“Sorry miss, he is busy right now you better come back another time.”
She spotted James across the foyer and called to him. He turned and gave her a grave look and held up his index finger while he mouthed one moment. Then the door rudely slammed in her face. She was really scared now. Her whole body was trembling. Where is Rian? Why wouldn’t anyone tell her anything? She just stood there for what seemed like an eternity not knowing what to do next. Should she knock again or just barge in, or …. Just then the door opened and James emerged with his coat on. “Let’s take a walk.” He said.
“What’s going on James. Is Rian ok?”
“Yes he’s ok, a little shaken, but he seems to be holding up well.”
“What do you mean, holding up well? What the heck is going on James? I heard about the death of a freshman on the radio. I thought it was Rian, I was so scared. Why are the police here? What does Rian have to do with this?”
“Whoa, slow down girl.” James said. The police are just taking statements. It’s customary when there is a death.”
“Did it happen here at the frat house?”
“Yes, it did, we were just partying a little. Drinking some beer and munching on some snacks of pepperoni, cheese, and shrimp. You know the usual. Then all of a sudden Khalid starts clutching his throat.” James repeated the story just as they had rehearsed. The more times he said it, the more real it became. “Rian and I drove him to the Hospital, he was pretty far gone by the time we got there, but he was still alive. They did all they could and he died a couple of hours later the poor kid. They said it was an allergic reaction to shrimp.”
“What,…. he didn’t know he was allergic to shrimp. Why would he eat it if he was allergic?”
“I don’t know, exactly why he ate it, maybe he never had it before, he was from the Mid East, you know, their diets are different than ours.” They were almost back to Kareena’s apartment before she knew they were even headed in that direction.
“Stop!” She protested “I want to see Rian!”
“Not a good idea tonight Kareena, Rian’s Dad is here.”
“Ok, now you’re really scaring me! Why would his Dad come here if he wasn’t in some kind of trouble?”
“His Dad had some business in Washington, and when he heard about the tragedy he decided to fly up a little early. He had been planning a surprise visit next week anyway. That was his Dad that opened the door.”
Kareena had thought there had been something familiar about him, but couldn’t quite place it at the time, but now it was quite clear. The resemblance was quite obvious. By now they were in front of her apartment.
“Ok, look James, Tell Rian I am really sorry for what happened, and I’ll be home by 3:30 tomorrow if he can give me a call I would really appreciate it. Will his Dad be in town long?”
“I don’t know but I’ll give him the message.”
“OK, James, Thanks.” She said and gave him a hug.
“Night Kareena.” He said as he hugged her back.
Kareena let herself in. The door wasn’t locked; she had run out so fast that she hadn’t locked it behind her. Immediately a chill ran up her spine. She had left the light on, but the radio was not on as customary. Nothing seemed out of place. As she walked thru the apartment all seemed to be ok. Her nerves were on edge, and she was about ready to jump out of her skin .
Something about James’ story didn’t sit quite right with her, and it only made her worry more. She slept fitfully all night and woke exhausted.
Rian walked out of the kitchen where Capt. Bill Blatt had finished interviewing him. His Da shook the Captain’s hand as he escorted him to the door. He turned to Rian with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face. Rian said “Hi Da.” and came close for the customary embrace. His father gave him a cold nudge. “Let’s go in the library son, we need to talk.” Rian knew he was in for a good tongue-lashing, but walked into the Library as if he was cool as a cucumber.
“Now,” his Father said, “You are going to tell me the truth of what happened here last night, do you understand me Rian? I don’t want to hear any of that crap that you’ve been feeding the bloody police. If you want to remain in this school, you will tell me the truth. I know what goes down at these hazing ceremonies, so don’t’ try to tell me different.”
“Ok, Da, Ok.” Rian went into a lengthy explanation of exactly what had happened.
“So when we left them in the Deon…the cellar. We suddenly heard a loud banging noise, So we came back down stairs and saw Khalid struggling. We immediately untied the leather straps, and he started clutching his throat. We got him dressed quickly all the while he was gasping for air. We got him to the hospital as quickly as we could Da; I’m not lying about that. We had though about calling an ambulance but figured by the time it came, it would be too late. We called ahead to tell them we were on our way. I’m really sorry Da.” By this time Rian had tears streaming down his face. His father was the only one who could pull this kind of reaction from him.
“Ok son, I believe you. Now I’m going to have to do some fancy dancing in order to make this thing go away. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Rian nodded his head.
“Do you have any idea who the boy was that died, who his family is?”
“I know he is from Saudi Arabia, and I know his family has oil money, but that’s all.“
“Well his father is big in the political arena, and that is going to cause another problem, not only for us, but for the future of political stability around the world. “I hope you know what this kind of thing could do to the O’Connor family name.” Rian’s father was accustomed to pulling strings, and he had no doubt that he could take care of the local authorities, but the family of the dead boy, now that was another matter all together.
