited the magic spell from Harry Potter and pulled a folded piece of blue fabric from her bag.

"This is the answer to your problems." She offered me the small square of waterproof material on her open palm.

" Um!...What's this?" I asked.

"This is my shopping companion; The Magic Sack. All rights reserved," she said, a playful look in her eyes.

My eyes became the size of saucers as she began unfolding the featherweight sack that could easily fit in my pocket. She took out the clothes from the several shopping bags, rolled them tightly and tucked them into the cylindrical bag, which looked like a knapsack in the end. " It has a strap so you can put it on your shoulder and people will think you're going camping." She winked.

"I've never seen this before!" I told her, admiring.

"That's because I invented it," a smug grin traced her lips.

"Is there anything you can't do?" I wondered if she also spoke chinese.

" Uhhhhh! Not really. I can do anything once I set my mind to it." She rolled her eyes.

"I wish I could be like you." I shook my head back and forth.

"No, you can't." Asha muttered. " That's why I'm here for you."

I chuckled.

"Let's go, girl. It's almost 6 p.m. I'd love to have a girl's night out, but I promised auntie Chan I'll handle the night shift, or we'll have to close early. We're still short on employees," Asha ranted on.

A light bulb sparked inside my head.

Tina!

Tina had said it was her last day. She was going to quit, which meant she needed another job. It would be great if she could work for Mrs. Charan. If only I could convince her, and maybe ask Tina not to bring up the shelter, that should be a perfect change for her. She needed to get away from the evil grip of this monster. She needed a clean start that didn't include Vivian, and her dark pit of toxic waste.

A sudden flick of hope sent a wave of excitement all over me. I could finally be helpful to the poor girl. I'd been watching uselessly for months and now seemed like the right time to be good for something. To actually stand up for her.

"Do you think Mrs. Charan would mind if I suggested someone for the night shift?" I asked. The idea sounded better every second.

"You know someone? That's awesome!" Asha squealed.

"Yeah, she's... A friend... um! My roommate, actually. She's looking for a job. "

"Yes! Definitely! We need any extra hands we can get. I'll tell Auntie. She's going to be super happy!" Asha clapped her hands excitedly.

Contented, I replied. " I hope so. "

****

All my life, I'd never had people who made me feel indebted to them. Ungrateful? Maybe. It was hard to be grateful to people who didn't even want me around. Who knows, maybe someday, I'd look back and realize I'd been the luckiest person on earth. But at least recently, I'd never been more grateful for having such wonderful people in my life. I also had never felt more humble for being incapable of repaying them for what they'd done for me.

While the cab waded through the packed roads of midtown Manhattan, the thrill of the day slowly wore off. It was one of those rare humid days of August. The air conditioned taxi didn't prevent the stuffiness of the surrounding air that smelled like stenchy sweat and stale cigarette smoke. I sat back and rested my arm on the bulging knapsack beside me on the backseat; the Magic Sack. It sounded like a story from Arabian Nights.

I'd never got used to that kind of generosity. However sweet and touching, but it was too extravagant for me. I knew I didn't deserve it, but I thought returning everything would offend Asha. I seriously thought about sharing the clothes with Tina. She'd need some for the new job, but she looked like she was five sizes smaller than me.

I sighed.

Asha had given me a cool birthday party, she gifted me more stuff than I'd ever owned and she paid for everything , even the cab that should take me... well... home.

As a matter of fact, It wasn't about how much she spent, it was the thought that mattered. Even though my so called birthday wasn't my favorite memory, Asha had managed to make me feel special today. I wondered what Akram could've done if he knew it was supposedly my birthday.

Or, if he knew that it wasn't...

I swallowed and bit my lips.

My brows knitted involuntarily as my mind drifted to a dark corner again, brooding over the possible scenarios if Akram and Asha knew how much truth I boxed up about my pathetic life.

The cab pulled over at a busy street, a block away from the shelter. I could walk with this bag for five more minutes, but I couldn't let a taxi driver know that I lived in a homeless shelter. He'd probably think I stole it from someone. The stigma was that vicious.

I stepped out of the cab, lugging the gift sack on my shoulder like Santa Claus . It wasn't too heavy, my arms must've gotten stronger from tackling the coffee machine, or that's what I'd like to believe.

Drawing in a long muggy breath, I hit the familiar road.

The scattered clouds above were the color of a light purplish bruise, mixed with strokes of gold and bronze at the far edge of the sky, as the sun headed west, leaving behind the remnants of the daytime heat and the stickiness of the water vapor saturating the air. The heavy traffic and car fumes added a new layer of hotness and musty odors to the already dampish atmosphere. Cars were honking repeatedly and a loud wail of an ambulance passed by and made my heart clench.

