56

The smell of a machine is the easiest way to know one is in a hospital. I woke up with a banging headache and body pain. I am all alone in what seems to be a VIP room. I did not exactly remember what happened. The last thing I remember was biting Armani and then, I am here.

I checked my pocket to see if my phone is with me and when I brought it out, it was a complete mess.

The screen has broken.

I unlocked it to check if there was any message and I was shocked at how many missed calls and text messages I have.

Ava and Hattie have the most, wanting to know how I am feeling and why I didn't show up for a class today.

There is another message from Oliver that was checking up on me if I got home fine. My life and drama, I sigh in disappointment. I had a nice time with Oliver, but I didn't even remember him when I woke up because of my life drama, what a waste.

I know Ava and Hattie must have been bothered about my well being so I sent them a text.

"I'm sorry for the late reply, I got into a fight with Armani and while leaving the house angrily, I slipped on the stairs. I am presently in the hospital.

Lila."

I sent the same content to the two girls and call Bella to inform her about my condition.

"Bella" I cried into the phone.

"Are you okay?" She asked worriedly.

"I am in the hospital"

"Why? Who got hurt?"

"I did" I narrate what happened to her on the phone and she sounded like she is furious. She told me to confirm the hospital that I am in and that she would be on her way immediately.

A nurse came in to check on me and I asked which hospital this is. She helped me to send the address to Bella before leaving me to myself once again.

I was half asleep when Bella entered, looking so worried.

"Lila! She shouted like she just see a ghost."

"Bel, you are here. Can you get me something to eat please, I'm very hungry."

"You haven't eaten?"

"No"

"Lila, this is 2:00 pm. Why haven't you eaten? Where is that stupid husband of yours?"

"I don't know. I was all by myself when I woke up."

"Not even the maid you bond with?"

"I didn't see anyone, Bel."

"How can they leave you alone in this condition? Are you that insignificant to them? What if you had died? What would have been the narrative?"

"Bel, can you just get me food instead? I don't think we have power over the situation."

Bella looked ridiculously angry and she left to get whatever she come across.

Soon after, she came back with Pizza saying that is what she can get. I burst into laughter because of how ridiculous this is. She must have been so tense that she couldn't think straight. It's actually funny.

I haven't changed my outfit and I am still in the dress I wore yesterday, making me feel uncomfortable. I begged Bella to go to her place and get me clothes that I can change into.

While she was gone, Ava and Hattie arrived, looking both worried and sorry.

"You don't have to be so sorry. It's really not your fault."

"Maybe I shouldn't have invited you to the party, Hattie blames herself."

"I'm sorry, I should have stayed over when your husband insisted," Ava said, looking at me with a pitiful eye.

"Girls, it's fine. I have a choice, and I choose to go so it's nobody's fault. Stop looking at me with sympathy, it makes me feel sick."

They changed the conversation immediately and begin to fill me with what I missed. We teased Ava for leaving with the strange guy from yesterday and we laughed it off.

Soon after, Hattie got a call from home, informing her that she needs to come home immediately. She excused herself, leaving just Ava and me behind.

"When are you going to tell us the truth?" Ava asked out of the blue, leaving me confused.

"What truth?"

"About your husband."

She must have thought he was the one that beat me up.

"Oh, no. He didn't do this."

"What if he didn't do this one? That doesn't stop the fact that he hurts you. Emotionally, if not physically at times."

I do not have the strength to cover up for anyone but at the same time, I do not want to jump to conclusions that she knows my situation and tell her things so I asked what she meant.

"Charlotte told me everything."

"What did she tell you?"

"All that needs to know"

"How much?"

"Enough that explains why you do not own a wedding ring. So much that explains why you are still in college when you should be working already. All I need to know as of why you are married at 22. Basically, everything."

"Good, then I don't have to act like I have a perfect life"

"That is not the point, Lila. You have a choice. You can leave. At the end of the day, you didn't sign any document with him. You are an adult. You can stand up for yourself. Whatsoever thing he has against you are lies. It is purely between him and your father. You do not have to suffer for someone else greed. You are way too young to be keeping up with this mess. Look at you, young, beautiful and intellectual. You have a whole life ahead of you. Do not live it by becoming a mere property."

"You do not understand."

"I don't, am not going to lie. But what I do understand is this is not right. And the person you are doing it for is not worth it. I know Charlotte has not been making things easier either, but I apologise on her behalf. I am really sorry. I wish I can help your situation, but only you can get yourself out of this misery."

"Is Hattie aware too?"

"Even if she finds out, it's not going to be from me. I am not the type to gossip over stuff like this. It's way too personal."

"Thank you, Ava"

"I didn't grow up in the best family either, so I know how it feels."