Chapter 141 : Finally escaped.
Hat Yai, nicknamed "The Heart of Southern Thailand," is a city known for its diverse Culture. This city is a melting pot of Thai, Chinese, and Malay influences. It's known for its food, lively nightlife, and busy markets. Whether one is a foodie craving delicious street food, a shopaholic seeking unique bargains, or a night owl looking for vibrant nightlife, Hat Yai has something to offer everyone.
Ava and Aqil arrived in Hat Yai around 7 in the morning. The journey from the border crossing to Hat Yai took a little longer than expected, stretching into the early morning. Their long journey by car was finally over.
They had crossed the waters of the Andaman Sea between Langkawi and the mainland of Malaysia by a local boat. Upon arrival of Kuala Perlis, they seamlessly transitioned into another car provided by one of Aqil's trusted friends, ready to continue their voyage towards Thailand.
And around 8 am, Aqil pulled the car up to a charming three-story house. The Wongcharee family home, though not ostentatious, reflected a comfortable middle-class lifestyle. The pastel paintwork and well-maintained garden exuded a welcoming warmth.
Inside, Aqil and Ava found themselves seated on a plush sofa in the dining hall. The room boasted gleaming white marble floors. Sleek wooden furniture adorned the space and large floor-to-ceiling windows allowed natural light to flood inside, while the olive-colored curtains and matching sofa added a touch of resemblance.
Somchai, a man with a warm smile and kind eyes, sat waiting for them. Despite being 45 years old, his youthful energy and charismatic personality filled the room. Being renowned divorced lawyer, his connections extended far and wide.
"Everything went smoothly at the border, right?" Somchai inquired, addressing Aqil. "I did inform a couple of officers about your arrival."
Aqil nodded cautiously. "Yeah, everything seemed fine. The officers handled it well, but I was worried they might leak our presence in Thailand."
Somchai chuckled reassuringly. "No worries, Aqil. Those officers are old clients of mine, and they've helped me out on numerous occasions."
Aqil's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. "That's good to hear," he mumbled, relieved, "By the way, I need to leave for this evening."
A conversation ensued between Somchai and Aqil, weighing the pros and cons of Aqil traveling by air versus land, considering he had to use the same fake passport.
The dining hall door swung open, revealing Somchai's wife, Pimpa, and their son, Tanin, bearing trays of steaming tea and tempting snacks. Pimpa greeted both Aqil, Ava.
Whether Tanin's gaze immediately landed on Ava, her quiet presence piquing his curiosity. Eighteen years old, he possessed a physique that could easily be mistaken for someone several years his senior. His well-toned muscles and confident stride hinted at a life filled with sports or perhaps even martial arts.
He slid onto the sofa beside her. Leaning in he whispered, "Hi."
Ava simply offered a hesitant nod in response.
Undeterred by Ava's initial shyness, Tanin teased, "Can't you Talk?"
"Hello," Ava finally managed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Just then, Tanin launched into a barrage of questions, "Hey, Did you run away from your husband? Did....did he use to beat you? Did he starve you?... I mean you look so thin."
Witnessing the rapid-fire interrogation, Pimpa couldn't help but smack Tanin's elbow, "There's a way to ask things, Tanin!" she scolded with a smile.
Tanin whined, "What? I'm just trying to be friendly! She doesn't even talk at first, I thought she was mute!"
Pimpa turned to Ava with a warm smile. "Ava, dear, you must be tired after your journey. Let's go, I'll show you your room where you can rest."
Ava again offered him a small nod in response. Just as Pimpa rose to her feet, Tanin interjected.
"No need, Mummy, I'll show her. I know the house better anyway," he declared, his chest puffed out with pride.
Pimpa sighed, "Alright, Tanin. But take good care of her and no funny business."
Tanin, puffed up with pride at his newfound responsibility, bowed theatrically to his mother. "Of course, your majesty!"
Somchai spoke up in a deep, serious voice. "Tanin," he warned, "if I hear one complaint about you causing trouble, I'll break your legs."
Tanin, his eyes widening in mock fear, held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, Papa," he chuckled, muttering under his breath, "Is this a house or a prison? Does everything have to be a threat? Does Dad have to scold me for everything?"
Following Tanin up the stairs to the second floor, Ava clutched her small hand carry tightly. The unfamiliar environment caused a knot of anxiety to tighten in her stomach. As Tanin pushed open a door, he inquired, "Did you only bring this hand carry with you?"
Ava simply nodded, unable to muster the words to speak because of fear.
Tanin stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. He launched into a explanation of the room's features, pointing out the bathroom, the bed, and the dressing table. While his enthusiasm was evident, Ava felt detached from it all, her mind still grappling with the recent escape and the uncertainty of the future.
The room itself was a simple yet elegant space. White walls adorned the room, contrasting beautifully with the rich brown tones of the wooden furniture.
However, Ava's eyes were drawn to the balcony door, a single pane of glass separating her from the outside world. The sight of the railing, so similar to the one in her apartment.
