The Gasp : Part 8 : Him...again!

Hina waited patiently to hear what this ‘person’ had to say. After having Hina’s’ answer as ‘yes’ he had led her out of the house towards the police station. She guessed the person must be there. Hina was taken in front of a prisoner’s cell. It was a dark one and at one side was an old-looking bed. On the bed, a man was sitting. His face was buried in his hands and he looked broken up. He looked up when they arrived with his sad blue eyes.1

“So, she agreed?” he spoke to Inspector Lawood in a voice hoarse from crying. Hina felt as though she had heard this voice before, a long time ago, but where? She became interested in this man.2

Inspector Lawood didn’t answer but turned to Hina.3

“This is the man who killed your dad” he said in a sad, low voice.4

As though electricity had hit her Hina knew who he was!5

“Alphrood?” she asked.6

“Yeah, me. Alphrood. The murderer.” The man in the cell answered “You can do anything with me, anything you want. But, after you hear what I have to say. After that, kill me, behead me, do anything you want. I deserve that.”7

Hina was quite all the time. She didn’t think she wanted to talk to the disgusting man. Alphrood chose to ignore this and began talking.8

“I knew your dad since we were in High School. He wasn’t exactly that good in studies, although he did make into the Top Ten of class. During exams, he managed to cheat when the invigilator’s back was turned. Although the other boys knew about this they never told on him. Maybe, that was the thing that encouraged him -”9

“My dad WASN’T a cheater!”10

“Of course, he didn’t want you to be like how he had been. After High School, we went to university. He left his cheating habits and studied with effort. We managed to pass through university with good grades. After that we had to look for jobs. Your dad and I wanted to be together. I wouldn’t leave him. We found ourselves jobs at the same place. Your dad began to cheat more and more people. I told him to stop, but he wouldn’t. Your dad was a bad man, Hina; your dad was a bad man!” He shouted out the last words loudly.11

“My dad wasn’t bad. You are bad. YOU!! My dad never killed anyone, but you did. You are a murderer!” Hina shouted back.12

“Shouting back at your dad best friend? Didn’t daddy teach you manners?” sneered Lawood.13

Hina turned to Lawood, her eyes popping out. Oh no! Not you too!14

Hina realized that the ‘sad’ act when she arrived was after all an act! Alphrood wasn’t sad! He was happy!15

“Then your dad got married” continued Alphrood “I knew that your mom’s life will be in danger. I liked your mom, she was a nice woman. And pretty too…” he added with a grin on her face.16

“Shut UP! How dare you talk about my mom like that! You *bunny*!”17

“Language, Miss Malik, language. You are in a police station, For God’s sake!” Lawood snapped.18

Hina was at the verge of boiling with anger. She hated Alphrood and knew that Lawood was mixed with him. She hated them both more than everything!19

“So, it was up to me to save your mom.” Alphrood grinned again and Hina wished that she could slap him but there were bar between them “I decided to poison your dad. Daddy had to go, he was bad remember? But your dad found out about the poison and gave it to your mom. Your mom went out of the story. After much crying and sorrow pretend your dad settled in life, again. I couldn’t forgive him for being alive so, I threw him out of the story. Good bye!” Alphrood said this so casually as though he had no feelings. He probably doesn’t, thought Hina.20

Hina felt as though her throat was blocked; Choked and it hurt her. Finally, she drew all her courage and asked.21

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked in a voice that didn’t sounded like hers.22

“Ah, good question. Well, you told the police about me, something I do not forgive. Luckily, Inspector Lawood was in charge; you see, he is my best friend. So, he didn’t do anything. But, together we decided that you should go…the same way as your parents. You know, out of the story ”23

With that, a cloth was put pushed over Hina’s mouth so she couldn’t shout nor breathe. She struggled but was quickly becoming weak. Her head became baffled so she couldn’t think and she drifted into blackness…24