Pools of Blood

Chapter 4

 I first saw Alfred when I was twelve years old. He was admitted late in class after the first term exams. Good-looking, smart with brown eyes, he soon took over the popularity. We studied in Army School for boys. I had always been a shy and reserved boy. Although I was an orphan and I didn’t even remember their faces, but it never deterred me. I always stood ahead in line. But when Alfred came, he soon became my toughest challenger.

I still remember that day when we became friends. I was in the library studying for the yearly exams when Alfred came from behind and whispered, "Hey Michael! Wanna smoke?"

I was shocked.

-"Where did you get a cigarette?" I scolded him. "Alfred we are twelve years old. We are not supposed to smoke. What if someone finds out?"

-"Oh! Come on! Life should be full of fun. Make your life either a daring adventure or nothing at all. Rules suck by the way. Have a whiff."

His daring, impavid attitude impressed me and soon we were both taking turns smoking in the library under the table full of books. I liked his nonchalant attitude, his relaxed nature, and his always smiling face. With his entry into my life, I changed forever. I became more like him. We used to bunk classes together, pulled pranks on teachers, and had so much fun. In studies and sports, there was always a competition between us. We never allowed a third one to enter the game. Sometimes he got the first prize, sometimes I and with each medal, our bonds grew.

Every winter vacation, his parents used to invite me to spend time with them. I never felt like an outsider. His mom was the coolest woman anyone could imagine. She used to make the world’s best chocolate cookies. His dad who was an Army Officer used to play monopoly with us every evening. Life was so peaceful. Slowly They adopted me for real. I became one of them, a family member, a brother, and a son.

Alfred had a twin sister, Amiya Wang. She had brown eyes just like her brother, long golden hair, and a slender body. She looked like Goddess Aphrodite in sweat pants. From the very first time I met her, I fell in love. I was very young then, but the warmth I felt in my little heart on seeing her smile every time was like a blessing from above. In her smile, I could see something more beautiful than the stars.

I was afraid of divulging my secret to Alfred because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship nor the love between me and his family. Staying with Alfred’s family fulfilled my desire of having a home and being loved.

Slowly we got older and were admitted to the National College for young Cadets. Alfred was always the hot, young, and popular man and every girl swooned and fawned upon him.

-"Why don’t you get a girlfriend?" I asked him one day.

-" I don’t want any random girl. One day I will meet an angel who will brighten my world, sweep the earth under my feet, and would love me till the last day of my life. I would be the one swooning and fawning over her."

We both started laughing.

-" Michael. When are you going to propose to my sister?"

I was at a loss for words. How did he know? Seeing my puzzled sheepish look, he smiled and said," It's okay, dude. I have known it for a long time and so do my parents. We are all very happy about it. Nobody can love her more than you and moreover, she will be always in safe hands. Our friendship will turn into a relationship now."

I was ecstatic with joy. My happiness knew no bounds. My life looked as amazing as a fairy tale. There was nothing more I ever wanted.

Being a History freak, Amiya was sent to Italy to study History and Architecture. We left for Italy and there I proposed to her in front of the Pantheon. How happy we were! We drank, partied, and enjoyed it so much. Little did I know that that happiness would be so much short-lived and the Gods had planned a pitiable life ahead for me.

After our education, Alfred joined as CIA under Interpol and I cracked my civil service and assumed a post in the Police bureau. After a few years, I got married. That was a day that I cannot erase from my mind. Even after all these years, every night those beautiful laughs of my divine lady echoes in my mind. So many people came wearing their best dresses.  Amiya was looking like an angel in white. Her eyes were smiling with happiness. Alfred was my best man, elated for his best friend and his sister. Even our own “mad-eye-moody” Bo Chang attended the ceremony. How divine everything looked! Balloons, flowers, and wedding cake...

Then came the first blow from above.

It was after a year of our marriage. Amiya was working in a research institute and for a project, she had to go to Bali. Although it was only for two days, I should have accompanied her. But she denied my request. She has been just like her brother: adamant and fearless. On the day she arrived, it was already nighttime. After getting fresh in her hotel room, she went out to the beach for a stroll. We were chatting happily on the phone. Suddenly I heard a hustle. There was somebody who was threatening Amiya.  I couldn’t hear properly. Then she shrieked loudly and there was a gunshot. The phone clattered on the brick-paved road and her voice died forever.

I was stunned. I didn’t remember how long I stood holding the phone to my ears. My blood ran cold and the next thing I remembered was flying to Bali with a crying Alfred. I was angry. I was so much angry with myself for letting her go alone, for letting her face death. It was all my fault.  Her eyes were cold and lifeless and she no longer radiated the warmth which kept me alive. On investigating we found out that, there was a man who demanded money and jewels from her at gunpoint. Even after snatching everything, he couldn’t resist the urge to shoot. That psychopath was arrested by the local police within a few hours of the incident. Amiya’s parents demanded a trial in our country’s apex court and he was given life imprisonment.

Alfred never blamed me for her death, but I knew, things were not the same anymore. Her death made me cold and violent. My anger started to dominate and I became “encounter Specialist Michael”. I became merciless and mad. The more I saw her parents’ painful glances, the more I saw Alfred’s drooping head, the more I blamed myself. It was my duty to protect my wife. I had promised Alfred that I would take care of her. I failed.  My heart died within. I became so numb that I could neither cry nor feel the pain.

After that, whenever Alfred called me, I started to avoid it. I never picked up his calls nor replied to his messages. I couldn’t bring myself up to meet his eyes. Same brown eyes like his sister.  I was ashamed of not being able to keep my promise. I heard from his mother two years back that at last, he was in love. He had found someone who had filled the empty void of his heart, who had filled the absence of Amiya in the lives of those three with happiness and love. His mother insisted I meet the girl. But I never went. I was happy for Alfred but I was still at the same spot where Amiya had left me.

A sudden knock on the door, pulled me back from my thoughts. Angela peeped in.

" Michael, Mark with his team has checked the footage.  We have found a body near a closed run-down factory outside the city. Will you come?"