Chapter 3 CHAPTER THREE The Door I Shouldn’t Have Opened

Clara POV

I tried to open my eyes but they were heavy. And when I eventually forced them open. I was in a totally different environment.

“Where is this place?” My mind questioned.

My eyes hovered towards the white ceiling to the room in general,and I needed no soothsayer to tell me I was in the hospital.

At first, I didn't remember anything, because my brain was still foggy. But then, I tried to sit down but ended up regretting as pain slammed against my head.

I groaned, forcing myself to lay back still. My head was  pounding. That was when the events from last night began reoccurring in my head.

The last thing I remembered was passing out in the arms of Mr Handsome.

My eyes widened as reality dawned on me.

Did he bring me here?

Just then. A female doctor walked in. She was on her robe and wore the kind of  smile that carried warmth.

Her eyes lit when she saw me.

“Gracious God, you're awake,” she said, coming closer.

She examined me with her stethoscope, all the while, I just kept quiet, staring at her.

“How are you feeling now?” She asked with a smile.

“Who brought me here?” I asked instead, dodging her question.

She looked taken aback for a second,but masked it with a smile.

Argh… That smile again.

Do all medical practitioners do this all the time? Like it's a job or something.

“Actually, you were brought by a handsome stranger,” she said and I didn't know when I rolled my eyes.

“But don't worry, because all your bills have been cleared by him,”  she added.

I stared at her, dumfounded.

“Can I see him?” I asked.

“Offcourse not. He left a few minutes ago,” She dropped.

“How about his name? Address, anything I can use to see him?” I asked, hoping for a positive response.

“Well,” the doctor said.

“He actually didn't give out any of that information,” she dropped.

Like seriously? 

Are these people fucking kidding me? How in God's name is that even possible?

“Turns out he wanted to remain anonymous,” She said, as if reading my mind.

I didn't say a word further. And that was when it struck.

I'm supposed to resume classes today  at Westridge University. 

I sat upright immediately, not minding the pains, startling even the doctor.

“Oh my goodness, ma'am I have to go,” I said trying to remove the drip on my hand, but she was quick to intervene.

“Hey Miss, what are you doing? You can't leave now. “ She said, stopping me.

“You still have two more days to stay before you'll be free to be discharged,” She added and I eyed her annoyingly.

“Two what?” I threw.

Does this woman know what she is saying? 

“No, I have to go,”. I said.

“Miss, please listen to me,”  She said.

“You listen to me,” I threw.

“It's my first day as a scholarship student in a prestigious university and I can't afford to miss it for anything, plus, my mom is home sick, I need to go take care of her. Don't you understand?” I snapped.

She looked at me, as if trying to take in all what I just said.

“Okay, calm down. I get you, but you're not fit too.….”

“I am fine,” I said, harshly.

“Okay, if you say so. You can meet the receptionist to sign out,” She said, removing the drip and I sigh in relief.

I hastened my steps towards the receptionist.

“Signing out please,” I said upon reaching her.

“Your name, please,”

“Clara Bennett,” I responded nonchalantly, checking my time.

Hopefully, Mr Handsome has been thoughtful enough to bring my bag with me.

“Sign here,” she said, placing a book before me.

I sighed where my name was, without hesitation, and quickly passed it back to her.

But then, something dawned on me. 

If my full name is here. That means Mr Handsome knows a lot about me. 

Has he been stalking me all these while?

No…you have your ID in your bag remember? My mind said.

Oh! That says it.

“Here,” the receptionist said, bringing out an envelope.

“The man who brought you here said I should give it to you after signing out,” She said.

I stared at the envelope, and on top it  was written one thousand dollars.

‘He did that? “

“Yes ma'am, enjoy,” the receptionist said with a smile.

How thoughtful.

At least, these will take care of my mom's medical bills for a week plus, I pray it does.

Mom has chronic lung disease, and spends most of the time in the hospital. But recently, she'd been bedridden because I couldn't afford to pay for the hospital bills.

So I ended up taking her home and sustaining her with medications. Since  it's manageable. But whenever she falls into an episode. I end up spending three times my earnings.

I looked at the nurse, thanked her and walked out of the hospital.

It's already 7:30, and I still needed to check on mom first before going to school.

I boarded a cab that took me home. Thankfully,it was just a 15 minute ride.

