Horror

Los Angeles, California..

Weeks passed as they came. Everything was falling into place. But Anina wasn't. She felt empty inside. She felt her feelings betraying her every passing day.

She was stuck not able to believe the things happened a month ago. She still needed answers though nothing made any sense to her. The persons who knew things were only her mother and she.

But her mother, who came back from business two weeks ago, knew nothing that she got to know a month ago. Anina felt helpless not being able to confide in her mother thinking she, herself didn't know anything clearly to tell her mom.

Her wedding rings were still in her finger, making her think why anyone didn't even ask about it anything. Initially, she tried to hide but how long she would wear long sleeve dresses and gloves sometimes. At last, she stopped. She didn't hide it anymore.

Shocking thing was to her, no one even noticed her jewelry adorned fingers to ask a question. She tried to check through Louisa but she concluded, no one saw the rings on her finger. Not even Louisa, except she. It felt like, the world was against her. Or, she had gone crazy.

Another weekend came. Nothing seemed to change for her. She was trying to keep to herself not letting in others much. Everyone had sensed something was wrong with her. Her mom tried approaching her but she denied saying, she was okay.

Her mom then thought to take help from her Louisa who also failed. Anina didn't let anyone see through her lies though she knew, others were not buying her lies. She was exhausted fighting her feelings and lying to everyone.

Inside, she was a mess. She wanted to see him so bad. If another chance she got, she would ask him, 'Why did he do that?' Again, her train of thoughts halted asking back, 'Did he even exist?'

How she could ask him if he never even existed ever. It would be true again, he was her illusion. She would be proven insane to her own self. Fears creeped through her spine. Tears rolled down, drying down itself against her skin as the time passed.

Afternoon braced the beautiful cloudy day. Clock was ticking without any pause but Anina was in her own world, stuck with her racing, raging thoughts. She even forgot, she needed to dress up for a business party of her mother. They both were invited.

As her mother entered into the house, she sensed her daughter was not ready and even the breakfast from the morning still untouched on the table. She sighed thinking, she needed to talk to her daughter soon about everything that was going on for last weeks.

Putting her bag on the chair, she went to upstairs to Anina's room. She knocked before entering. Her daughter was sitting near the window with a distant look. Anina didn't even know her mom came.

June was tensed seeing her daughter so lost. She knew, asking her won't do any good now. "Sweetheart," June called before touching her shoulder. "Are you okay?" Anina who was zoned out, came into her sense.

"Mom, you're here. Sorry, I was thinking about something," Quickly smiled facing her mom, "Never mind. You tell me." June knew her daughter well. She was hiding things but she wouldn't force her to tell. Anina would tell when she would be ready enough.

"Nothing much. Anyway, you didn't even start getting ready, Anina! Did you forget we have to attend a business party?" June was annoyed at this as they would be running late, if they didn't start getting ready now.

"Oops!! Mom, sorry once again. I kinda forgot." She stood up hurriedly taking her mom's hand to hers, "Don't get mad. I will be ready within an hour. Please...," she pouted. June smiled seeing her daughter trying to behave normal after weeks. Trying!

Though her eyes were telling a different story but the fake smile was a covering for that. June nodded, "Okay. You've one and half hour to get ready. First, take a shower. You're stinking, Girl!"

"Mom...that's not true!!" Anina whined as her mother left her room chuckling. Anina groaned as she heard her mom shouting from downstairs, "Hurry up!" She knew her mom was messing with her.

She also knew, her mom wanted to ask her things she was not ready to answer. Her mother knew her well that's why she was giving her time to get ready for her questions. Her mom wouldn't back down easily before knowing everything.

She feared, she couldn't tell her anything. Rubbing her face in frustration, she stormed into the bathroom to take a shower. She got relaxed as the cold water drops touched her warm skin.

Getting ready in the beautiful freda's spring evening collection's yet simple sleeveless maroon black rosy gown, she stood in front of the mirror. Looking at her reflection she could see, her eyes had lost its spark. Vulnerable was the emotion, it showed.

Taking a long breath, she calmed down, relaxing her racing sensitive emotions. She applied some light makeup to cover the dullness of her skin. Wore a pair of antique black stoned teardrop dangling earrings.

Applying a nude lipstick on her lips, with light eye makeup and keeping her dark brown hair down curling her front locks a bit one side, she was ready to go. She wore her maroon ballet flats and went downstairs taking her maroon black clutch.

She saw her mother was ready in an elegant black gown that made her look a bit professional. Her mom loved being professional even in a party. June was like that. She was strict about these things. Being a fashion designer she didn't like to show off.

"Honey, you look stunning!" June smiled brightly looking at her beautiful grown up daughter. "So you are, mom!" Anina smiled back, reaching next to her mom. "Let's go then, girl!" Anina nodded, going out with her mom.

When they reached the venue, the party just started. Both of them went inside the hotel and eventually greeted by the organizer of the party, Mr. Shane. They both greeted back with smiles.

Her mom start talking with Mr. Shane, the middle aged married man along with his wife. She felt bored. She asked for a soft drink as she didn't like much alcohol and she was also not in the mood.

Her eyes roamed around the ballroom checking out the decorations and the unknown people gathered there, laughing, talking, dancing, smiling and drinking. Suddenly her eyes caught something or someone's eyes staring at her from the shadows of curtains at the right corner.

As the person moved out from the shadow, her body got stilled. Chill ran down to her entire body. She felt her heart beat quickened as those pair of eyes met her directly.

'Horror' was the emotion she felt. She was staring at those dark black eyes she had never seen before. She felt like those eyes were staring into her soul. She was numbed even to look away as if she was hypnotized. As if she was falling into a hole of darkness through his eyes.

******