The Piercing Ring.

I woke up with a smile, as I recollected yesterday's events; our driver, with a wide grin, stopped his car at the entrance of the hostel.

"Wait!" She desperately held my upper arm- making me flex my biceps {unintentionally}. "The... um..." She gulped, her eyes widening, "What about that man with the beard." She finished flustered.

"It's been taken care of, don't worry." I led her through the main gate.

We entered the lobby, which was the residence of two elevators-shining as we closed in. I pressed the button-lighting it up as my fingers touched the cold surface.

"Well... I don't know what you did with him but," She held my hands, "you... made my wish come true." She hugged me, her head pressing against my chest, her hands slowly reaching down my spine.

"If you wanna know ask your roommates, they know what happened." I leant down and gazed in her eyes before continuing, "second- I'd appreciate if you'd tell me what that wish is," I said quivering my eyebrow, "and finally, have you forgotten about your bag?" I asked- knowing quite well she had forgotten about the switch, which had made this night possible.

"I assume my roommates know where it is." She answered pushing my face away from hers.

"Yes, it's in your ro..." I was interrupted by the elevator 'ding', she turned towards me and said, "ok... so... that's my cue." She said, before pulling my jacket towards her-making my head jerk forward, as she stole a quick kiss from my lips.

I washed the morning dreariness, or what was left of it, away and got dressed.

"Hey!... what happened tell me." Joshua complained. "Couldn't you... wake me up?" His complaints grew louder as he neared the bathroom door.

"Just ask Paul." I answered opening the bathroom door.

Hearing his name, he jumped, coming towards us in a speed difficult to register in the dreariness.

"Josh my boy." He started with a smirk, which quickly turned into a grin. "It was some mission impossible shit, aight!" he teased.

"After you drifted back to your sweet, savoury sleep," He started his narration- with surprisingly emaculate voice. "Seb and I, received a phone call from her roommate, we both took part explaining the plan-the phone was on speaker." He cleared as he saw Josh's quizzical look. "then we met near the elevator-when Rumi messaged us that he was close to the hostel, and handed the rubber lizard to the girls."

"Then he got busy trying to find the lizard on the third floor, while these two love birds were parting for the day." Seb interrupted.

"Heyyyy! Why did you have to do me like that bruh!" Paul exclaimed infuriated, although he was the shortest in our group-his bulk was enough to tell us not to mess with him. "I didn't even get to the best part yet?!" he continued with less fire in his eyes.

"What best part?! That's all the parts!" Seb said annoyed, ignoring Paul's clenching fists.

"Just tell me already...!" Josh yelled frustrated by the cliffhanger.

"The brown girl was totally checking me out yo!" Paul beamed.

For a second there was nothing but silence, and then all hell broke loose. Josh was desperately trying to find things to throw at him, while Seb and I cracked our knuckles.

"Ok... I'm sorry... I'm sorry" he said while different types of projectiles whizzed around us.

After completely satisfying our needs of hitting him, we sat on the floor panting before they joined me in my fits of laughter. "I am serious though... Rumi, ask her name for me will ya."

"Yeah sure... by the way was she alone or was there someone else?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, there was... Grace." He admitted and observed Seb.

"Grace?" I asked.

"The blonde girl with bangs..." Seb explained.

"Ahh ok... I saw her on the window with Aliza."

"Anyways... why did you flinch listening to her name." Josh asked Seb.

"Cuz..."

"They both are secretly dating." Paul interrupted.

"The fuck!!" Josh and I cursed in unison.

"Dude that's amazing!!" I broke the silence, "But... Why the hell didn't you tell us?!"

"Well... I didn't know how'd y'all react, I didn't want to be the one that breaks the group, y'know." Seb finished.

"Before yesterday, I thought you'd die a virgin!" Paul chuckled, "And who said you'd break this group? Rumi has finally secured Aliza," He looked at me as I nodded, "I'll be getting one soon." He winked-again, looking at me.

We slowly turned our heads towards the last member of the group.

"Don't... look at me like that." He stuttered.

"Nah we good bros... he has his sleep to accompany him." Paul joked.

"But, seriously though... who the hell says 'secured' c'mon man have some freakin' dignity." Seb annoyingly declared. 

Suddenly, I felt a vibration in my jeans pocket, and then it rang. A piercing ringtone intensified by the name. My heart stopped as I read it.

"Yes... Doctor." My voice trembled; all sense of happiness faded away.

"Rumi, I've called regarding Samantha's condition." The little breath left was quickly knocked out-at his words.

"What happened!? Is she... alright." I struggled, finding words.

"It will be better if you cut your trip short." He disconnected the phone.

All the emotions which were hidden behind my laughter and smiles exploded in a string of tears running down my cheeks- all sense of being was lost, only one thought stayed, 'Not mom too, please not her too!'

The silence lingered only to be broken by Seb's hand on my shoulders, I realized I was still with them in my room.

"Rumi it's going to be alright." Seb said.

"How?! Do you have an all cure?! Do you have a..." My voice croaked as Seb hugged me- his hands firm.

"It's going to be fine... she's a fighter."

They helped me pack, while the trip manager booked my ticket. I messaged Aliza about the situation.

"I'm coming with you!" she declared.

"No you won't" tears rolled down my cheeks, the phone still pressed to my ears.

"Aliza just... do what he says- he needs us." Seb continued steeling the phone from my hands.

Everything was a blur; the trip to the airport, boarding, and finally landing. I thought of only one thing-or rather one person and the memories I shared with her.

The smiles we shared, the hardships we endured-everything. I tried with all my might to stop my tears from falling, but the harder I tried the more they still raced down. Then at once I let go. I had reached her room.

Seeing her in that state all the memories flashed in my mind, her warm embrace would no longer be lively. The doctor closed her eyes- tears rolled down her now cold cheeks, as I saw her blank brown eyes for the last time.

The wind danced around me rustling my hair, when it passed me, all her memories and smiles drifted away with it- a final farewell.

I wiped my tears and read the letter left on the table for me.

'Dear Rumi, well... hey kiddo!

I know it's kinda lame of me, and a bit cliché, to die like this don't you think so? But anyways I am and always will be proud of you even though I won't be there to see you or support you, remember I am always with you. not only in memory, but in every word, every step you take-I'll be there.

P.S Go and see Ronald, you really thought I would die without a big bang?!'

I quickly folded the letter, restricting my tears from completely soaking it.

Ronald... I thought to myself 'what does her lawyer have to do with this?'

I reached home with my luggage still trailing behind me. I sat down on the dining table; her lingering presence still vivid in my mind-when I saw her typewriter case. With the few moisture still left in my eyes the last of my tears trickled down my sticky cheeks.

While wiping the newly formed tears, I saw a shining object resting above the box. I creaked-slowly reaching for the key, when I noticed a small note tied to it.

'It is time'

My hands trembled, my heart too responding by skipping multiple beats. I knew what this meant, what the key meant, and what she had meant by her 'big exit'.

'The attic... I'll get to go to the attic.'

My mind overwhelmed by anticipation. At last, I'll get closer to father. I'll finally get to see what is behind the restricted door. The door-which had forbidden me to venture in the unknown. The door behind which father had built his reputation as a writer.

I'll finally feel his presence, my hands clenched the golden brown key tighter. This time I'll definitely get to see what lies beyond the door. That door.