HEALING FROM YOU

CHAPTER 6

"You look fantabulous!"

Said Bryan as he studied his sister in delight. He never thought he would see his little sister in anything other than black, ever. He actually thanked God when Ben called him to tell the news. Bryan then dialled Aiden, and they decided to take the day off to see their sister starting a new life and to support her in person. To anyone outside, they may seem like a dramatic family, but he doesn't care. It was not the spectators that had to live with a tormented sister who can't even stand on her own and worse; she had two brothers who felt helpless and angry.

"I told you dumb head that she would break so many hearts in the future."

Tareen was literally a part of the family, and not just because she happened to be Aidan's wife. She was a migrated Afghan and was so pretty. Avi loved to lock themselves in the room and give a makeover to her. She always looked stunning and can easily put highly paid models to shame. The highlight was that she didn't even try to and yet managed to look so serene.

"Kids... They have to be at the airport in half an hour."

David yelled over the loud chattering, but all he received was a harsh kick by his wife. Marg was ecstatic to see her children after a long time felt proud with the way they have raised them.

"Ben, go get your backpack." Said Avi, and he was accompanied by Bryan. They haven't seen each other for the last seven months and had a lot to catch up.

"OMG... you forgot your peepees."

Without even giving Avi time to sink the words, Tareen dragged her to the spare room.

"What peepees?"

"Forget it. I just wanted to talk to you alone."

The sudden seriousness on her sister-in-law's face caught her off guard.

"You do not know how happy I am right now. You have been punishing yourself for the past twelve years for something you didn't do. He lost his father. True. But it was that man's choice. He chose to save you."

Tareen's eyes welled up and Avi could see the love she have for her dancing in them.

"You deserve to be happy, dear, more than you think. I have no idea what that guy has in mind and we all are scared about that but..."

Pausing her sentence, Tareen opened her handbag and dug her hand inside to retrieve a black pouch.

"Open it."

Avi looked skeptically at the pouch and took it from the offering hands. She opened it to find a polished black tactical folding knife. She felt badass by just holding it.

"What should I do with it?" Avi asked, not taking her eyes away from the beauty. It must have caused several dollars.

"I really hope no such situations arise where you have to use it. But if necessary, don't hold yourself. Understand."

Avi was about to decline the gift but thought better of it. She was going away from her family, with only Ben to look after her, and 'He' might be there. The idea of having a pocket knife suddenly didn't feel so foolish to her.

"Thank you."

"You are a strong girl. Realize your own potential and give importance to yourself, then the rest will fall into it's places."

....….

"You got everything right?"

David asked once again as he walked back from talking to Avi's teacher. He handed her a credit card and asked Ben and her to treat themselves.

Avi knew they were not rich but a middle class family and that if she spends like her father suggested, David would have to work extra and cut down on his monthly expenditures. But still he said nothing and encouraged her to buy whatever she wants. She just smiled and hugged him tight.

"Be careful, dear."

David said squeezing her and repeated the gesture to Ben before leaving.

"Damn cupcake... I thought you were someone else." Zach said loudly, attracting more attention than they already received.

People were eyeing Avi in a novel way, and she could even recognize some surprised faces. Even Ben's friends, with whom she hasn't even talked much, were looking at her with interest. She knew that she was not so breathtakingly beautiful or enchanting. In fact, the passersby were not even giving her a second glance, but her colleagues openly stared at her as if she was an alien.

"When did you get redemption from the black hoodie monster?" Zack continued jesting, which made Avi laugh.

"You think so highly of me. Don't you?"

Zach smiled back at her with admiration. Ben might be her secret keep, but Avi was a close friend to him. She was the one who encouraged him to come out of the closet and has been with him through the darkest of times. Seeing her laugh like a carefree person made him happy.

"Okay everyone, your tickets are ready and it will be a seven-hour flight. Some of the students have not made it yet, and they are not picking up their phones. So we are departing without them."

The teacher's words brought both joy and disappointment to Avi. The students she mentioned were AK and his friends, as the rest were all here.

"I think I am starting to get the travel mood."

Smirked Ben while slinging his right hand over Avi's shoulder. He was relieved that the moron was not showing up. He could actually enjoy the trip without having to worry about what he will do to his best friend. Ben looked at Avi, expecting to see the delight in her face, but was confused when he found her staring on the floor with a neutral face. Was she not relieved? Before he could ask her, the teacher asked everyone to report at the gate and he decided to leave the topic for now.

The airport employees arranged their papers and everyone started to get excited. Some even cheered when their gate was open and a big bus awaited to transport them to the flight.

Ben noticed a few of his friends trying to make small conversations with Avi. He wouldn't blame them though. She looked beautiful in that attire which stressed her curves. The black hoodie hid those features well before, but now it was all on display.

He also saw his friend Eito eyeing her, trying to get her attention. If Ben would allow anyone from his group to hit on Avi, it will be him.

Eito was a Japanese and was so loyal to his girlfriend until he found her cheating him with some random guy. He remained single from then, and Ben knows he would never hurt Avi intentionally. Ben formulated plans to hook them together and smiled evilly. His best friend would no longer be single after this trip.

Outside the flight, students started climbing the steel stair and Avi was in the middle when a small bus pulled up. Her eyes widened seeing the so called delayed students getting out of the bus. Jason was the first, followed by the glorious five. The last was AK and the first person that caught his eye was Avi.

He looked at her indifferently but did not move his sight. There was no anger, no turmoil, no nothing. His face was void of any emotion and scared Avi to no extent. He knew she was coming and he had a plan.

...........................