The panic started to kick in seconds after I left the room. As if the door was the gate that separated me from the real world. My hands went frigid, trembling and hanging lamely on my sides, and I felt like a strong grip squeezed my stomach. I stood frozen outside the door, hyperventilating and resting my back on the thin wooden frame. It might as well have bruised my ribs but I couldn't feel it.

I lost everything!

I have drugs in my pocket!

Oh my God! I have drugs in my pocket! What should I do? What if someone finds out? What if Lynda noticed something?

Lynda!

My head snapped toward the end of the hallway. I forgot I was supposed to be looking out for her in the bathroom. I should go back and pretend I'd never left. I had to practice breathing all over again to find the strength to walk back to the bathroom at the end of the hall. How pathetic!

I shambled to the bathroom door, dragging my over-cooked-spaghetti legs. The sound of water running was a bit comforting, but no! I still had the freaking drugs in my pocket! I must get rid of it. But where? How?

My eyes darted around frantically. My brain didn't function well. I couldn't keep those anywhere near here. I glanced at the bathroom sign in front of me and felt like the dumbest person on earth.

The toilet.

I opened the door slowly, afraid that my shaking hands would defy me, and I sneaked inside on tiptoe, hoping Lynda wouldn't hear me.

I wobbled to the nearest stall and locked the door behind me. I took another deep breath. Hesitantly, I reached inside the pocket of my sweats and extracted the abhorrent plastic bags. My fingers were clammy and stiff, but I had to empty those bags and flush them. I couldn't imagine myself touching anything like that in my life, but in this moment, it was a matter of life or death. A life lost in a prison cell. Or death caused by a heart attack.

Attempting to unfold the bags, my slippery fingers failed me and one of the bags slipped off my hand and jumped inside the toilet.

No! No! No! No!

My heart rate spiked up and my hand flew to stifle a loud gasp that wanted to escape. The plastic bag wouldn't disappear on its own. I had to open it up and flush the contents.

Scrunching my face in disgust, I bent over and plucked the plastic bag with only two fingers. The movement made my stomach churn. I held my breath, wiped my hands on my sweatpants and focused on untying the bags. I emptied them, careful not to touch anything and flushed them all and covered the toilet seat. Only then I exhaled and my legs gave way. I sat on the toilet, putting my head between my knees.

Another horrid thought crossed my mind. What if there was more? Could she have hidden more somewhere I didn't know? This witch said that in the note... Oh no! This couldn't be really happening.

I held my head between my palms and squeezed my eyes shut.

I wasn't a perfect person but did I really deserve all this? Did this she-devil plan to take away everything from me? Why? I couldn't even understand her evil logic. I wasn't that important to anyone. Why was she spending so much energy and enthusiasm to plot my destruction? And why was she getting away with it? I'd never really hated someone that much, but Vivian taught me a new level of hate. True hate.

The water stopped running and I snapped out of my dark whirlpool. Lynda had finished her long shower. I pressed my palms on the walls on each side to help me get up and stood still for a minute. Trying to put a normal expression on my face, I unlocked the door. I couldn't let her notice my pathetic condition.

Lynda was brushing her wet hair in front of the mirror as I stepped to wash my hands. I scrubbed as thoroughly as I could, hoping to forget the toilet incident. My stomach ached at the memory.

"Hey!" Lynda said. "Thank you."

"S-sure." I stuffed my hands in my pockets to hide my shakiness. I plastered a light curve on my lips, but I couldn't keep it up for more than a second.

"Aren't you going to shower too?" Lynda asked, putting on her glasses and a fancy looking wristwatch and expertly managed her thick black hair. She looked really mature and confident for a runaway school girl.

"Yeah... Um! I'll... get my clothes and head to the shower." I stumbled outside to do as I said before the rush hour hit. Lynda would start having thoughts about my sanity if I cracked up in front of her.

***

On the familiar hike to the café, my mind couldn't wind down. My nerves were shaky and I couldn't think up a reasonable thought. Lucky that I knew the way like the back of my hand.