The cab dropped me across my house.

I tried to cross the road without thinking, my mind was still stuck on Mom, the time, and school.

A sudden horn sliced through the air.

I froze as a car closed in so fast. My feet moved before my brain even did. 

And I found myself stumbling backward, almost slipping off the curbs as tires screeched just inches away from where I had stood.

The wind from the passing car slapped against my skin. And everything went silent for a second in my ears.

“Are you trying to die?!”  a man's voice exploded from the driver's seat.

I didn't answer.

What was I supposed to say? 

That I wasn't thinking? Or that life had been too loud in my head for me to see a car coming?

The window slid down slowly. And a man's face appeared.

He looked older, probably in his late fifties. Though his eyes were cold, he had a controlled expression.

He looked at me for a moment, and then, the window rolled back up. And the car pulled away like nothing had happened.

I shrugged and walked towards my house.

I stepped into the house to find a quiet living room. 

Three bottles of whiskey were on the couch.

Dad again.

I sigh in frustration, shaking my head, but wasted no time in heading towards mom's room.

She was lying on the bed. Motionless, I stood at the doorway for a while, staring at her in that state made my heart soften, and I didn't know when tears trickled down my eyes.

I guess mom felt a presence in the room because she turned slightly.

“Cla….” She struggled to call my name but I wiped my eyes quickly and walked up to her.

“I'm here mom, I'm here,” I said, sitting beside her on the bed. Caressing her once dark curly hair which has suddenly turned grey due to her ailment.

“I'm sorry I didn't come home last night, something happened, but I'm home now, and I'm fine and that's all that matters,” I said and mom smiled weakly, staring at me with her deep blue eyes.

“I hope you didn't miss me too much, have you eaten?” I asked but she gave a weak expression which immediately tells me she hasn't.

I stood up abruptly.

“You haven't eaten since last night? And Dad is in this house? Where the hell is he?” I asked, upset.

Mom held my hand and stared at me with pleading eyes. I understood perfectly.

She doesn't want me to get angry over Dad's behavior. 

He's always been like that since he lost his job five years ago as an executive manager in one of those big companies in town.

And he's become a shadow of himself since then.

But for goodness sake. Mom is his wife, it is his duty to care for her.

“You know what mom, it's fine, I'll make you something to eat and make sure you have your bath before going to school,” I said, and at the mention of school. My heart lit in joy.

“And guess what mom, today's my first day at Westbridge,” I said and mom smiled.

“Goo……” mom struggled but I already knew what she wanted to say.

“There's no way, I'm going to that school without first attending to my sweet mom,” I said and she smiled.

“Very good, you should smile often, I'll go make you your favorite,” I said, and pecked her in the forehead before walking out of the living room.

Classes were to start by 8:am and I knew I was gonna be late. But I prioritize my mom over school.

By the time I got to school. It was already 9:30.

I adjusted the strap of my tote bag and kept walking.

Westbridge University wasn't supposed to be this confusing. Or maybe I was just alreadyate enough to make everything feel like it was working against me.

“Dean office. Where the hell are you?” I muttered under my breath.

A girl walked past me.

“Excuse me,” I called quickly, and she slowed.

“Please where is the Dean's office?” 

She pointed ahead without much interest.

“Go straight, then turn right. You'll see along hallway. It's at the end.”

“Thank you,” I Said.

She nodded and left, without another word.

I followed her direction. But tell me why I've been walking for close to ten minutes now, without seeing the place.

Instead, the hallway just keeps stretching like the building doesn't want to end.

I passed a room. But something about it felt wrong the moment I saw it.

There was no sign, no label. Just a door slightly opened.

More like someone left in a hurry and forgot to close it properly.

Inside was swallowed light with thick darkness that made it impossible to see who was inside or where the room ended.

I kept walking at first, but then I stopped. And slowly, I turned back. 

I don't know why I did it, but I went back toward the door. But this time, each step I took felt heavier than the last.

I stopped right in front of the door.

“Hello….?” I called softly. But there was no answer.

Only my voice coming back to me.

“Is anyone there?” still no answer.

I turned to leave, and the moment I did. Something grabbed my shirt like. Like it had been waiting for that exact second.

My body jerked backward with force.

“Ah!” A sharp scream tore out of me before I could stop it, fear exploding through my chest as I was pulled straight into the dark.