F O U R: Bruised

4 years ago

-Grace-

@-Grace-

CHAPTER FOUR

Bruised

TRIGGER WARNING

Life is not always perfect, in fact it is never perfect. It is those imperfections that add flavor in life, sometimes sweet and sometimes sour. We think we control what happens around us, but in reality we don't even have control on what is within us. It is the natural reaction to what goes around us, better known as Newton's third law: every action has a reaction.

Despite the cool and composed nature of Khirad, she could not help but fume at Asher's unacceptable behavior. At the same time she couldn't lash out on him, her duties and responsibilities didn't allow her to act on impulse. Apart from that her mind kept pushing her to react when her heart silently told her to do otherwise, now was not the time.

She furiously typed on her laptop as she sat on her desk in her casuals, her nostrils flared every now and then.

"Relax Khirad, from what you have told me there is more to this guy"

Khirad remained quiet, not sure if her friend deserved anymore of her ranting. 

"look Khirad, I have dealt with people like that, he is probably very disturbed and I'm sure he felt bad about it after you walked out of his cabin"

 Khushi got up from the bed and moved to the couch beside her desk.

"Khushi" 

 Khirad exhaled deeply, her fingers stopped mid way and her gaze shifted to directly meet hers.

“Khirad"

Khushi spoke in a voice that sounded authoritative but calming. 

"just promise me you wont talk to him about this now, please?" 

She pressed her arm lightly and pleaded with her eyes.

Khirad didn't say a word but blinked in agreement. She knew she was angry, but logically it didn't seem like a big deal. Why was she even bothered about this new guy? What had happened to her calm attitude that she maintained regardless of the situation? What happened to the self control she was so proud of? And why was her heart and mind changing their statements and reasoning each time she tried to get an answer?

And Rohan thinks the case on hand is the complex one?

He has no idea the warfare inside her head. 

*********

"would that be alright?"

"...yeah..that would be okay" 

He  said trying to hide the lack of assurity while he spoke into the phone, with a slightly lowered gaze 

Vivan placed both his palms on his face and exhaled. He rubbed them off his clean shaven cheeks, and rested his hands on the desk interlocking them. Being the director of the executive staff was not an easy job, and despite the countless qualities he was a normal human being after all. His position did seem like one of the most desired and respected jobs out there, but sometimes he just wished he was an ordinary worker in an ordinary company, working nine to five, coming back home to his awaiting family. But then human nature was hard to satisfy. He was no different. 

He opened his laptop and started to shoot some emails, his fingers typed furiously, his eyes shifted with the words in sync and his extraordinary brain worked at the speed of light.

Now he was ready to welcome the new officer. 

He sighed in relief and smiled in satisfaction.

*********

Arnav made himself comfortable on the seat and secured the belt as per the announcement before the take off.

He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply in search of a few moments of peace. Moments spent with Aliya and Ma kept flashing through his mind. He didn't know whether to get frustrated or worried at the sudden absence of the girl who he claimed to be his life.

Arnav’s mother had left him, his mind and heart had accepted that, it was real, she had actually left him but he knew he could always feel her. She was gone physically but they still had the connection, an unbreakable bond, just like the one a child has with his mother before he is even born.

A whirlpool of emotions spun through him as the plane reached higher altitudes. He felt as if his ribs would break with all that his heart contained, but he couldn't let the wall crash that guarded him. 

As the flight took off, his heart started to sink, the city where he had been born and lived, practically his entire life was going to be left behind. Everything running out of his hands like the grains of sand. He watched through the window as the houses got smaller and soon everything disappeared into thick sheets of fluffy clouds.

"promise me you wont ever disappear?" Arnav said, holding Aliya’s hands in his. 

"ill try to'" Aliya said half heartedly, her eyes devoid of their normal spark.

When he saw the absence of her million dollar smile he felt himself drowning in darkness at that moment, feeling like he was losing something. 

It was one of those times when he knew something bad would happen but couldn't find exactly what. Maybe the calm before the storm?

His eyes shot open only to find himself engulfed in darkness, the plane had been engulfed by the darkness. 

Time heals all, as they say. However, it takes inner strength to rise from the ashes. 

He could feel his mother's presence, her moral support but Aliya, her memories failed to fade regardless of his countless attempts to block her from his mind. Frustration caused by her informed absence only seemed to grow as days turned into nights. 