Drifting through the roads absently like a wandering derelict, I racked my brain, trying to figure out a way out of this deep hole. Any spark of light at the end of the tunnel. Nothing... The light of hope was off. Darkness was taking over.

There had to be a way to get out. I didn't care how. I wasn't going to wait until this spawn of the devil would frame me and send me to jail. But where would I go? Another shelter maybe? Or a cardboard box on some dirty sidewalk? My insides wrenched at the terrifying thought. Why was life against me?

Wrapping my arms across my chest, I felt the quick beating of my heart as I tightened my grip on my sweater and trudged down midtown Manhattan. It was a leaden, chilly morning. The nippy breeze bit my skin through the light clothes, sending a shiver down my spine.

However early it was, the cars were always earlier than everyone. The pungent noises and fumes of yellow cabs and buses drilled into my skull and nostrils. The acrid smells of breakfast food coming out of numerous eateries everywhere made my stomach protest. My nose wrinkled automatically. I covered my mouth with my hand and retched. My belly tightened painfully. I wish I could throw up, but nothing would come out to cleanse my barren stomach.

The road felt longer than normal with my currently useless legs and the spasms in my guts. People bustled about in a blur, each going to their morning destinations. Construction sites were buzzing with workers, although the throbbing in my head was louder. Life was going on. I wasn't sure about mine, though.

I felt like I was trapped in another dimension. Everything around was bullying me. The smells. The noises. The cold. The physical and mental pain.

My money's gone... A year's worth of savings. Gone!

Without my money, hope was a luxury I couldn't afford. I couldn't count on the useless shelter management to fix this for me. Reporting the serpent would be a stupid move any way. Talk about favoritism. I wouldn't be surprised if she had casted a love spell on them. I was a complete idiot to keep my money there. I knew it. It was all my fault.

The note! I still have her note. Maybe that could work somehow?

But how would I prove anything? How would I explain the note without explaining the drugs I disposed of? Would this be held against me. Would I still be a suspect? My head was killing me. Nothing made sense.

God, I'm losing my mind! I need help!

As I approached the café, the sidewalk was blurry and I almost tripped over my own feet. Leaning on a wall for support, I stood there for a moment, breathing deeply and fighting back the tears. The gagging reflex returned for no reason and knocked my breath out again.

Considering the shortage of food and sleep in my system, and the aching everywhere, arriving was an achievement. Being alive in this situation was an achievement, which made me completely grasp what Tina had been through. The poor girl had no other way out. She was trapped and compelled. I wish I'd done something for her. I wish someone could do something for me.

I wasn't going to succumb like Tina had. I shut everyone out for a reason and maybe, just maybe, I should let someone in to show me a new perspective.

Asha!

I held myself straight, wiping unshed tears as my shallow breath began to even up. I clung to the flicker of hope and came to a slightly reassuring decision: I'd tell Asha the truth. I'd tell her everything. If she didn't understand and help me figure this out, nobody ever would.

I stalled next to the building. What if I lost Asha because of this? What if she didn't forgive me? I couldn't take the outcome. But what other choices did I have? None.

I'd just tell Asha and hope for the best. The worst case scenario, I'd be rejected. So be it. I had to get this over with before I chickened out again.

The café's door jingled softly upon my entrance, while I mentally prepared myself to own up. Ash stood behind the counter, her back towards me exposing her impressive tiara of a hair, her petite body slumped. She didn't spin around to greet me as usual, which was strange. Something was off. I could tell.

"Morning, Ash. You OK?" I asked faintly and wobbled to get my apron.

Asha lifted her head slowly, letting me have a glimpse of her concealed face and my heart sank to my feet.

"Oh my God! Asha, you're crying?" I whisper-shouted, hand on my heart. All the plans in my head vanished. Asha's eyes were red and puffy, her face twisted in agony. I noticed that she held something in her hand. A chocolate muffin?!

This must be really bad! Asha never looked so devastated.

"Eat this," Asha demanded, offering me the muffin with an outstretched, impatient hand.

No, please. Not the food!

"Something wrong with the muffins?" I blinked, confusion fogging my thoughts.

"No," She said with a sad voice. "Just eat it now and I'll tell you."

