9. Hindrance

Arya

The dreadful day passed, I spent the whole Sunday at home. I was tired, didn't want to move from my bedroom to the kitchen. But, I did move anyway. I studied for the whole day. The semester was near. Ethan and Zack called and asked if I wanted to hang out with them or not. I denied and hinted about that strange incident. They made me agree to have a group study in my home. I agreed. They came to my home afternoon.

We studied for a long time and completed our project. While having coffee, we discussed the topics we didn't get. When it was eight at night, we stopped, ordered take-out. Despite being different from each other, we have lots of things in common, which bound us together. We always have time for each other. Ethan is known as a bad boy, which is just a facade. He is more talented and sharp among the three of us. I also knew they gonna ask me about yesterday's incident. I was ready to spit it out.

When our orders were delivered, we sat in the living room and started to devour it. After we have done with foods, they asked, "What happened yesterday?"

I said everything to them.

" After we departed, I chose to go home through a long way. I was passing a dark alley, I heard some noises. I observed keenly and saw some goons attacking someone. They had guns and sticks with them. I took action and pushed a gun guy with my bike from behind. Then we fought. We knocked them off. I took him to the clinic and paid for his treatment and medicines. I dropped him off at his given address."

Ethan said, "The guy let you help him and made you drop his home?"

I shook my head negatively and said, "The guy was in disguise. He was arrogant. But I made him follow my instructions. He is rich as he is staying in a high-class hotel."

Zack asked, "Did you ask his name?"

I said, "No. I didn't."

Ethan said, "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head negatively.

"Would you ever stop Arya? How long will you continue? It's been years. Stop hurting yourself.", Ethan said.

"I ain't stop. I am not hurting myself. Everyone has inner demons. My demons in rage, thrust for revenge.", I said.

Zack said, "Arya, let us in. We will together take revenge if you let us."

"We will make them suffer. Tell us whenever you are ready.", Ethan said.

"I will think about it.", I am not going to put them in danger.

I still can't for that day, horrible much. That day comes and goes every year. I can't scream, can't cry. Someone left me, not forgetting to take half of my soul. My eyes are holding hollowness. My heart fills with bitterness.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt them embracing me. They said nothing, didn't try to comfort me. Silence speaks louder than words. I don't want to see pity in their eyes for me. Bravery and rage are there within me. They knew that. I appreciate their support. I am unstoppable and unbreakable now. Life made me like this. I got a lovely family, trustworthy friends; I could have live normal, with the things I have. But for now, I chose revenge over relationships.

They left after some time. We have lectures to attend early in the morning tomorrow. Our second last semester is here. So, we are devoting extra time to studying. Projects, assignments, practical, and theory papers are back to back. Things are goings to over within a month. After graduation, we all have a different plan for our future. Like, Ethan most probably is going to take over his family business. Zack is going to be a professional ultimate boxing champion. I decided to focus on motorbike racing, especially for my revenge. I have plans. I am just waiting for my graduation. 

Eventually, time passed like the wind. I finished last semester after six months as well. Nothing special happened during this period. Life goes on in the usual pattern. Wake up, exercise, collage, projects, group study, friends hangout, occasional fighting, and my motorbike racing, and sleep; these are the cycle of my life. Nothing changed. Now I decided to move to New York, the base station of my revenge game is gonna take place. I am not going to work for any manufacturing company after completing my graduation. Although, I have a plan to use my degree later, which will solve my obsession with both racing and mechanical stuff. In which I most likely take help from Ethan and Zack. Passion never dies, after all, even if we choose a different path. I will work on my dreams when the time comes. But, for now, let's settle in New York first.

At the end of the semester, I got a call from my brother. He is coming home after two days. From the way he talked, I can feel there is something wrong with him. I didn't pressurize him to say immediately. I waited patiently for his arrival. It has been two years since we are going to meet again. We were in contact, though. I don't know when our mother would come back home. 

The day comes, my brother was standing in the doorway. He looks like a real-life zombie. He has bags under his eyes. His tanned skin kind of became paler. On top of that, his unstable footing. What is wrong with him? I remembered we had a face-time couple of months ago. He looked rather attractive at that time. It couldn't be some work issue. Nah, our family genes are strong in this case. Then, why he is looking so distorted. I am standing in front of him for a good two minutes without letting him in. I snapped out of my thoughts and dragged him into the house. I took him to the living room and pushed him on the couch. I ran to the kitchen. I made a cold cocoa milkshake with ice cream, and put some veg sandwiches on a plate, and a bowl of fruit salad. I took the tray in the living room and started to feed my brother without a single word. Yes! I am a sensible sister.

He is tired and he needs a shower. He, God knows where was stuck on earlier. After the meal, he said, "Sis, I need to tell- ".

I cut him off and said, "Bro, go and take a shower first. You stink. I am going to give a new clean pair of clothes for you. Then we will talk."

He compiled like an obedient kid, and come back to the living room. I was changing the news channel one after one. He sat beside me, and I turned off the television. I keep my focus on him completely.

He started, "Ray, you know, I never hide anything from you. You know every single thing about me, my relationships, work, colleagues, friends, everything you know.", I nodded. He does share things with me. Ray, he gave me this name, as a nickname.

He continued, "I am going to tell you something. The thing which made me miserable. I pitied myself. Only if, I was a little more devoted enough to feel my emotions. I couldn't realize back then. You will be disappointed to know what I have done. Mother is going to scold me. Father's soul will be disappointed with me. I failed. I failed you all, my family. She refused me. She will never let me in her life. I still don't know why she did leave me. She could have told me. I wouldn't have missed two years to be with them.", I cut him off. I couldn't take this anymore. He was continuously rumbling in front of me. He is so not in his usual self.

I said, "Big brother, please, stop rumbling. Let's straight come to the point. No more beating around the bush. Eh? Who is she? How did you miss two damn years? And why would we be disappointed with you? Tell me. Tell me now. You are creeping me out."

He sighed and eyed watery. I squeezed his hands and reassuring him to open up.

The thing he said next, made me out of breath. Eyes wide open. Mouth hanging low.

You have got to be kidding me.

He said, " I met Kathy in Los Angeles a month ago. I was on duty, flying from Dubai to LA. I stayed there for two days in LA. I went to a nearby coffee shop. She was there with some files and a bag. She saw me. You know, we met after three years. She disappeared from my sight three years ago. My childhood love, I neglected my feelings toward her back then. When I came to realize, she was gone. She is still elegant, innocent. My Kathy, she left me, without saying a word to me. We talked, fought. But, She never told me why she left suddenly."

Kathy was my brother's best friend. They grew up together, the same school, the same university. They bonded at the end, but she left. The reason is still unknown to us.

" You know What I came to see later! I have a child. A son. My son.", he was sobbing.

I was dumbfounded and looking at him in utter shock. He has a son. My brother has a son. I have a nephew, a nephew. I am an Aunt. Oh, sweet Jesus.

Like that, we stared at the ceiling. I uttered nothing. I was out of a word.

I said later, after a long time.

"Let's go to Los Angeles. I want to meet them. And you need to clear the mess between you two. If you want to have a family with them, you have to make her talk."

That's all it takes to be prepared and left for Los Angeles to meet them and bring them home, for some time. I am craving a family reunion.