the invisible villain

Brothers

Louie had come in the evening, like he had every evening in the last three weeks. Only tonight, he stayed until closing hour. He wished Welma goodnight as she left. And then, an hour later, pulled Abe aside after they closed Cafe.

“I’ll see you at home,” Alex said, and walked away, leaving Abe a teasing grin.

The two boys crossed the street. Began walking the trail alongside the lake. There weren’t many others at this time. Justine was running. She didn’t stop or slow down as she passed by the boys. Didn’t even give them a look in greeting. She was serious about her daily workout, which was all she told anyone who asked. Abe didn’t. And maybe that was a factor.

The Grays were out walking, very slowly. They were both in their sixties. The seventh villa was like their retirement home and honeymoon destination rolled into one. They were married on the seventh, which was why they bought the seventh villa. They had taken care of all their responsibilities. They wanted to live the last of their days in peace and in happiness. Thus, the lakeside. They were healthy, almost unusually so for someone their age. And they attributed that to their diet and the daily walks after every meal. They beamed at the boys and went along their walk.

Finally, when they were by themselves, Louie opened his mouth.

“Can you be honest with me?”

“Yeah,” Abe said.

“Do you like Welma?”

Abe was stunned. A whole minute. And in that minute of silence, Louie heard all the worst possible answers in his head.

“No,” Abe said in the end, strongly. “Absolutely not.”

Louie let out the breath he held for so long. And let the smile break out on his face.

“Thank you,” Louie said. “Really. Thank you so very much.”

“Because you like her?” Abe said.

“Yeah,” Louie said.

“You’ve got a long and hard road ahead of you Louie,” Abe said sympathetically.

“As long as I’m not competing with you, I’ve got a chance,” Louie said. “You’re the one she likes most out of all.”

“It’s not like that,” Abe said.

“Yeah,” Louie said.

And they had a good laugh. Stopping only as Justine came over.

*

“They ganged up on me right after classes ended,” Welma said. “Wouldn’t let me go without giving them answers.”

“Sorry,” Louie apologised. “They wanted to meet. We have our presentation in a week. We needed to prepare. I said it might be difficult because Welma had to work. They asked where. I told them. They asked how I knew. And I sort of told them you were my friend too, and that I’m a regular at Cafe. And then, here we are.”

Abe held his head. He could feel the ache coming on. Lumbering over toward him without pause or break. And it all started fifteen minutes ago.

Welma had’t come to his classroom in the afternoon like she did everyday. He thought her classes must not yet be over. He texted her.

“Will you be late?”

She replied almost immediately.

“You go ahead. I’ll be late. Can you let Alex know, please? Sorry. And thank you.”

He laughed. That was so like her. He said his byes to his friends, and drove home. As she said, Welma showed up thirty minutes after him. And she didn’t come alone. The four member team had come together, two wearing embarrassment, third with a quiet smile, and the last looking ready for war. And all of their attention was focussed on Abe.

Having heard the excuses, Abe went to the table Lydia and Baron were sitting at.

“Hi Baron,” Abe greeted cheerfully.

“Hi Abe. I thought we agreed to walk separate,” Baron said.

“We did. And yet here we are,” Abe said. Then, looking at Lydia, he continued. “So, Lydia. Let’s talk.”

“I don’t like you,” Lydia said honestly.

“I know,” Abe said, seeming unaffected. “I have no such dislike for you. Now that we’ve expressed our feelings, let’s move on?”

There was the faintest smile on Lydia’s face.

“Tell me why you didn’t want to be in our team?” She asked.

“Didn’t it work out better than fine?” Abe said. “Isn’t Louie everything you wanted?”

“Yes. He is. But I want to know why you said no,” Lydia pressed. “First, you say no, because of Welma, obviously. Then, the two of you are such great friends. She’s even working at your Cafe. What is this?”

Abe sighed sorrowfully.

“Do you think this is what I wanted?” He lamented. “I ran away. And I tried to stay away. I just couldn’t have my way. So I stopped fighting. Waved the white flag of surrender.”

Lydia and Baron were amused. And from the look on her face, Lydia’s anger seemed spent too.

“Alright,” she said. “So, there’s four of us. And there are three chairs at a table. Can we move one?”

“Might I make a better suggestion?” Abe said.

Lydia nodded. And Abe continued.

“How about a better place? Louie’s balcony has a fantastic view of the lake, much better than here, I concede. And it’s only a short walk. A few doors down. How about you sit there? I can personally deliver your order. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good,” Baron said.

“You’re trying to set them up?” Lydia asked.

Abe didn’t act confused or innocent.

“He likes her,” Abe said.

“Yeah. Anyone can see that,” Lydia said.

“Except her.”

“Like someone else, probably.”

“Who do you mean?”

“Nah. It’s more fun this way. Want help?”

“You’ll be sitting together. Spending a lot more time together. You’re a team. I push from here. You push from there. We can stick them together.”

Baron looked at the two who were like enemies until a minute ago, now conspiring so affectionately, and smiled. Then, he looked at the other two. And smiled wider. ‘Yeah,’ he thought, ‘those two do look good together.’ But he wasn’t sure it was going to be that easy.

