LIVIE'S POV. -
Everything was dark. I couldn't see anything yet my feets kept running and running until I was out of breath. What is happening? Where am I? Everything was blurry still I was running. Suddenly my leg tripped over something making me fall on the ground. My head was hurting and my tears were falling continuously. I sob while moving my head everywhere trying get a glimpse of my surrounding. But it was all in vain.
The shuffling beside me made my ears alert. Even though I wasn't able to see anything, I could feel something around me. As if something was very close to me. My eyes went in every possible direction and landed on a specific space where there was a little light illuminating. I gathered my strength and got up to walk toward the light. As I reach closer to the place, I saw a silhouette of a tall person. I contemplate to go further but abruptly that person turned around making me startle and fall back. The person took steps towards me as my eyes widen. When our eyes mate, I saw his red, fierce eyes staring at me. My heart stop beating and my breath got stuck in my throat. My body went numb as all I could see was those dark red eyes.
All at once, I felt my body gaining back the strength as I moved my legs in an attempt to stand up but the man in front of me raised his hand making me shut my eyes close while letting out a scream. "No!!!"
"Livie!! Are you alright?" I heard a familiar voice as my eyes opened and I looked around to find myself in my hotel room. Andy was sitting beside me looking at me with worried look. I sat up as he supported me to help me sit. My gaze went towards my leg which was wrapped in the bandage as I remember what happened last night. 'Those eyes....were same.'
"Are you okay? You were screaming in your sleep." Andy said taking me out of my trance as I realised that I was breathing heavily. "Was that a dream? But it felt so real." I didn't realise I was mumbling to myself until Andy placed his hand on my shoulder. "Livie, what's wrong? Did you had a nightmare?"
"Nightmare....?" 'Was that really a nightmare?' I placed my hand on my forehead rubbing it slightly as it was paining. Hearing Andy sigh, I look up at him as he stood up and walk back toward his bed. His luggage was on the bed all tid up making me frown. "What are you doing?" I asked as he stop for a second to look at me. "Packing." He said in most disinterested tone and resumed back his packing. My eyes widen in realisation as I remembered his words from last night. "Are we leaving?" I asked in small tone making him nod without looking at me. "Andy-" "No Livie. No excuses. We are leaving and that's final. I have already packed your bags. You just have to get ready and then we'll be off to airport." He spoke non-stop like a bullet train and storm inside the bathroom not giving me a chance to even open my mouth. I sat there pouting while staring at the closed door of bathroom.
TIME SKIP-
(AT HE AIRPORT)
We reach at the airport right on time. Andy went to complete the formalities while I made myself comfortable on one of the chairs. My leg was still paining a little, that's why I couldn't stand for long. I was waiting for Andy when my eyes wondered around the place. There was a glass window on one side of the area giving a full view of the forest beside. It was so soothing to the eyes that my lips curved in a smile automatically. While staring at the view, I remember every event that happened until now. Specially the encounter with that wolf. I don't know why it felt like, it wasn't just a normal encounter. I mean it was a wolf, it could have eaten me. But instead, it stared at me in such a way that made me feel different. 'What is this feeling?'
"Come on, let's go." Andy held my hand and helped me to walk. After boarding on the plane, I sat on the window seat as usual. I kept taking deep breaths as the feeling wasn't going away. It felt like something is left behind. As if I've forgot something. But what? The announcement happened and soon the plane took off. We were flying over the forest as I gaze down at the beautiful scenery. "I wish to come back soon." I mumble while taking the last glance at the ground before closing the window and sitting straight on my seat. Slowly my eyes closed and I drifted to dreamland.
"Livie!!" I heard my father chirping with a wide smile as he was standing on the airport waiting for us. 'Wait! How did he knew?' I smiled too, seeing him after so long. He had his lips stretched in a wide grin, but that was until he noticed my limping leg. His smile immediately disappeared as he frown and speed walk towards us. "Get ready for the scolding." Andy whispered in my ear making me chuckle.
