THE UNREQUITED LOVE

Scarlet, a girl who always try to get attention and love of her family was always despised by them except her younger brother and sister who are twins. They always say that she doesn't have any maturity and always being childish. She avoids the twins because she feels that since after their birth only she has been neglected by her parents, elder brother and sister. They don't even celebrate her birthday saying that she doesn't have any friends. Sometimes they even forget her birthday. It was she, who reminded them. No one knows about her likes, dislikes or anything about her. She has been bullied by her classmates in her middle and high school. Whenever she told this to them, they ignored her words. At nights, she started to have nightmares, but she couldn't share to anyone. Every night she gets scared and cry all her pains out. She always asks herself, 'Why don't they love me?', 'Am I not their daughter?', 'Am I that much bad?', 'Why everyone hates me?'. But her heart always flash one incident which happened when she was six years old. That incident always ease her pains. That's a promise in her childhood between her and Elijah, her childhood love. He was an introvert, and he won't talk much even to his parents. She talked with him and also forced him to be her friend. As days passed, they both felt comfortable with each other's presence. Their families were friends for a long time which was so much beneficial for them to meet each other often. Due to his dad's work, they had the needs to shift to abroad. Before their departure, he promised her that he would marry her in future as he saw a movie in which leads marry each other, so they can't be separated and also asked her not to make any friends because he should be the only one. After he went abroad, they were not in contact with each other. Their parents only know about their friendship not about their promise.

After three years, the twins were born. Slowly their attention moved to them. She always tells herself that they are just a small child that's why they give their attention a little more to them. As days passed, they started being strict with her and scolded her for no reasons. She started to do everything that would seek their attention. They were annoyed by her actions. So, they started to ignore everything related to her. After all odds and against, there was still hope in her heart that they would love her one day! She always ends up getting hurt. But she never gave up and has her hopes! Now she is attending her university. Likewise, she made no friends, but there were many eyes watched her full of lust. She rejects all the six proposals she got. She always has him in her heart. She was waiting for his return and fulfill his promise.

It was winter. The sky was overcast with clouds and chilly winds were blowing. She came for an evening walk. As she walked further, she forgot to notice the time. When she saw it, it was already quarter past eight p.m. So she decided to take a short route to her home. That route is mostly like an abandoned street. As she walked in the abandon street, she spot a familiar guy. It was a man who has always pestered her to be his girlfriend, and she refuses every time. Seeing her alone, he directly went near her and pulled her to him. She struggled to come out of his grip but ended in vain. He again asked her to be his girlfriend. She nods her head negatively. He smirked at her and pushed her to the corner saying that he would have her by hook or crook. He slowly started touching her cheek and trails his finger to her neck. She tried to push him but couldn't. She cried for help. As no one was there, she started begging him to leave her, but he blatantly ignored her. As two men pass through the street saw him misbehaving with her. They pushed him and punched his face. She sat on the ground holding her knees tightly. She was crying as she hid her face. Her body was trembling in fear. Seeing her condition, they came to console her. Taking this as an advantage he ran away from there. They slowly reached near her making assured that she is not afraid of them. Nearly after half an hour she stopped crying. Her swollen eyes was visible. There were dried tears on her cheeks. She stood up slowly. Whatever she does, nothing can compare to the help they did today. So she bowed to them showing her gratitude. They insisted on walking her home. They bid their bye saying that they have some important work.

She entered inside and saw her dad sitting in the living room. She wants someone with her right now. She desperately wanted someone to hug her. She went to her dad and called him,'Dad'. The right next moment, she fell down of the floor as her right cheeks get swollen. She was slapped, slapped by her own dad. She couldn't utter any words. Her words struck in her throat. Her dad shouted, 'Is this the time to reach home? It is already 10 p.m. Where the hell you were?' When she gathered her little courage and try to speak, her mother came down and started to scold her without letting her speak. All her siblings came down hearing their shouts. Her elder brother and sister ignored them and went back to their room whereas the young ones were forced to go. She couldn't digest anymore. She stood up and ran to her room and slammed the door shut. She went to her bed and laid as she hugged her pillow and sobbed. She never thought that her parents would do this. She has almost been harrassed, and they were not even in the state to listen her. Everything from her childhood rewinds in her mind. Her hopes shattered down. She couldn't handle anymore. She filled the bathtub and drowned herself in it. Furthermore, she started to rub her body harshly. Today's incident made a bad impact on her mind. She found a sharp object and cut her wrist. A little later, the twins came and knock the door. As she didn't respond they opened the door with spare key. They searched her in her room and found her inside the bathtub full of blood, and she was lying unconscious. Seeing that situation, they screamed out of fear.

