The next day,
It was four and half in the morning when few people gathered in the cemetery to bury the Lord of Grasal. Some were sobbing but almost all were grieving. Even Josh and Vik were present hiding in crowd.
It was time to bury the dead.
"Ryan, where is your Boss?" Shikhar asked helplessly.
"Brother, look at the message." Passing his phone, Ryan spoke.
< Don't wait for me. I won't be present in the funeral. I have already bid him goodbye > Arik had send a message to Ryan around three o'clock in the morning.
"What the hell? Argh…I should have guessed that rascal's intention. He didn't wanted to come to this cemetery in the first place…Whatever, let's resume what we are supposed to do."
Despite the absence of Arik, the burial process was completed. Everyone returned back to their place.
Reaching the farmhouse, Shikar suddenly questioned, "Is there something wrong with your Boss? Why did he leave the house in middle of night?"
Noah was surprised with the questioned but stayed silent.
"What can there be wrong? He had been busy these days and hadn't had time to take care of himself so he must be tired. About leaving the house…we don't know the reason and we never question him." Ryan answered innocently.
"Okay…okay…He have given you both task too, haven't he? Why are you still here? Noah, I have an additional task for you, follow me." Without waiting for the response, Shikhar walked inside the house.
Shikhar knew Ryan was like a kid and he won't know a single thing. It will be a waste of time to speak to him.
"Yeah, I nearly forgot the task…" Ryan mumbled and walked out.
In the living room, Shikhar was pouring water to a plant.
"I know Ryan has a mind like a child so he won't notice anything wrong. Noah, don't tell me you haven't noticed anything too." It was more of an affirmation than a question.
"What should I notice?" Noah acted to be ignorant.
"I haven't seen you for two years. Don't tell you have become dumb." the voice was a bit louder.
"Yeah, it been two whole year…"
"Noah, answer my question. What's wrong with him? I am a doctor, I can notice the difference between being well and not. He is drinking and smoking more than the limit." The polite, lively personality was nowhere.
"Umm…"Noah was a little afraid. He didn't want either to go against his Boss nor Shikhar.
If he speaks something he shouldn't, then his Boss would punish him but if he don't speak, he have to face Shikar wrath.
The person in front of him was in fact a maniac and crazy for learning medicine and had hobby of growing dangerous and poisonous plants. There was another worst personality beside that gentle face which only handful of people know.
"What are you both talking about? Are you talking bad behind my back?" Arik spoke from inside the room. A light smell of alcohol entered the room.
"How can you sneak like a cat? I didn't notice your presence. If you returned earlier here why didn't you join us?" Shikar began to lecture.
"Go on with your task. I will handle the situation here…." Arik blinked his eyes to Noah.
"Why don't you ask me yourself and make difficult for my subordinates? I won't lie about my situation to you, Dr. Bro" A voice breached the pressure of the room. The question was directed to Shikhar as he was only left in the room.
"I would have surely questioned you if you were here…Are you drunk? Don't tell me you were in a bar drinking all night. Has the alcohol been greater to you than the funeral?" Shikar was about to burst in rage.
" I can't wake a dead person either can you. I will do what I am accountable to do...Why would I be in the bar all night. And…I only had few glass of drinks. See I am not drunk. It's not that alcohol is important but…" Arik seated and leaned on the sofa.
"Continue your word. After godfather and Big brother, I am your guardian. I have to be sure if you are good on your own or not. I have to monitor you too. So, tell me the reason why are you in this state? You eyes are red, you have consumed a large amount of nicotine and alcohol. And you know the saying; never lie to a doctor and a lawyer…"The words were filled with warnings.
"I can't sleep." Arik replied instantly.
"How is your sleep linked to alcohol?...Wait-wait, do you mean to say your insomnia has worsen–" Shikar eyes went wide.
"Yes"
"But you had those situation when you came in direct contact with blood and become bloodlust. Did any sort of thing happened recently?" The conversation turned serious.
"No, I haven't done anything like that in these years. I don't have reason why it's happening and it is worsening day by day." Arik stated the fact.
"Then does alcohol help you?" Shikar was dead serious.
"I won't lie to you but two things help me to relieve my bloodlust and make me calm. One is alcohol and another is sex." No expression could be seen on Arik's face.
"WHAT?"
"Yup, I know it doesn't sound good but it's the truth. Bro, you know I hate direct physical contact with other person and mostly if the person is of opposite gender and I don't chase after girl. I can only have one night relationship with those who catch my eyes which is very rare. So, having sex to relieve is mostly impossible. The only remaining is alcohol." Arik sighed.
"How can it be? There must be something...Why didn't you tell me before about it." Shikhar began to shower concern.
"I can only find two cure. Sex helps me more but I don't want to sleep with just anybody so I need to consume alcohol or smoke. I am trying my best to drink within my limit." Arik didn't lie.
"Maybe there is something out but we haven't found it..." Shikhar began to worry.
"I have tried but not found other cure. Okay, drop this topic. I want to talk you about something." Arik had something on his mind.