I felt a sense of relief hearing his confirmation. At least he was allowing me this chance to spend time with my brother. During that time, I hoped to get answers from him, uncover the truth behind everything, and perhaps even find a way to save him.
“Ansell, I have one more request” I said, rising from my seat.
His eyes narrowed at me. I know he has just got already for one of my request and asking for one more thing would be too much for him but I want to try my luck.
“Please, Ansell, can I bring something for him to eat?”
As he heard my request, his jaw clenched, and his expression grew tense. The last time I had seen my brother, he looked as though he had been starving for days. Only two days had passed since then, and I had a feeling he still hadn’t been properly fed.
“Please ” I pleaded once again. My voice choked with emotion as my eyes welled up with tears.
His gaze seemed to study every inch of my face, and I found myself in a position I could never have imagined, begging in front of someone to feed my brother and provide him with his basic needs.
His head tilted slightly and I took ‘, yes’ as an answer.
“Thank you so much, Ansell ‘
I immediately rushed towards the door but tripped on my way. Ansell held me on time saving me from breaking my nose.
Moving his arm away from me I made my way to the kitchen, making sure that I was keeping every step firmly because this time I could not afford to slip and hurt myself, otherwise, Ansell would not take me to my brother.
As I entered the kitchen I found Grace working there.
“Nara, how are you?” She inquired, genuine concern in her voice.
“I am fine” I replied, my gaze scanning the kitchen for what I needed.
Curious, she noticed the intent in my eyes. “What are you looking for?”
“Eggs, I want eggs” I told her.
She nodded understanding and retrieved a tray of eggs from one of the cabinets, placing it in front of me.
I still remember the fight that we used to have in our house over the eggs. As William was a gym freak he used to have a lot of eggs for protein and to build his body while my brother was completely against it. According to her, eating them can have an impact on her health. But eggs were his favourite and he has even sneaked a few from my share when my mother began buying fewer due to his consumption.
I decided to make an omelet for him because this is what I can make quickly and also it is one of his favourite dishes. I made two omelets from four eggs and stuffed them between breads just like the potato, while Grace was watching me all the time.
Placing the food in a lunch, I walked out only to find Ansell standing on the door and witnessing everything.
“You couldn’t even sit properly a few minutes ago, but the thought of meeting your brother has suddenly given you the energy to run” he remarked with a hint of sarcasm.
“Just imagine how much I might recover if you’d leave me and my family in peace ” I shot back.
He shot me a glare, then abruptly turned away and walked ahead. I followed hi lead, fully aware that provoking him wouldn’t be wise at the moment and it would be me who would be at a loss.
I settled into the passenger seat before he could take the driver’s. My excitement was hard to contain. I gazed out the window, eagerly awaiting the moment when I would finally reunite with my brother. Ansell turned on the music, and it happened to be my favourite song, but my mind was already consumed by anticipation to give any head to it.
After a few minutes which felt like an eternity, we reached the destination. I was about to step out when he stopped me.
“No more than fifteen minutes and remember my warning”
I nodded.
Clutching the lunch tightly, I walked ahead slowly. I could see all the men who were earlier inside, holding him, were now outside. I could feel a wave of happiness flushing in my heart at the mere thought of seeing my brother free from those chains.
Ansell signaled to the men, who ten moved aside, creating a path for me to enter. I slowly pushed the door open, my heart racing in anticipation. And there he was, my brother, standing on his feet with his back to me.
“Brother” I called out softly, my voice filled with emotion.
“Nara” he responded, recognising my voice before even tuning around. He looked freshly bathed. His beard was no longer there and his wounds were not that deep.
“Brother!”
Without a second, I rushed towards him, placing the lunchbox on a nearby chair. I embraced him tightly, holding onto him as if I never wanted to let go. He hugged me back, his arms enveloping me, creating a sense of security I had longed for.
I couldn’t stop my tears from running down my cheeks and he also cried with me. The realization hit me that the man who once seemed do tall and unbreakable now felt fragile and thin in my arms. He had lost a significant amount of weight during his capacity. It hurt me even more.
