บท 19: New Prospect
Doran's actions left her scarred and traumatised. For days Skyla refused to leave the room. That blue satin divan was fast becoming her whole world. She would just sit there and stare outside the window.
Madame Maven and Amilisia tried to get through to her but failed.
"My child, you need to eat something. I can't see you like this," Madame Maven lamented, trying to offer her some rice.
"I am not hungry," she insisted and turned her head away. Attempting to hide the anguish her face held.
Madame Maven's heart ached to see the beautiful girl wither like a flower under the scorching heat. Skyla hadn't faced the harsh realities of life before her marriage and with someone like Doran as her husband, she had it hard.
She patted Skyla's shoulder and wisely said.
"You know the night is always the darkest before the twilight. Have faith, my child, you are not alone."
"All I see is blinding darkness," Skyla sniffled and dragged her legs close to her chest.
Madame Maven knew only one person could give Skyla some hope, her best friend Huria. She detested Doran so she hardly ever visited Skyla anymore. And he didn't let Skyla go out of the villa so she couldn't visit Huria. But she had to try and get Huria here. Doran was away on his business trip and wouldn't be back home for a few days.
Madame Maven left Skyla's room and called Huria, explaining to her the situation and requesting for her to visit. Huria arrived within an hour and headed straight to her friend's room.
She was restless from the moment she heard about Skyla's current condition. With a heavy heart, she pushed open the door of her room and walked inside the gloomy-looking surroundings.
Skyla was huddled up on the divan, blankly staring outside her window which showed the vast gardens. The grass had dried up due to the extreme weather and so had Skyla's heart.
"Skyla!" Huria slowly called out to her friend who didn't budge. So she moved closer and slightly touched her shoulder so as not to startle her.
Skyla turned and saw her friend after such a long time and every barrier she was trying to build around her heart came crumbling down.
Both girls hugged and Skyla cried relentlessly. Letting her friend's warmth bring her some long-sought peace.
"I am here now, let it all out," she slowly untangled Skyla's gorgeous Auburn tresses and consoled her. Skyla began to unravel, telling her all the abuse she had been subjected to by Doran.
"There are not enough words in my vocabulary to curse him. He indeed is despicable. Who the hell he thinks he is?" Huria gritted her teeth.
Skyla occasionally conversed with Huria but she avoided telling her about the abuse. Knowing too well that her fiery friend would only get mad when she couldn't do much about it. But today she had to, someone needed to record what was happening to her and she couldn't trust anyone other than Huria.
"I don't understand why he detests me so much. He finds me undesirable. He won't even touch me," Skyla snivelled and a fresh stream of tears fell down her face.
"He is sick, I mean really sick. Normal people don't do that. His loss though, you have so much love to offer," Huria rubbed the back of her friend. Not believing how a man could not touch his wife. He had to be some serious kind of insane.
"I can't keep living like this. I will go crazy Huria. He won't let me study, he won't let me get a job, what am I to do?" Huria gave her friend a serious look before holding both her shoulders.
"You can't give up, you are Skyla Adams, the toughest and kindest girl I know. We will get through this one step at a time. Are you continuing the online courses?"
The girl with red hair nodded her head.
"Good. Now listen to me very carefully. I want you to finish them and then create your own comic. There is this amazing online reading app called Webnovel, where you can create your own novels, comics, fanfiction and whatnot. You can read thousands of books there. Download it, explore it and keep yourself engaged with it. And when you are ready start creating your comic. The world is waiting to see your characters come to life. You are so talented, Skyla. Use your talents."
A ray of hope was kindled inside Skyla and she wanted to explore these new horizons.
"This sounds very interesting. It's a perfect opportunity for someone like me, someone who can't leave her house to look for work. I can't wait to dig in."
"They have an official discord server as well, where you can speak to editors and other authors. You will learn a ton from them. One of my colleagues is a part-time writer on the platform. So I recently discovered it. Now I can't wait for you to become one too."
This excited Skyla.
While Huria had finished her degree in fashion design and was now working with a high-profile fashion company. She encouraged her friend too. She knew Skyla's circumstances prevented her from seeking a job so she opened new doors of opportunities for her. The one she could excel in.
"This sounds like such an interesting prospect. Thank you Huria for always looking out for me."
Skyla finally smiled, and this time her smile was not forced.
Huria took her phone and downloaded the app for her, guiding her on how to navigate. Soon enough both girls were talking and laughing.
Madame Maven brought them snacks and they decided to Netflix and chill. Putting on the latest episode of Jujutsu Kaisen both girls eased down and began to watch. The excitement evident on their faces.
And for a while, Skyla forgot about the bleak future that awaited her.
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