CHAPTER NINE

The sunlight streamed in through the gaps in my curtains. I had been up for hours just thinking. There was a brief, fleeting moment when everything that had happened within the week vanished from my mind. The moment only lasted a moment before it all came crumbling down. My shoulders shag on their own accord, obviously from being depressed.

My mood briefly peaked when the smell of pancakes hit my nostrils. I heaved my body from the bed to the floor, beneath my freezing feet. I sulked my way through the bathroom. I sighed sadly, turning off the tap of the shower before discarding my clothes on the floor. I stepped into the shower. Tomorrow was supposed to be a happy occasion, but I just couldn't feel it.

On another note, tomorrow is my graduation and I can't help but feel nervous and scared. I will be taken again by Sin. I felt like I was going to throw up at any moment. I walked back to my bathroom, wearing a white sweatshirt and shorts. I shoved some socks into my feet before sauntering downstairs.

Stephanie's back was facing me when I plopped down at the kitchen counter. It was silent, apart from the flipping of pancakes. Stephanie turned her head for a minute, shooting me a smile over her shoulder before placing a plate of pancakes in front of me.

"So," she began, before we had the chance to take our first bite. "Where have you been for the past week, and don't tell me you went to see aunt Sera because I called her. Guess who didn't make it to London? " She continued sarcastically.

My heart shattered. I was not planning on telling her what happened. The less she knew, the better. I would rather die than put her and her family at risk. I thought of going to the police, but that plan went down the drain after I discovered that Sin's men were watching me.

"Come on, Mani." She added, causing me to impulsively snap my head up, "Where have you been? I didn't bother you for days hoping you would tell me when you were ready, but still."

" I know, I'm sorry. I went home to my parents' place. I just wanted to spend some time with them before graduating. "I lied.

"Oh... Mani, you should have told me. You didn't have to go visit their grave by yourself. I know how hard it was for you to stay there. That must be the reason why you have been on edge since you came back".

I nodded my head impassively at Stephanie, who became skeptical at my lack of response. She let out a sigh.

"Mani," she began, but I quickly intervened. If she asked me if I was okay, I would break down, and I don't think I would be able to stop myself from spilling everything.

"No problem, Steph." I spoke, but from her facial expression I knew she wasn't convinced.

There was a long, silent pause before she spoke again.

"You can trust me, Mani. You don't have to pretend to be okay."

I said, blinking back tears. "I'm really fine, just a little sad that my parents can't be here."

Steph walked towards me, wrapping her arms around me, pulling me into a hug.

"I also need to tell you something important," I spoke, when she went back to her seat.

" What is it?"

" I will be leaving after graduation."

"W..what, what do you mean?" she stuttered, unsure of what to say.

" I just need to get away for a while." I was trying to reassure her that I needed to get away from Sin and this was my only chance.

" Okay, we could go together," she suggested.

"No, I just need to be alone."

" You can't just get up and go, Mani. What about your residence?" Stephanie asked, confused.

" I can always do it at any hospital, Steph. I just want to have some time for myself." I pleaded for her to understand.

" The last thing I want is for you to go alone, but I can't stop you, can I?" I shook my head, " promise to call and text always."

" I promise."

" Where will you be going?"

" I don't know, I will see where the wind goes."

" I will miss you," she spoke with tears in her eyes.

" Me too." I cried out.

" Enough with this depressing atmosphere, we need to go shopping today. You can't wear old clothes for your graduation," Stephanie told me, leaving no room for arguments as she ate.

"fine." It came out in the form of a grumble.

" I'm going to shower and get ready. You do the same." She let out a sigh before heading to her room. I quickly finished up my breakfast and headed back to my room. I changed into a pink sweatshirt and joggers. I put my hair up into a ponytail, then put some concealer around my eyes before applying mascara and eyeliner.

" Are you ready, Mina?" I heard Stephanie yell from the living room.

" Yeah, just let me get my bag and off we go," I yelled back at her, collecting my bag and phone from my room.

We spent twenty minutes on the car ride, screaming our lungs out to our favorite songs. The second we stepped into the mall, I didn't know what to buy, so I just let Stephanie decide what to buy and what not to buy.

The shop we entered was beautiful. It looked like a place out of a fairy tale. There were hundreds of dresses, from long to short. And they were all stunning.