She pushed me back inside the house and slammed the door, harshly trying to lock the door while her hands were shaking.
"Mother! Sit down, I'll lock it." She scared me to death. I locked the doors, held her back and seated her on the sofa. I poured some water and gave her. She drank, her hands stopped shaking. I had no clue what was happening. The terror kept scattering my whole body.
"Yes, now you can tell me. What happened? Why are you scared?"
Mother faced me with fear in her eyes. She kept breathing heavily.
"It's happening again!" She shrieked.
"What? What is happening again?"
"I took you Korea to be safe. We should've never come back here again. I can't keep you safe here nor I am safe. It's all my fault, I should've never agreed coming here." Tears raced down her cheeks.
It's related to father's work. I never thought it would be threatening coming here again. Not like she told me alot about father.
"What is going to happen? Will you tell me what bad work father used to do? I am not a child anymore. You always treat me like one. I'm not going to hold it any longer. You have to come clean right now, mother!" I shouted at her.
She was stunned by my words, frozenly staring at me. I realized, my words were bitter harsh on her. I sat beside her. "Sorry! I didn't mean to yell at you" I burst out into tears.
"It's my fault. I should've told you earlier. He.... He used to be a consiglere of a mafia group, who comprised of many illegal businesses. They used to be best friends. His friend held the most powerful companies. Your father had partnership in one of his companies, which was not illegally obtained. He promised me not to get into dirty work, but his work called for it, he got into bloodbaths several times, but he never killed someone. Your father was pure." mother said while crying.
I was freaked out at her words. I couldn't believe my father used to work with mafia. Mother kept crying, I felt helpless to stop her.
"We used to change places every year, we started from Boston and ended in this horrible Boston too. In our last year together, the company was threatened because of their rivalry. Your father held documentation against them. He asked me to keep them safe. They tried stealing several times, but couldn't as your father made a safe, I kept the files there." said mother and stopped.
It was becoming a burden, the more I was coming closer to finally know how father died. Maybe, I am not ready, but it is the time. "I'm ready to hear, mother! How did he die?"
"He went to his friend, the mafia. They had some family clash. I was at home, packing things for our transfer, I got a call that your father just died. I didn't know what to do, I got panicked, held the passport and luggages, grabbed your hand and when I was about to open the door, I saw 3 men in black from window, wearing masks which only exposed their eyes, coming towards our house. I ran towards the safe, locked us inside. We stayed there for an hour. I couldn't stop crying while you kept asking me the reason, what could I tell you then, you were just 5, you started crying too." Mother said.
Her words broke up and tears streamed down her face, I couldn't help my emotions. I hugged her tight. We both cried by heart. We went quiet after 5 minutes of crying our eyes out.
"Did.. you.. not attend the funeral?" I asked, afraid to know the answer.
"I did. After an hour, I took you by taxi to the cemetery, his friend and two of his guards were present. He told me it was an accident. I threw a tantrum and blamed him for everything. I stayed with your fathers grave for half an hour while you were sleeping and then we flew to South Korea." said Mother.
"I can't believe you went through all this alone. You are the strongest, mother. Never let your guard down. What happened earlier when you said its happening again?"
"Someone was stalking me. I am not sure but the same car was behind me when I left the work, it followed me till our street and then it parted. What do they want from me? They took your father! What more can they want?" Mother whined.
"Do you still have the files that father gave you?" I asked.
"I burned them!" said Mother.
"Assholes! They must be after them." The rage inside me was growing. If they were infront of me I would not think for a second to murder them.
"We should take precautions, Mother! Lets inform the police."
"No, they must not be involved! They will investigate our all history. Just don't involve them Emma!" said Mother.
"Still stalking is a different matter. It is illegal and just so morally wrong."
"I have your father's gun. I will use it to keep us safe." said Mother.
"What? No? Don't tell me you are serious. We are not doing this, no violence. Shall we change places again? I'll change my university, it's no issue"
"No Emma! I can't do that to you. I'll handle it. You don't have to worry." mother said and kissed my forehead.
How will you handle it? Earlier, you were freaked out just because you were being stalked. Everything was blowing my mind. I didn't know what to think specifically.
"Get some rest, mother!" I said. She went to her room. I turned off the lights and went to my room. My mind was struggling. All my life, I wanted to know who killed my father. We don't even know who brought upon that accident. How can it be an accident when all other situations were endangering us.
After a horrifying whole nighter the wounds got deeper but my mind was a bit freshened as compared to last night. Everything felt normal. Mother made me a breakfast and didn't say a word about last night. When we were about to part our ways, I embraced her tight. It felt like all my problems vanished and it made me calm. "Take care of yourself mother! If anything happens, call me or please inform police before doing anything wrong! I love you."
