HEALING FROM YOU

CHAPTER 1

Gary Kingsley was a single parent and a proud one. Most of the men would have cursed their fate for placing them in such a situation, but Gary wouldn’t. And everyone who knows him will admit it, too. Despite being just twenty-seven, he hadn’t been with any woman since his wife died in an accident caused by a drunken truck driver. It’s not because he is a poor-looking guy or anything, but solely because of his preference. In fact, with the height of a basketball player and the body of an athlete, Gary still has teenagers and ladies throwing themselves at him. But he had his centre of the universe right there with him, and the rest of the world was just a blur.

Gary’s son Advik was five when his mother passed away and the little boy understood little when his mom was placed in a box and devoured by the earth. He nonchalantly watched his father crying and clutching him to his chest, chanting ‘Don’t leave me’. It was only after the excitement of his friends leaving, once the funeral was over, and coming to an empty house where his mother’s chirpy voice was absent, did he notice that something was not right. Little Addy ran from room to room in search of his mother and finally ended up weeping on the floor when he couldn’t find her.

Gary’s heart ached as he saw his kid lying on the floor, crying out for his mother, and he burst into tears, realising they were alone in the world. Advik was merely a child who needed his mother more than Gary did. Nothing will ever be perfect again. Their perfect world has been shattered.

Both father and son were crushed by the loss of the one person who cared deeply for them. Advik and Gary became so close after the tragedy that they were nearly inseparable. Eight months later, their lives had settled into a rhythm that they were both comfortable with. Gary never missed any of his son’s school events, and he never forgot to read him bedtime stories as his mother did. As a result, Advik quickly pushed his mother's image to the back of his mind and regarded Gary as his life. Even though Gary did everything his wife did, not a single day went by without both of them thinking about the lovely woman at least a million times.

That day, everything began off the same. Gary was wearing the uniform of a Fire and Safety Rescue, while Advik was dressed in his adorable baby blue shirt and black pants. It was a no-school day for him and Gary decided to take the kid to his workplace instead of the day care center he usually visits. The job was difficult and time-consuming, but it earned enough to pay their expenses and send Addy to a good school. Also, Gary had a natural instinct to help people in need, and he always aspired to work in a field linked to social service.

Advik never complained when his father would ask him to spend an extra couple of hours with the day care centre lady or when Gary would disappear in the middle of the night, leaving him with Aunt Elise. He knew his dad was a superman and needed to rescue the world. So he would wait patiently for his return, usually covered in grime, but always with a sweet smile and a tub of ice cream.

“Daddy, can I press the beep beep in your truck?”

Advik asked as he chewed his cereal, spilling some of it on his napkin during the process. Gary smiled at his son’s cuteness.

“You are old enough to name the ‘beep beep’ Addy.”

He watched his son swallowing his food and shaking his head at the same time.

“But honk is a big word.”

Addy whined, not liking to use grown-up vocabulary.

“Its smaller than ‘beep beep’.”

His father tried reasoning, though he secretly loved his son, giving different names to almost everything. But he also didn’t want him to sound too spoiled.

“Fine. Can I press the honk, Dad?”

Advik groaned the first part, but soon was brought back to his cheerful self.

“No young man, you know my senior won’t allow it.”

Gary was polishing his shoes, but could feel the growing smile on his son’s lips.

“Uncle Isaac will allow me. He loves me.”

Advik said as a matter of fact, and it was true. He was loved by everyone. He was that type of child who attracts everyone’s attention. With his mom’s emerald green eyes and dad’s strawberry blond hair, Addy was every parent’s dream. His character, too, was pure gold. He behaved well to others and was never arrogant. Addy made his father proud of him, and Gary always took his son everywhere he went, like a trophy. Sometimes they would be mistaken as brothers, and Addy constantly enjoyed the part where he had to correct the other party and see surprise clear in their faces. If Gary was a proud father, it was nothing compared to what his son felt. He adored his dad and considered him to be an idol.

“They are pampering you too much.”

Gary shook his head as Addy’s mouth formed a beautiful grin, well aware that he had won the conversation. Gary, seeing the clock with wide eyes, washed his son’s mouth in a hurry yet in a caring way, and brushed his hair one more time before rushing to the garage. Even though his boss was accommodating with his working hours, he was insistent about being on time. Taking advantage of others was one of Gary’s pet peeves. He would always do his best not to bother them unless absolutely necessary.