Everyone came as they hear their sound. When they shift their eyes to the bathtub from them, they saw her surrounded by blood. Everyone gasped in shock. Her father suddenly carried her down and took her to hospital followed by all. They all were waiting outside while she was being treated inside. The twins were crying while others were thinking of past in remorse. If they treated her like others she wouldn't come to this situation. They thought that just how much pain she had gone through that made her to come to this extent. After taking some tests, the doctor came out. He said that she was alive, but he doesn't think she is fine. He also said that she needs some special care and about the test results that would be out by tomorrow morning. They thanked him and went inside the room. Then her mom planned to stay inside waiting for her to wake up while others were waiting outside. Soon the moon and sun exchanged their places. She slowly woke up and saw her mother sleeping in a chair holding her hand. Her tears slowly flow down. The doctor came for check up saw her awake and waked her mother to go out. Her mother kissed her forehead and said that she would wait outside as she left. Scarlet was shocked to see her like that. After some talks with her, the doctor came out. In doctor's cabin, he showed the results to them. Reading it everyone was stunned. The results shown that she was suffering from depression, malnutrition and also low blood pressure. A girl of age eighteen suffering all these. What else could be worse than this? They went and talk with her and begged for her forgiveness. To their surprise she said that she forgive them. None of them thought she would forgive them so easily. They all took an oath to themselves that they would treat her right. And then she told them about how she was about to get harrassed. And they all asked for forgiveness for not listening her that time and consoled her.

Five months had passed. They all were so happy including her. She started to get attached to the twins more. One fine day everyone was chatting happily. There was an unexpected visit for them. It was Elijah and his family. The parents hugged each other in happiness. Scarlet was in cloud nine seeing him. She ran towards him to hug that's when her eyes noticed two girls. She stopped in her place. He came forward and asked her about her wellbeing. She replied that she is well, and she looked at two girls. He points at one girl and said she is his sister who was born after they went abroad, and other one has his fiancè. Hearing the word 'fiancè' her heart stopped for a moment. Her body felt numb. She wanted to hold his collar and shout, but she chose to remain silent. Everyone joins the conversation. They all chatted happily. And they fixed the marriage after a month. As the bride is an orphan, scarlet dad decided to do all the rituals as the bride's dad. Scarlet kept silent all the time. Time passed soon. This was the most awaiting day for the groom and bride. Scarlet dad walked down the aisle holding her hands. After taking the vows, they exchanged their rings. The priest announced them as husband and wife as they kissed each other. All were taking photos with each other. When they were taking group photos, they noticed her absence. Everyone searched for her. Her family spot her lying on the floor unconscious. They tap her cheeks and sprayed some water in her face. She didn't open her eyes. That's when they noticed her that she was no more breathing. No one could believe it. The twins noted her purse near her. They opened it and saw a letter. In that,

" If you all are reading this, I guess I won't be there anymore. Thanks for everything you did for me. I am sorry my babies(twins). I avoided you all these years just because of my foolishness.I am really sorry. And mom, dad, bro and sis... I still couldn't find the answer why you hate me, but I am happy that you atleast tried your best to make it up to me. Please don't think I am blaming you all. I am just blaming myself. How fool I was! Even believing a simple promise of Elijah. When everyone treated me like a trash, my heart always remind me our promise. That would always ease me. I really want to hug you tightly and say I MISS YOU when I saw you after twelve years. But you introduced your fiancé. That is the worst moment of my life. Never I thought you would do this.It's okay anyway! I just said everything because I want to pour out everything before I die. I wish you both a happy married life! And I died because of suffering from depression. And I clearly know I am going to die in some months on that day in hospital. I only asked the doctor not to say to you all just because I want everyone to send me off happily! So please don't blame yourself! Thanks for the life you gave me. Though many memories haunt me, I am happy that I got many memories forever. So a happy goodbye! "

After reading this, no one could stop their tears. Many were ashamed of themselves. Everyone cried their heart out. Some in remorse! Some in guilt! Though they tried to make it up to her, little did they don't know it was late...too late.... She lost her teenage completely! She forgave them because she knows she is going to die. If she didn't do that, she couldn't even enjoy her last some months. They are not the only ones to blame, the fault is also on her. If she loved herself more than them, she wouldn't come to this extent. And if you don't have the intent to keep a promise, don't make it. Because the other one might have too many hopes and beliefs. So guys I wanna say that sometimes it's too late to make things right. Sometimes we hurt others more than we realize. Sometimes our own expectations will be the reason of our pain! Love others, it's not fault but remember to LOVE YOURSELF more!! Promise others if you only have the INTEND TO KEEP!!