"I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something."
Tata...We don't regret any decisions we have taken.
We did it for the greater good.
Everything life has a reason.
Don't give up Tata."
*
*
*
You know, life can never be planned for.
I mean,I know we all have dreams and goals and ambitions But in as much as we all and wish and pray,we can't exactly control what really happens in the future.
That was how,I found myself, pointing a gun to the head of an innocent man... probably not innocent.
But whatever.
If someone had told me that I'll ever hold a gun,or worse, point it to someone's head,I'd have puked.
I just needed to get this done with.
When I'm done, Bleed and Red head would help me find my parents.
That was all that mattered.
"Wha... what do...do you...you want?"
Herbert asked shakily.
I bit my lip, unsure of what to say.
"Well...uh...you have a code I need. Little birdie told me that you love to build smart stuff which isn't bad until you decided to build it into my territory."
Herbert sat still on the sofa, facing the door, while I stayed firmly behind him, making sure that the nuzzle of the gun did not move one bit from the back of his head.
"I...I...I don't...I don't know... know what you're talking about."
I rolled my eyes.
Really smooth liar, Herbert.
"Listen dude, honestly I don't have time. I have other things to do and I am bored to hell and back.
So...do the needful."
He looked really scared right now.
"Please spare me...I only worked for them because they promised to give my mother the best care for her medical treatment.
The money I made from science fairs weren't enough."
My heart clenched.
This was an honest man.
Zibah what are you doing?
I shook my head clear of any thoughts and feelings.
I had to be selfish.
All these years,I had thought only about others.
Now,I wanted to focus on me.
"In as much as I really love to listen to heart warming talks like this,I. DON'T. HAVE. TIME!!"
I said in the coldest voice I could muster.
I saw Hebert flinch.
For a dude,this guy was pretty shaky.
He didn't say anything and I was beginning to get worried.
Heaving a sigh,I said.
"Ok... let's make this simple.
I know where your mom is,and if you see her corpse delivered to you in a parcel tomorrow morning at 7, along side the daily post,you know you have yourself to blame."
A look of fear flashed through his eyes.
"Fine... fine...I'll give it to you."
I brought out my phone from my bag and called Red head.
"Hey dude..."
"Don't call me dude..."
"What ever...just listen to the darn pin or whatever."
Slowly and shakily,the man whispered out the code to the phone speaker.
I didn't know whether I should have been happy or not.
But I knew one thing,I wanted to go home.
*
*
*
The bus ride back to Sunount took barely twenty minutes.
I used that period to think about what I was doing.
I realized that I hadn't even thought this through.
I know that Michelle Obama my role model had said that we should always take decisions based on what we want,not based on the consequences.
But honestly,I didn't think this through.
How was I even sure that Bleed could help me.
I mean,it was clear that he knew my parents.
But I'm too scared to continue with this.
Did I sell myself out for more than I could bargain for?
Those questions ran through my head as I stepped out if the bus and walked back to school for last period, English.
I should definitely back out now.
I knew I was not a quitter but I was not stupid either.
*
*
*
True Faith Church
Premises
The AnderFaith's Residence
Sunount,Indianopolis
"Hey Sestra"
I stopped writing my homework and looked up at the tiny Russian in front of me.
"Hey Dasha. What's up?"
She crossed her arms in front of her chest and frowned at me.
"Don't 'what's up" me Zibah.
Where were you in God's name?
I didn't see during lunch and even in Biology!"
I pulled my legs close to my body and rested my chin on them.
"I...I don't know what to say."
I admitted.
I knew that they'd have been worried.
She heaved a frustrated sigh.
"You can tell me anything, Sestra,pozhaluista, please I am your sister.
Let me help you out."
My eyes fell to my laps.
"I'll tell you soon, Dasha. Just give this night."
She nodded slowly.
"Fine...come down with me.You skipped dinner.Maybe you could have some toast or popcorn with the boys downstairs."
I lay back on the bed on dragged the duvet over my body.
"I'm not coming."
I mumbled dryly.
I heard her sigh in frustration and shut the door softly.
I knew that I was not the best when it came to decision making,but I wasn't expecting to make such a rash decision ever!
I checked the time,it was about 7 p.m.
I had to meet up with Bleed and end this.
I would finally make this right.
*
*
*
***Third Person's POV***
Dasha knew that something was definitely wrong with Zibah.
She had become really secretive after that night she snuck off.
Zibah was always troublesome and annoying but now, she was being quiet and calm.
It was so unlike her.
She walked down the stairs calmly to the sitting room where Roy, Dae and Ancil where seated, watching rerun episodes of Hawaii-five-O.
Roy said something to Dae before throwing his head back in loud laughter.
He was the one in the family with the cliche 'bad boy' vibe although in truth,he was a big bag of candy and pop corn.