Gary carefully removed the plastic cover that had surrounded his automobile. He adored his old model Mustang, which was matte black with silver lighting. It was a gift from his father, George, whom he admired but had to leave since his and Prana’s inter-cast marriage wreaked havoc on both of their families.

What pulled Gary to Prana were her beautiful green eyes, which were a rare combination in her country. When Gary visited India the second time, as a part of his training, he never knew he would meet the love of his life in the rural countryside of the nation, but that was exactly what happened. Prana was the third daughter of the village head, and they met occasionally as her father invited the group for dinner. The Fire and Rescue team usually conducts such training programmes to widen the capacity of students. The first trip was to Tamil Nadu, and Gary loved their food and culture. He could clearly see the importance the native people gave to relationships, and he was also mesmerized with the intricate architecture which even the greatest of engineers found impossible.

So, when a second trip was suggested, Gary was the first to register his name. Sightseeing and tasting that delicious food were the only things Gary had in mind while boarding the flight. The trip to Nako, Himachal Pradesh, was hectic, but he loved every minute of it. The village was on the India - China border and the place was heavenly to see. With lakes and mountain ranges, Gary felt peace settling on him. The natives were eager to welcome their guests and their leader was a dhoti-clad man with a walking stick in his hand, though Gary doubted if he actually needed that. The guide communicated with the people, and they were given a bamboo house with all the necessities.

That evening, the village head held a welcoming party and everyone gathered around the fire. At first he thought he imagined those green eyes, but found himself staring at them with admiration. His colleague nudged him to stop gawking at the girl because it was considered inappropriate, and Gary immediately looked down. But he heard a chuckle and lifted his head to see the owner of those beautiful forest green orbs, offering him a plate of chickpeas and rice. He managed a thank you, and she smiled in return.

Gary tossed and turned on his improvised bed that night, but nothing could take his thoughts away from the memory of those eyes. She may not appear to be particularly attractive to others, but Gary had a different opinion. He’d never seen a more tranquil face, and her smile could make him weak in the knees. He didn’t see the girl for the following two days, since the party went hiking and spent the night in the mountains. Gary was surrounded by greenery, yet he desired to be absorbed in those specific green orbs. Gary went out exploring the next day while his colleagues chose to stay at home.

After a few yards into the forest, he sensed being followed. Gary took several turns to confirm his theory before diving behind a large tree and making himself invisible to the thing that was behind him. He saw a shade of purple moving to his right and immediately pulled it down, positioning himself over the stalker. Wide green eyes stared at him, and for a minute he forgot he was on top of her. Gary could feel the warmth radiating from her and her labored breath fanned his face.

Only when a distant bird chirped did they realize their position. Gary got up from her in an instant and helped her to her feet. He was about to apologize when a small boy came into the vicinity and shouted something at the girl. She nodded her head and followed the boy after throwing a brief glance at the stunned foreigner.

Gary was sure that the people were going to kick him out of the village for manhandling a woman. He walked into a meeting and felt suffocated when everyone turned to face him. The guide was with the others in their temporary house, so there was no one to translate how sorry he was. The head motioned his hand at Gary, gesturing him to join the group. The older man said something, but Gary did not understand a thing and sat on the raised ground with a nervous expression. The man then called out for someone and a familiar purple dress emerged from the nearby house. Now he was certain that the girl had told the others about his misbehavior.

But to his surprise, the head motioned him to follow the girl, who remained looking down. Gary got up from his seat awkwardly and slowly made his way. She did not wait for him, but kept on walking without even turning back. Gary followed like a lost puppy till they reached the river. The current was slow, and the girl walked through the water, not even caring that her dress was getting drenched. Finally, after reaching a large rock in the middle of the river, she climbed it and sat there, looking at him amusingly. The rock could barely fit two people, which meant he had to sit very close to the girl. She didn’t seem to mind it and even moved a little to the edge to make space for him. Taking it as an invitation, Gary placed himself near her. They didn’t talk about anything and there was no need to because the view from there was breathtaking. The river surrounded them and Gary could see the mountains ahead, the clouds hiding their peeks.

“Beautiful. Isn’t it?”

Gary was so focused on the environment that he totally ignored the soothing voice.

“I have never seen anything like this before.”

He was in awe, and suddenly his brain started functioning again.

“You… You talked to me… You just talked to me…”

Gary knew he sounded like an i***t, but this was a shock to him. The girl laughed and nodded her head, making the silver ornaments on her forehead jiggle.

“I know English.”