I gulped. Her face though... I couldn't say no when I saw her like this. Maybe she'd feel a little better if I ate it.

"Alright," I agreed and took the muffin from her hand.

Asha liked to feed the zombie, although I'd mostly passed on her offers.

Wiping my workspace and quickly preparing the coffee-making equipment, I nipped little bites of the super moist muffin, feeling the sugar rush into my bloodstream. Somehow, Asha knew I needed this. The headache and nausea started to ease off. I vaguely remembered that I'd barely eaten anything in forty-eight hours.

"Done. What's going on?" I leaned in and whispered, licking my dried lips. I withdrew to my spot when a customer rushed in for his morning dose of caffeine.

Asha wiped her face, forced a business smile and hopped to take the order.

An iron hand squeezed my heart. Asha was unhappy. This was against the laws of the universe. It wasn't about Superman's death in the end of the movie. Asha, the personification of joy, was really sad this time.

What's wrong with the world? Why is this day treating everyone wrong?

"We'll have to close the café," Asha confessed, pushing her long hair back. She tied it into a large bun, and wiped the traces of melted Kohl off her face with a paper towel.

"What?!" I gasped. My arms dropped lamely to my sides.

"Auntie Chan and I are going back to Delhi for a while." Asha was uncharacteristically concise. She scared me as hell.

"You're leaving? Why? What about school? And the café? And ... and..."

And me! I'm such a selfish friend! I need you!

Asha bit her lips and her eyes shimmered with fresh tears. "Help me out a little, Melo. I'm trying to be cool here but I can't, alright? I thought chocolate would help me calm, but I couldn't even swallow one bite. I'm happy you ate it, cause you look like a starving zombie, but you know school isn't open until next month and I just can't stay here all that time." Her voice came out weak and tremulous, the words racing one another, her wide eyes imploring.

My head pulsed faster than my heart. I knew something was wrong, but I had to press my temples to focus on her words. What Asha was trying to say eluded me. "I don't... understand."

"Yeah, I know I didn't make any sense. My mom had an accident and she's in the hospital. I was just trying not to say it out loud!" Asha finally admitted, ending her statement with a heartbreaking sob and leaned, headfirst, against my shoulder.

"Oh, Ash! I'm so sorry." I gasped. I hugged her tightly and patted on her back, feeling my own tears threatening to drown the place.

"We're leaving tomorrow. I have to make sure she'll be okay," Asha sniffed.

"It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay," I repeated, stroking her arm instinctively, while the consequences began to dawn on me. I'd be left behind. My chest tightened. Asha still had every rightful reason to fly on the first plane and leave everything behind.

It's her mom! My stupid problems can wait. A few hundred dollars, a bad residence or even being bullied are nothing in comparison.

"We'll be back for school, I guess. Just not sure when," Asha whimpered.

I nodded silently. Sucking the tears in, I swallowed a lump that rose to block my throat.

Asha straightened out, leaving my shoulder cold and heavy. She snatched another napkin to dry her tears.

"Are you going to be okay, Melo?"

"Yeah... Yeah! I'll be fine." I forced a half-smile, unable to say anything else. The confession I wanted to divulge was now absolutely inappropriate. I couldn't burden Asha with my problems after knowing this. She had enough problems of her own.

"Everything is going to be Okay, Ash," I said, giving her hand a sympathetic squeeze.

Heavy-hearted, I turned around to carry on with my work. The lump felt like a hard brick pressing on my lungs that I could barely breathe. The consequences were too dire to bear. Asha was leaving. I'd be unemployed until further notice. Being penniless, I'd be stuck in the shelter for God knows how long. And the thing that scared me the most; I wouldn't be able to see Akram every day.

Oh, Akram!

The thought of not seeing Akram was a punch in the guts. I couldn't imagine going back to my life without him. His smile. His polite talks. The touch of his hand on mine that sent waves of warmth through my cold soul. I couldn't lose them both. I just couldn't.

When the wall clock was past three, I squeezed my eyes shut and wished to fade away from existence. The moment I'd thought nothing worse could happen, turned out it could, when Akram didn't show up on time...

