Maddox woke up, still furious, looks at the empty cage beside his bed, then took his bath and wore an outfit.
“I'm going back there to search for Nisha. I have to make sure I find her!” Maddox said to Rogan and Vivian.
“No, don't go yet. Let Martins still be on the lookout for her. You know very well that the portal takes a bit of our energy, each time we cross the border. You've already lost some, you can't lose another.” Vivian said, looking worried.
“That's true, Maddox. Why not regain the lost energy, within 2 days? Then you can go and look for her.” Rogan advised.
“No. That would have been too late. I have to go now.” Maddox left.
...............
Nisha woke up, feeling happy. She was ready to start the day.
“I must get a job! I'll like to start a new life here until Maddox forgets me.” Nisha thought to herself.
She couldn't get an official job but was advised to go from house to house to help old ones, and it was going to generate a nice pay. She went to 10 houses and was able to gather enough money that could last her for a while.
“Hmmm… What would I like to do first?” She thought to herself.
While thinking, she saw a couple saying what they wanted to do for the day, and she picked out two things that she found interesting. She went to the cinema and sat down. She found the movie intriguing and continued watching. When the movie ended, she burst into tears, and the lady who sat beside her watched as she cried without shame.
“Hey! Why are you crying?” The lady asked, in a sober tone.
“The movie is so sad. Why did it have to end this way?” She continued crying.
“If you're able to cry without bothering yourself about what people think of you, then can I join you in crying?” The lady said, with tears filled up in her eyes.
“Why do you want to cry?” Nisha asked out of curiosity.
“Because I have a problem and I really want to cry about it.” The lady said, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I'm so sorry to hear that. Yes, we can both cry.” Nisha said.
They both continued crying silently until they felt better. They walked out of the cinema, then sat down somewhere, in a park.
“So, do you mind sharing the problem that made you cry?” Nisha asked.
“I don't mind. Thank you for asking.” The lady said.
“Okay, go on.” Nisha said.
“When I was in college, I fell in love with a man who seemed so sweet, angelic, loving, caring. He posed as a perfect man, and I saw myself as the luckiest woman on earth. We were in a relationship all through college years and I never saw any red flag until we got married. He changed completely, I couldn't recognize him anymore. He smokes, drinks, beats me, insult me and make life miserable for me. I'm just tired of everything. The worst part of it is, I still love him, I just want him to change.” The lady explained.
“Oh! I see. It's really unfair! How could he treat you like that? Women ought to be treated right!” Nisha said.
“I agree. I do envy newly married couples because I miss my husband and the way we were all lovey-dovey.” The lady said.
“Hummmm! I'll have to teach your husband a lesson. Do you mind ?” Nisha said.
“What do you have in mind?” The lady asked.
“No… Don't be scared. I'm just going to gift him something that'll make him treat you right.” Nisha said.
“Really? What's that?” The lady asked, out of curiosity.
“Don't bother. It's going to be between me and him.” Nisha said.
“Alright then. I'll trust you on that.” The lady said.
“So, let's go to your house. Is he home? “ Nisha asked.
“Yeah, he is." The lady confirmed.
“Okay, let's go." Nisha said.
The two women conversed as they were walking down the street.
..............
Maddox got back to the city and called Martins, who raced over with his car. Maddox got into the car, and they drove towards the company.
“Have you heard any news of her?” Maddox asked.
“Nope. I'm surprised she's hiding well, in a place she knows nothing about. But I'm more surprised as you came back, sooner than expected. You know the portal sucks up energy. Why are you here so soon!” Martins said.
“I need to find Nisha.” Maddox said.
“But, I already told you to leave it to me. I'll handle it." Martins said.
“I'm here already.” Maddox said.
“You do not listen, at all, Maddox. Let's hope we find her.” Martins said.
..............
Nisha and the lady had gotten to the house. The lady went in first to confirm if her husband was in the house, then she signalled for Nisha to come in. Nisha got in and she could smell alcohol and cigarettes.
“ Who is this that you brought home, Annie?” He asked.
“Can you excuse us, Annie?” Nisha said.
“Alright then.” Annie went out.
“May I know your name, please.” Nisha asked.
“What the hell are you doing here?” The man yelled.
“If you do not tell me your name, I won't say a thing. And I'm sure you're curious to know what's going on. Even your wife doesn't know what I plan to do.” Nisha said.
“I'm Gilbert, so what are you here for?” He asked.
“So, Gilbert, you beat your wife up and make her life miserable, UHF!” Nisha said.
“Yeah, she deserves it.” Gilbert said.
“Why does she deserve it?” Nisha asked.
“I don't know. I just feel she deserves it.” Gilbert said, chuckling.
Nisha got furious and gave him a hard blow that knocked him on the ground.
“Hey, I didn't see that coming. Why would you give me a punch?” Gilbert yelled.
Nisha gave him two punches at his belly and he moved back and coughed.
“Hey, stop it, or I won't take it easy on you.” He said, managing to talk.
“Try your best, Gilbert. Come at me!” Nisha urged him as she was ready to beat him up.
Gilbert stood up and tried to strangle her, but Nisha kicked him hard on his face, she ran towards him, sat on him and twisted his arm. Gilbert was in so much pain, and he was surprised a lady would be as strong as this.
“Now, I want you to promise me that you'll never ever beat Annie up again. You'll be loving to her! Or else, I'm going to hunt you down and make sure blood trickle down every part of your body. Is that clear! Nisha shouted.
“Yeah! I swear to God. I'll never beat her up again.” Gilbert had to quickly swear because he couldn't bear the pain Nisha was inflicting on him.
Nisha felt fulfilled with this and was happy she was able to help people in any way she could, since she came here. She went outside and told Annie to go back in, things had changed and are better, and she shouldn't bother thanking her. Nisha was on her way back to the park when she was called by a group of actors who needed her as a stand-in for an advertisement because of her beauty.
“Hey, please, do you mind if you help us with this advertisement? The person who was supposed to do this fell I'll and can't make it right now.” The producer asked.
“Uhm. I don't have any experience in this. Is that okay?” Nisha asked.
“You don't need to worry about it. Just act as we tell you to act, and we'll give you a nice pay.” The producer replied.
“Alright then.” Nisha agreed.
Nisha was good at acting it out, and she gave them no problem, even as it was her first time of trying out.
“That was good, Nisha. Thank you.” The producer said, and they left.
Nisha left to buy iced cream, and then she went back to the park. It was evening already, and while enjoying her iced cream, she thought about where she could sleep.
“I could check in at a hotel for this night.” She said to herself.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here? The pretty lady is on her own.” Gilbert said, coming with a group of gangsters.
“Did you lay your hand on Annie again?” Nisha asked, furiously.
“No. I kept my promise. But I didn't say I won't lay my hands on you. Bring her to me.” He said to the gangsters.
“Get your hands off my property!” Maddox said.