Tonight, I lost myself. I was raped, assaulted, videotaped, and threatened in a dark room of a luxurious club. The club where I was supposed to meet the boy I like. I thought I will confess to him. But instead, the monster inside the darkness of that room took me without my consent and left me only with a broken soul.

The day, when I told my mother I intended to move to London to continue my education, she sobbed uncontrollably. With a heavy heart, I parted ways with my family to pursue my career as a lawyer. There were only two months until I would receive my degree and return to my parents' side. Two months.....

But, everything has changed tonight for me, Damaged beyond repair. My aspirations, work, and passion are all like shattered parts of myself.

I am sprinting barefoot through the streets of London in the middle of a stormy night. The rain rinses my tears away, but it can't stop them. Nothing could stop them. The scorching sensation of the fresh bruises on almost every part of my body is keeping me from forgetting my misery. My tragedy.

My feet sting from all the running, but I don't stop. The constant feeling of the monster following me is swallowing me whole. The city lights that I used to admire are suddenly making me feel vulnerable. I fold my arms in an unsuccessful attempt to conceal my damaged clothing. I wish for a second that all the lights would go out so I could hide in the darkness.

But then, again, darkness would not heal me either.

I keep running till I arrive at my dormitory. After taking a few deep breaths for a bit, I carefully open the door with the spare key I have.

The lights in the room are turned off. Seeing my best friend sleeping, a silent sob breaks through me. I carefully shut the door behind me, trying not to wake her up because I don't want anyone to see me like this right now.

But my fate betrays me once again. The click sound of the lock wakes her up, and she turns on the lamp placed near her bed.

Shit! not now.

"Trisha, you came back."

Our eyes contact, and I see as her eyes widen and her pupils shrink in dread at seeing me in my most vulnerable state.I dash to the toilet and shut the door with a bang. As I crouched down on the floor, tears roll down from my eyes.

She starts knocking on the door, and I close my eyes. Words are refusing to leave my mouth, and my mind is heavy and dizzy.

"Babe, what happened?" Her quiet voice sounds from outside, laced with worry and a hint of terror.

"Leave me alone for a moment. Please Annie."

"I am always there for you. You know it, don't you?"

Annie has been the most understanding friend anyone could have asked for. She has been with me for almost three years, and we share almost everything with each other. She is the first and only friend I made in this country for which I am very thankful.

Her words are full of comfort and warmth, and they are enough to help me let go of the deep anguish I am carrying inside. I wail and let my emotions out. But, even after I sob uncontrollably for hours, I dare not open the door. I am not ready to face anyone-at least not right now.

I lost track of time inside the restroom, but when the sun rays peek inside through the window, I was aware that it was already daylight. My limbs stiffened after being in one position for hours. I move my legs, and a painful shriek escapes my mouth in my attempt to stand up. My insides hurt, especially between my legs. The agony reminds me of the entire catastrophe. It reminds me of how viciously I had been raped. How severely was I beaten and forced? Fresh tears well up in my eyes, but I push them away.

Crying wouldn't help anymore.

Turning around, I face the mirror. And for a moment, I couldn't recognise the person I was seeing.

It is not me. It cannot be me.

My lips are wounded. My eyes are bloated and red from crying. My cheeks are swollen from all the slaps and punches I've received.

I clean my face several times and glance in the mirror. But the bruises are still present. With shaky hands, I switch on the shower faucets and step below them. My body trembles violently as I undress, wincing every time my hands accidentally brush the wounds from last night.

I grab the loofahs from the glass shelf in the corner and apply a generous amount of body wash to them. I rub it on my body repeatedly, with force in an unsuccessful attempt to eliminate the bruises and scrapes on my body. But no matter how hard I try, they are still there. Still there.....

My emotions overwhelm me, and I cannot help but yell out loud in frustration.

"Why? " Why me, God? What did I do to earn this? (sobs)

Annie knocks on the door again, this time listening to my cries.

"Trisha, What is wrong with you?"

She speaks from the opposite side.

"Open the door," she says again, and this time I open the door and step out, wrapped in a bath towel.

I look at her, and I know my eyes speak it all.

"Oh my God, how did this happen?". She exclaims. Her voice is practically trembling, presumably because she is witnessing me in my worst situation.

She has never seen me like this. I have always enjoyed preparing myself for the day. I was always pleasant and dressed nicely.

But now, the girl she is confronting right now is not me.

"W...wait a minute. You went out to meet Ben. Where is he? Scratch it. I should call a doctor first." She rushes towards her bed, probably to grab her cellphone.

"No, I am fine."

"You are not. Tell me what happened to you?"

"I was ra....raped." I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. That's it. I couldn't say anything more than this. I don't even want to discuss it anymore. I have no idea who is responsible for this. All I know is that he was wearing a nasty mask and smelled like smoke and alcohol.

Silence engulfs the room. She stood in her position, staring at me like I am a zombie, straight out of a movie.

"We are going to the police station." She snaps and takes angry steps towards the closet. "I won't let the bastard off."

Furious, she pulls out my things from the closet and bangs it shut.

When I finally understood what she is saying, I shouted.

"No, we can't."

"Why?" She gives me a disappointed look.

"If the news spreads throughout India, my family's reputation will be jeopardised."

Annie is not Indian like me. In my country, I would not be seen as a victim. I will become a criminal for society in an instant.

My father gained this moniker by working so hard. I couldn't simply destroy his name because of a heinous decision I made to visit a guy in a bar.

And most significantly, I am a coward. I could not face the world. I don't think I will ever talk about it again. I am not a super girl who will fight the world to get justice. I am a girl who will bury this incident deep inside a corner of my heart, where this secret will never see a single ray of light.

🍁

Hey beautifuls.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I should tell you that yes she has been raped but not by the male lead .

Maybe you don't like this chapter because you do not like my writing style but I am new to this. So, please guide me.

And if you like this chapter remember to like it and add it to your library. 🍒

I love you all ❤️