Chapter 34: chapter 34

A few months back, while we searched the articles to pay tribute to the late musician, Izzy Patrick by collecting all the photos and news that came out during her peek days. That's when I came to see the news of Ian's death in a magazine.I read the article, as Chris said there is no evidence of his drug habit. They turned into an accident case. Somehow, Ian's birth date and death date stick to my brain. Today is his birthday."Where is he?" Chuck asked anxiously."Chuck, today is June 13"."So?" He questioned."It's Ian's birthday"."Shit!" He cursed, "But...he never disappeared like this on his birthday. He just visits his graveyard on his memorial day".Maybe my yesterday's behaviour has hurt him, "Umm...Why don't we check there? It's my guess".He let out a breath, "I'll ask James to go there"."Okay, Call me if he is there" I hung up.After few minutes, he called back, "Is he there?" I asked impatiently."No" he sounded defeated, "He's not there. James checked the entire graveyard area".Fuck! "Then we have only one way" he sighed, "Call his Mother, maybe she can help us"."How? If there is someplace, I would definitely know it"."Chuck, there is nothing to lose. Maybe she has any idea where would be he, that may be the place before you know him. So please, there is nothing to lose".He gave a thought, "Alright!" He surrendered, "Hold on! Let me put on a conference call".Exactly after two minutes, I heard Crystal's voice, "Yes, Chuck?"I stopped my car and listened intently to what she gonna say."Umm...Mam I'm sorry to disturb you. But, I need help"."It's better to do with my son".He cleared his throat, "Yeah, it is. Actually, Chris is missing since this morning"."Why? Ugh...did he fight with someone again?""No, he...it's Ian's birthday. So he left somewhere"."Oh, yes!" She exclaimed, "I completely forgot about that. Thanks for remembering me".I rolled my eyes. What a good Mother!"So...yeah...Umm...that's why I called you. Do you have any idea where he'll be?""Nah! I don't have any idea" she replied casually, "Check Ian's graveyard"."No, Mam. He is not there, we searched there"."Then, no. I don't have answers".Chuck replied after a second, "Ok, then sorry for distributing you, Mam"."Oh! Wait for a second! He and Ian on their birthdays they used to go to a beach house we owned. In fact, they celebrated his last birthday there. Check there"."Address, Mam?""Wait a sec! Is that anything important? Did he do something wrong?""No, Mam. I just need a sign from him...umm...umm...related to his coffee shop"."I hope he didn't bring any trouble to home. I sent you the address"."Thanks, Mam".After she hung up, Chuck spoke, "Ugh...the address says 1269 Plank Rd, Forest Burgh"."I'm near to it, I'll check" I started the car.I reached the place and stopped my car in front of a high ceiling wooden cabin. It was deserted from other cabins and houses, making it alone. It faced straight to the sea with a fence around it. Breezy air and salty smell surrounded the place. I opened the fence gate and went inside. The lawn was highly maintained and had some relaxing chairs under a big umbrella. I rang the doorbell with a thumping heart, Please be here! Please be here!After a second, a mid-twenties woman opened the door in her butler uniform, "Yes?" Her voice was polite."Umm...Is Christopher Rovan is here?"She pressed her lips together, "Yes, but he won't see anyone now".When she said yes, that's when I let out a full breath. How dare he is? Since morning, he drove everyone crazy. He didn't even have the courtesy to mention where he was. I want to warn his behaviour."I'm sorry, but I won't take much time. Please, let me in"."Sorry, Mam. He ordered me strictly not to let anyone in" she smirked.There is no use talking to her. I dialled Chuck's number, he answered immediately, "Is he?""Yes, he is. But his maid is not letting me inside"."Put me in the speaker" His voice sounded relaxed.I did, "You are on the speaker, Chuck".He spoke, "Ms Whoever, you are! I am Chris's Manager, Chuck. You must let her in or else you'll face consequences from him. If you want, I can contact his parents. What do you say?""But Sir, he ordered me not to let anyone in"."Trust me, he won't blame you if you let her in. He'll be happy to see her. So, do it" he ordered.She now surrendered without much choice, "Okay sir, I'll do it".She now disliked me and a hint of jealousy showed up in