Streaks of light from the cars and the advertising boards made the streets of Manhattan brighter than any other city at night. On second thought, maybe Vegas or Paris were brighter right now, but of course, I would never know.

A couple of minutes later, the bleak logo of Hope House Shelter loomed at the horizon as I got closer to the grayish, boxy building. My heartbeat increased with each step. There was a scary sense of Deja Vu rushing through me for no apparent reason, other than a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

My chest tightened, and I shambled closer.

I'm just overreacting, that's all... Nothing to worry about...

I reassured myself, but my legs shook when I made the turn around the building to reach the entrance.

A blare of blood-red emergency lights blinded me, and a grim ambulance passed by from the entrance to hit the road. Blocking the gateway, were a NYPD car and another official car trailing behind it.

My heart sank six feet under the ground.

NO NO NO NO !!

I scurried towards the gate, panting from the shock and the weight on my shoulder. My legs almost collapsed when I entered. I ignored the security guard, whose face was painfully telling. I didn't even dare to ask him this time.

Dashing into the lobby, out of breath, the whole world swirled around me. I headed directly to the front office. I needed a responsible answer to my doubts.

Roll call to sign-in wasn't until 7 , but I was afraid to go anywhere else, or to see the faces of any of the residents. There was a somber silence in the halls that suffocated me.

Holding my breath, I knocked weakly on the office door. I didn't want to think of the words I heard this morning. I couldn't let myself linger on that thought. I just couldn't.

Please be wrong! Please be wrong!

I turned the doorknob with a shaky hand , wobbling inside when I heard a female voice inviting me in.

Two gloomy faces turned to scan mine as I took a few wavering steps closer, suddenly at a loss for words.

Ms. Johnson, the director, sat behind the desk, her fingers interlocked over a stack of files. A bald and burley police officer, who locked familiar, took a seat in front of the desk, resting his hands on his knees.

"Melody Summer?" Ms. Johnson eyed the hefty bag I slung over my shoulder. I slipped it off and dropped it on the floor, feeling too light to stand up straight. "We were about to call for you ."

" I...I was out." My voice trembled.

"Take a seat, Ms. Summer." The officer requested, a sympathetic smile plastered on his round face.

I glanced at Ms. Johnson. She nodded, encouraging me to take the other seat in front of her desk.

"What's... wrong, Ms. Johnson?" I whispered, panic bubbling down my stomach.

"Officer wanted to speak with you alone, Melody," said Ms. Johnson. She smiled tightly and got up, leaving us alone in the room

"Ms. Summer, I know this is tough but I hope you can help us with the investigation. I'm sure this is important to you also," the cop said softly.

My heart thudded like war drums.

"What is it?" my voice broke.

"Your roommate, Tina Oliver. She passed away this afternoon. I'm really sorry." The officer pressed his lips into a straight line.

I glared silently at his neutral face, waiting for unneeded explanation. " I'm sorry??"

There were whistling in my ears. Maybe I didn't hear him quite well. There had to be a mistake.

She's gone?!

A trace of compassion painted his face. " she was found in her bed. It's likely to be a drug overdose. Please, take a moment to process this before you talk."

A pained "No!" struggled to come out through my quivering lips. I tied my arms around my chest, hyperventilating.

It can't be true! She said it was her last day and she'll quit, right? She didn't mean it this way. It can't be!

My head bounded as the walls of the room slowly closed in. I tried to breathe deeper, but my lungs got tighter. Dry eyes squeezed shut, I rested my head on the back of the seat, fighting for air. The humidity made me feel like I was sinking into a riverbed. Fainting was merciful at the moment, but it was a useless escape.

I'm too late!

I could've helped her sooner!

It's my fault!

"Ms. Summer. Are you all right?" The concerned voice of the officer warbled in my ears, along with merciless hammering inside my skull.

" Just... dizzy," I croaked, my mouth dry like a desert. I sank further into my seat, waiting for the internal storm to pass or my heart to stop.

Why aren't the tears coming? I need some peace!

"Can I get you some water?" The officer asked through the haze that swallowed me.

I nodded.

Listening to the cop's heavy steps, I kept my eyes shut until I heard his distant voice. "Here you go," he said.

I pushed my eyelids apart. He was holding a small plastic cup in his hand. Carefully, I took it from him with a shaky hand and thanked him.

After drinking, the edge of reality gradually reappeared. Things would never be the same, but the wave of panic crushing me faded away, however, the guilt, shame, and helplessness did not.

"Are you feeling better? Shall we begin or do you need a moment?"

"I'm Okay," I whispered, but I was lying to myself.

The officer straightened on his chair. "Anything unusual happened this morning?" He asked.

I swallowed and answered in a broken voice. "Tina... she came back early at night. she didn't feel well and she stayed in bed until I left this morning. She looked really sick."

