Bewitching The Mafia(Mafia Series #1)

7. Hindrance

Arya

The dreadful day has passed, I spent the whole Sunday at home. I was tired, didn't want to move from my bedroom to the kitchen. But I did move anyway. I studied for the whole day. The semester was close. 

Ethan and Zack called and asked if I wanted to hang out with them or not. I denied and hinted about that strange incident. They made me agree to have a group study in my home that I agreed. They came to my home afternoon with their backpack. We sat in the living room and began study for a few hours straight. 

We studied for a long time and completed our project. While having coffee, we discussed the topics we didn't get. When it was eight at night, we stopped, ordered take-out. Despite being different from each other, we have lots of things in common, which bound us together. We always have time for each other. Ethan is known as a bad boy, which is just a facade. He is more talented and sharp among the three of us. I also knew they were going to ask me about yesterday's incident. I was ready to spit it out.

When our orders were delivered, we sat in the living room and started to devour them. After we have done with food, they asked in curiosity, "What happened yesterday? Don't hide anything from us, Arya,"

Sighing in defeat, I began telling them everything that happened the last night. In the end, I said, "After we departed, I chose to go home through a long way. When I was passing a dark alley, I heard some noises. I observed keenly and saw some goons attacking someone. They had guns and sticks with them. I took action and pushed a gun guy with my bike from behind. Then we fought. We knocked them off. I took him to the clinic and paid for his treatment and medicines. I dropped him off at his given address."

Ethan's eyebrow raised, asking, "The guy let you help him and made you drop his home?"

I shook my head negatively and said with flinty eyes, "The guy was in disguise. He was an arrogant jerk. But I made him follow my instructions and he had no option left other than do as I say. He is rich as he is staying in a high-class hotel a few miles away from that clinic. He has bodyguards with arms, you know,"

Zack closed his book and asked with a frown, "Did you ask his name? Or did he ask yours?"

Shaking my head, I said, "No. I didn't. Why would I when I know we are not going to meet again? Even if we met, I am not going to talk with that rich ungrateful guy who didn't even thank me for rescuing him!" 

Ethan threw his arms around her and began patting my back to calm my anger down. He gave me a candy bar, saying, "Have it, Montez. You will feel good," I narrowed my eyes at him and snatched that immediately from his grasp. Damn! I can't say no to sweets. When I was busy eating, Ethan asked, "Are you hurt?" Raising my head, I saw both of my friends were looking at me worriedly. I simply hate it. 

Concentrating on my candy, I shook my head negatively.

"Would you ever stop, Arya? How long will you continue? It's been years. Stop hurting yourself." Ethan said. I knew that was coming. I am damn tired of explaining myself to them. 

"I ain't stop. I am not hurting myself. Everyone has inner demons. My demons in rage, thrust for revenge.", I snapped at him with a glare. No, I wasn't angry with them, but to myself that I don't know how to control myself from not getting angry in that simple question. 

Zack held my hand and pleaded, "Arya, let us in. We will together take revenge if you let us."

"We will make them suffer. Tell us whenever you are ready.", Ethan said by holding my other hand.

Taking my hand away from them, I said, "I will think about it.", I am not going to put them in danger.

I still can't for that day, horrible much. That day comes and goes every year. I can't scream, can't cry. Someone left me, not forgetting to take half of my soul. My eyes are holding hollowness. My heart fills with bitterness. I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt them embracing me. 

They said nothing, didn't try to comfort me. Silence speaks louder than words. I don't want to see pity in their eyes for me. Bravery and rage are there within me. They knew that. I appreciate their support. I am unstoppable and unbreakable now. Life made me like this. I got a lovely family, trustworthy friends; I could live normally, with the things I have. But for now, I chose revenge over relationships.

They left after some time. We have lectures to attend early in the morning tomorrow. Our second last semester is here. So, we are devoting extra time to studying. Projects, assignments, practicals, and theory papers are back-to-back. Things are goings to over within a month. 

After graduation, we all have a different plan for our future. Like, Ethan most probably is going to take over his family business. Zack is going to be a professional ultimate boxing champion. I decided to focus on motorbike racing, especially for my revenge. I have plans. I am just waiting for my graduation. 

Eventually, time passed like the wind. I finished last semester after six months as well. Nothing special happened during this period. Life goes on in the usual pattern. Wake up, exercise, collage, projects, group study, friends’ hangout, occasional fighting, and my motorbike racing, and sleep; these are the cycle of my life. Nothing changed. Now I decided to move to New York, the base station of my revenge game is going to take place. I am not going to work for any manufacturing company after completing my graduation. 

