The next day, when I woke up, the bed was empty, and the shower was running. By stretching myself, I got off the bed. My cell started ringing. I checked the cell; it was from an unknown and international number. It was the same code where my parents were living. By holding the cell, I contemplated. There was nothing to contemplate; blocking the number was the best option, and I was giving it a second thought. The second time, I attended the call, and after a few minutes, I disconnected. I was in the same spot, staring at the wall, pondering how to react.
Should I shed a few drops of tears? Were they worth my tears? Should I at least try to be sad? Is it necessary to pretend? I am not feeling empty. I am not missing them. For all they forced me to go through, I don't think I should feel anything. They were gone, and that's it. Both made sure I should not feel any pain from their actions, and I am feeling exactly the same.
Because of DNA or something, I felt something after hearing the news.
They were starved to death in some unknown place and country. They suffered a lot over the past few years, and everything got worse recently. Of course, they tried their best to contact me, and yeah, they were not lucky this time. They deserve every bit of it. They asked for it. Irrespective of my attempt not to feel anything, I was miserably failing.
"What happened?" I took my eyes off the wall for a brief second, met his concerned eyes, and averted immediately. Unknowingly, I was clutching my cell strongly, and later it was snatched. He dialed the same number and disconnected the call. He spoke. "I will arrange everything." I was too tired to respond to anything and went back to bed.
I can't believe their faith. The final service was arranged by the person who loathed until their last breath. Again, they dig this up with their own hands. They both died exactly on the same day I was dragged back. Were they waiting for me? By any chance, did they realize their mistakes? It was too late, but at least, did they? The person said that they were miserable and suffered a lot. What had they gone through? Why the hell am I fucking worried? If the miracle didn't happen, they would be successful in selling me for fucking money. Their deaths don't mask their doings. I can only feel empathy toward them. I respect the love they had for each other, even death couldn't separate them.
By taking a long breath, I made my way to the memorial service. I started greeting everyone who attended. Their sympathetic words had no effect on me. I never thought he would invite my sister too. She came running toward me and gave me a tight hug, which was, of course, suffocating. I didn't respond to her hug, and I freed myself by removing her hand from me. She was crying, and I didn't give a dam about anything. I was irritated. "Hi, it's been a long time. How are you? I heard so many things." I started walking away from her. I was getting annoyed and didn't want to lash her in front of everyone. She was following me, and throughout the whole service, she was beside me.
After a few hours, I bid my final goodbye and fulfilled their final wish. They wanted this ceremony, and Josh gave them a grand send-off. I started walking toward the car, and I was stopped. "Please don't ignore me. "You are all I have now." I snatched my hand back, and I was boiling. "Leave me fucking alone like you did the past few years. We were done, and I intend to continue that way." I started walking away from her, and she was in front of me on her knees. Give me a fucking break from everyone. Crying. "Please, I am sorry. Don't hate me." The word sorry is only irking me. She was crying, and like, fucking, I care. She clutched my legs from moving, and I still took two to three steps before I stopped. Still, her holds were tight on my legs, and for sure, there would be bruises on her knees. For a few minutes, we were in the same position.
I gave in and made her stand up. There were scratches on her knees, and a little blood was oozing. I was feeling guilty and tried to clean it. She stopped me, saying it was okay not to mind those. She was smiling—a guanine smile.
For a few minutes, I studied her face. When the hell did, I see her last time? I totally forgot how she looked and what she had turned into. She looks old. She's in her 40s. We didn't talk for a few seconds, and she started crying. "I heard so many things." By saying that, once again she hugged me tightly, and this time I hugged her back.