"Did you exchange any conversations?"

" Not much... I was worried about her... I told her she should quit her job and--" I trailed off. Tears needled my eyes but they didn't spill.

" It's okay. Take your time," he said.

" She told me she would quit... she said it was her last day. I didn't know she meant..." I groaned, my head hung down.

"Was anyone else in the room with you?"

"No. Vivian, our roommate, was out for a couple of days." I gritted my teeth, speaking the serpent's name.

"Do you know any reason that might have led to this accident? Anything happened recently?"

"I don't know. Tina ran away from home, but she couldn't find a better life here. She was stuck with a lousy job and her health deteriorated. She was unhappy and... possibly abused." I bit my bottom lips until it hurt.

"Could you please elaborate on that?"

I paused for a moment. Silence surrounded the room as I considered that time, months ago, when I chickened out. I was angry at myself. I'd been a selfish wimp. I knew it. Maybe if I'd talked the last time, Tina could've been still alive. Maybe if this witch, Vivian, was exposed, Tina could've avoided this fate and found a way to live a normal life away from her poisonous domination.

"Be assured everything you say in this interview is confidential. It's a death case this time. Every detail is important. So, if there is anything you can share to shed some light on the accident, please, don't hesitate." The officer lowered his hairless head closer. He looked assuringly into my eyes, nodding once.

Anger welled up inside me, prodding me to own up. If I didn't talk now, I'd be as despicable as Vivian herself. There was little difference between us if I backed out after what happened.

But... I can't bring up what she did to Akram. It's a completely different story. I'm not dragging him into this. I'll be the one who messed up his perfect life and he's going to hate me for it.

I sucked in a sharp breath. "I think Vivian has something to do with what happened. "

The officer sat back and steepled his fingers. "Please elaborate. How was her relationship with the victim? Did they argue or fight often?"

"They didn't fight. Vivian bullied her and bossed her around and Tina just... let her," I blurted , revealing the few memories that stuck into my mind of Vivian's domineering behavior towards Tina.

"Is there more you can say on the subject?"

"There's lots of hearsay. But I don't know." I shook my head.

"Like what, for example?"

"Like, Vivian is recruiting girls to work in... illegal business. She implied this to me before."

"You mean pandering?" His eyebrows rose up.

"Yes!"

Fluently, I related what I saw, what I heard, and all my suspicions in the most dispassionate way. The interview went on for another half hour where It seemed like emotion deserted me and dissolved into the stifling room. My tongue flapped without feeling the effect of the words on me, as if I was hearing someone else talking with such composure and perfect articulation.

I should be proud of myself. But I'm absolutely not!

"Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Summer. Sorry for your loss," the officer ended the interview after recording everything I said, and reassuring me that there would be no trouble.

Feeling lost, I staggered out of the office, trawling the bag behind me, while other residents filed in to be interviewed.

If this really worked out, and the police found real evidence against Vivian, she would be behind bars soon enough. I'd avenge Akram too without having to tell him anything. But was this enough?

Hardly enough.

My dorm room was taped with yellow tape after the police and CSI left the building. I had to beg Ms. Johnson to let me spend the night in the TV room instead of another crammed dorm with residents I didn't know, in case I broke down in front of them.

For the first time in forever, my tears were locked up. Confined and smothered. This was even more painful. They were my only release, but I couldn't get myself to shed one tear. I was numb and abnormally calm. It felt wrong and unfair and... callous.

Tina's dead, you idiot! You should be mourning!

But there was nothing...

Just the silence and the nothingness.

Using Asha's gift sack as a pillow, hours passed while I curled up on the lumpy sofa in the TV lounge, out of touch with reality. The peeling paint of the ceiling looked like an abstract piece of art as I stared blankly into the space up above.

My eyes focused on the interesting scratches on the plaster, twisting and turning to form a darker outline that looked like a smiling face. The imaginary face was so soothing that I didn't blink for several minutes just to drink it in. It looked oddly familiar, like a certain handsome face I'd been missing for months.

Muffled piano music played somewhere in the background, like a soundtrack to a movie, which made me snap out of my long stupor.

Craning my neck, I listened around to make out where the sound came from, until I remembered the cellphone that I'd buried inside the rolls of new clothes, before Asha and I left the mall.

I untied the strap, poking my hand inside of the knapsack, combing through the contents until my fingers hit the vibrating phone. My heart pounced when I glanced at the caller's name.

Akram!! How did he...?

A sudden avalanche of overwhelming emotions surged through me all at once. My hands trembled and a pungent taste of salt filled the back of my mouth as I pressed the button to take his call for the first time.

My attempt at saying "Hello," sounded like a cry of a choking bird.

"Happy birthday to you, " Akram crooned with the cheerful voice of his.

