“My mind is trying to get you out of my head but my heart is holding onto every single word that you ever said.” – Unknown
^^Roy’s POV^^
A month later,
Beads of sweat were forming on my forehead, and the cloth I was wearing was completely drenched. My heart was beating so erratic and even my breathing was fast.
I abruptly opened my eyes and stood from the bed due to discomfort. The room was still dark. Grabbing the glass of water from the table I finished it within a single breath. I looked at the clock and noticed it wasn’t even two in the morning.
The incident where Ava jumped down into the deep abyss was converted into a nightmare for me. It hunted me every two to three days. Because of the nightmare, I wasn’t able to sleep comfortably since that incident a month ago.
If it was any other day, I would have walked to the gym room to work out or make myself busy with work. But today I didn’t want to do anything because of fatigue.
Due to the sweat, the cloth was sticking to my body, so I decided to take a warm bath. Setting the temperature, I stood under the shower while the water flowed from my head to toe.
The nightmare was still vivid in my mind. I couldn’t take it out or even stop thinking of the incident.
I don’t know why but every time after the same nightmare, my heart is in pain. I am conflicted by my emotions. She was just a crazy passerby in my life and nothing more but why do I feel lonely without her presence?
Her last word, the face of Ava with a smile on her lips and eyes filled with tears was deeply imprinted in my mind. I couldn’t help but lost in the thought of that day.
##The incident from Roy’s view##
A few days ago, my cousin, Jack was found in a sorry state in front of his home. He was bruised all over his body and seemed to be tortured a lot. Only faint breathing was left on his body.
The same day as Jack was hospitalized, the news of Shawn’s ( the person who Ava had taken hostage) disappearance reached our ears.
Serene ( sister of Rick and Shawn) was crying all day so I promised I will save her brother Shawn at any cost. Rick’s family was also deploying their men in search of Shawn.
And in addition, my sister Ria had a tumor and was soon going to be operated on by Rick as he was one of the best brain surgeons in Osmin ( the country where Roy and Rick reside). Rick told he couldn’t operate on Ria as he could turn emotional during the surgery. So, he had arranged an alternative best team for the surgery where he wouldn’t lead but assist others.
More to more, it hadn’t been two months since one another biggest incident had occurred within our family. It was the first time such incidents happened despite the tight security we had.
With all these, both my and Rick’s family was in chaos.
Both our family’s force and the police force of Grasal ( capital of Osmin) were deployed to find Shawn. Two days after his disappearance, the police found some clues and every clue lead to one person – Ava.
I couldn’t believe that silly and stupid admirer of mine would commit such a crime. I had thought, she was manipulated by others. The thing was only kept between the higher police officer, me, and Rick.
Our family only knew that Jack and Shawn were abducted by the same person. My maternal uncle and aunt ( Jack’s parents) had cried their crocodile tears in front of my mother. My mother demanded I bring the dead body of the person who hurt the family members.
I usually ignore my mother but as everyone in the family persuaded me, I had no choice but to act as their choice.
As sis Ria’s operation day was approaching, I suggested Rick concentrate on the surgery and leave other tasks to me. He and I were a buddy from our younger days.
The morning of the incident,
The police informed both Rick and me that, they had found Ava’s hideout. She fled along with Shawn to Yula mountain when they were trying to hunt and chase her.
Due to Ava’s participation in Shawn’s disappearance, Rick made a decision to tag along with me as the surgery was scheduled for a few days later. There was some sort of past interaction between Rick and Ava; I knew some but not clearly.
As the information reached us, both of us immediately rushed to Yula mountain while my assistant drove us there.
Ava was standing on top of the cliff, taking Shawn as a hostage while pointing a gun at his head. I had hoped she wouldn’t commit such a crime or be the prime suspect but she was in front of me holding a gun. I don’t know why but disappointment and anger filled me.
She was in such a sorry state that I wanted to rush by her side and hold her by my arm. I was shocked by my own thought. Why couldn’t the stupid her take care of herself?
Rick talked with the police officer and those who were surrounding the cliff backed out, leaving one officer with us.
After those people left, Ava was still clutching Shawn, but her eyes were expressing longing towards…maybe Rick or me or both, I couldn’t be sure of it.
Rick tried to plead with her to leave Shawn but she remained persistent in taking him down. I was quietly listening to their conversation, her words were adding fuel to my anger. My mind was out of control and I spoke in a harsh way. I only noticed later what had slipped out of my mouth.
I wasn’t trying to shoot but Rick misunderstood me. I didn’t try to correct him either. We both made a plan to rescue Shawn. As per our plan, Rick would distract Ava and I would find an opportunity to free Shawn from Ava’s grasp.
The later conversation between Rick and Ava shocked me to hell, I had never thought Rick to have a sharp tongue. Even I felt uncomfortable by his harsh word, why wouldn’t a girl who had been spending her childhood together with him not feel so? I don’t know if Rick spoke such words to distract her or was his real feeling.
I could see tears forming in her eyes as she wasn’t far from us. My heart was pierced by the tears in her eyes. I was again about to lose control of my emotions, but suddenly the phone in my pocket started to vibrate continuously.
I waited for a minute before deciding to pick up the phone with my other empty hand as one of my hands still has a gun. There were notifications of messages and some missed calls. All were from my family. I opened the last message I received. The message denoted Ria was admitted to the hospital due to anxiety and immediately should be operated on. I blamed myself for all the current circumstances. I was so anxious about the news that I didn’t notice when I pulled the trigger.
When Shawn rushed to us then only I noticed Ava was on the ground, pressing her left chest. The fabric she wore was stained with a patch of blood.
‘Did I…Did I really shoot her? Was the bullet pierced in her heart?’ I was truly frightened.
The thought of her death scared me to hell. People often called me cruel and inhumane. I had killed a few people with my own hand but never felt as scared as I was then…
