48 That Horrendous Night

The boys all snapped up hearing Eddard words..

"That horrendous night... "

They could not frame any sentence properly, finally Lucas managed to say, "You were there... that day.."

Eddard nodded his head, he closed his eyes remembering that awful day.

Watson stood up from his place and came face to face with Eddard.

"You saw Crystal..?" his voice was trembling.

He managed to nod his head, clenching the file of Crystal tight in his hands.

"What happened that night, Ed?" Orlando asked him.

Seeing the look of pain and anguish in Eddard's face, they knew what they'll hear won't be pleasant at all.

Eddard knew a day would come, when he'll have to confess the truth to the boys. Rain was wrong, when she thought that the boys will never approach him.

Eddard looked into Lucas eyes, "I saw Samantha walking up to the construction building, next to the girls hostel, after dinner."

Lucas eyes widened in surprise, he knew what he'll hear now would be very dreadful.

"She seemed angry, before she could reach there I went to her and asked her if she was okay." he said slowly looking at everyone's reaction.

"What happened then? " Lucas voice was very deep and dreadful.

"She said she was not okay and that nothing was okay" he felt her emotions that day, "she looked angry and in pain."

"Why did she went to the construction building? Did you ask her?" Orlando was confused as to why she would go into a construction building.

"No I could not ask her, because she left instantly."

Something clicked into Watson's mind, "Wait a minute, that building was under construction, three floors were constructed properly and the rest four floors were under construction."

"Yes, it was.The first three floors were properly constructed and designed."

"I remember Crystal going there sometimes, to read books in the new library. She loved the smell of fresh paint and books." Watson said slowly, looking at Eddard's face for confirmation.

"Crystal was there... the night Samantha went to visit her." Eddard confirmed his suspicions.

"No" Watson growled.

"Don't" Lucas snapped, "Let him speak first. Don't reach to conclusions."

"Crystal and Samantha had a big fight that night."

Hearing his voice, everyone stopped dead in tracks. All dreadful scenarios were passing in Watson's mind, he looked with rage towards Lucas.

"I followed Samantha later. I heard their voices... "

"What voices? What did they say?" Lucas pressed him, he could not believe if his Samantha would ever... no she couldn't....

"Samantha was blaming Crystal for Susan....

Something like... Susan wasn't supposed to be there, it should have been you.... Why did you send her there..." Eddard said remembering those old memories of two best friends fighting.

The boys were perplexed on hearing this new information. How did Susan fit into the situation?

"Susan?" Orlando asked in confusion.

"Yes Samantha was aggrieved. She was crying and blaming Crystal. I could not see their encounter, just hear the voices. But... " Eddard bit his words, not knowing how the boys would react further to his statement.

"I heard shattering of glass... "

"No!!!!!!! " Watson growled angrily.

"I went inside quickly and saw Samantha slapping Crystal. I quickly took hold of Samantha's hand. Both the girls were crying, Crystal couldn't look at Samantha's face, she looked guilty."

Watson couldn't take it, he pushed Lucas, "Samantha did it!!! She... "

"No she didn't..... " Eddard voice stopped him, he continued further, "Samantha left crying, I went to help Crystal, her hand was bleeding. But she refused my help and told me to give her some space. She ensured me that she'll come down in few minutes for first aid, and asked me to go after Samantha."

Watson held back his hands from Lucas shoulder, "What happened then?"

"I followed Samantha, and saw her sitting under the Banyan tree. She was crying badly.... she was murmuring about Susan all the time and then Lucas... she said about betrayal... she was out of breath from all the cryings. She said nothing was same now... everything is ruined.." Eddard voice was hard with emotions. He still remembered the day when the strong and fierce Samantha had broken down in front of him.

"I have never seen a strong woman like her to break down this bad, and to add it up.... " Eddard hesitated and shook his head in disappointment.

"Ed.. " Orlando encouraged him to speak.

"There was a big window crashing sound and a big scream." Eddard closed in eyes and continued, "Hearing the sound, Samantha and I, we both ran to the spot to see Crystal covered in blood and there were many bruises on her body and fresh cuts... She layed in the ground, and blood was running out from her skull."

Watson couldn't hear more, he slumped down to the floor, his eyes were misty and his heart was clenching.

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