I groaned against my will, looping my free arm around my chest.

He knew about my damned birthday!

A simmering bubble of bitterness rose to clog my throat.

"Thank you" was my reply that ended with a pathetic sob.

His alarmed voice sounded from the other end. " Melody, is everything alright? You didn't text tonight, so I thought you were busy celebrating. Are you Okay?"

No, I'm not! I'm anything but Okay! I want to see you!

"H... How'd you know?"

" Your friend told me. Apparently, she's got my number. Mel, what's wrong. I can feel it in your voice," he urged, his gentleness flowed to lave over me.

The bubble building deep inside burst out without a warning and the flood gates gaped open. Weeping silently, I collapsed on my knees next to the old sofa.

"Tina's dead!!" I choked.

"Dear Lord! Is she your friend? " Akram breathed frantically in my ear.

"We... used to live together."

"Oh, sweetie, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I wish I could be there right now. "

I sobbed, wanting to beat myself up for liking what he just called me.

"Hey! Anything I can do to make you feel better? You want to talk? I'll listen for as long as you want. "

"No... You talk," I whispered through my falling tears. I needed to listen to his comforting voice.

"Alright, Alright. What do you want me to talk about?"

Bending my legs to sit sideways on the floor, I rested my throbbing head on the sofa, wiping the drizzle off my face. "Anything distracting, please. "

"Okay. I'll try..." he paused for a moment. " Well, uh, I was watching this movie tonight. August Rush. You know this one?"

"No," I mumbled and inhaled deeply, trying to focus on each syllable he spoke.

" It's one of my all time favorites. It was the reason why I've dreamed of going to Juilliard since I was twelve. The boy, August, was sort of my role model... " Akram ranted on and on, skipping through various topics- movies, music, sports. He told me funny stories and jokes. I could feel myself unwind quite a bit.

"Akram, can I... ask for something that I've wanted for a while?" I asked, swathing the cover around me as I lay down on the sofa, gluing the phone to my ear. It was way past midnight but, although I was drained and my whole body was achy, lethargy was so far away from my eyes.

" Anything you want," he stated.

" Can I hear you play the piano? If it's possible?" I requested and held my breath.

" Anything you want is possible," he emphasized. His quiet chuckle caressed my ear. " Just a minute. "

I heard some muffled clattering on his end. Something scraped softly through the phone speaker and a distant 'click' echoed somewhere in Akram's world.

" Hi. I'm back. Any special requests?" I could visualize his perfect smile that colored his tone as he asked.

" What do you recommend?" I sighed and crossed an arm around myself, stretching my back onto the uncomfortable sofa.

" Maybe something to help you sleep... Brahms Lullaby. "

" I don't think I'll be able to sleep," I murmured, my vision clouding again as the day's events flashed across my mind.

" Then, I'll just keep playing until you do. I'll check between replays, Okay?"

"Okay."

The silvery sound of the piano played the beautiful tune that reminded me of cute sleeping babies and old cartoons. Eyes shut, I pictured Akram's hands flowing smoothly across the keys, his fingertips weaving the soft lullaby , a warm smile touching his lips, a gentle look in his cinnamon eyes.

I had no clue about classical music, but his performance sounded perfectly flawless to me. I never doubted his talent, but listening to him firsthand, baring this unique side of himself, it slowed the anxious pace of my heart. A surge of relaxation began to untie my tense muscles while the tones poured into my soul. He was a true artist. A true, gracious, good-hearted, incredible artist who played just for me.

" Mel, you still with me?"

His quiet voice interrupted my mind trip.

" Still with you." I wished.

" Is this helping? I mean, do you like it?" He sounded a bit unsure.

My lips twitched up slightly. He was also very humble. " It's amazing, Akram. Just perfect. You're very good."

" It didn't come up perfectly, but thank you." He chuckled. I could picture him blushing for some reason. I loved it when he did. " Should I continue?"

" Yes, sir! Encore!"

He uttered a short laugh. " Okay then, one more round."

Akram played and played and played. He stayed up with me, sending his magical melodies through the air waves, until I couldn't keep my eyes open any more.

********

A\N
I'm soooooo sorry for the delay. Please forgive me. I'm still having lots or distraction and it's hard for me because I need to find the mood to write.

Please vote and comment if you like this chapter. (Apparently it's very long as well) I hope it's worth the wait.

*Do you think what happened is Melody's fault ?

*Do you think Vivian will be thrown in jail? Or she'll find a way around it?

* what do you think of Melody not bringing Akram up in the interview?

*Melody cries a lot. Do you think it's normal or exaggerated? Does it make the character less likeable to show too much emotions?

*last but not least (maybe it is) do you think Melody's behavior is not realistic?

Please share your honest thoughts. It's really helpful and most appreciated. ♥♥