WEIRD DREAM AND A PUNISHING NEXT DAY

** Mature Content.

That night, Lyrical had a strange dream. She could feel a hand exploring her body.

She tried to figure out whose hand it was that she was feeling on her and why did it feel.. good. Like, too fucking good.

Her body went hot and cold at the same time.. Lyrical wanted to open her eyes, but closed it even more tightly, instead.

She felt the hand stroking her thighs, moving up and down leisurely and his lips kissing her neck. His hot breath on her neck was sending chills down her spine, tingles spreading all over her body and a moan threatened to escape her throat.

No matter how hard she tried, she was unable to control it.

"Hmm.." she helplessly moaned.

About the way that hand moved upwards entering inside her T-shirt and teasing her bosom, she couldn't help but cry with pleasure. "Fu—Mehh.." She bit her lips hard.

The hand suddenly stopped stroking and she whimpered in whisper, "Please. Don't stop.." That's when she heard a soft voice, a whisper "Beg me."

The voice itself made her feel weak, her cheeks flared up. She had never been touch like this before and so at this moment her body craved for more, so she obliged, "Please.. mm.." Lyrical' voice was trembling.

She whined and begged. "H-hmm.. Please." His fingers traced her bosom and pinched the erected perks, sucked her lips and nibbled on it.

His hands moved down again and stroked her clit, while the lips grazed her ears, forcing her to let out cries. The sounds, she herself had never heard before.

Sweat started to form on her forehead and she arched her back in pleasure, gripping the bedsheet.

She wanted to hold the person, doing magical things to her. But the pleasure took over her whole body and Lyrical neither could open her eyes to look at his face nor could she let go of the bedsheet and touch the person.

He was so near, yet so far away from her.

Her breath was heavy as her heart kept pounding in her chest to break free and pounce out.

Lyrical suddenly heard that whispering voice near her ears again, "What am I gonna do with you?"

'Wait what!?'  Lyrical jumped out of her bed and she was naked. Her body was dripping with sweat and body still in control of the dream. Her head was throbbing and heart was pounding.

"Oh God!" she cried. The realization hit her that she was having a wet dream and it was her own hand that was stroking her body.

Furthermore, the imaginary hand that she felt was of Melody, her boss.

"Shit!" she cussed out and scratched the back of her neck.

She picked her phone and checked the time. She had slept just an hour ago and now she is less likely to sleep anymore.

  xxxxx 

"What?" Lyrical groaned in a croaky voice.

She hardly slept for a few hours and now one annoying phone call disturbed her sleep.

"Hi Lyrical! Good Morning. Can I talk to you for a minute," Gisselle murmured on the phone.

"Wait what?" Lyrical looked at her phone screen in confusion. She was so sleepy that she directly answered her phone without having a look at the screen. This is why she hadn't realized, it was Gisselle calling.

"Hey, Gisselle! Are you alright?" she asked her. Lyrical was surprised to hear from her today because they had just spoken last evening.

Then she remembered what day it is. But then again, there was no way Gisselle would've remembered, it was her birthday. Or maybe it's her baby.. yes her baby. She is due soon.

"How's the baby doing?" Lyrical chirped, but received no reply. "…or did—you actually call to wis-"

"Lyricalllll. By what time can you reach the office? Can you be there in 30? Please, just for one day? Gisselle spoke nervously. She was clearly in panic.

"Hey! What's wrong?" Lyrical enquired.  "Call me.. Ju-just call me, as soon as you reach office, please", Gisselle pleaded.

Lyrical was wide awake by now. She was worried to hear the panicked voice from the other end. "Hey, Gisselle. Talk to me. Tell me what's bothering you." She probed, but Gisselle was restless.  She kept begging Lyrical to call her once she reaches the office and that she should hurry up.

Lyrical couldn't remain calm anymore, she grumbled over the phone, "Listen to me, Gisselle. I.. I've taken a leave today. Ok. It was very hard for me to take this leave, because my boss won't allow me. I had to literally argue with her. Threaten her that I'd leave the job and whatnot," She scoffed.