“Aye I do Da, I do, I am so sorry.” He hated to grovel, and his father was the only person on this earth who could make him do it.
“I’ve always been afraid that your shenanigans would get you in too deep. I hope this teaches you a great lesson, and you will grow up and be the man you were meant to be, and take your rightful place in this family.”
“Aye Da, I will.”
“Ok, now the next bit of business. Who was that young lass that came knocking on the Fraternity door asking for you while you were being interviewed.”
Rian hadn’t given a thought to Kareena since early Friday night. “Damn, so much has happened, I completely forgot we had a date tonight, I didn’t get a chance to call her.”
“And what would her name be?”
“Kareena.”
“A pretty name, that wouldn’t be Irish now would it?”
“No. it’s Swedish”
“She doesn’t look Swedish.”
“I know, she also has French blood. I guess she gets her coloring from her Mums side.”
“That’s quite a mix. You know those Swedes have a reputation for suicide! But all kidding aside, its best you stay away from that one.”
“Does she attend school near by?”
“No she has finished school.”
“So she is older than you!”
“No, she didn’t go to college.” Rian knew he shouldn’t be telling his father these things about Kareena, but he was in a vulnerable position right now, and he really needed his father’s support.
“I hope it’s just a casual affair than, as all of your others have been. I don’t’ want you to get tied down at this point of your life. You will have plenty of time for that after your appointment at the embassy in a couple of years, and hopefully you will find a nice Irish Lass so you can carry on the purity of our blood.”
“Aye Da, I know, I know.” He knew he should give her up, it would be the best for both of them, he knew it from the beginning. He didn’t know how he let himself fall so deeply for her.
“You did not answer my question. Is she a casual acquaintance?”
“Aye, Da, she is different than the other girls, but I think it’s time to move on.”
>
He told his father what he knew he wanted to hear, but didn’t know if it was what he himself wanted.
“Just make sure you don’t get into any other kind of trouble, do you here me Ladd?”
“Aye.”
“I said did you hear me Rian?”
“Yes Da I did, you know I’ve always been careful.”
“Ok, I think we’re done here. Let’s go out and speak with your brothers.”
Parting
Rian’s Dad Flew back to D.C. on Wednesday. Rian attended classes that week, but not much attention was paid to the curriculum. He knew he was going to have to break it off with Kareena, but didn’t quite know how he was going to do it. He wanted to let her down easy. He would have to think of something.
Kareena hadn’t heard from Rian for a whole week. She tried calling his dorm but there was no answer, she called the fraternity house on Thursday night and Hale answered the phone.
“Hello.”
“Hi Hale Is Rian there?”
“Hi Kareena, Let me check.” Rian gave Hale the no I’m not here
signal.
“No, he just left.” Hale said.
“Hale, is Rian ok?”
“Yes why?” He knew he shouldn’t have asked, but couldn’t help
feeling sorry for her.
“Well after the tragedy at your fraternity last week I haven’t
heard from him. I think he is in pain, and I want to help, but I feel he’s
avoiding me, and I can’t imagine why. Can you tell him that I called, and I
am worried about him.”
“Yes, Kareena, I’ll give him the message when I see him.” Hale
hung up the phone and gave Rian a look of frustration.
James had been standing on the other side of the room when
Hale answered the phone. “Rian, buddy, you know you’re going to have
to talk to her sooner or later, you might as well get it over with.” James
urged.
“I know I do. I know I should tell her. I know, and as long as I
don’t hear her sweet voice or see her lovely face, I can stay strong, but
just the thought of having to tell her that I can’t see her anymore face to
face sickens me. That’s why I’ve been avoiding her. I’m afraid I’ll not be
able to do it. She told me she had little trust in people and felt that she
could only depend on herself. Well she was right, she can’t depend on
me. I wanted to prove her wrong, but I can’t. Damn it, I can’t.” “Than why don’t you just call her and tell her.”
“Yes, and that would be the cowards way out, now wouldn’t it,
and I’m not a coward.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
“I’ll do it! Don’t worry … Saturday… I’ll do it Saturday!” Jesus, I
hate this.
Saturday morning Rian paced his dorm room contemplating just
how to let Kareena down easy. He hated to do it. She is such a sweet
girl, and she didn’t deserve this, but she is young, and after all she never
did tell him she loved him. ‘She surely can’t feel the same way I do. She
will get over it, life will go on. I have to be strong.’ He had never told her
that he loved her either, and didn’t realize it himself until last week when
he was talking to his father. His Da had a way of bringing his feeling to
the forefront. It will be better this way, if he stayed with her it would
create to many obstacles in his life. He knew that from the beginning. It
would surely alter his future and that he couldn’t afford. He grabbed the
phone with a fierce force that almost toppled it from the night stand. He
punched in her number.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Kareena.”