Although, I have a plan to use my degree later, which will solve my obsession with both racing and mechanical stuff. In which I most likely take help from Ethan and Zack. Passion never dies, after all, even if we choose a different path. I will work on my dreams when the time comes. 

But, for now, let's settle in New York first. I will be out of money within one week there for sure. That's why I started research on making money online applications and began seeing the easiest way to enroll my name in the NY racing track. 

At the end of the semester, I got a call from my brother. He is coming home after two days. From the way he talked, I can feel there is something wrong with him. I didn't pressurize him to say immediately. I waited patiently for his arrival. It has been two years since we are going to meet again. We were in contact, though. I don't know when our mother would come back home. 

The day comes, my brother was standing in the doorway. He looks like a real-life zombie. He has bags under his eyes. His tanned skin kind of became paler. On top of that, his unstable footing. What is wrong with him? I remembered we had a face-time couple of months ago. He looked rather attractive at that time. It couldn't be some work issue. Nah, our family genes are strong in this case. Then, why he is looking so distorted. I am standing in front of him for a good two minutes without letting him in. 

I snapped out of my thoughts and dragged him into the house. I took him to the living room and pushed him on the couch. I ran to the kitchen. I made a cold cocoa milkshake with ice cream, and put some veg sandwiches on a plate, and a bowl of fruit salad. I took the tray in the living room and started to feed my brother without a single word. Yes! I am a sensible sister.

He is tired and he needs a shower. He, God knows where was stuck on earlier. After the meal, he said, "Sis, I need to tell- " I cut him off and said bluntly, "Bro, go and take a shower first. You stink. I am going to give you a new clean pair of clothes. Then we will talk."

He compiled like an obedient kid, and come back to the living room. I was changing the news channel one after one. He sat beside me, and I turned off the television. I keep my focus on him completely.

He started, "Ray, you know, I never hide anything from you. You know every single thing about me, my relationships, work, colleagues, friends, everything you know.", I nodded. 

He does share things with me. Ray, gave me this name, as a nickname.

He continued, "I am going to tell you something. The thing which made me miserable. I pitied myself. Only if, I was a little more devoted enough to feel my emotions. I couldn't realize it back then. You will be disappointed to know what I have done. Mother is going to scold me. Father's soul will be disappointed with me. I failed. I failed you all, my family. She refused me. She will never let me in her life. I still don't know why she did leave me. She could have told me. I wouldn't have missed two years to be with them."

I cut him off. I couldn't take this anymore. He was continuously rumbling in front of me. He is so not in his usual self. I said holding his arms in a firm grip, "Big brother, please, stop rumbling now. Let's straight come to the point. No more beating around the bush. Eh? Who is she? How did you miss two damn years? And why would we be disappointed with you? Tell me. Tell me now. You are creeping me out."

He sighed in defeat. His eyes turned watery to remember something sensitive, I guess. I squeezed his hands and reassuring him to open up. The thing he said next, made me out of breath. Eyes wide open. Mouth hanging low. You have got to be kidding me. Damn it! Can our life be more dramatic? 

He said with a sob, " I met Kathy in Los Angeles a month ago. I was on duty, flying from Dubai to LA. I stayed there for two days in LA. I went to a nearby coffee shop. She was there with some files and a bag. She saw me and became stunned. You know, we met after three years. She disappeared from my sight three years ago. My childhood love, I neglected my feelings toward her back then. When I came to realize, she was gone already. She is still the elegant, innocent girl she used to be, but she changed. My Kathy, she left me, without saying a word to me. We talked, fought. But She never told me why she left suddenly."

Kathy was my brother's best friend. They grew up together, at the same school, the same university. They bonded at the end, but she left. The reason is still unknown to us. "You know What I came to see later! I have a child. A son. My son." Where he was sobbing, I kept staring at him with wide eyes. 

I was dumbfounded and looking at him in utter shock. He has a son. My brother has a son. I have a nephew, a nephew. I am an Aunt. Oh, my sweet Jesus. I AM AN AUNT!!! 

Like that, we stared at the ceiling. I uttered nothing. I was out of a word. Oh, this is the best news I have ever heard. Damn, I am an aunt. I said later, after a long time, "Let's go to Los Angeles. I want to meet them. And you need to clear the mess between you two. If you want to have a family with them, you have to make her talk." His eyes lit up. I knew for sure the guy is dying to meet his baby and reunite with his love again. I am so going to help him with it. That's all it takes to be prepared and left for LA to meet them and bring them home, for some time. I am craving a family reunion.