Welma was given a paid leave until after the competition. First place in the competition was a cash prize that was comparable to the fame of victory. It would certainly look great on her resume. And that was something everyone wanted for her.

The four of them gave their orders, and left for Louie’s house. And Abe delivered the food as promised. He brought his camera along, the tiny point-and-shoot camera, with which he snapped a photograph of the four of them on the balcony with their books and their laptops open, and the food sitting in the middle. Back at Cafe, he showed everyone the photograph, and they all gushed over it. They were all very happy for Welma. And then, they all looked at Abe, which confused him.

*

Welma was missed during the week she was away. Abe confessed readily that he was no different. But he couldn’t understand, however hard he tried, why that earned him strange looks.

“What?” He asked. “What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

April and Emily shook their heads, without making the smallest effort at hiding the smiles. Alex put her arm around him and pulled him close.

“Don’t you worry about it,” she said. “Doesn’t matter. If it was anything important, you think I wouldn’t tell you already?”

“You would have,” Abe said, leaning into her. “It’s just weird. That’s all.”

“That it is. That it most certainly is.”

“You think it’s going to be okay?”

“What’s not going to be okay?”

“Welma. She’s the first love. The girl that stains August’s hand red. In the novel.”

“Yeah. You were avoiding her so vehemently. And yet she wound up here. And you’re now friends, aren’t you? It’s going to be okay.”

“And if it isn’t? I mean, we tried so hard, and yet she’s here. What if they show up too?”

“They?”

“The protagonists. My brothers.”

“If they do, then they do. We’ll figure it out together. Don’t you worry yourself too much.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“We’ve long since passed the stage where thanks is needed. I love you now.”

“I love you too.”

“And wouldn’t we do anything for those we love?”

“Absolutely anything.”

“Exactly. We’ll be fine.”

“Better than fine.”

“Absolutely fantastic.”

“Absolutely fantastic.”

They were family now. And it was more than just the two of them. They hugged harder, and beamed. It wasn’t very long when April and Emily joined in too, and the four of them were hugging. Willy walked in just then.

“Are we prepping before a run or something?” He asked.

And everyone burst out laughing.

*

The morning of the competition, Welma showed up just as Abe opened the doors of Cafe. And behind her were the other three.

“Today’s the day,” Welma said, excited and nervous in equal measure. “Wish us luck. I’m sure we’ll do great then.”

Abe laughed. Took the hand Welma offered. Pressed it gently, as he shook it.

“I wish you luck,” he said, to Welma first, and then the others. “I’m sure you’ll do great. I’ll let you in on a secret. I can see bits of the future. And I’ve seen that you’re victorious. And you’re so very excited, and happy, and all things nice. So, don’t you worry. Don’t you be nervous. Just tell yourself, you’ve already won. And you’ll do your very best. We’ll celebrate after.”

All four thanked him. Welma smiled wider than she ever had. And they were off in Louie’s car. And Abe went about his day as usual.

“Today’s the day, isn’t it,” April asked as she came in. “It didn’t occur to me until just now. What competition? Wasn’t that the academic project?”

“Yes it is,” Abe explained. “It also fits in well with the requirements of a competition being held by the economics forum sponsored by the city. So, Lydia decided they should enter. They cleared the preliminaries, and made it to the finals. That’s today. They’re one of fifteen teams presenting today to the forum. It’ll be big when they win.”

“When?”

“Yes. When.”

A little after six, Cafe was having a busy evening, when the four of them burst in. Louie was the loudest, as all four screamed together.

“We won!”

Everyone cheered for them. And Louie went on.

“First place. We were so good. Welma was so good. She was the lead presenter. And when they started asking questions, Lydia and Baron shut them. You should have seen their faces. There was shock, disbelief, amazement, and so much more. We were amazing. And we won! I’m telling everyone.”

And with that, Louie ran out, to tell everyone on the lakeside about how amazing they were and that they won. Lydia and Baron leaned against a wall, looking tired but happy. And Welma came over to Abe. Took his hand. Pressed it gently. And beamed at him.

“It was exactly as you said. I knew we won. So I was so calm. It was so much easier than when we practiced. The words just flew out. And I said everything right. And then, Lydia and Baron were so bright, dazzling like stars. Every question, they answered so easily. Not only did we win the prize, there were some who were interested in us expanding the scope of the project. Make a real life model, that could be implemented by their businesses. And we agreed. It’s all so good. Thank you. It’s all because of you.”

“What do you mean because of me?” Abe said, blushing. “I did nothing. It was all you. Don’t sell yourself short.”

Welma nodded.

“Yes. I won’t sell myself short. Thank you. So much. Still. For everything. Now, I’ll get to work. I’m so excited, and so happy, I’m full of energy. I need to work.”

Alex didn’t argue. She hugged Welma, congratulated her, as well as the other two, and got her working. The first order was to prepare a drink for Lydia and Baron, something to lift their tired spirits, inject them with some energy. They needed it, because tonight they were celebrating.