Speaking of popcorn, Ancil rolled back to get some more from the kitchen before spotting Dasha.
"Hey Dasha!!"
He called loudly and fixed his glasses before rolling down to meet her.
"Hey Frenchie...how's it rolling?"
She smiled to herself as if she had cracked the joke of the century.
"Don't get started with the jokes,what's going on? You're looking all moody and stuff.
Did something happen to Evva? Because if it did,I will make sure it rains fire and brimstone."
"What? No...I..."
"Wait a second! Did you mistakenly drop her? Did you roll over her in your sleep.
We all know you sleep like a bag of potatoes! I never thought..."
"Calm down Wheels ok? Evva is fine. In fact, she's sleeping with Mike and Muna so chill!"
She began to walk towards Roy and Dae who where very oblivious of her presence as they focused on the t.v screen.
The sitting room was beautiful big white one.
The sofas where completely white but were made more attractive with the multicolored throw pillows that adorned them.
There were four huge glass show windows that ran all the way down to the ground, giving a beautiful view of the trees and flowers outside in the yard during the day.
There were beautiful flowers vases hanging around the house,next to the section of the wall were we had all our family pictures from when they were young.
Dasha marched straight to the front of the T.V and stood akimbo.
"What the he..."
"No swearing!"
She snapped at Roy, quickly shutting him up.
He began to mumble something about her being a control freak.
"What was that?"
She snarled at him.
"Nothing."
She smiled to herself.
"I thought as much."
"What do you want Dasha? Stop being so annoying and leave!"
Dae complained.
He and Dasha were always going at it like an old married couple.
"Not now Dae-Ho. This is something more important than you,and no it's not about the incident of grounded pepper in your tooth paste this morning because I know nothing about it."
His eyes widened in realisation.
"Oh my God! You...you..."
"Guys quarrel later ok? Let's just hear what Dasha has to say. I really want to complete this episode."
Ancil complained.
Roy just lay on the sofa mindlessly staring at us.
"By the way,where are the kids?"
"Upstairs."
Roy said as he threw a piece of pop corn into his mouth"
"You guys sent them away as usual."
"They're kids,Dasha. They need sleep to be smart."
She rolled her eyes at Dae's statement.
Hypocrites.
She thought.
"Back to the topic, I think Zibah's has been going through a hard time."
Roy snapped his head towards Dasha's direction.
"What do you mean?"
Ancil asked, beating Roy to it who by the way,had sat upright.
"Ever since that day she snuck out, she has been behaving strangely."
Dae nodded slowly and narrowed his small Asian eyes,if that was even possible.
"Yeah...I hear she left school today. I didn't see her during lunch."
"Me too."
Roy said. He was always a person of few words but he cared for Zibah more than anyone in the house.
It was no secret.
He only spoke on rare occasions.
Something about being too lazy to talk or something.
"Do you think she's on drugs?"
Dae asked absently.
"What!"
Dasha shrieked.
"Thank you very much for your suggestion Dae,but we are going to pretend we didn't hear it."
Dae shrugged while Roy glared daggers at him.
"We should pray for her."
Ancil suggested.
"Mon Dieu is always there to help."
They all nodded in agreement.
"C'mon...faith circle."
They all held their hands together, while Dasha started the prayer.
"Dear Jesus...our Sestra is going through a hard time now, and we're scared for her safety."
Dae was the next one to go.
"Help her pull through.Be her Oppa and please stand by her and with her."
Ancil sighed and took over.
"She may fart in people's faces..."
They all laughed.
"...but she's really sweet."
"Take care of Zibah. Amen."
Roy ended.
"Amen."
They all smiled at each other.
"Thanks guys."
Dasha said.
"I'll go check on her."
They sat back down to continue the episode while Dasha ran up the stairs.
"Zibah..."
She called before entering the room but there was no answer.
She ran inside to meet an empty bed.
"Zibah!"
She yelled before she noticed something.
The window was open widely with cold breeze blowing through.
Oh no!
She ran towards the window and looked out,only to see a figure disappear through the trees.
"Guys!!"
Dasha yelled as she trotted down the stairs in full speed.
"Guys!!"
"Calm down Dasha, you'll wake the whole house up!"
Dae scolded.
"Sorry but.. it's Zibah!"
Roy got up immediately, going into high alert mode.
"What happened?"
He asked cautiously.
"She's gone... again."
*
*
*
***Zibah's POV***
I wove through the trees which was a shorter cut to get to Middleland.
I was not as scared as I was before.
Walking on the road, against the feeling of cold breeze that brushed against my skin made me realize something...I had the family I needed.
I didn't want anymore.
If my parents had left me,then it's their loss.
They could go to hell.
After Dasha left the room,I felt really guilty.
Those people thought about me.
They loved me,and I was hurting them.
When I heard the prayer,I felt so bad.
