“Nilani! I’m in your house,” I said.
“Arrun? What time is it…wait what? You’re kidding right!” She replied.
“No, I’m hiding behind your couch right now, I came through the balcony door,” I responded.
“Are you stupid? What if my dad sees you? You could’ve just called from outside the house!” She shouted.
“Oh right, that probably would’ve been smarter,” I said.
“Uh, you think so? I’m coming, stay quiet”
“Nilani,” I whispered, in a cheerful tone. “Are you drunk,” she asked. I just gave her a blank glare, watching her as she smacked her hand on her forehead. “Darling, why are you hurting yourself,” I asked. Her face definitely showed frustration, she directed me to follow her quietly. I felt like one of those comedic detectives I grew up watching on TV as a kid, one finger over my lips, tippy toeing over to her room.
“Wow you are a totally different personality when drunk,” she commented. I actually was, and it has been pretty evident over the years. Alcohol has helped me have a better sense of humor, though I guess I tend to be a little bit childish; I’ve got to maintain my youth somehow right? The alternate personality was on full loose tonight.
“Nilani lets go back to that beach!” I suggested.
“Right now? It’s kind of late don’t you think?” Asked Nilani.
“Not really, lets go! I left too soon earlier today,” I replied.
“You’re actually serious, okay let me get ready,” said Nilani, walking over to her dresser.
“Alright I’ll just sit over here then,” I suggested, taking seat on her bed. I bounced up and down for a bit as she just gave me this look. I assume she couldn’t tell if I was being serious. “Get the hell out of here,” she replied, shoving me into the bathroom. Missed opportunities, oh well, it was worth a shot right? She didn’t take long before she got ready, and we were back to sneaking out just minutes after my struggle to get in. At least it was a lot easier this time around, we were able to walk out the door on the bottom floor.
Sneaking past the guard dog was the hardest part, once again. This time around it was worse, she actually woke up, and I was so sure that I’d be getting torn apart by a dog. “Go back to sleep baby,” said Nilani, as I kept my eyes shut. I usually handle myself without fear of terrorism men, but the dog had me squealing.
“I wasn’t asking you to sleep, open your eyes you little girl,” she teased.
“Do you see the size of that beast,” I yelled.
“Shhhh, you’re going to get us caught,” warned Nilani.
We managed to get off the property without making much noise, but we had to walk for quite a while before stopping an auto-rickshaw. I managed to have a discussion with the driver about his family and life all in the span of the ride there, completely ignoring Nilani’s presence. She didn’t seem to care though, I think she actually enjoyed the drunk me at times. She laughed at numerous points, and it was great to know that I was responsible for her smiles, even if it wasn’t my sober-self doing so.
The beach was quiet, why wouldn’t it be? It was 3am, most people would be asleep at home during these hours, but there wasn’t much to complain about. There’s something spectacular about a deserted beach. The noise pollution was at its minimum, allowing the deafened sea to speak. It must be the moon; it had to be the moon that made me love the darkness of the night feel brighter than the day. Though even the moon was out dueled by the beauty of Nilani, the moon couldn’t help but shine bright and shed spotlight on her. I was the lucky one, graced by the gifts of life.
“Are you just going to stare at the moon Arrun?” Asked Nilani.
“Sorry, it’s just that this reminds me of the first time I fell for Hasini.” I replied.
“Wait, I shouldn’t have said that.” I cut off; I haven’t considered it before, but she could be getting tired of my constant need to bring up Hasini.
“No, Arrun tell me! I’d actually like to hear about it,” pressured Nilani.
“I know I bring up Hasini a lot when we speak, and I don’t get how it hasn’t gotten on your nerve yet, but I really appreciate it. Basically Hasini and I never got off to a dreamy start. Remember how we first met? You basically hated me, and that’s exactly how it was with Hasini and me. She hated my guts when we first met, well until she found out that I was the brother of her best friend. There was this night prior to my sisters wedding where I sat down with family and friends for dinner, and she sat next to me. Hasini slipped me a note, asking me to meet her at the beach after dinner. That night at the beach, we learnt about each other for hours. We shared stories of our past, dreams for the future. You’re the one that reminded me of that beautiful memory. The way you look under the moonlight right now is just amazing, I’m speechless.”
She laughed uncontrollably, “Me? Beautiful? Don’t lie now, I’ll still love you.” She responded.
“I thought I’d be nice, but fine don’t take the compliment.” I retorted; I thought I was hilarious, and she laughed once more before she found a stick on the ground. She chased me as a mother would if she found out her sixteen year old child was pregnant.
She actually landed a few hits on me before I was able to grab hold of her, dropping to the soft sand. I laid down with my arms stretched far out, and as she placed her head on my chest I wrapped my arm around her. Flat on my back, glaring at the stars, this time without the pain of a bullet, but with the satisfaction of comfort.