By 8:30 pm, all customers had left. April was staying back tonight. She would never miss a party. And she had spread the word, so others showed up as well. Emily, Willy, Michael, Ludwig, and Tim. There was wine. Diluted for the kids. And beer, for April. Which she promised to secretly allow Abe a taste of. And immediately after receiving a slap on the back of her head from Emily. They ordered pizza. The tables were pushed together. Cafe was redecorated. And by 9:00 pm, the party had begun. The business lights, which was the name they came up with for the white lamps that were turned everyday in business hours, were dimmed. The party lights, which were the red and the blue and the green lamps that came on only during parties painting Cafe in a dazzle of colour, were switched on. April, Emily and Louie took over the music. The speakers were hidden perfectly on the ceiling and in the walls, so it seemed like the walls were singing. And such was the scene that the lake seemed to be in the party.

Lydia was nestled in Baron’s arms. The both of them were so comfortable with their feelings for so long that they couldn’t be embarrassed. In fact those teasing them felt embarrassed instead. And tonight, that glory belonged to Michael and Tim. And Ludwig and Alex were perfectly happy laughing at Michael and Tim. Abe was kind enough to not laugh out loud. And Welma was smiling. And because it was her night, no one had the heart to tease her.

They partied well into the night. At the end of the party, all of them were drunk or tired or both. All of them made themselves perfectly comfortable on the floor and on the tables. Louie and Welma were the only two that were awake. They were surprised to see Abe asleep between April and Alex. April had managed to give him beer under the watchful eyes of Emily and Alex. That was some feat. Just as rare was witnessing Abe letting go.

“I’ve only ever seen him like this once,” Louie said. “April told me it’s not actually that rare. Just that he only lets go when he’s with people he considers close. I guess that’s something.”

The two of them were sitting on the counter. Welma smiled, not taking her eyes away from Abe’s sleeping face. And so she didn’t notice the pampering gaze in Louie’s eyes.

“I’m going home,” Louie said. “I can’t sleep in any bed but mine. You want to take the guest room? I promise, there’s no nasty stuff in there. It’s clean and comfy.”

“Thanks,” Welma said. “But someone needs to watch over this lot.”

She looked at everybody asleep. Louie nodded.

“I’ll stay then,” he said. “Keep you company.”

“No, that’s okay. You should go. Sleep.”

“You think I’ll be able to, knowing you’re up awake here? I’ll just take the day off tomorrow. Sleep all day and all night.”

She smiled. And didn’t refuse.

They were tired too. They made themselves comfortable, on the ground, backs against the counter. They didn’t talk. They just sat, looking at the people inside, the lake outside, and the slowly ageing night.

Alex and April were the first to wake, just as the sky started to lighten. They sent Louie and Welma to bed, Louie to his bed and Welma to Louie’s guest room. And they took over, preparing coffee and tea for everyone as they all woke by one by one. Everyone was taking the day off. And no one had any complaints.

*

A week after the party, the four of them were accustomed to the new normal. The victory made them popular. Professors took notice. The departments took notice. Other students looked upon them with enquiry and curiosity and envy and more. Lydia and Baron had become regulars at Cafe. They were getting to know the others as well. And the team of four had embraced Abe as one of them.

Louie had made a habit of carpooling with Abe to and from college. The boys sat in the front. And Welma sat in the back on the way back. Abe was surprised by their absence today. Neither said anything about being late or having other appointments. Which meant they should be here. Abe debated between waiting for them by the car or finding them at their classes. He decided on visiting them at their classes. And he first headed to Welma’s.

He made it as far as the department’s building, before coming to a stop. He saw Welma, and Louie, and Lydia and Baron. They were with professors, and two other faces that shouldn’t be there. He recognised them even though he hadn’t seen them in years, and the one time he had was during the family dinner he was ordered to attend.

He turned around and rushed back to the car. And he drove back home like he was in a race. He was reminded of when Akira was teaching him to drive fast. He remembered everything she said about how and when to change gears perfectly, without losing speed or hurting the engine, and what to keep watch for. She told him he should be prepared for a ticket or two from the police when he chased speed. And he didn’t care for the rules as much he did at other times. He was home in a third of the time it usually took. He parked the car in the garage, and ran up to his room and locked himself in.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, when Alex opened the door just enough to squeeze in through, closed the door behind her, and walked over quietly. She sat beside him, pulled him close.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“I saw them,” he said.

“Who? Your brothers?”

“Yes.”

“They were at your college? They came for Welma?”

“They were meeting the team. Must have crossed paths at the competition. And came looking. They were meeting the team, but we all know they were there for Welma. It’s here.”

“The plot?”

“Yes. The plot. Ran away from it so hard, so far. And it still caught up.”

He laughed weakly, but it sounded more like a sob. She hugged him harder. And whispered.

“Remember what I told you Abe? We’ll be fine. No matter what happens, or who comes, we’ll be together. And we’ll be fine. You just stick close. Stay strong.”

He grabbed onto her, and nodded.