I knew they had my interest at heart.
We were a force to be reckoned with when it came to prayers for each other,and I felt happy they prayed for me.
It was time to make the prayers work.
I wove through the streets like I was the boss of it.
I guess being part of a force like the mafia made you a bit fearless.
I noticed some hostile stares on me while I walked,but those were the least of my concerns.
I found it funny that I was going back to the same place I had marched confidently to,for help to ask for...'unhelp'?
I noticed the silhouettes of about two men sitting at the pavement in front of the house number 6.
I decided to walk slowly towards them,in case they were dangerous.
"Hey...Bleed. Thank God it's you.
I need to speak to you."
He snapped his head towards my direction and swiftly brought his bulk of a body up.
"What the hell are you doing here,niño? Are you crazy?"
He dragged me to the side.
"Maybe I am!"
I screamed.
He slapped his palm over my mouth and pushed me down on against a concrete chair by the house.
"Did anyone follow you?"
I shook my head,his hand still clammed over my mouth.
Which by the way,was very disgusting.
Was I tasting... blood?
Oh no!
I forced his palm off my mouth and glared at him.
"I need to talk."
He sighed, before somehow fitting himself to the other side of the chair.
"I must commend you niño,you did well."
His gruff Italian voice commended.
Honestly, I felt really proud.
Even though I knew that it would be over soon.
"Thanks... but that isn't what I want to talk about."
He cocked his brow.
"What is it?"
I took a deep breath.
"I want to stop. I don't want to be a part of this anymore."
I expected him to be mad at me and yell,but he just smiled warmly.
Which I actually find hard to believe.
"Why aren't you yelling?"
I became suspicious.
He got up and stood,his hands in his pocket,and facing the streets.
"Nava...you have regrets... already?"
I nodded slowly even though he could not see me.
"I won't force you to stay niño. But I'll tell you this.
Life isn't meant for those who take easy decisions.
Honestamente,I would not lie to you and tell you that it is all rainbows and sunshine."
He paused and looked back at me.
"Niño,do you know why I let you in?"
I shook my head because honestly I didn't know.
"Well...it was because in you,I saw a fighter. Do you know how many people walk into House Number 6 in a year to ask for recruitment?"
"How many?"
He smirked.
"None...but you did. There are so many things you don't understand about the mafia and yourself but I want you to."
"But what about my family?"
He smiled sadly.
"There's always a sacrifice to make."
"I don't want to sacrifice them. I love them!"
I stated firmly.
He squatted to my level.
"Niño....we all had families, but life is about making decisions,and some tougher than the others."
I didn't know what to say.
"Tell me, why did you join us?"
"To find my parents."
I stated matter-of-factly.
"Don't you want a normal family, niño? Where's that fierce little girl who walked into an Infierno Mafia's middleman's office fearlessly?"
I didn't say anything.
"But apart from finding who your parents are, Nava,I think you want to find out who you are too."
I had no idea know what to say or even think.
"You know what I think? I think you're tired of putting on this 'I am so happy' facade. I think that you came here,more for yourself than for your parents. We're not saying we can't help you. The mafia has eyes every where,and one Dice too.
But I think you're lying about your motive for coming here. You're lying to yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that,your coming here was to prove something to your self. You wanted to be part of something big. There's more to the mafia than just arms and drug deals. I would love to tell you more but I can't. Not until I'm assured of your loyalty."
He paused.
"Niño... there'll come a time when you would look back to this moment and smile.
You would understand that even in this seemingly cold Mafia,there is love and family too."
"I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something."
*
*
*
24 hours.
What was up with this people and time?
That was the time I was given to back out.
This was my chance to live a normal life.
I was going to take it.
Was I?
All those talk earlier seemed like some motivational crap.
But why was I considering it?
I climbed the tree that was in front of my room, and slipped through the window.
I did not see Dasha in the room,so I assumed she went to get some water or something.
Boy... she'll be really mad!
"You have no idea."
I gasped and snapped my head towards the direction of the voice,as the lights flooded the room.
I looked like a deer stuck in the headlights.
"Da... Dasha?"
She walked to the door and locked it before walking towards her drawer and pulling out a black stuff.
JESUS! No!!!
The gun!
I gulped hard,my heart beating erratically against my chest.
"I...I...I can...I can...ex...explain."
She gave me the deadliest glare she could muster.
"Explain."
*
*
*
***Author's Note***
Hey people, sorry for not posting earlier.
I hope you're enjoying the story?
I left a cliff hanger there.
Please can you comment and leave a votes I could be encouraged to continue.
Thanks for the 20 votes though,I feel grateful.
What do you think Zibah's reply to Bleed would be?
And does Bleed's argument make any sense?
What do you feel Dasha would do when she learns the truth?
Please leave your answer in the comments.
Bye loves!