Dad has always been so protective over me. If it was possible for him, he could have kept me in the house always in front his eyes. My mother passed away after I was born. So all I ever had was my dad. He was everything for me. Mom, Dad, best friend, buddy. He always provided me everything I wanted. I was so lucky to have him.
"What happened?" He asked as soon as he reach to us and held my forearms, looking at me up and down. His face clearly showed how worried he was. I giggle before hugging him tight as he stiffen for a moment before hugging me back. "Atleast give me a hug first." I mumble as he grip tightly around my shoulders while caressing my hair. "I missed you so much my squirrel." He kissed my crown making me frown and pulled away from the hug. "Dad!! I told you to not call me that. Specially not in public places." I mumble the last part and gaze around us to make sure no one heard him. He always calls me with such weird nicknames and embarrasses me. He chuckle and give me a kiss on my forehead. "But you are my little squirrel." I looked in his eyes, they were shining due to the tears that gathered in his eyes. I smile while tip-toeing and kissing his cheeks. "I know. And I missed you too." I again hugged him, feeling at home in his embrace. "Well I was away too." Andy spoke from behind us in a sulky tone making us both to part away and laugh at his face. He was one of the big grown baby. "Yeah yeah. But honestly. I didn't missed you at all." Dad said while patting his shoulder making me burst in laughter. Andy's face was worth looking as he rolled his eyes playfully. "As if I missed you."
Andy is my childhood best friend, and because of that he have a very good bond with my dad too. He's like a family to us. His parents lives in other country, so mostly he's with us.
"But I miss your food." Andy commented making dad chuckle as he placed the bags in the car's trunk. "I knew that you'll be begging to eat my hand made food. That's why I cooked a lot." Dad said and opened the car's door for me and helped me to sit. "But how did you know that we're coming today?" I asked after he took a seat on driver's place and Andy got settled in the back seat. They both exchanged looks thought the mirror making me suspicious. "Oh, so it was you." I look back while glaring at Andy as he nervously chuckle and moved his head towards dad. "Hey, uncle. I'm super hungry. What did you cooked?" He changed the topic as dad also went along with him trying to distract me. They both know that I don't like when they behave like I'm just 5 years old and can't live by my own. That's why dad always insist me to take Andy with me whenever I go. He's like a spy send by my dad. I huff while staring at the road as they both kept talking about the food. 'Wait you guys. Just let me reach home.'
AT NIGHT -
Dad's handmade food is nothing less than heaven. I felt like I was eating after ages that I couldn't stop myself from finishing the whole dish. Dad always make sure that I'm eating well and taking care of my health. I was sitting in my room, reading a documentary of a Wildlife Photographer as he have published a lot of new pictures. I heard my rooms door opened and closed but I was so engrossed in my reading that I didn't raised my head until dad came and sat in front of me. He took my injured leg on his lap as I gasp while looking at him. "Dad? What are doing?" He just smile without saying anything and removed my bandage. He then took the cotton from the first aid box he brought and cleaned my wound. While doing so, I examine his expressions and I could see he was hurt. "How does this happen?" He asked while doing his work as my mind replayed all the events of last night. I zoned out for few seconds but was brought back by dad's words. "I know you won't tell me."
"Dad. Don't worry. I'm fine." I said while placing my hand over his as he sigh and looked at me. "I know. But I'm a father. I'll always worry for you." I smile and let him do whatever he wanted. after he finished dressing my wound, I held his hand and side hugged him as he wrapped his hands around my shoulder. "Thank you dad. I love you." His fingers came in contact with my hairs as he softly brushed them. "I love you to squirrel. That's why it hurts when you're hurt." My eyes closed involuntarily as he kept stroking my hairs sending me in deep sleep. Even in that slumber, I felt him tucking me under the bed and giving me a forehead kiss.
"I love you so much my precious little squirrel."
TO BE CONTINUE ||