7

Jessica and I, our encounter goes 7 years back. I was 12 and she was a year younger. We met on the first day of what we called The Orph Life. My first day was hers, too. She didn’t talk much, but hell did I never shut my mouth. From day one, I was the talkative, happy-go-lucky little girl that everyone adored. So, although reality hit me hard that year, I promised myself to stay the same, just the way my mother loved, and nurtured me. Jessica, on the other hand, well, she looked like a sulky, afraid, proud little princess. She would sit alone during lunchtime and none of the boys, or girls in fact, had enough balls to walk up to her and strike a conversation. A reminder: we were 11, 12 year olds. Although, a few boys did give a shot on trying to accompany her, but every single one was rejected, mercilessly.

      I remember very clearly, that day was a rainy day, lightning was striking and battling in the sky, here and there the whole day. We had a blackout, every home in 30 meters radius. I was sitting, silently in the play room by myself, or so I thought when an unknown pair of hands grabbed me from behind as mightier lightning from outside. I can feel the warmth of an unfamiliar body pressed against my back and I can hear mutte