“I don’t remember, but I broke the promise. I am sorry,” I said.
“You are sick, stupid,” she scolded and suddenly turned towards the shopkeeper smiled at him, and addressed him to show any new sets of engagement rings.
“Am sorry, I won’t break my promise anymore,” I requested.
“You drank like a mad man. Your friends dropped you at your home, and the idiot in you went straight to your dad’s room mistakenly and vomited on his bed,” she said calmly. I really felt bad; my dad didn’t even question me in the morning.
“I regret. I am sorry,” I pleaded with her.
“They are teasing me very severely, let’s leave,” she said slowly.
“Who?”I asked angrily.
“The guy next to me,” she pointed at him raising her hand. “Pack this,” she showed a set of the ring to the salesman now talking to him.
“There is a discount on this set of rings,” the salesman continued but I didn’t listen.
I stood straight in front of the man who teased Aria and he started to explain, but I didn’t bother to hear what he has got to tell.
“What did he say?” I asked Aria strongly, now looking at his face. My anger rose from toe to top that I would kick him down in a single shot.
“He told I am a slut and commenting that I was with his friend once,” Aria said gloomily.
“What the hell is this?” I asked him.
“Calm down, don’t fight. These kind of things are very common for girls,” Aria said sadly.
“You son of a bitch, your mother must be a whore, that’s why you are with no ethics,” I cautioned him.
“Who the hell are you? Get out of my mall!” he stood and said angrily.
“Bastard, mind your tongue before you say something; apologize to her or else I will hit you down,” I warned him.
He came quickly and held my shirt. I couldn’t control my anger. I gave a hard blow on his face. In not more than 10 seconds, we brought the attention of customers and a group gathered around us. I shouted whatever he did and everyone supported me. He had to apologize to Aria. We walked straight to the counter and paid the bill and left.
“Is it needed to make a mess there? It’s very common for girls,” Aria scolded me on our journey back home.
“It’s not common. Why should you girls sit calm? Fight with those guys who comment at you. Unless you fight with these type of people, they would never shut their mouth,” I said angrily.
I continued,“Look Aria, girls should not need any help to fight with these stupids. You are strong enough to answer them,” I explained.
“I know,” she said calmly.
“Fight back and change the custom. Don’t be habituated to these things,” I said calmly.
“I love you,” she told. I smiled looking at her.
“Ma, papa, I am sorry for what happened last night,” I apologized to them.
“Do you regret your deeds?” my father asked me, signaling to have dinner. I took a spoon full of rice and said, “Yeah, I really do.”
“That’s cool. Then never ever repeat it again,” my mother said to me.
“Yeah, I would never do,” I said
“Then we are happy,” they said in unison.
“There is a surprise waiting for you in your room,” my mom said after I finished dinner.
I ran into my room to check what it is; when I opened my door, I saw Aria waiting for me.
“Wow, you are here,” I said laughing loudly.
“I have a gift for you,” she told.
“Is that you??” I questioned her,
“I am already yours. I don’t have anything more to gift you,” she said smiling.
“Then,” I asked, shrugging my shoulders.
She asked me to close my eyes and I did so. She dressed me in some chain. When I opened my eyes to see, it is a platinum chain, spell bounded at its beauty, I smiled.
“When did you buy??” I asked “You question bank, shut your mouth,” she warned me sweetly.
I smiled and she did the same. “This chain will keep us united all the time,” she told.
Both of us never thanked each other and we are away from those dramas. We are happy the way we are and I loved the chain she gave but it is my turn to gift her. I thought the change in me should be a gift to her.
Celebrations were stunning. No spot of dirt, everything is shining like a mirror. Every lady dressed in their finest, the their partner accompanying them, smiles of kids brought glory and every floor filled with laughter, noise and decoration is a smile to every invitee.
Ladies walking elegantly seeking the attention of bachelor’s; every glass and mirror including chandeliers and each floor mat sleeked glory of kings. Everything is too awesome; I never imagined my engagement decorations would awestruck me.
Aria’s family sat opposite to mine; on the main stage. She wore a golden saree. She is nothing less than a princess in this avatar, her smiles, and makeup touch up is enough to bring her full glow. Her smile as always, worth diamonds.
All the formalities are at the pace which I least bothered to look at and finally it is our time to exchange rings. We did it with heaps of happiness. The feeling that Aria is going to be mine, made me furious with happiness. Aria’s grandmother is the most important guest.
Many other important and rich people of the state convoyed us. We have showcased on stage and every guest came to us to bless us. Simon Robs, the gold mine owner of the state came to us and blessed us and said, “You are a very important person to me.” I was shocked to hear his riddles, but didn’t understand what he meant.
My dad came on time to support me and said, “He is my son and he is only important to us.”
I didn’t know what’s happening between them; Mayan accompanied Simon Robs along with an old lady named Susen. “Have a good life,” Simon Robs told me with lots of arrogance and left his fake smile which is quite visible like his white hair and wrinkled face.