"Hold it together, Melo. You still have his phone number." Asha leaned over, rubbing my shoulder. She knew what I was thinking. I'd miss her to death.

"I'm fine," I said, avoiding her eyes.

"I can tell you're not. Stop fidgeting."

I realized I was tapping my feet. I stopped and began to chew the tip of my thumb.

"Stop that too. It's against hygiene." Asha tapped my hand gently.

"Sorry, I'll wash my hands." I choked and turned to the tiny basin, my vision blurry.

"The guy is head over heels. Don't worry, he's not running away." Asha's tone was a touch playful.

I sighed. I wanted to believe her last sentence, but nothing seemed promising right now.

"I'm hungry." Asha continued. "We'll eat lunch together. Since we're closing, everything you can eat or take home is on the house for staff members. I'll make us both sandwiches."

"Again? But I just ate your muffin this morning." My hand automatically reached for my grumbling belly. The sickness was getting better. I didn't want the cramps to return.

Asha tutted. "That was seven hours ago, and let me tell you, you look paler than usual today. Not cool." She pointed a finger in my face, curling her lips.

I frowned. Eating more frequently was not a good idea for me. "I don't want to overeat."

"Alright. Grilled cheese sounds good then. It's Akram's favorite," Asha sang the last sentence, rocking her head as if I didn't say anything.

I chuckled, feeling some warmth in my cheeks.

"Finally some color! Hey, don't you want us to share this one last meal before I leave," Asha continued, giving me a cute puppy face.

I shook my head in resignation. This wasn't going to end well.

As if the odds were against me, which was probably correct, an even worse happenstance lurked around the corner right after we'd finished glutting our faces.

"Holy cow! Why is this B girl here again?" Asha asked. Her hissing only I could hear.

"Who?" I gulped, my body tensed up.

"The girl who had a Polo shirt like yours."

"Vivian?!" My voice cracked and I gripped the edge of the counter to keep me from tumbling down. My heart sank and the room started to spin.

This isn't happening... this isn't happening.

"You know her?" Asha glared at me in disbelieve. "Am I missing something here?"

"It's... it's a long story, Ash. I'm... I'm sorry I couldn't tell you," I stuttered and involuntarily gnawed on my thumb. I staggered back and blobbed on the bar stool, squeezing myself as far away in the corner as possible.

"Uh oh! You're doing this again. Relax, Melo. Your face can't get any whiter." Asha's face was full of concern as she sprung closer to stroke my back.

She probably said more, but I barely heard anything. My ears whistled and all sounds felt like static noise. I wanted to make sure myself. I curled my body further, bending carefully to peek through the crack.

Through my secret opening, there was the pretty cobra, donning a three-inch denim skirt and her blood red blouse. Her dirty blonde hair, newly permed, bounced and flowed as she pranced to the far end of the café

Oh no! Don't you dare! Not that table! Not his table.

This thing had the guts to sit at Akram's table. Reminding me yet again that he didn't turn up.

"OK. Let me deal with this tramp. She baited Akram into a robbery. Well, it's time for her to learn we don't serve thugs in this place." I absently heard Asha whisper in my ear.

I shook my head in a daze. "What're you going to do?"

"Just stay here," Asha ordered, pointing her index finger and skittered to the north side of the café, where Mrs. Charan's office was.

I held my torso tightly, heart hammering like a fist in a boxing match. My stomach heaved and twisted. Shallow breaths barely entered my lungs. This was a combo of all the worst days of my life molded into one helluva big, fat, rotten day. I wanted to visit the bathroom, but I couldn't leave the counter empty.

"One skinny latte, quick."

The voice startled me. I jumped on my toes to find the grumpy face of Susie, the waitress, peeking out from behind the counter. She still didn't seem to dislike me any less.

"Right away," I breathed and shifted to grab a clean mug and saucer, praying I wouldn't break anything again.

"Where's Asha?" Susie asked, placing her balled up hands on the counter. Her tight bun stretching the frown lines on her thin face.

"She's, um, in the office."