Having Nilani in my life is a blessing; well having a girl to love is a blessing for any man. Not just to know that you’ve got someone to love, but to know there is someone to talk to. As a man our biggest crisis has to be keeping thoughts drenched within us. We aren’t able to speak of everything that bothers us, due to the fact that we need to present ourselves as the alpha-male. It isn’t like that with Nilani, and it wasn’t like that with Hasini. I believe that I could actually share everything on my mind, and they’d accept it and give me genuine feedback.
“Nilani, how are we going to lead a good life together?” I asked.
“I know you’ll keep me happy Arrun, I see that in you.” She replied, but I didn’t know if that was possible. I had to constantly consider reality, I live the life of a criminal, and my intentions of fixing the group of people I’m around will surely take time.
“Nilani I killed Abdul today. I didn’t want to, I let the anger get the best of me. I’ve silently thought about it, and I think it was best for the lives of many people that he’s dead. Then I considered the amount of lives I’ve taken, since I crossed this path. I’m in Nilani, in over my head. I can’t even count the number of people, I’ve killed, and I’ve just been doing it left and right off instincts. I can’t help but think of the monster I’ve become. I’m part of a life that ruins the lives of people, the amount of family that are going to end up on the streets, lost dreams of children, and I don’t even know what my sister and mother would think of me if they knew I was part of group of people who are responsible for capturing girls off the street. Those girls are taken away from their loved ones, have their lives ruined, all to hold a lump sum of money that will eventually perish to our greed. We live in a world that needs saving, and before blaming politicians we need to try and control people like me.”
“No Arrun, not people like you.” Condoled Nilani.
“Nilani! Look at me! I’m responsible for so much!” I cried, it was too much to bear; I was actually beginning to feel guilt. I started to feel responsible for parts of the negativity the world produces. “Hasini, would hate me right now! Don’t you?” I asked.
“Take a second to think, you keep thinking off all the bad things you’ve done. You’ve never really considered the fact that you know what to fix. Remember what I told you, I could see through you. Behind the hard front you put up, you’ve got the biggest heart I’ve ever seen. You want to see things change, and you’ve got the voice to lead people to change. Stop tearing up like a little baby Arrun.”
She whipped the tear from my eyes, before leaning back against my chest. I smiled; it was one of those moments. The moment you smile, and have no absolute clue as to why you have a big grin on your face. I closed to rest, hoping for a new road.
~
My eyes opened to glistening of the suns rays, it was murderous with my head throbbing. I knew I drank too much last night, and it didn’t help as Nilani pounded my chest to wake up. “Arrun your phones ringing,” she whispered. The number wasn’t familiar, but it was probably one of the guys calling from the Duranji house.
“Hello?” I responded, in my wakening tone. A brief moment of silence woke me up.
“Hello?” I repeated.
“You did set fear in me. I stood in fear glancing down at my motionless son. You made me regret ever entering this life. I’ve been fighting with Marona for years now, and I’ve never stood shocked till I saw you shoot my son. Though when the fear faded, and that it did, only revenge boiled in my blood. I haven’t even done my final rites for my son yet, not until I show you what fear is. Have you got a call from your friends? Remone, Thambi; do those names ring a bell? You think they got home after they dropped you off at the Commissioners house? Why don’t you give them a call, check up on them.”
“Khan, don’t do it!” I shouted, before hearing the line go dead. I rushed to call both their phones, and I didn’t get a response from either one of them. “Is everything okay?” Inquired Nilani; she must have seen my face light up with fear for the worst possible situation. “Nilani, go home! Text me when you’re home safe!” I ordered, as I caught an auto-rickshaw for her safe passage.
I didn’t want to think of the worst, but I can’t underestimate the extents a man would go to after watching his only son being killed before his own eyes. Moments later the phone rang again, this time around I didn’t wait a second before answering.
“Khan, Khan! Leave them alone; it’s me you want, come get me! I’m at Marina Beach.” I informed.
“I guess you called your friends, they didn’t answer did they. I’d be surprised if the fat one did, seeing how he’s been chopped piece by piece, scattered all across Chennai. The other one has been fairly quiet, since we made him watch your buddy get slashed up. I think he maybe traumatized; do you feel the fear sinking in yet? We’re veterans kid, don’t come to play the game if you aren’t prepared for war. You may want to hurry up and make it to Napier Bridge, well that is if you want to save your friend.”