“Who the hell is he?” I asked dad,
“He is a stupid man,” my dad mocked and told “Be wary!” he continued to warn me, “Yes I will be, papa!” I said.
We still stood welcoming every guest smiling and posing for snaps. I felt thirsty and called upon a waiter.
He asked, “Sir, is whiskey, fine?”
“How do I seem to you, as a drunkard who drinks even at his own wedding?” I fired at him.
“That’s not the correct way to reply. You promised me to control your anger,” Aria reminded me; I would have definitely slapped him if I was the old me, but I controlled my anger told, “Cold water is fine!”
I gradually able to understand the difference between the old me and now.
“I love you,” Aria whispered in my ear.
“I love you too.”
“It’s too late. I want to take rest here, and I don’t want to go home,” I told Aria at 9.00 pm. We were all alone in the hall and suddenly we heard someone walking towards us.
15. Unknown Crime
Everyone is busy concluding their work; everyone seems to be tired still putting efforts to wind up the remaining tasks. It is Aria and me alone sitting in the main hall of the convention, the same halls which were filled with smiles all day long were no more alive. We heard footsteps of someone approaching us. As the steps became more and more audible, I found it is Mayan.
He came to us and asked, “Can I join you?”
I am able to see affection in his eyes after a long time.
“Of course you can,” Aria raised her voice. He came and sat with our partaking smiles.
“This is Aria, my sweetheart,” I said, pointing Aria to Mayan and “This is Mayan, my best friend,” I told to Aria introducing Mayan.
“I am glad to meet you,” Mayan told to Aria.
“Same here,” she smiled.
“I am happy that you seem normal today,” I said to Mayan.
“I am always your Mayan,” he supported me.
We spoke for about an hour;
all silly and serious issues. We were smiling all the way long until the moon waved a smile at us.
“How did you get to work under Simon Robs?” I asked Mayan.
“Me?” he pointed to himself.
“Yes,” I said.
“I attended an interview and got selected. Simon found some similarities between both of us. So, he made me a major shareholder and from today I am at a new job. You did not recognize right, I attended the engagement along with him, but you were busy scolding a waiter,” he said seriously.
“What is that new job?” I asked.
“You will know very soon,” he paused.
“Is that true that he kidnaps tribes and orphans and makes them slaves to work under him?” Aria asked in a straight line.
“I am not into mining, but into trading. I don’t know much about mining,” Mayan told frankly.
“Then what do you know?” I ridiculed him.
“I know that the lady beside him is a talented scientist named Susen, but she works for him, I even heard that there was another scientist named Sara; elder sister of Susen, who is more talented than her, but now she doesn’t work under him anymore; both these ladies are the main reason for his success” Mayan told us.
“You mean the old lady, Sara, who left and the lady Susen working under him currently invent new things like instruments,” Aria asked curiously.
“No, not exactly instruments. Many things are included, but I am not into detail,” Mayan paused.
“How about your GF!” I poked to enlighten the conversation from this boring topic.
“She is fine,” he pushed me.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to her?” I asked him.
“Sure, we will all go for dinner very soon,” he laughed.
My phone rang again and again until all my nap died out; I picked the call and asked, “Who are you?” in a drowsy accent.
“Hello, your friend Mayan met with an accident. He is on MJ road, come soon!!” he told and paused.
“Who are you?” I shouted.
“Come soon,” he said and disconnected the call.
I called back straight to Mayan’s phone, the call is attended.
“Hello Mayan,” I told scared to take note of bad news.
“It’s me,” the same guy said, “Come soon to MJ road,” he said without pause and disconnected the call.
I doubted if everything is fine. I could smell something fishy; but I can’t risk with Mayan’s life because of my suspicions. I texted Aria about the entire scenario and left in my car.
It took 15 minutes for me to travel there.But once I reached, I couldn’t notice any clue of the accident nor found Mayan.
I rang to Mayan’s phone and no one attended the call. I got trapped; I got to know that. Nevertheless, I wanted to pursuit for Mayan until the last step; I couldn’t taunt to take a back step. I walked into every lane; there is a huge slum nearby.
I then was able to sense movements of people behind me. But it is too dark for me to identify anyone.
Sounds of lights flashing in, the water droplets from sanitary pipes are even audible in the silence of darkness; but I continued to shout “Mayan’s.”
I got a strong hit on my forehead by some hard rod. It isn’t strong enough to make me lose consciousness; I stood back to find who the culprit is.
“Hit him slowly. We want him alive!” another man scolded the guy who hit me.
It is bleeding, I hit him hard in his stomach and pushed the other guy who came for me. My car would be the safest place for me now, and I pushed two more guys who accompanied the felonious gang. 20 more companions are waiting for me. I ran into my car as fast as I could and got into it and then started to drive. Those rowdies started to chase me in their vehicles.
I rang Aria; she lifted after 3 rings and yelled at me for troubling her sleep. She still didn’t check the message. I left before I left to find Mayan.
I explained everything that happened then and there and told her to call all my friends and inform about my situation and to accompany to my house.
“Will you be safe?” she questioned dejectedly.
“These fools can’t knock out my car!” I laughed.