I might've looked like a green alien. Susie shot me an annoyed glare, her brows almost forming a straight line, as if she realized that my existence personally offended her for some reason. "Tell her not to leave the counter. Her personal life shouldn't affect her work. Same to you."

"S-sure..." I nodded as Susie turned sharply and left.

Great! Susie had barely talked to me before, but to top everything, now she decided to chide me. Honestly, I felt bad for her. She was going to be jobless along with all the staff. But that wasn't my main concern at the moment.

Trying to ignore my queasiness, I worked on the order, which was obviously Vivian's, one step at a time. Susie was right. My personal life shouldn't affect my work. The problem was, Vivian didn't come in peace. She was dangerous. She wanted to turn my life into a living hell, and she was succeeding just by coming here, let alone stripping me of every penny I owned. I was afraid Vivian might decide to sneak in and ambush me behind the counter.

I was about to pour the nonfat milk over the espresso when I heard the words, "hold the order, Melo. Gotta talk to it!"

I leapt backwards, my hair rising, but it was only Ash. her stealthy arrival startled me. "Erm! Talk to it?"

"Yeah. This thing needs a good talk." Asha crossed her arms, her eyes dark and determined. I felt that she needed this to release the distress and anger she was holding back. I was just scared for her. She didn't know what she was dealing with.

My stomach protested once more and the taste of bile burned my gullet. I folded my arm around my belly. " I need to go to the bathroom."

"Now?" Asha lifted an eyebrow. "Alright, but hurry cause I can't leave the counter."

I nodded quickly and scampered towards the restroom. Barfing wasn't fun, but it would at least give me a break from the stomachache. I needed this kind of release. I cleansed my stomach, flushed it and wheeled dizzily to splash cold water on my face. I left the bathroom drained and lightheaded, but slightly relieved. Only my body was shaking again.

Asha gave me a once-over and narrowed her eyes. "Are you alright?"

I nodded.

"Be careful, Ash, she's a bully." I gripped Asha's arm like a lifeline.

"Oh, is that what she is? I'll keep that in mind," Asha squared her shoulders, circled around the front counter and marched towards the table occupied by the venomous creature.

I told myself that, if I heard their voices in the middle of the patrons' noises, that would be a bad sign.

I held my hand across my heart while I zeroed in on Ash through my secret spot. She placed her palms on the table in front of Vivian, angling her body closer, perhaps to look intimidating. She still looked cute to me, which wasn't a good impression in this situation.

Asha's head bobbed as she seemed to say a few words. Vivian leaned back and spread an arm on the back of her seat, her brow lifted. She replied briefly, contemptuous lips twisted.

I shook my leg. This was maddening. Like watching an old silent movie. It was frustrating not to know what they were saying.

Asha straightened up, crossing her arms, but I couldn't see her face from here. I was afraid she'd initiate some sort of bravado that would provoke the cobra to retaliate. Vivian was unpredictable. And strong. Asha was a sweet butterfly.

Vivian crossed her legs, shaking her heels and uttered something quick. Asha nodded, her hands on her hips.

Asha seemed to continue talking to a tight-lipped Vivian who looked up at her in disdain. Viv bared her teeth in a monstrous grin that made me shudder. Yet, something in the brute's face looked unsettled.

Asha waved an open hand towards the exit, her other hand balled up into a tiny fist at her side. The gesture was self-explanatory, but what made me gape in astonishment was that Vivian actually complied. Her face was priceless when she slithered up, looking daggers at Asha. I was dying to know what Asha had told her.

Asha trotted back to the counter with a serious face. "Make her drink to-go. She has to get what she came for." Asha signalled me to hurry and waited to take the cup from me herself.

To my surprise, when I handed Asha the skinny latte, she snagged the paper cup and rushed to the bathroom.

I stared at the bathroom door in shock.

The bathroom? What's going on?

Seconds later, Asha returned to her usual spot, a smirk on her lips. I glimpsed her pass the cup across the counter and nod once.

"She scrammed." Asha turned to wink at me.

"How? What did you tell her?" My jaw dropped. There had to be magic spell involved.

