12th Dîsciplê Episode 47

Danica

I couldn’t stop myself from holding him tight, squeezing him tight.

I felt so scared and he was the only person I’d been able to see since I got locked here in this hell.

“Danica” he called calmly, pulling me close as well.

Sobs racked my throat as I wept profusely on his shoulders.

“Hey; it’s okay. It’s okay. It’s fine”.he consoled and bit by bit, meticulously pulled me away from his shoulders.

“You’re here” I whimpered as I stared down at the floor, sniffling almost uncontrollably.

“I was…..I was so scared”.

He was silent for a few seconds, and I could read the pity in his eyes.

“My family… they should be looking for me”

“Your safety’s more important for now, Danica. You need to stay here until everything’s over” he replied.

“Everything’s over? But for how long? How long should I continue hiding here – alone?” My fears increased.

He sighed and stared downwards.

“I brought you some food. Felt you might be hungry. Come on; you should take a seat and eat” he walked away from me, going to set the food on a dusty tablw in the room.

I sniffed and followed him. Gosh! My entire system was so weak already. I felt debilitated.

We sat, facing each other and he opened the foods he brought.

“Thank you” I mumbled and began eating.

***************

Bitna

I sat on the bed with mum, weeping my eyes out, but she couldn’t even console me. She tried all she could, but none of it could help my tears.

I was going to lose her – lose everything I have. And it’s all going to be because of Danica – someone I never asked to see.

Why did I have to encounter her in the first place? Why did it have to happen to me?

More tears spilled my eyes and dropped on mum’s palms which were holding mine.

“Bitna….”She was about saying when the door suddenly went open, revealing dad.

I sniffed and looked at him.

“Honey, Kim is here with the police. She’s here to take Bitna” dad said and I flinched.

Oh my God!

“Whaat??” Mum sprang on her feet.

“The hell, she can’t do that. What does she even think she’s doing??”

“I’m sorry….but she got a statement from the judge. Bitna has to go with her now, while I go over and collect Danica. The exchange has to happen”. He answered and more tears streaked my cheeks.

I turned ruefully and looked at mum, shaking my head.

“Mum please …dont let her take me away. Please” I sniveled, and for the first time, I could see the helplessness in mum’s eyes.

She wasn’t going to help me.

“Bitna, come on…” Dad came closer and held my arm.

“Let me go! Let me go! I don’t want to leave… please” I cried more.

“Stop doing this, Bitna. And try to accept everything, okay? It’s gonna be fine” he said pathetically, but his words only angered me the more.

How could it ever be fine when I was losing everything I had? The luxurious life I had? How?

“I don’t want to leave..” I whimpered to myself and he sighed.

“The police might have to come in soon, Bitna. Is that what you want? Do you want them to drag you away?”

“Oh! Williams, please. You need to stop installing more fear in her”. Mum chipped in, her voice cracking.

“Well, that’s exactly what would happen Maya, if she doesn’t come with me now. She needs to leave. I understand it’s not easy, but it has to happen. Her parents are to be blamed for all these” he said hoarsely and I felt a skip in my heart.

What?

I lifted my teary eyes to look at him.

“My parents?” He’s already trying to put the blame on me? Comparing me with them speaking with so many hate?

Of course, I should’ve known. This man never liked me.

I stood up angrily from the bed and went out of the room.

“Bitna! Bitna” mum came calling after me and caught up with me on the stairs.

I turned and hugged her, burying my tearful face on her chest.

“I don’t want to go, mum. Is it so difficult to ask?” I whimpered.

“Bitna, I’m so sorry. I wish I could help” she said ruefully and that was when I knew nothing else could be done.

Oh God! I was doomed.

Dad came out as well.

“Bitna, come on. You need to leave right away” he held my hand and took me away from mum.

Mum sat on the staircase, burying her face in her palms and unable to look at me again.

“Mum…” I whimpered, but she didn’t try to look at me.

“Mum…” I kept calling as dad took me away.

*

*

Duri

“So, Eric is currently in coma?” Mum asked as I sat with her at the dining.

“Yes. And my next target is Nathan. Then, Jimmy” I answered and she nodded in satisfaction.

Well, it had all been her idea.

“I still wonder why it’s so difficult finding the 12th disciple, tho” she said.

“I wonder if she’s truly dead, or still alive. It shouldn’t be this difficult”.

“Don’t worry about it, mum. Either ways, I’m still going to make sure we win in the end”.

My phone awakened with a ring and taking a look at the caller, I discovered it was one of the Royal guards – one of the Queen’s guards.

.I picked up immediately.

“My prince” he called. “I’ve got some great news for you.

“It seems the Queen has found the 12th disciple. Prince Nathan knew about it and the Queen suspects he’s somehow, protecting her. So, she asked me to keep an eye on him and follow him secretly. And this morning, I followed him to an old house where I believe he went to see someone because he had some bags with him.

“My prince, I strongly believe that’s the 12th disciple”. He enthused and my eyes beamed.

What??? She’s been found???

“Are you… sure about this?”I asked, curiously.

Mum was also staring into my face.

“I’m sure, my prince. Normally, I should be giving this information to the Queen. But you know, I work for you – not her” he answered with a grin and excitement clouded me.

“What’s going on, Duri?” Mum asked.

*

*

Danica

After eating to my fill, the prince directed me to the tiny bed in the room to get some rest.

How did he get this room in the first place? Everything looked so small and creaky.

I laid on the bed and the prince sat next to me, his hand on my hair.

“I’ll need to leave soon, Danica” he said calmly. “I wouldn’t want to arouse any form of suspicions.

I didn’t say a word.

“I’m really sorry you have to go through this” he continued.

“I’m sorry for the pains you’re facing and I sincerely wish there was something else to do”.

A short silence stepped in again. Then, I asked:

“My blood is needed to save your father, right?”

“Yes. And not just that, but currently, he’s put it as a task amongst the princes. The first prince to get him the 12th disciple, becomes the crowned prince”. He replied and m heart skipped a bit.

“So, why are you helping me?” I whispered.

“You’re throwing two things away – your father’s health, and your chances of becoming the crowned prince. Why would you do it for me?”

He was silent for a long while, and it made me more curious.

I lifted my head to look at him and our eyes locked.

Then, in a tender tone, he answered:

“I don’t know, Danica. I guess you make me confused”.

His voice was so soft, I almost couldn’t hear him. My eyes searched his for more answers because I was confused as well.

“My prince….” I muttered and to my greatest surprise, he locked his lips on mine.

*

*

TBC.