Chapter 177 - My day was doomed, to begin with. (1/2)

|Eshan|

I watched how Innaya's expression changed from shock to horror. Then the horror in her eyes was replaced by disgust. I could see the anger burning in her eyes which slowly turned red.

The possibility of her being abused was something I thought suddenly. Until today, I never thought about it. But, the way she said she was afraid and had no answer 'why', made me think in another direction. There was a reason behind everything.

I could not overlook this matter thinking it to trivial.

”What is it?”

I inched close, taking hold of her face as I cupped her rather a small face in my palms. She was cold. Despite the duvet covering her body, she was very cold to touch.

My mind went blank. I was the one to ask her that question, but why suddenly had a bad feeling about it. Watching the color draining from her face, I started feeling that I shouldn't have asked her question.

”Innaya, what is it? Did he?” I couldn't bring myself to ask her the question.

Her teary eyes glanced at me first. I did not know what to do. I was at the loss of words. Until I knew, exact situation, what was I supposed to say to her.

On one hand, there was a dread while on another side; I was hoping that it should not be something bad. After knowing what kind of father she had, I wouldn't be surprised to know he had done some unmentionable things. But, the thought of Innaya being subjected to it was something I could not bear.

Innaya watched me for a couple of more moments, resulting in my heart to beat in speed up-tempo that was too fast for me to handle. It felt as if jumped out of my ribcage at any point.

Her small body then advanced and she literally jumped on me, wounding her hands around my neck, holding me impossibly closer.

I was startled when she held me like that. The duvet she had hidden in, had fallen on the bed. She was on her knees as she clutched me in her hold.

”Disgusting... too disgusting,” She murmured, and as her face was close I could hear her words.

Her body trembled. I could not help but hold her after my initial surprise wore off.

What did she remember?

”Sweetheart, it's okay. Don't think about it. It's alright,” I tried to console her. If it was something that I was thinking, she shouldn't be remembering it.

I did not wish to be the reason for her panic attack. Things like molestation, physical abuse were serious matters, and they left physiological wounds on the brain. It was not easy to overcome such things that would corrode one from inside.

Her breathing turned little rough as if she struggled to breathe normally. I rubbed her back, and at the same time, my other hand went through her hair and softly massage her nape. For some people back of the neck was rather a sensitive area, and recently I have discovered it was Innaya's weak spot.

Instead of saying things that would make the situation worsen, I chose to let actions do the work.

It worked, for Innaya's trembling stopped, but she stayed holding me. We both failed to realize our position. However, my body reminded me of how difficult it was going to be to keep holding her this way.

She was only in my shirt for that towel seemed to have come undone at some point in the time. With only my shirt covering her body, when she hugged me tightly some things couldn't be avoided.