"So, even if I have to lie on my bed the entire fucking day, I am definitely not going to the office. At least not today," she protested. "Besides that, I already have plans," Lyrical added.

"Oh dear.." Gisselle gasped. "Oh.. my god." She nervously spoke, her voice shaky. Lyrical could feel she was pacing around her room.  "Calm down Gisselle. C'mon, tell me." Lyrical tried to calm her down, but she was getting anxious now, wondering what must've happened for Gisselle to act like this.  'Did she miss out on something urgent or important?'

Lyrical clambered out of her bed and walked towards the window of her room.  Maybe fresh air would help ease away the anxiousness, and make her feel good. 'Surely it's nothing and I'm just thinking too much.' She told herself.

Gisselle did not speak for what felt like a long time. Lyrical opened the window in her room and breathed in the fresh air. 

When she noticed, there was no answer from the other end, she decided to speak first,  "Hello. Gisselle, you there? Can you.."

"We are in a big trouble, Lyrical. Oh, God.. How could I forget? Shit! What do I do now?" Gisselle was freaking out and crying on the phone.  "Please do me this favor Lyrical. I'm begging you. Find Melody. Urgently. Like right now." Gisselle sobbed. "We can't leave her alone today, no way. Help me, Lyrical."

Lyrical didn't reply immediately, she needed a few seconds to calm herself down. Listening to Gisselle' cries, this early in the morning, she figured the matter looked serious.  'What the hell is going on here?' she kept wondering.

Although she wanted to deny the request and lecture Gisselle because Melody was the last person Lyrical wanted to see today. But she couldn't say anything.

'What did actually happen? Did they both quarrel.. or is it something else?' Lyrical pondered.  But before she could ask her anything, Gisselle interrupted her thoughts.  "Lyrical. I-I have her friend Edwina's phone no, I'll send it to you. Can you call her, please? That witch won't answer my calls and I can't get through Melody. I hope they are together," Gisselle tried to calm down a bit, but her voice was still tensed.

"Yea. I know her and if you want I can go to her place." Lyrical assured her.

After Gisselle disconnected the call, Lyrical called Melody's number right away, but it went directly to the voicemail.  Gisselle sent her Edwina's no, but that woman didn't answer the call either.

Lyrical was trying to avoid the need to go to the office initially. After all, she had taken leave to relax and be at home.  But since Gisselle was this nervous and kept pleading with her, Lyrical couldn't avoid it. Also, both Edwina and Melody didn't answer the calls, so Lyrical was left with no other choice, but to go and look herself.

When Lyrical reached the office, she found that Melody had not come to office today. Strangely, she had cancelled all the meetings that were lined up for today, just before Melody had clocked out yesterday.

Lyrical vaguely remembered the name of Edwina's bar, she searched for the address, took a cab, and reached the place. On her way, she called Melody, once again it went to the voicemail, and the same happened with Edwina.

After she called for the fourth time, Edwina finally answered. "Wh- de fuck do you want? Why are you calling me so many times? Are you on your periods, high on drugs? What?"

"Thank Goodness!" Lyrical heaved a sigh of relief. "You finally answered my call, Edwina. Is Melody with you?" Lyrical spoke but her voice quavered.

"Who..?" Edwina was about to say something, but Lyrical interjected "I'm.. ah, I'm Lyrical, her assistant."

"No... Shit!" Edwina yelled in complete horror. "Dude! She's not with me. Wasn't she with you? I clearly remember, last night when I called, she told me you both are celebrating your birthdays together."

"What?" Lyrical couldn't understand what exactly was going on.  Since morning all that her brain could register was confusion and panic. Only now did she finally realized, Melody was missing.

She nervously replied, "I'll call you back."

"Wait!!" Before Edwina could complete her sentence, Lyrical had already disconnected the call and called up Gisselle.  She took the same cab to go to Melody's apartment.

"Gisselle, just tell me what happened? She's not with Edwina, in fact, she lied to her that she is celebrating her birthday with me? And.. that was last night." Lyrical questioned, her voice trembled and shook in anger. "Bloody hell!" She looked up and gasped for breath, "What exactly is going on?"