“How are you, Nara?” He inquired softly.
I lifted my head from his chest and rested my chin there, still unwilling to let go of our embrace.
“I am fine” I replied, my voice choked with emotion.
He hesitated, his eyes filing with tears as he struggled to find the words. “that day, Ansell took you.. he… He.. ”
“I am fine, he didn’t do anything against my will” I told him, “He didn’t hurt me”
“You are lying ” he said.
“No, I am not. He is the one who has allowed me to meet you ”
I moved back a bit when I remembered about the lunch that I had brought for him.
“I have brought something for you” I told him.
“What?” He asked out of curiosity as I picked up the lunch box.
“Sit”
There was an aisle made up of cement which was spacious enough for both of us to sit together. I opened the lunch for him.
“Omelette?’ he asked before he could even see them. I am sure he smelled it.
“Yes I made it for you” I told him.
“You?’ he questioned incredulously, his surprise evident. “You used to lecture me if I asked for a glass of water” he chuckled.
“That was my mistake ” I admitted with a rueful smile.
“No, it was your right ” he replied, planting a tender kiss on the top of my head.
“Now, have it” I urged, gently pushing the lunch closer to him. The time was limited, and I had so much I wanted to discuss with him.
His hands trembled slightly as he reached out to take the lunch. I offered my assistance, helping him set situated more comfortably. Picking up a morsel of the omelet, I brought it to his lips, and he parted them. I fed him and he enjoyed his meal while keeping his eyes on me as if he wanted to imprint my face in his memories forever because we don’t know when we are going to get this chance again.
“It is delicious” he murmured, his eyes once again welling up with tears. “I didn’t come to know when my little Nara grew up so much”
A lump formed in my throat. I looked down to hide my emotions but a son escaped from me, loud and uncontrollable. I felt his hand on my head, caressing it gently.
“I know Nara, what you have to go through because of me” he added, “and the fact that I am unable to do anything is eating me from inside”
“It is not because of you ” I looked up with my eyes brimming with tears. “You are not at fault. I saw tablets in Desy’s room. She is not taking them as she is completely fine. I know you are innocent brother, that’s why I am here. I want to know everything ” I said it with much hope.
“There are many things that are hidden from me as well” he said.
“Just tell me whatever you do know. Tell me what led to Ansell finding you in that compromising situation with Desy. I want to know the whole story ” I implored, my heart pounding with anticipation.
I needed answers, I needed to clear his name and uncover the truth.
“Let it be Nara. The Mafia world is more dangerous than you can think. I don’t want you to get hurt even more. Let the things be hidden. My life has already ended, I want you live your life” he urged, his eyes pleading.
“But my life, every decision I make, every breath I take, is under Ansell’s control ” I said, taking a deep breath. “The only way for me to break free from his grip is to clear your name and prove your innocence. And I can’t do that without knowing the full truth”
I could see the turmoil in his eyes as he listened to me.
“And your life hasn’t ended, William. Your love hasn’t moved on. She is still waiting for you. Our parents hold onto the hope that you’re alive, waiting for that miraculous moment when you will return to them. I can’t wait to see that happiness in their eyes when we reunite again ” I tried to ignite hope in me.
“But Nara, one of us has to burn in this. Finding the truth is not that easy. Me being held captive here, I cannot let you get into more problems, please ” he urged me.
“Liam, listen to me, we only have 15 minutes out of which 5 minutes have already passed. I am not sure if I would be able to manage this meeting again and these remaining 10 minutes are very crucial. We both are into it together and either we have to suffer this torture for the rest of the days of our life or we would get out of this. If you will not tell me, then I will anyhow convince Ansell to release you, and after that, you will never be able to see me”
I told him the truth because this was the last resort I had left to know everything.
As I spoke, I could see his resolve waver. His gaze shifted, and I could tell that he was finally giving in, ready to share the story I so desperately wanted to hear.
And as expected, he opened his mouth, his eyes shifting to the front wall as if reliving that day as he told me everything.