She stood at the edge of the mountain ledge, consumed by her decision to die. She lifted her leg and took a step forward and looked at the place where she would lie. She never thought that there will be such a day when she would stand at the edge between life and death. One step was all that matters. One step forward and she would die, one step backward and she would live.
As she stood there alone, the soft breeze caressed her hair and she slowly closed her eyes and went back in time. Her first vision was her father's smiling face and the only thought she had was she was safe. She remembered that she was a playful girl who grew up in a rich family. Everyone adored her but that never made her too shy.
As time flew, she grew too and before long she was sitting on a bench listening to her teacher teach and daring not to talk. Years passed by, her parents began to cry because her low grade and bad manners. She could not get into a college while she yearned to get some knowledge, nothing bit frowns did she receive. Her parents were blamed for what she became and so she packed her bags and left. She did some small jobs and earned a few pound.
Years passed by then the past beckoned. She went to see her parents but a shock was what she got. Both had died long back. 'There daughter left them', some said. ' guilt killed them ', others chimed. She cried all day and all night at the loss of her safe harbour, but she knew it was of no use. Lost, she walked through the streets and felt dark shadows beside her. A stick fell hard against her as darkness engulfed her and she knew know more.
When she woke again she was lying in a forest with a flimsy towel covering her. She was bruised all over but more pain she felt due to the realisation that hit her. She walked through the jungle as thorns pricked her legs. Bit that pain meant nothing anymore. She searched long for food or for some water, but darkness was all she got. She did not want to cry but tears never stopped, however much she brushed them off. Exhaustion overcame her as she rested her head on a tree, drifting to a slow and uneasy slumber.
As she opened her eyes, she heard a voice whispering gently to her. ' You'll be alright, just close your eyes '. Never had she heard such sweet words spoken to her for long. She ached for that voice, to hear it once again and slowly closed her eyes. She woke up in a hospital bed with someone beside her. As she took in his clothes, her heartbeat raced and she pretended to sleep. The cops soon left and she got up from the bed and limped towards the open window. She quickly climbed out and then shuffled to this mountain ledge.
Anger, guilt, shame and depression forcibly washed over her. So drenched was she in foul soul too much to be ever dry again. She decided to take that one step that would take all away of her. But as she took that step, she felt a hand that grab hold of her and pulled her to safety. She wanted to push him off but her hand froze when she heard his voice.
' What were you thinking '
he asked with great concern. His voice warmed her. She was bereft with words so she stood there quietly, allowing his concern to make her dry. She held her to his chest and she knew she was safe in his arms.
Two years have passed and painful memories have gone into the deep recess of her brain. Never has 'he' left by her side. Never has his voice lost its genuine touch. Her life is ever so beautiful now and she was happier than she would ever be. She tried to make the best of everything for she knew the next time she would take that step there might be no one to save her.
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