Lyrical tried her best to control the emotion rising up in her and that clearly showed in her voice.

"Oh, God!!" Gisselle spoke dismayed, but Lyrical interjected, "No more nonsense talk right now, Gisselle. Just stop running around the bushes. Do you want my bloody help? Then just tell me the truth." Her body had started shivering a bit.

Lyrical had to breathe slowly through her mouth, to keep herself calm. She needed to think clearly and have control over herself, especially in this situation. Panicking or being emotional is not going to help her in any way.  Lyrical whispered again, "What happened?" Her voice still trembled and she could feel fear creeping in and crawling up and down her spine. 'Something is just not right.'

Gisselle took a deep breath to calm herself, before she spoke again, "Where are you now?"

But at the very moment, Lyrical had already lost her patience. Nothing registered in her brain, she wanted answers and that too, right now.  She bellowed in anger, "Answer the damn question, Gisselle. Are you and Melody toying with me? Huh? Don't I know you both are friends, sisters and there's no way you don't know where she is. Did she put you up for this?? Stop playing games, I'm warning you."

Gisselle without avoiding her question any further, told her everything this time, "I swear Lyrical. You know even my baby is listening to me right now, so I'm not lying when I say that I really don't know where Melody went. But, what I know is, we need to find her, because.." Gisselle took another deep yet shaky breath, but when she spoke after that her voice broke, "..she is suicidal."

Lyrical couldn't believe what she had just heard. Her brain went numb, anxiety and fear seeped in. She wanted to ask further, but her voice gave away.

"It's her birthday today." Lyrical could hear Gisselle's voice quivered.

"Every year that I worked with her, I made sure to spend my friend's birthday with her. I did not leave her alone all these three years, even if it meant spending time at that gay bar of her friend. I was ready to do that too.  However, she never took me there.

Melody, I, and Edwina met every year on this day. Either we would have drinks at Melody's apartment or go out for a long drive.  I and Edwina never saw eye to eye on anything, but there was an unspoken understanding between us. We both came together to spend Melody's birthday with her. No other commitment was accepted on this day."

Gisselle took a deep breath again, "I'm sorry for not telling you about this earlier. I totally forgot about it. Last night when I called and she didn't answer, I thought perhaps she is with Edwina and will call back later. But when I did not receive any reply until morning, I couldn't help it. I had to trouble you."

When Lyrical did not reply, Gisselle added. "Her parent. They always avoided.. no actually, hated is the correct word. They treated her like she was invisible and later abandoned her. She had a lonely childhood. But now she only has me and Edwina as her friends. If we are not around, she'll go insane, Lyrical. Believe Me."

Giselle sobbed, "I know.. I know it Lyrical. She is out somewhere, alone. She's hurting. Before she hurts herself physically, find her. I beg you Lyrical."

When Lyrical finally managed to find her voice, she tried to assure Gisselle "D-don't worry. I-I'm going to her apartment, she might be sleeping her ass off." She chuckled, trying to lighten up and be positive. Lyrical somehow believed, her boss was not such a loser to harm herself.

"Call Edwina and meet her. She might be able to help you. They have been friends for a long time."

"OK, Gisselle. I will find her, I promise. Can you also promise me one thing? Can you trust me and wait for my call. You need to take care of yourself, so don't tire yourself so much." Lyrical requested her.

Gisselle was due soon, she cannot be worrying about Melody. She should take care of herself and the baby. If anything happens to her, Melody will be devastated. Especially if that happens because of her and Lyrical knew it.

"Promise me, Gisselle." She calmly requested. But in return, Gisselle did not make any promise. "I'll wait for your call," is all she said and they disconnected.

Soon after that, Lyrical reached the apartment. Luckily, she had a spare key with her. She unlocked the door and went in, but Melody wasn't home. Lyrical helplessly searched around everywhere, the garden and nearby shops also the convenience store. But there was no sign of Melody.

Lyrical finally called Joey, presuming, Melody must have gone to see him. But she was utterly disappointed and totally dumbfounded to know, Melody told him the same lie she had told Edwina. That she and Melody are celebrating their birthdays together.

