Pools of Blood

Chapter 7

I went to the hospital with a paved breathe. I would be meeting her parents after a span of a year or more. The last time they came to my house was on her first death anniversary. It was during that time I heard about Alfred’s life after marriage. But never had I showed any inquisitiveness on the issue. He was happy, trying to fill the space that his sister had created, that was enough for me. I was too deeply immersed in my own trauma. At that he was posted at France for a case, or else he too would have shown up with his parents at my doorstep.

They were waiting for me outside Jasmine’s cabin. They looked the same as a year back. But more careworn, more drained. Mom was crying silently, dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief. Dad looked forlorn and silent. Alfred was his pride and now he was gone. They looked as if they had surrendered themselves to fate. The loss of both children had taken a toll upon them.

"Mom," I came forward and touched her shoulder.

-"Michael, my son. You came". She clasped me and hugged me tightly and started crying. I hugged her back, closed my eyes, and caressed her hair. She had still called me her son. Like old times. That’s all I wanted to hear. Slowly and slowly, her breathing became normal and she stopped crying. Although she wasn’t my biological mom, she was all that I ever have. When I was young before I met Alfred, I used to wonder why fate took my real parents away. But the love, the sincerity I received from the Wang family, dampened my grief about my real parents. These two were the kindest souls in the world.

" Michael, we came as fast as we could," Dad spoke. His voice quavered with grief.

I nodded.

" I can't bear to see the state Jasmine is in. I don’t know how long that poor girl has before-

-"No. Dad no, nothing would happen to her. Don’t say that. We have already lost the two most important people in our lives. We can’t afford to lose anyone else."

Mom sniffed her nose and looked at me. Her eyes, same brown eyes, like her children were full of pain and reflected like a mirror whose soul was cracked.

" She will pull through. I know Jasmine is a very strong girl. She will pull through ".

" Let me drive you to my place and then I will return and talk to her".

They agreed.

I couldn’t let them stay alone in Jasmine’s place in Busan, which was far away. They were my responsibility. Alfred would have done the same thing with my parents. Later, after the funeral, I would ask them to stay with me forever. In that way, we would help each other to survive. They needed me and I needed them.

Throughout the journey, they remained quiet. Sometimes a trickle of a tear slid down from mom’s cheek and fell on her lap. My house was at the end of the city, surrounded by hills and a beautiful lake, just the way Amiya wanted. Even after her death, I couldn’t bear to leave my sanctorium. 

The house was all that I had of hers. Her dresses in the cupboard, her shoes in the cabinet, her make up items, her books were all kept the way it was before. I couldn’t bear to throw them away. I know, I should move on in life and stop being a Miss Havisham. But I simply couldn’t. Maybe  I needed a pull. That’s why I wanted her parents to stay with me. Their putting up with me would help me to come out of the well of grief which I alone, could never be able to do.

We reached home. My house had been a mess for the last couple of days. Liquor bottles were lying scattered, a stinking smell from the kitchen and everything looked soiled and dirty. But mom and dad didn’t mind. They had always loved me unconditionally, without ever poking me about being dirty or drunk. They had always trusted me that I would never disgrace the family. I had kept my promise.

" Michael," she said," you must go and meet Jasmine. She was awake when we were there and she was expecting to meet you. It's time you should know what had exactly happened that night with them."

-" Yes, mom. I am leaving", then I bowed my head and sheepishly said," I am sorry for the messy house. I will clean it after I return, I promise"

She nodded and I left them standing on the porch. I returned to the hospital where Jasmine was lying in a fowler’s position on the bed.

" How are you feeling?"

-"Physically, a bit better. The pain has subsided a little due to excessive sedatives. But mentally, all the same".

I nodded. I knew better how it felt like to lose someone. It would take years for her to cope up. Her heart would heal, but the stains of injury will forever pervade.

"Michael, tomorrow is his funeral. I will go and attend it."

-‘ You can’t. You can’t even sit up properly. How will you go?"

-‘Please help me to go and see him one last time."

Her face contorted with pain and was on the verge of tears. I couldn’t argue with a woman who had just lost her husband. But her life was my priority.

" Jasmine, the criminals are still outside. You are being kept here 24 hour surveillance. If you leave, in this condition, you would be an easy target to finish. If anything happens to you, Alfred’s death would be for nothing. We don’t even know who they are? I am sorry, I can't take you to his funeral"

Jasmine hung her head and silently shed tears.

"Michael. I know who they are."

-"who?"

-" They are the ones who had killed Amiya. It was a pre-planned murder, not an accidental robbery".