She said in her own Indian accent, which Gary found cute. He had heard his colleagues mocking the natives who speak broken English, but Gary was never one among them. He knew English was not the symbol of knowledge but just a common medium of communication. If someone doesn’t speak it fluently, it just means that person knows another language.

“How do you know?”

He asked, craving to hear that melodious voice again.

“My father sent me to school in the city.” She was proud of it. He could understand it from her tone.

“So, you are the only educated person here?”

“No. My brother is. He went to college. But will come back after his graduation.”

“What is your age?”

“Soon I'm going to be nineteen. And I will leave for college in Ahmedabad. It’s a big city. I always wanted to see places.”

She had that dreamy look in her eyes, and Gary knew he was in trouble.

“I thought you people married at a very young age.”

Gary was irrationally interested in her whereabouts and he waited for her to point that out, but she just smiled at him and continued talking.

“My father wants me to fulfill my dreams. He told me to do what my mind says.”

“He is a great man. I think I should meet him.”

“Oh, you have met him. He is the village head.”

Gary almost lost his balance.

“You are the leader’s daughter?”

He asked, bewildered. He attacked the chief man’s daughter.

“Look, I am sorry for hurting you back then. I thought it was a stalker or something.”

But he would do it again, just to feel that warmth and to see those beautiful eyes so close.

“You shouldn’t be sorry if you don’t mean it.”

She literally winked at him and jumped from the rock, making her way towards the village. Gary sat there puzzled, but soon excitement coursed through his body.

“What is your name?”

He shouted at the retreating figure.

“Prana.”

She shouted back without facing him.

On the returning day, Gary had Prana with him with the consent of her parents, but gained a lot of opposition from the village people. Her father was removed from the title as a head and banished from the region. Despite the shameful acts played on them, her parents were adamant about giving their daughter the life she wanted. Knowing very well that she would never see her parents again, she trusted Gary and hoped she could live in the world he was introducing her to.

Unlike Prana’s parents, Gary’s family did not accept them. George was adamant that it was his family or the Indian girl who leered his only son into her trap like a siren. Prana was almost sure about Gary leaving her, a woman without a single penny, for the riches his father held. But astonishing himself, Gary held his head high while gripping the hand of Prana, leaving his house forever. And thus he made his choice, a choice that he never regretted.

Gary took up a full-time job and started to learn her language, though Prana was now fluent in English. His friends supported him and she was living the life she dreamed of. They fought for little things and would give each other silent treatment, but by the end of the day, Gary had his hands wrapped around his wife’s petite body. Gary took her to places and even enrolled her into online courses after realizing her interest in history.

They lived with each other for almost six months when Prana informed her husband about the new member’s arrival. Advik brought the joy they had never experienced in their lives and Gary was excited to the core when the little boy’s eyes sparkled green, and his complexion was of Indian white with Gary’s hair. What could make him more perfect? They were a family everyone would be jealous of and yet wish them all happiness for the kindness they showed to others.

But everything ended on the day Prana went alone to buy groceries from the nearby store. The truck driver said he didn’t remember seeing a woman passing, but his slurry words confirmed to the police that it was indeed a manslaughter. Gary couldn’t even recognize his once beautiful wife, who was then covered in blood. That was eight months ago. Now their life has fallen into a normal pace. Although Gary missed his wife every single second, he sunk his sadness by loving his son more and more.

As Gary parked his car in front of the double-storied building that was painted in a mixed color of red and white, he unbuckled Addy’s seat belt and both of them headed towards the front door. The scene ahead was the same as before. The front room held the reception, and the chair behind the table was occupied by Aunt Elise. She had become somewhat like a grandma figure to Addy, and she spoiled him with all kinds of sweets and chocolates. In fact, this building was his second home, everyone there was his family.

“Hey Addy baby… didn’t know you would come today.”

Elise said while picking up the little boy in adoration and placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Daddy said I could spend the day here.”

Addy was smiling sheepishly, and it melted Elise’s heart. What was God thinking while making this poor boy motherless?

“Well, thanks to the best dad you have got here.”

Gary and Advik both gave their similar ear-splitting smiles to Elise, which almost made her cry. God was really cruel. Cami had a great day with all the people he considered as his uncles and aunts until an emergency came.

A house was on fire, and five people were trapped inside. Gary and the others rushed to the fire truck after quickly assembling every essential gadget they needed. Before entering the vehicle, Gary leaned down to kiss his son’s cheeks one last time and promised to get him an ice cream when he returned. Wailing the siren, he gave one last look at the waiving Advik and turned towards the direction where his job awaited.

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