'Where are you, Melody? Please come back. Stop playing such dirty games with me, I beg' Lyrical kept repeating this to herself.  Tired and defeated she dropped her body on the ground and called Edwina.

"What the hell? I've been trying your number for a long time. Where the fuck are you?" Edwina yelled at Lyrical in anger.

"M-Melody is missing." Lyrical stuttered. "I ca-ame here to l-look for her, but ssh-she is not even at her apartment."  Lyrical gulped hard, "Where do you think she is-- Edwina? Where do I-- look for her now?"  Tears welled up her eyes, her hands trembled and lips quivered. "I--I can't think of anything, anymore."

"I'm on my way little girl. Don't worry."

Edwina drove so fast that it took no longer than thirty mins for her to reach near Melody's apartment.  She hugged Lyrical tightly and they stayed like this for some time. Both needed assurance from each other, that nothing wrong will happen to Melody and they will find her.

They both left in Edwina's jeep and looked for Melody at every place they could think of, but couldn't find her. 

Lyrical did not say a word while they were searching for Melody. She just kept praying and thinking hard.  'I'll find you, Melody. Just wait for me, don't harm yourself. Please.'

Gisselle called back again. "Didn't I tell you to trust me? I will find her." Lyrical vented. She was already so worried that they are unable to find Melody, if she had to worry about Gisselle too, Lyrical was afraid she might break down, bawling her eyes out.

"Can I talk to Edwina, please?" She earnestly requested.

Edwina and Gisselle spoke for a few minutes and once she disconnected, Lyrical could see a ray of hope in Edwina's eyes.  She knew something, maybe Gisselle reminded her of someplace Melody might have gone to.  "Let's go babes." Edwina smiled and suddenly Lyrical felt herself relax a little.

While on the way to wherever Edwina was taking her, Lyrical for some reason was feeling positive that they will finally be able to find Melody. At last, Lyrical broke the silence between her and Edwina.  "Is she really suicidal?" she asked Edwina the one question that was constantly bothering her.

"Yes. Not always, but this one day brings back a lot of bad memories for her." Edwina told her.

Lyrical remained silent and kept listening to what Edwina had to say.  "Her parents and their hatred for her was one thing, but what hurts her the most is-- she lost someone very dear to her, on this very day. Who? I don't know." Edwina shook her and took a deep breath.  "But, I still remember that day she was bruised all over and cried helplessly for a week. It took her months to control herself and get out of that trance like state. I was so relieved to see that. But, from next year onwards, it became only worse." Edwina sighed sadly, "I went to wish Melody on her birthday and found her half-dead on the effin floor. She had slit her wrist." Edwina sniffled.

"It's really sad. All those people she valued in her life, either left her or never understood her worth. M-my poor little friend has always been hurt by people she thought were her own." Edwina turned her face towards the window and wiped the tears that welled up in her eyes.

They both were in an uncomfortable silence, lost in their own thoughts. After a long time, Edwina cleared her throat, "Happy Birthday Lyrical." She smiled at her. "I completely forgot to wish you today and sorry for troubling you with this treasure hunt. Gisselle must've panicked or else she wouldn't have called and freaked you out like this. But, don't worry. We'll get Melody to pay for this."

Lyrical scoffed, "You bet."

When the car stopped, Lyrical realized they have reached somewhere on the hill top and there was a small motel or rent-room, something like that. At one corner, there was a band playing songs.  They both stepped out of the car and moved towards it. "There she is," Edwina chuckled and Lyrical suddenly stopped, baffled at the view in front of her.

There were only a handful of people around and they were either having dinner or enjoying the songs the band was playing. Among them, at the far end corner was Melody, seated on the ground with her back resting against the fence and she looked completely wasted.

It would be the first time, Lyrical was seeing her boss in such a vulnerable state. Never could Lyrical ever have imagined Melody to be so drunk and looking so defeated.  Lyrical was relieved but angry at the same time. She balled her fist and stormed towards her boss, wishing to kill her once and for all.

"Melody," Lyrical screeched at her and snatched the beer bottle that she was holding. She gulped down the remaining liquid and threw the bottle.  Melody did not even fight back, maybe she didn't have the strength to.