“Rian? …. Rian are you ok?”
His heart beat quickened at the sound of her voice. “Aye, I am.
Look I’m….I’m really sorry I’ve been so elusive, but the thing that
happened last week really threw me.”
“I know. I’m so sorry Rian. I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. I
know it’s been hard for you. I wanted to be with you to help ease the
pain.”
“We need to talk Kareena. Can I pick you up?”
“Oh,…..Ok.” This doesn’t sound good. “I was just about to get
something to eat. Do you want to come by for lunch?”
“No, I’d rather pick you up, and stop for a bite. We can talk at
the restaurant if you don’t’ mind.”
“Ok, what time?”
“Now, is that ok?”
“Yes of course, see you soon.”
Kareena was afraid this day was coming, but didn’t think that it
would be quite this soon. They had promised each other that when the
time came to split, neither one of them would make it hard on the other.
‘But why now? Why had his father come? And why is he taking this
accidental death so hard, not that it’s not serious, but it’s not like he killed
the boy. Why would this make him want to break off our relationship?’
There were so many unanswered questions and she was going to get
some answers today.
Rian pulled up in front of the apartment, got out of his Mercedes
and crossed the street. Kareena left the radio on the oldies station, as
always, in order to deter any would be invaders. She met him at the
door, ready to leave.
He looked into her eyes and gently took her face in his hands
and stared into those big beautiful eyes, as the tears welled in his eyes as
well as hers. He kissed her gently. She kissed him back softly and as the
passion grew so did the force of his kiss. She could hardly breathe. The
electricity that flowed between them was so powerful that she couldn’t
pull away.
He pushed her into the apartment and tore at her clothing. The
heat between them was so intense she could think of nothing more than
wanting him. She was as frantic to get his cloths off as he was hers. He
pulled her shirt up over her head and she tore at his buttons. She
couldn’t get them upon fast enough. He unsnapped her bra with ease
and as skin touched skin she felt an intense tingling all over her body and
she pulled him closer. They made love with fierce animal abandonment.
Their bodies glistened with perspiration as they simultaneously climaxed.
He never felt as complete in his life as he did now with Kareena. She was
never so satisfied in her life and didn’t know how she was going to let
him go. They lay there in each others arms in the euphoric bliss of
passion, and just listened while the radio, as if on queue, played “For the
Good Times, by Ray Price…Don’t’ look so sad, I know it’s over……”and it
made her tears start to flow again..
Neither of them knew how they’d made it to her bed, but here
they lay, as he gently wiped a tear from her cheek, and said “Kareena, I’m
so sorry. I….”
“Don’t….”, she sobbed, “We both wanted this, please don’t
apologize Rian.”
“But you don’t understand, I didn’t come here for this, I….” “I know.” She said. “I know why you came.”
He looked at her questioningly.
“I know it’s over Rian.” Another sob left her lips as she spoke. “I
know we can never be together, I know your future holds no place for
me. We talked about this. I won’t try to hold you.”
“But, “
“Shhhhhh.”
She said as she touched his face.
“I don’t know how to…. I didn’t mean to fall…..” He stopped
himself from saying the words she longed to here. “This only makes
matters worse. I really made a mess of things. My Da is right, I have no
will power. If I were the man I should be I would have broke this off with
dignity. Not like this.”
“Please don’t punish yourself Rian.” Kareena said as she stroked
his cheek.
He knew if he didn’t leave now he would never be able to leave
her. She was too good for him. He got up, and dressed in silence as did
she. She walked him to the door. They kissed one last time, a warm
tender kiss this time. Then he was gone.
She fell to the sofa, as she heard the sound of racking heartsick sobs, and realized they were coming from her. It seemed like an eternity, before she regained control and realized she had gotten no answers to her questions, but at this moment, it didn’t seem important. He was gone out of her life forever.
Rian had never felt this kind of intense emotional pain even when his Granda passed thirteen years earlier. He needed to get far away. He knew leaving her was for the best. He would only bring her more misery if he continued to see her. The self loathing he felt was so intense that he felt like driving himself off a cliff. All he ever wanted was to make his Da proud. In the past two weeks he really succeeded in messing things up badly. He had done many things in his life, between the pub crawling, and the gambling and the love of women. His father had bailed him out time and time again. But all of that was insignificant compared to the death of Khalid. His guilt was over whelming, and now Kareena only added to his burden.
He drove north up route seven into Vermont. Can he ever be whole again? He didn’t think so. But he knew he would have to be strong. His father needed him. And he would endure what ever he needed too, in order to regain his Da’s respect and the approval that he so desperately craved.
New Beginnings
Genna opened the door as she arrived home after her shift at Sweetbrook; she took one look at Kareena, and instinctively knew what had happened. She sat beside her on the sofa. “Talk to me Kareena.”
Humorlost (Humorlost Book I of III) Page 5