LOGINAt night ........as always Emma asked her mother about her medicines & her brother's if they needed something. She entered her younger sister Emily's room & kissed her good night. She was good at taking responsibilities & cared about her family . Her dad Colonel William served in the Army & was currently stationed in Korea. She missed her dad every single day. Before going to bed she texted Stephanie about what she'll be wearing for her birthday.& Dan to pick her early the next morning. Lot of work had to be done . They asked their friends to help them a week before Stephanie's birthday. Josh Steph's boyfriend was also doing what Emma assigned him . Mainly he was asked to distract Stephanie. So the planning could go on smoothly without any suspicion by her. Next morning..... five days from Steph's birthday , Emma arranged a casual get together so that further plans could be made & work could be assigned to everyone involved. Josh , Dan , Seline ( Stephanie's sister) arrived at a local restaurant . They were all waiting for Emma . After a few minutes she arrived with a basket which was beautifully decorated with flowers & satin ribbon . As she took her seat next to Dan ....he gave her a warm smile & passed her a cane of soft drink. Josh inquired what was in that basket .The basket had dozens of rolled up papers of rainbow colors all bright . Every paper was tied up with purple ribbon in bow knot. She opened one of the papers & showed to others what it was :
"Your presence at the birthday party will bring great delight in our hearts. We are looking forward to hosting you at the birthday party of our best friend."
"The birthday party will be magical and delighting if you just decide to bless us with your presence. You are invited!"
"We look forward to having the night of our life as we prepare ourselves for the spectacular celebration of the birthday of our beloved Stephanie. We invite you to be with us."
Such messages were handwritten in flourishes & different colors. Emma worked really hard to make these personalized invitation cards for her friends birthday. & while showing it to others she was soo happy . This was one of her several personal touches to her besties birthday party. Everyone was super happy & excited. After dividing all the work equally among themselves.......Dan , Seline & Emma set out to invite others .While Josh went to meet Stephanie & take her out with him for a dinner date . It was tedious to distribute the invitation cards. But Emma had that beautiful smile on her face & heartily did her part. After the last invitation they stopped for an ice-cream break . The night had fallen & it grew darker as the time passed . Dan dropped Seline at her home & then headed towards Emma's home.
As she stepped out of his car .
Dan said " Hey ! I wanted to ask you something"
" Ya !? What's it ?"
Dan looked in her eyes for a minute & hesitantly said "some other time maybe!"
" As you wish ! Now go ! Drive safe & miss me Danny " she said in her laughing voice. "
You don't need an explanation to the events of that dark night that changed her forever . She was thrown into a world on immense pain & darkness . Her "No" cost her .......her life !!! We often fail to know the reality behind the faces that seem familiar to us & our lives are threatened when we are least prepared to face such deadly attacks. That night along with her clothes.....her life was ripped off from her body. Along with her hands & legs her self love was wired never to breakfree from the chains of havoc that was caused to her . Although she managed to keep her breaths alive ....her happiness was choked to death along with every hope of her life........she was never to come back again. She was the girl who said NO
A few more months passed .........its been nine months now. Five months earlier DAN left the town to move in with his grandfather who lives 300 miles away. Stephanie got bust with her senior year & other of Emma's friends visited her once in month. The therapy sessions slowly helped her heal physically & mentally. And today as she came home from one of the sessions her mother helped her out of the car. She no longer needed wheelchairs. She was weak but could walk . It's been over nine months since Emma uttered even a single word. As her mother pushed the door aside for her to enter ......she clutched her hand. To her mothers surprise she could feel the life & bit of strength in her daughter's grip. Resisting the tears that eagerly waited to roll down her cheeks she glanced at her daughter. The words " mum" fell out of her mouth & she broke in her mothers arms. Her tears burst & she cried for hours in her mothers lap. She just cried.........as all the
Now their only hope was Emma.After spending a month in hospital.......Emma's body physically recovered. But she didn't speak ....she was lifeless .....her breathing was the only sign of life that was left in her.Her friends visited her often.....tried to cheer her ...make her speak but all theirs efforts failed. After two months she was discharged.....still suffering from trauma of that incident & Post traumatic stress disorder her condition was fragile.& The doctors suggested extra care & therapy sessions for her. Her dad who also came back after hearing this news now took her daughter's care . She wasn't left alone not even for a single second. Her friends often brought her flowers & gifts sat with her & made monologue conversations.Stephanie visited her every single day & took her out . But she lay lifeless in that wheelchair. That young beautifully & bubbly girl was now lost in the world of darkness. There
Emma's mom couldn't sleep at night nor could her friends or her brother's. Their bleary eyes depicted their pain.They had just survived one of the longest night of their life & still their beloved Emma was missing .As the bright sunshine broke towards the end of that dark night , more help was called. In the morning as they set out to search again & the family was asked to host the media conference ...........One of the head officers received a call & .... & they rushed to the place from where the call was made .....it was nearest the dumping yard to Emma's home. As her mom stepped out of the car she saw her daughter lying surrounded by people who found her......the ambulance didn't arrive yet . Emma was lying on the ground rescued by a tarsh worker . Her hands & legs tightly tied with wire made deep imprints on her pale skin ......her face covered with dried blood ,her clothes ripped off. Half- naked she was lying on the groun
It's really late .......& it started raining outside. Emma's mom is trying to call her. The phone rings but no one picks it up. Her mom's really worried. When she could no longer keep patience she dialed Stephanie." Hey! Steph......Is Emma with you?! I'm trying to reach her but she won't pick up the phone"Stephanie froze on hearing this ......she along with Josh dropped her near her home hours ago. She told it to her mom. Her mom broke in tears . She was really worried now. Left with no other option she asked Stephanie for help & along with Emma's brother went out to look for her. Stephanie called her friends ......&everyone at the party.Dan also rushed to help find her. Stephanie called every person in Emma's contact list but all the efforts went in vain. Her brother's & Dan Searched for her in all the neighbouring areas. But she was no where. She just disappeared............
The day of Stephanie's birthday arrived. The venue was ready to welcome the guests & as per plan Stephanie & Josh would be the last to arrive. Seline was the first to reach the venue & checked on all the arrangements for the last time .She called the others . Today Dan was Emma's escort to the party . He was undeniably looking good . He's tall & well build figure added to his charm. He made sure he looked perfect. But as Emma stepped out of her door he was awestruck by her. She moved with great elegance managing her breezy green dress which was perfect for the party. Her soft curls & little makeup made her look so pretty. Her legs so toned & her dress made her look so effortlessly gorgeous. Pushing her golden locks behind her ears she stopped & looked at Dan . His looks were no match for her. Dan still lost in his world kept staring her. He was living his dream . He wanted to make most