Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Chapter 9 - An Amazing Soup

Jerlina's eyes filled with tears as she caressed her abdomen that felt empty for her. Her back hurt constantly and her legs cramped up often. Due to anaemia, she felt giddy at times.

More than the physical ailments, what hurt more was her heart.

Should I follow my baby? Will he be waiting for me?

What is left for me here? Why should I stay here?

These thoughts popped in her brain often. But there is this little dark corner of this heart that wanted revenge.

Revenge on the guy who took her everything.

I need to be alive to watch him suffer!

And Gerard... should I ask him why he broke up with me and why he married Emma?

Jerlina gritted her teeth trying to control her thoughts.

He left me. He didn't even look for me for a month and proceeded to plan for his wedding with the woman who caused our misfortune.

Why should I meet him just because he wants to meet me this time?

She closed her eyes and really fell asleep. Maybe because this is a hospital, or it was her anaemia or some medication they are giving her, she could sleep really well here.

"Oh, you're awake!"

Daisy's soothing voice was the first she heard even before she opened her eyes. Wondering if Daisy ever gets rest, Jerlina sat comfortably on the bed. Watching the short woman who is in her fifties pouring a bowl of soup from a flask, she felt a tingling feeling in her heart.

Even if she's a nurse paid to work here, her scope of duties won't extend to make sure I'm fed, right? Why is she this kind to me?

She was moved, but then she suppressed that overwhelming feeling of happiness and security that bubbled in her heart.

She might have some hidden agenda. She can't be trusted. No one can be trusted.

After the ordeal she went through in the past few months; especially the previous day where she learnt that even cops can't be trusted, she has become more of a sceptic. She didn't want to trust anyone anymore.

I can only depend on myself!

Jerlina looked through the window to see it was already dark.

He should have left by now, right? Did he go to honeymoon with her?

Her eyes watered and she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She decided not to cry anymore.

"Thank you," Jerlina smiled as Daisy placed the bowl of soup in front of Jerlina on the bed table.

The flavourful aroma of the yummy looking chicken soup made her mouth water. It had it all – fresh vegetables, juicy chicken, turmeric and other spices. It suited her taste and for the first time since summer, she ate her fill forgetting everything else for a brief moment.

"The soup was so delicious, Nurse Daisy!" Jerlina couldn't help but say it aloud.

Maybe because her tummy was full, her heart felt a little brighter too.

Daisy was happy seeing the woman who looked dejected some time before looking all bright. Food is an amazing way to get to the heart. "It is better than what we gave you before, right?"

"Better? It's the best soup I ever had!" Jerlina smiled. "Which restaurant makes this amazing soup? Although there is no takeout bag... Is this home-cooked? Can I get the recipe?" Jerlina got curious. If possible, she wanted to have this soup often.

Daisy's head reflexively turned towards the door for a second as she thought of the person who gave the soup, but then she composed herself. "We had a volunteer chef in our kitchen today. I can get the recipe from him if you want."

Daisy spoke and helped Jerlina up as she wanted to use the restroom.

"Thanks, Nurse Daisy." Jerlina smiled.

"Just Daisy is fine, dear." Daisy held her arm, helping her walk.

"Okay, just Daisy then."

Jerlina feeling full, found herself getting sleepy once more. She had already forgotten to even ask about Gerard after having that amazing soup.

"I'm sleepy again...Daisy." she said.

"It's fine. Sleeping is a natural reaction when your body needs to recover. It helps..."

Daisy kept on speaking and Jerlina felt like she was being lulled to sleep by her voice and she drifted to sleep.

After making sure Jerlina is asleep, Daisy tucked her in. She picked the flask and got out of the room. A little sigh escaped her mouth when she saw Jeremy sitting by the door, folding his hands over his chest. The blue mesh hair net was still in his head and the beard net was crumpled in his hand.

This guy after cooking in the kitchen, came here with the piping hot soup. Jerlina was still sleeping and he said he'd wait and begged her not to tell her that he made the soup.

Did he fall asleep waiting here?

Daisy tried to close the door as noiseless as possible, but the slight 'tick' heard when the door locked made him wake up.

"Ah...Daisy..." he stood up and got the flask from her hand. His eyes were red as he woke up from a deep sleep but his face bloomed to a pleasant smile when he realised the flask is empty.

"She finished it?"

He couldn't contain his joy. "Daisy, you didn't eat the-"

"You rascal!" Daisy punched his arm. "Why would I have her soup? Stingy brat!"

She shook her head and he chuckled. "You have your share in the kitchen."

"She loved it and she finished it all herself. She even asked for the recipe."

Daisy thought it would be fair to tell the truth to the guy who cooked for an entire clinic just for a single person to eat. Her heart did go mushy seeing the boyish smile in his face.

"I knew she'd love it! It's her mother's recipe after all. I know a lot more recipes she would love." He looked at the flask with a smile.

"Her mother's? How did you learn her mother's recipe?" Daisy the gossip-lover got intrigued.

"Daisy dear," Jeremy placed his hand on Daisy's shoulder. Daisy was so short she barely reached Jeremy's chest. "I know you'll like to know it all. But it won't be fun if I give away too much information now, right?" he smirked.

"This brat!" Daisy punched his abdomen but Jeremy stood tall while Daisy winced in pain. Her hand got hurt hitting that solid rock-like abs.

"Fine, have it your way." Daisy turned to open the door. "I will tell her that you cooked the soup."

Jeremy's smile vanished and he held Daisy's arm. "No, don't."

He knew with the distress she is in and with the hate she has on him, she might force herself to throw up what she ate if she knew. She might not eat anything from then on and would develop some serious eating disorders.

Daisy saw his face go pale. She was just being playful and even that got him this stressed out.

"I'm not going to tell her!" she patted his hand.

This boy...

"My mother taught me this recipe of her best friend. But don't tell her that."

He said with a pair of pleading eyes. He really didn't want her to know he cooked for her. But the other fact that their mothers were best friends, he didn't mind if Daisy the blabbermouth told her.

Daisy watched the leaving back of Jeremy and sighed.

"So his mother... That's how he knows Jerlina?" she mumbled.

Mother... he always refers his birth mother as 'mother' while the doctor is always 'mom'.

This boy... His mother died when he was eight or nine and he still remembers so much about her...

Daisy bit her lips.

He can be a fierce wolf to many and a lowly [email?protected] to some, he can be considered as rude, boorish, and belligerent by many...

But the truth that cannot be denied is - no one can love like he does. The ones he chooses to love would be the luckiest in this world.

Boy... Do you love her?