Chapter 15 - Tables Turn, Bridges Burn
He was right, fear; I felt it creep down my spine. This wasn’t a sadistic joke; it was reality. I quickly stopped the next rickshaw coming my way, and as I told him the destination I called Verone to inform him of the situation. I was closer to the bridge, but this situation wasn’t going to go well if I were alone. I kept putting grave pressure on the driver, and he responded by driving faster. Napier Bridge was just six minutes from Marina beach, and by the time we made it there I practically jumped into the oncoming traffic. The rickshaw driver began yelling for his money, as I walked through the cars, honking, trying their best to avoid hitting me.
I stood confused and worried for a few seconds; I couldn’t spot Khan or his men. I was beginning to think that this was all a big diversion, maybe a trap. Though it wasn’t, they did come, and when they came it was with full force. A few vehicles, and dozens of men; they blocked the oncoming traffic. All but helpless stood a crowd of civilians, as if they were prepared to watch a show.
Khan was first to step out, and behind him was a man dragging out Remone. He was beaten and bloody, at first I couldn’t even identify him. When the rest of Khans men stepped out, I knew that my only chance of saving my friend would be to hand over my head.
“Khan leave Remone! It’s me you want!” I shouted.
He shrugged off my offer with a smile; the look of revenge was evident in his eyes. I wanted to hope that Thambi was still alive, but I wasn’t stupid. I know Khan wasn’t lying when he said Thambi’s body was scattered across the city. I have the blood of a friend on my hands already; I wasn’t ready to allow that of another spill over too. At this point I had one shot at saving my friend, and it maybe at the cost of offering my own head. The fear had already gotten to me, throughout my entire stint of life I never truly experienced fear until I had another persons life in my hands, the life of a person I actually cared about.
Nervous, and embodied in terror I ran towards Remone, hoping they’d let him go. A trip, summoned the cards for a change in scenario. I fell to the floor, bashing my head against the hard surfaced road, and when I glanced up I saw Remone being forced down to his knees. His face was partially covered in dry blood, as a few drips warmly drenched out. His head was down, but he looked up to take a quick glimpse at me.
“They cut up Thambi, right in front of me. Don’t spare them Arrun.” Cried Remone; as I watched Khans men hand him a machete. Remone knew what was coming; he dropped his head back down. I felt a bit dizzy because of the knock to my head, but I tried to will myself up.
It was too late; I felt my sanity take part. I watched as my best friends head rolled across the floor. Traumatized, my brain couldn’t process what happened before my eyes. My eyes widened and I dropped to the floor once again, bashing the floor in the rage, as the tears ran down my face. It’s on me, all me. I noticed a familiar feeling creeping back into my life, the questioning of my existence, and the thought of death following those around me. I could just lay on the floor, with my head faced to its side, listening to the machete being scraped against the floor as Khan walked towards me, or I could try and live to be the change. My death may spare the lives of a few, but this war would just continue. It was my mistake for sparing Khans life, and it must be my responsibility to end it.
A sudden breach within the crowd, as the civilians attempted to flee the scene, my support came thrashing in. I watched as my men pulled in, attempting to gun down the counter part. It was a shame though, they were prepared to drive off; the first of the few vehicles drove by picking up Khan, as the others provided cover. I got back on two feet attempting to catch up with the first car; “Arrun!” Called a voice from behind, it was a man in the last of Khans vehicles. It was odd because he was masked unlike the others, and I tried to grasp hold of his mask in my quick glancing second but to my loss, I received a demolishing hit from a metal rod to my chest.
I felt miserable, desperately trying to grasp breath. Sethu and Renny were the ones to help me up. “Remone, where’s Remone!” I cried, still unable to come to terms of what I witnessed. They both cried, attempting to calm me down.
“Don’t let Verone see the body!” I warned them, but it was too late. I knew of the bond the both of them shared. Marona attempted to console Verone as he held the headless body of a brother; I never expected to see such reactions from men who normally show no emotions at all. Miran, along with a few other men continued to race down the street, in hopes of catching up with Khan. I knew it was a long shot, it seemed as if they had already planned according to every possible situation.
“Where’s Thambi Arrun?” Asked Renny.
“We have to kill them.” I responded.
“Where’s Thambi!” Questioned Renny once more.
“Look at Remone! You think they spared Thambi? They cut him to pieces and scattered him across the city. We can’t even give him his last rites.” I cried.
“Lets go, right now.” Sethu cried.
It felt right; I didn’t want to say no. I too felt the rage that boiled amongst my friends; Khan didn’t deserve to live another day. Hot headed, ragged of revenge we tried walking over to the car.
“Stop!” Ordered Marona.
“Why, how long will we stand watching people die?” I retorted.
“Arrun, you aren’t thinking straight. We’ll talk about this later.” Suggested Marona, I didn’t want to argue with him, but I didn’t want wait as another day went by. Another day, waiting for Khan to make his next plans; I killed his son; he was
n’t going to be satisfied just yet.
Cross Roads: Pick a Path Page 12