"Noted my love!" said Mother.
I know what she said last night, her words were frightening. She can do anything vile to be safe except calling the police. My heart was breaking when we parted.
I was strolling my way to the university when I heard a consistent horn blowing. I turned around suddenly to smack that annoying driver. Can't he proceed on the other side of the road? The car side mirror went down. It was Merilyn. "Hop in, Emma!"
I took a deep breath. "To be honest, I was going to smack the driver for being so annoying!" I said. Merilyn laughed.
"You didn't look back on my first beep. So, I was forced to make a song out of my horn!" said Merilyn.
We laughed and I sat in her car. "So what's new? Where are you and Aston taking us today?" said Merilyn.
Oh fuck, I forgot that. "What's with that face? Did you brushed off this topic, Emmaa!" said Merilyn.
"Well, I had so much on mind! This just didn't come! Don't worry, I won't diappoint you guys!"
"Ahahaha lets see" said Merilyn.
We reached the university, I took my lectures. They were alot tiring. "Let's go for a swim, Emma!" Luna said. "I'm not in mood, Luna!"
"You really need to steam off. You seem upset since morning. What's up?" said Luna.
Are my emotions that obvious? I really don't feel like sharing anything. "Its nothing, you go, I'll catch you later."
I went to the library, it felt like ages ago. Everything seem still and serene, placed at their perfect places. It was something about libraries that always hauled me towards them.
I went to my spot which was ofcourse in the last corner of the library. I hanged my bag over the chair and seated myself. I took out a pen and paper. Shall I do it or not? I couldn't bring myself to undertake my decision. I kept staring at the soulless, vacant paper lying infront of me.
My life at Harvards just started withering, I feel home with the friends I made here. The thought of leaving is knocking me over. I am attached to this life and it's people. I don't want to transfer nor I can think about being far from everyone. What everyone? Why only Aston's face is coming inside my mind? What have you done to me? Fuck!
I held the pen, started writing an application for transfer. My heart was hardening with the every word I wrote. I finished writing. My mind was confused. I kept staring at the paper.
"Maam? Hello?" said someone, I suddenly noticed a confused broad shouldered guy standing infront of me, waving his hands before my eyes.
"Did you just say something?" I asked.
"Yeah! You kept staring me from far since 5 minutes. I thought you were interested in me in some kind of way, or maybe you wanna talk?"
I may have zoned out. I glared at him for having such high expectations. I couldn't recall where I saw him before. His small amber eyes were open wide in surprise, he had a squared jaw and buffed body, seems a gym freak. There was a smirk at the corner of his lips, which was disgusting me, Oh yes! I apprehended, he was the ugly bastard who wrapped my towel on his waist without my knowledge.
"What would I be interested in you for? You half-witted narcissistic!" I shouted at him.
"Are you always high-pitched who likes to come back at people? You are the moron who can't talk normally for once!" said the guy.
"Don't you dare call me moron! You are the biggest dumbo I've ever met who snatches other people's towels." I shouted at him and perceived, all eyes were on me. I saw Aston, standing beside the bookshelf with one book in his hand, staring at me blankly. I suddenly got up and placed the page inside my bag. I saw Aston going out of the library.
I steadily took my steps to reach him. Can't you stop Aston? What's the hurry? I sped up and dragged out my elbow to grab his shoulder from backside. His shoulder was beefy and warm to my touch. Finally, he ceased his steps. I couldn't catch my breath, so I exhaled continuously. He turned his face on the right. His cleaned shaven jaw ignited a fire inside me. His pink lips were at rest as if they were trying to communicate without words. "Did you lose the marathon Emma?" he said. How did he know it was me? He hasn't even looked back yet. He turned towards me, I detached my hand off his shoulder. Seeing his sight from near always exhilirates my being. I can't help these emotions though they reassure me that my body is in safe hands.
"I think I won it." I said seeing him in eyes.
He kept staring me as if he was inspecting my face. I couldn't stop staring him myself. His stern expressions messes up my nerves, I could feel my cheeks were burning red right now. It started becoming edgy for me.
"Well, I wanted to discuss about the treat! Where shall we go?" I finally fortified myself and broke the silence.
"I already arranged it, Bellingual club, sharp at 9" said Aston.
"But why is it only on you? Are you trying to show off your wealth?"
He suddenly came near and whispered in my ear, "You'll have to pay me back later! I won't let it go easily" The weight of his words hit me like blows to the stomach, mixed with his hot panting, robbing me off my breath and turning me on in a trice.
TO BE CONTINUED...