Arnav had safely landed in Virginia, the unfamiliar winds touched his cheeks and his eyes got slightly watery due to the chilly season.

A new chapter was to begin, better or worse? Who knew. 

*********

Asher was called in Vivan's room, his mind still stuck in the not so smooth conversation with Khirad. Maybe he did overreact. He couldn't hold her responsible but wasn't ready to take the blame either, it was probably just the heat of the moment.

The two sat in silence, Asher engrossed in his thoughts and Vivan working away. The silence wasn't awkward, in fact it was quite comfortable. The two felt very relaxed in each other's company, it wasn’t something one could pinpoint but there was this sense of familiarity. That was the body’s response to trauma, that could be felt when it was surrounded by familiarity. 

Asher had a good feeling when he first met  Vivan, a homecoming of sorts.  Over the weeks it only grew, maybe he did have some similar experiences. This gave Asher a sense of assurity, a silent support which he almost stopped looking for. But what if this was just an illusion?  After all good things only came for a short while, didn't they? Doubts were not the easiest to leave. 

*********

Arnav reached the CIA Head Quarters, standing outside the building he felt a strange sense of burden, which only added to his confusion. He was more than satisfied with coming here, leaving his home city was a good idea after all. Life had to move on, he wasn't some weak individual who would mourn for the death of his loved ones forever, of course they mattered to him but he won't let their memories and his past ruin his future and the only person controlling it, was himself. Besides, he was a man and men don't cry and weep, they remain strong through thick and thin, and he would do exactly that. Not a drop of tear.

*********

Vivan and Asher looked at the door as the knob slightly turned and both stood up to greet the new member of the team. Vivan immediately recognized him, being informed, while Asher expressed his curiosity silently. Arnav took the silence in affirmation and walked over to where Vivan stood.

"Hi Im Vivan"

Arnav silently shook hands with him and with a slight nod he pursed his lips in an attempt to smile.

"Asher this is Arnav Singh, the new officer who would be working with the executive staff here in the Head Quarters"

For some reason the first impression they had on each other didn't seem too appealing to Vivan, he knew they were both mature individuals but his sixth sense had sent him warnings. 

"And Arnav this is Asher, Asher Hussain"

Arnav's eyes shot open.

The storm after the calm had erupted.

He took slow and measured steps towards Asher, forgetting the purpose he was here for, the presence of an authoritative figure, and every relevant piece of information escaped his mind. His rationality had been long forgotten, the only thing that was driving him was his emotion.

Vivan silently watched and observed his every move.

Arnav stopped only to come face to face with Asher.

Asher had a strange but scary moment of deja vu.

 He held him by his collar, surprising Vivan, who had been standing quietly. 

"You'" he spoke with gritted teeth, 'YOU!" he spoke louder this time.

"Because of YOU! I lost my mother forever! Aliya!..she wont talk to me' I have lost her! Because of you! Only because of you f*****g Muslims! You bloody terrorists!"

His grip on Asher's collar grew tighter and his hands began to shiver in rage, Asher felt choked and wished for the earth to swallow him.  He had tried so hard to lock all the doors of the past and start new  but the universe was against him and he was nothing compared to all the forces in this conspiracy.

"Arnav calm down" Vivan stepped in and tried to remain as calm as possible but firmly told an enraged Arnav to return to his senses. 

Vivan’s authority didn’t let him utter a word but Arnav gave him a glare nonetheless. This is the most he could do. 

Arnav looked back at Asher, his eyes threw fire, a raging sensation that sent a burning sensation to his soul by the passing second. Asher felt himself drowning in a hole of spitting fire where no one could save him. He was too shocked to say a word, his breathing came in pauses and he simply stared at the monster of a man unable to comprehend anything. Not that he didn't understand what had just happened, in fact now it was too clear to be misunderstood but it was just too sudden to absorb. Maybe this is what he needs to get used to. 

The only word that echoed in his ears was terrorist, everything else became a blur.

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A/N:  I understand this chapter might be a hard one for some of you and I apologize if it caused uneasiness or trauma to anyone.  I also wanted to mention I am not trying to throw shade at a particular community or anything for that matter. Anything that happens in this story isn't my own opinion but just the way these characters are shaped. 

To everyone who is reading this story, thank you, it would mean alot to me if you comment too :)

I would specially like to thank jyothirockz  for commenting promptly after each update!