We were in the restaurant and ordered a few dishes. Our order has arrived. "You look old." In return, I got a chuckle. "Yeah, I am, and you look dashing." With a smile. "As always." "Of course. To some point, I raised you, and you ought to turn out this way." "Let's not touch that part." By clearing her throat. "Sorry. I heard so much, so is it true?" "I don't want to discuss that too." "I searched for you so much. God, I used both my money and connections, but to no use. Continuously for two years, I did search for you and gave up." "Hmmm." "After doing so much, he got the audacity to drag you back?" "Let's not." "Yeah, right. I don't want to dig, as I am no saint. You are not happy. Just go, escape again. I will help you. I got enough money; I saved so much, and I got connections. This time, he will not be able to find you. Just go from here. Leave him." "Do you think that's easy? He is more conscious now. It isn't going to work this time, I am sure of it, and I am done running. I am done running for no reason. I don't want to." "What are you going to do? I mean, after all that you have gone through, will you be really okay to stay with him?" "I don't have any answers to any of your questions. I don't know. I have given up on everything." "I bet I will be happy if it includes that bastard too." "Yes, including him." "Right." "That was sarcastic." "Well, I can't help it, and you asked for it. Forget about him. Let's talk about you. Where the hell were you, and how the hell did he find you? What were you doing?" A smile appeared on my face when I thought about those five years where I found myself and my passion. "Ok, I need dam details." "I wanted to escape. Somehow, I was successful and ended up in a small village. An elderly couple took me in. I told them a fake story, and they sympathized with it. They owned a large acre of land, and irrespective of my zero experience in farming, they hired me, and I found my passion. What I want to be." "At last. You were so lost in that part. So, what is it?" "Doing innovative things in farming. I don't know growing stuff, which is rare. Nursery something like that." "You are happy; look at the smile you are giving while talking about it." "Yeah, I was really happy. I mean, it made me literally forget everything, and yeah, until I was dragged back, and made me give up." "Are you mad? At last, you found what you were passionate about. Why the heck do you want to give up? Do something over here." "How?" "For now, join some farming-related courses and study as much as you can. Minimum knowledge doesn't take you anywhere." "Did you forget my age?" "And how it's important. Just go for it. Dig out every piece of information via Google, and I will do the same. I bet there are some short-duration courses, and later on we can decide other things." I was silent. Yeah, why the hell didn't I think of it? In five years, I have gained enough knowledge, and getting more is not harmful. This idle time is killing me. Why the hell can't I use this time? "I can be your investor." "Let me think first." "Take your time, and I will arrange enough money for investing." "You are trusting me so much." "When you were not passionate about something, you were giving it your all. Now, you are passionate, and I don't want to miss this opportunity. I am going to be richer than ever."
We were smiling at that one. I was excited. I was really excited and eager to reach home and dig for information. Some energy was flooding all over me. It was late evening, and after bidding goodbye to my sister, I made my way toward home.
After reaching, I made my way to the bathroom. I took a long shower as usual, this time thinking a lot about my sister's suggestion. I was excited for sure, but I don't know how to go with the idea. For now, I have enough money to join courses and do everything I can manage, but what about after finishing the course? Then what? It will come to a dead end. Pros and cons were running through my mind, and I couldn't decide anything beyond taking courses. I gave a pause to other things and started googling regarding the same.
It's been an hour or so, and I was so engrossed in digging up information that I didn't take notice of Josh's entry until he was beside me. "What are you doing?" I was shocked by hearing his voice and immediately closed the laptop. I don't know whether I wanted to share with him or not. I felt ashamed. Not that I was doing anything illegal or anything. But the certificate that I am holding and the passion that I am after are totally different, and I don't think anyone will understand. I totally doubt he will. He is expecting too much from me and is ready to pour money in too, and I can't give the expected result. There is this inferiority complex that is strongly rooted within me—these comparisons in front of judging eyes. I started to doubt myself. One question just a few minutes ago, and as a result, I started to doubt myself.
I needed air, so I made my way toward the balcony, and he was behind me. Thank God he is not pestering for an answer from me, and I don't have enough guts to reveal what I am about to do. He will eventually come to know. It's my fucking life, and should I give a dam about his opinion? Why the hell should I think about his views for fuck's sake? "It's getting late; come, let's have dinner." By saying that, I was dragged.
The next day, after waking up, I was on the same mission. I started digging out information, and my sister had already shared what she had collected. There were so many courses, and the biggest task was to select one. Learning a few was also not a bad idea.
After getting freshened up, I noted down a few things and left the mansion. I told my sister I could go myself and inquire about the necessary information, but she was abundant to accompany me.
We were in a restaurant having lunch. I collected enough information and done, for the day. She told me that she needed to go shopping, and I accompanied her. She ended up doing some shopping for me. I opposed it, but she didn't listen to me.
It was already late in the evening; we had snacks and parted ways.
We started meeting daily, or at least twice a day. Maria started accompanying me everywhere. One fine day, she introduced me to her children, who were all grown up. She has two children, namely Jasmine and Jonathan, both are adorable. I started spending so much time with them and, when time permitted, went on a mini trip.
David started texting me. He wanted to meet up, promising not to ask anything. Definitely, I will.
The bonding is going too well, only pushing me to worry about the possibility that the witch may pour anything against me. He hates me for obvious reasons. He hated to breathe the same air. Hardly speaks with me. In addition to this, the siblings bonding for fuck's sake. Should I question him? Like what? How the hell should I put an end to every fucking thing that was going on?
He has joined some courses. There was no discussion with me and no complaints. I am not in a position to question him about anything, but what about his sister? Does she fucking have the right to know and discuss things with him? How the heck are they so close now? She didn't fucking care when he required it most, and now every fucking thing is normal between them. Like seriously. She was a selfish bitch who hated him to the core, and now everything has vanished just like that. How the heck is he behaving like every fucking thing between them is normal? He also forgot everything, just like that. And he is fucking showing cold shoulders toward me. I was fuming. Do I really have the right to be angry at him? Still, I can't help myself.
At least he was happy and not gloomy anymore. Does this bond with his sister affect mine? The gap that already exists between us will grow even more as the days pass.
I am trying my best to hold on to myself, and I don't know when the hell this patience of mine will reach its peak.