"I told her what happened with Akram was recorded and will be delivered to the police if she didn't stop harassing our customers. Also I told her not to show her face anywhere near here. but she insisted on having her stinking latte so... she asked for it." Asha snickered.

My eyes widened. "What did you do to her drink?"

"Let's say, she's now drinking a toilet brush latte for the first time." Asha stuck her tongue in the corner of her mouth.

My stomach flipped and my hand flew to my mouth at the disgusting idea. How creative, Ash!

"Hey, don't you throw up my muffin, I'm warning you," Asha said with a playful pout.

I almost laughed. She didn't know it was already down the drain. A part of me was savoring the moment with Asha when she saved the day and was being herself again. The rest of me was mourning the loss of a friend for an unidentified amount of time.

"Is it really recorded?" I asked.

"Yeah, I suppose so." Asha narrowed her eyes. "We have security cameras and there are street cams all over New York City."

"You think it's enough to convict her?" I urged. Maybe there was hope to get rid of the bully after all.

"Most likely if Akram reported the assault. And if you told him what you know, which you probably didn't... Any chance you'll tell me who she is?" Asha tilted her head, her expression confused.

And the hope was lost.

I bit my bottom lip and turned my back, fiddling with the coffee machine. "She's my roommate."

"But you said yesterday..."

"Another roommate." I pushed my hair behind my ears. My hands were shaking. "I'm sorry, Ash. You don't know much about me and I'm not proud of it."

"It doesn't matter, Melo. Cause I know you're gonna tell me someday." Asha pulled my shoulder to make me look into her honest eyes. "I just hate that you're so scared of her. I know your life isn't easy, but I'm sure as hell you're tougher than you look. Don't worry, I'm not going to judge."

My lips trembled and I looked down. "Not today, Ash. You're already under a lot of stress."

"Fine. Maybe when I get back. And hey! Don't get married before I come or I will never forgive you." Asha poked my shoulder playfully with her fingertip.

I lifted my face, managing a tiny smile. "Not any time soon."

"By the way, auntie is giving everyone two weeks pay. I'm the only exception as usual." She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Oh, boy! You're so chatty! We should get back to work."

Asha winked and hopped back to her position.

Five hundred bucks. The idea was comforting. At least I'd have something left to feel a teeny bit of security. I hated that money was nothing and everything at the same time.

Now that two problems were temporarily suspended, my mind automatically drifted to Akram again while I tried to focus on the job in hand.

I wish I knew what happened this time. I wish something could relieve the heaviness in my heart. I convinced myself there was a good reason. He'd proved yesterday how much he cared, and I had no doubt he wanted to show up today. It must've been against his will, but I couldn't help missing him.

What set off the tears in my eyes was that I had no idea when I'd see him again. I didn't want to think of the coming weeks, or months, if I couldn't see his smile every day. I hated that I was making a cappuccino that wasn't for him. I missed doing something for him when he'd done so much for me in such a short time.

Should I call him after work, just to make sure he's okay? Or would he think I'm being too clingy? I mean, I never called him before... Maybe It's better to text him. I don't think it's reasonable to wait for him tomorrow in front of the closed café. No. That's too creepy.

The day was ending and Asha had said we'd close at eight due to her family circumstance. I had to stay with her and say goodbye. I hated it. I hated saying goodbye. Asha was more composed, though. I was a hopeless mush and she ended up comforting me again before I left

*****

Hello lovelies.

I missed you guys. Sorry for the long wait. I have been caught up in life's journey and writing was very slow. It's been really hard for the past couple of months. I've wanted this chapter to be longer but then I realized I'll keep you waiting . I hope you forgive me for the slow updates but we agree on quality not quantity, don't we? 😊

*What do you think happened to Akram?

*Do you have an advice for Melody to help her solve her problem?

*Do you think Asha will return soon?

*What do you think Vivian is up to?

*What do you expect to happen when Mel returns to the shelter?

###Please (vote) and (comment) if you like this. And help me fix any mistakes.

I'd really appreciate it if you suggest the story to a friend. readers opinions matter so much to me. :)

Have a lovely day...