“Why so?” she asked as if she wanted me to get hit.
I laughed and said, “You are sad that am not getting hit?”
“Yeah,” she laughed and asked “Why again?”
Girls ask annoying things at times; posting all sense questions in unworthy situations.
“Accident prone sensors are inherited in my car,” I explained.
“So sad,” she said again and told “I love you, be safe,” she cut the phone even before I replied. She made me laugh at situations like this; she is something.
One guy drove the fastest he could and tried to hit my car from behind, and my car moved fast ahead avoiding the collision. The movement his car draw near mine and my car just moved like a repelling magnet.
Some other car voyaged faster and is waiting for me to hit from the front. My car just took a turn, before he hit me. Loosing they started to shoot my car. I sped up my car and they stopped to chase me after 5 minutes.
I reached Mayan’s home and rang bells until everyone in his home woke up. Once they opened the door, I ran in and shouted for Mayan.
“Where is Mayan?” I asked the aunt.
“Where did you hit yourself; you are bleeding,” Mayan told shocked and asked his mom to get first aid soon.
Aunt and Mayan tried to clean the blood, but I asked him to follow me. I promised aunt that I’ll get him home safe.
“Come with me,” I forced Mayan.
“Everything will be alright, don’t panic,” I told aunt and rushed outside.
“What happened? Tell me now!” Mayan bawled in the car.
“Where is your mobile?” I asked Mayan.
“I lost it in the gym today morning,” he told.
“You didn’t even try calling it back?” I inquired.
“Yeah, it was switched off,” he told.
“Someone attacked me,” I said.
“Who?” he asked as if they were my blood relatives and am familiar with every face of theirs.
“How would I know!” I shouted and slipped my car. It went on to a footpath dashed with a boy. My accident prone sensors do work only for cars, it doesn’t work in the case of reducing human accidents.
I stopped the car suddenly. And got down; there is a girl weeping for the victim. The boy lost his consciousness totally.
“Let’s help him come on,” I shouted crying and regretting what I did.
“Aria is calling. Something might have gone wrong. Let’s hurry!!” Mayan forced me.
“No, I can’t. I have to aid that kid,” I said.
He pushed me into the car and said, “There is no way you can help him. He must already be dead. Let’s protect Aria,” he told.
I reluctantly sat in the car thinking of that kid and we went to Aria’s home and picked her, then rushed to my home, all my friends were waiting for me.
“Everyone is safe. Let’s go save the kid,” I told Mayan.
“You go take rest, I’ll help the kid if he is alive,” Mayan promised and left with another friend of ours.
All my other friends except for Mayan entered into my room. We opt not to bother my parents at late night. Aria cleaned my injuries.
I explained to everyone how I was tricked and how I escaped from those people; I couldn’t share about the boy’s accident to everyone.
My friends decided to protect me from the very next moment at any cost. I offered guest rooms. Jane isn’t available to comfort them. Aria took in charge to offer them a place to repose.
I sat in my room thinking about the kid. Aria came to my room smiling and left shocked to watch me cry.
“I hugged her,” and told, “I killed a boy. I hit him with my car”
“Your car has accident prone sensors, how you could hit him?” she asked.
“It won’t be hit by other v
ehicles but it doesn’t work when it dashes with a human,” I told and continued to regret.
“Clam down first and explicate me what had happened?” she requested.
“I hit a boy on my return journey to home; I couldn’t even stop and help him because I was scared whether you were in any kind of danger because as you were calling continuously, I mistook you for being in danger,” I confessed.
“It’s okay, you made a mistake, not a crime. We will go to him tomorrow morning and do something for him,” Aria told and asked me to forget the whole thing.
“Dad,” I said; standing in front of my father carrying tears in my eyes and pain in the heart when he woke up from sleep. My mom and dad stood in shock. I explained them everything that happened last night.
“Now, I’ll deal with it in my way,” my father assured and he ordered me not to leave home for a week. Aria stayed with me, while Mayan and others left.
“I sent him to the hospital. His life is safe!” Mayan told me before leaving.
“Really?” I asked.
“He can no more play,” Mayan told.
Dad decided to increase the security in and around our home.
“I knew how to protect myself,” I told dad.
“Shut up,” he shouted and left.
16. Wash Away the Sins
“Dad,” I called him silently at the dinner table; my mom and Aria accompanied us.
“Yeah, tell me?” he asked.
“What about the accident?” I asked.
“Which accident are you talking about?” he asked in surprise.
“The accident!” I went on clarifying.
“You even got to act shocked and voice everyone that you did nothing!” he warned me.
“I am not scared of going to jail,” I said.
“There are criminals who deserve to die for their crimes, and you just made a petty mistake. I will not let anyone lay a finger on you,” he clarified.
“But,” I said, “your mistake did only good to them,” he told and continued “He is not dead, he lost his legs. They didn’t even have a penny to afford to buy a home; I gave him enough money for his treatment and for their well-being until they are dead; they will have enough for their next generation also,” my dad explained.
You Are Never a Stranger Page 7