A sudden wave of fear washed over her. Images of Ibrahim using the balcony to enter and exit their apartment flooded her mind. The terror of him reappearing in the same way, even in this faraway land, caused her heart to race like a galloping stallion, its powerful beats reverberating through her chest. Instinctively, she clutched her hand carry even tighter.
Tanin snapped his fingers playfully in front of her face. "Hey girl! What's going on in that head of yours? You've been silent ever since I started talking a mile a minute!"
Ava, still struggling to quell the panic rising within her, managed a weak, "No, nothing."
But the tremor in her voice and the haunted look in her eyes didn't go unnoticed. Tanin's brow furrowed in concern. "You look like you just saw a ghost," he blurted out.
Ava murmured, "Yeah, something like that."
Tanin, still failing to grasp the depth of her emotional turmoil, patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Look, if that ghost," he said, using air quotes, "tries to bother you again, just call for me, alright? I'll chase it away with my bare hands!"
He chuckled at his own joke, oblivious to the fact that Ava's fear stemmed not from a ghost, but from a very real person. And the real person was more dangerous than a ghost.
Suddenly realizing he hadn't properly introduced himself, Tanin straightened up, "Oh, I completely forgot!" he exclaimed. "I'm Tanin Wongcharee, eighteen years old and a proud owner of a YouTube channel with a whopping thirty thousand subscribers!" He extended his hand towards Ava, a wide grin plastered on his face.
Ava reached out and clasped his hand in a gentle handshake, "Ava Lim."
As soon as Tanin left the room, Ava swiftly locked the door and moved towards the balcony door to check if it was locked or not. Once satisfied, She drew the the curtains almost in a panicked movement, shrouding the room in a soft, dim glow.
The only sunlight came from the glass window beside the bed. Ava's hand reached for the small hand carry. Pulling out a dress, she retreated to the bathroom.
Inside black tiles adorned the walls, creating a stark contrast to the white shower stall. A large mirror hung opposite the shower, reflecting back her image. As she removed her clothes and the bandages from her wounds, her gaze fell on the dark purple marks marring her neck – hickeys, inflicted by Ibrahim just three days ago in his studyroom. A wave of anger and disgust washed over her.
"Why don't they disappear?" she whispered to herself. Even in this foreign land, she carried the reminders of his touch. As if even in this safe haven, Ibrahim was whispering a chilling message to her ear: "You can't escape me."
Yesterday, those little red-purple marks on Ava's skin were just a reminder of a loving cuddle. They were the same color as berries she loved to snack on. But today, the purple looked almost bruised, like a stain that wouldn't wash away. It was like her skin still remembered the happiness of yesterday, but now it was reflecting the hurt of today.
Her gaze drifted down to her left hand, where her wedding ring and platinum bracelet still gleamed. An instinct urged her to remove them, to shed any symbol of her life with him. Yet, a strange hesitation held her back. An unseen force urged her to keep them close, perhaps as a reminder of the man she loved.
Ava switched on the shower, the sudden rush of warm water falling down her body like a waterfall. For a moment, the soothing warmth offered a brief respite within her. But as the water trickled down her wounded hand and waist, the sting of pain ripped through her.
A low whimper escaped her lips as she winced. She had endured the pain, the fear, all to sever the invisible leash that bound her to Ibrahim.
"Wherever I am," she whispered with closed eyes, "please, Ibrahim, don't come for me. Don't you dare show your face ever again. Because I know, if I see you, even for a moment, I'll forget every betrayal, every cruelty. And that's something I can't allow to happen."
.... Back in Present Time....
( Kuala Lumpur )
( Hospital. Time - 11 AM.)
(6th December)
Aliya acknowledged his point with a grim nod. "Ava can't have vanished into thin air. Search every room in the resort, thoroughly. Once you have any news, come to me first. I'll decide when and how to tell Ibrahim."
Suddenly, a voice shattered the stillness. "What do you need to tell me, Mom?"
Both Aliya and Samir spun around, their eyes widening in shock. Ibrahim was standing there leaning against the doorway, his hand clutching the doorframe for support, the other resting over his bandaged stomach. His face reflected the remnants of pain despite the painkillers coursing through his veins. His eyes clouded with grogginess.
A silent scream echoed in Aliya's and Samir's minds: Did he hear something?
Aliya rushed to his side, "Ibrahim! Why are you out of bed? Especially not the day after surgery!"
Gently, Aliya guided Ibrahim back to his bed, Samir following close behind.
As Ibrahim settled back onto the pillows, his voice rasped weakly, "I heard your voices so went to check. I thought something major had happened. What were you talking about?"
"Nothing serious, Ibrahim," Samir assured him, "Just a recent client who decided to back out of a deal. Mother didn't want to worry you with the details, especially in your condition. Me, along with Faisal, are handling everything."
Ibrahim offered a weak nod of acknowledgment. "Of course. I know You can handle it well. But why hasn't Farah update me about Ava yet? I told her to keep me about everything yet I haven't heard a word from last night."