"Melody," Lyrical screamed calling her name again, still received no reaction. Lyrical  couldn't stand watching her boss like this anymore. Her knees became so weak that they gave away and she slouched down.

Lyrical pulled Melody towards herself and hugged her tightly, "Oh! my god, Melody, what's wrong with you? Where have you been the entire day? I was so worried." She mewled and whined.  "Oh, I found you. I found you." Lyrical repeated, while happy tears rolled down her cheeks.

While she cried, Edwina made sure to call Gisselle and inform her that they've found Melody.  Gisselle was so relieved and finally could relax. "Please take care of her for me, Edwina" she sobbed.

Lyrical bought a bottle of water and handed it to Melody. She sat beside her and Melody rested her head on Lyrical' shoulder.  "Happy Birthday, Melody." She whispered, assuming Melody will not hear her.  But her boss replied. "Happy Birthday Angel." she slurrily whispered.

Melody lifted her head a little, looked into her eyes, and smiled. "My friends must've dragged here you along with them, on your birthday. Those ugly witches!!" Melody chuckled, "I'm extremely sorry, I didn't mean to.."

Lyrical hit Melody with her fist on her shoulder, vigorously "Then why.. why Melody? Why did you make me so worried? I went crazy looking for you everywhere. Is this how you treat me on my birthday? You're so bad.." Lyrical scolded while crying like a baby.

"You're hurting me." Melody pulled Lyrical' hands together.  "I was hurting too, Melody. I thought I would die if I don't find you." She wept.  Melody pulled Lyrical in her arms and soothingly ran her finger through her hair.

Lyrical moved back a little and grabbed the nape of Melody's neck. "Don't ever do this to me, Melody. I'll find you and kill you."  Melody was stunned by Lyrical' reaction but laughed anyway. "Alright, Ms. Assistant. I'll do as you say."

They hadn't realized until now, that they were very close to each other right now. So much so that, they were fanning each other's face with their breaths.

"Are you sure, you want to kill me? Don't have someone you are dating right now?" Melody asked. "No! But, are you jealous?" Lyrical arched her eyebrows and suppressed her laughter.  Melody's heart fluttered. "Yes. What do I do now?" She moaned. 

Lyrical felt butterflies in her stomach, "Bite Me" she whispered.  Melody smirked and looked at Lyrical with amusement. "You're drunk, you know right? And why do you always ask for something like this?  At first, you wanted me to fuck you and now you want me to bite you."

Melody spoke in a deep alluring voice whilst tracing Lyrical' lips. "How about settling with a kiss for now?"

Lyrical' mind was frenzied and she was unable to describe this unknown yet beautiful feeling inside her stomach. Her heartbeat was so loud, she could hear it clearly in her ears.  Lyrical slowly nodded and licked her lips.

Melody pulled back when Lyrical readily agreed, but couldn't hold herself anymore when she saw Lyrical wanted it too.  "Damn! You can't blame me for this," Melody cupped her face and bent forward to kiss Lyrical with a fierceness that spoke of longing and frustration.

Lyrical closed her eyes as she felt intoxicated. She desperately held onto Melody. One hand slipped to hug Melody's waist and then pulled her towards herself, so there remained no space in between them. While the other stroked Melody's hair.

Lyrical reciprocated the kiss with equal passion and it felt like there was no stopping either.  Lyrical' lips parted and Melody explored her mouth. As the kiss deepened, their tongue entangled with each other and moans couldn't be suppressed. 

Melody tugged and sucked Lyrical' lower lips, She swirled her tongue around to soothe it and kissed her mouth.  "Uhh", came a moaning sound from Lyrical' throat.

"You taste sweet--my dear." Melody whispered in between the kisses.  Lyrical let out another moan, her breathing was getting heavy. "H-Mmm.."

When Melody's lips parted from hers, Lyrical missed the touch of the soft lips and groaned craving for more.  Melody kissed her forehead and pressed it together. "Shit! What am I gonna do with you?"

"This is not the first time we did this, right?" Lyrical murmured.