her eyes, "Get inside, Mam" she moved away from the door."Thank you" I came inside, "Where is he?""Upstairs" she replied grudgingly, "Second left room"."Again, Thanks. I'll take it from here".I climbed the stairs and went to the room she mentioned. I opened the door of the room letting out a breath."Violet, stop pampering me. I don't need anything" I heard his dull voice.He occupied the couch showing his back to me with a drink in his right hand. Pictures of him and his brother hanging on the wall. He was staring at them."Violet, please. How many times do I have to say I'm not interested in you in that way?" He stood up and turned to face me.He was in a black half sleeve polo shirt and grey pants. His hair is messy and his eyes were red due to lack of sleep.He was stunned, unexpecting me here, "An...An...Ana...What you doing here?" He kept his glass on the coffee table.Before I can reply, he spoke, "If you are here to fight with me, please! I don't have a strength today" his voice was soft and defeated, "Please, leave me alone" he poured a drink.It stitched my heart. Actually, I came here to yell at him. But seeing him like this, I couldn't bring myself to do that."No, umm...I came to say you are right about" I went near him, "Dylan, he is not good as I thought. I...I...sent him out".He snickered, "How did you find me?" He sipped his drink."Well, umm...Chuck asked your Mother and I asked him".He didn't reply and continued to stare at the photos, "Umm...I think I should go" I spoke, "Thanks for the help" I moved away from him, he didn't respond.My heart begged me to not leave him in this state. But I listened to my mind and headed outside."You know, it's his birthday" his voice stopped me mid-way. I turned back to look at him. He stood so close to the photos.He continued, "It's Ian's birthday. If he was alive, he would be now 30".I stood reluctantly, whether to go near him or not."But now" his voice broke, "A month before his death" he swallowed hard, "We came here to celebrate his birthday. He promised he'll change and will focus on his career" he threw the glass on the floor in anger."He looked after me like his own child. But...what I did? I was spineless to stand up for him. If...If...I did that he would be still alive. I am one of the reasons for his death" he shouted and started to throw the stuff in rage.He broke the night lamp and smashed his fist on the wall which made his knuckles bleed.Shit! No! I need to stop him. I ran and pulled him back from the wall hugging him behind, "Chris! Chris! Stop it!" I shouted."Leave me! I need to go to him and apologize for not standing with him" he shouted, "Even now, I failed" he sobbed falling down on his knees, "I let him down. I'm breaking everyone's heart around me, including yours Ana" his voice became shallow, "So bad that you don't want to see me anymore. I didn't even deserve a second chance" he stopped to catch a breath, "That's what I did to him too. I should helped him, but I tried to be in a good book of my parents" he sobbed hard.I felt sorry for him. I kneeled before him, "Chris!" I kept my hand on him, "You don't have anything to do with his death".He sniffed his nose, "When the doctor said when they couldn't revive him...I...I" tears rolled down his cheeks, "I shouldn't let them lock him inside the room. He couldn't stand more of their torture and pressure and...and...their comparison. I'm sorry, Ian...I'm so sorry" he lowered his head.I have never seen him this broken. It made me realise how much he loved his brother. It's better more than 10 years, till his death is fresh in his mind. It made me guilty.I inched him further and hugged him, "It's okay, Chris. He'll be in a good place now" I rubbed his back. I stammered in pain. It made me think of my Grandpa. Ian and he shared the bond as we shared. He acted out of his love for his brother. Maybe I need to forgive him for what he did.He hugged me back after a second, pulling me tightly into his chest, almost breaking me. I felt hard to breathe. I heard his rapid heartbeat, "I'm so sorry, Ana" he stammered, "For the pain, I've caused you. Please don't leave me like him" he sobbed, sobbed and sobbed until he had no strength to raise his voice. I think an hour passed, he asked me back slowly, "Can you take me back to my apartment, please? I'll become crazy if I stay here longer"."I will,"  I said stroking the back of his hair.I bought him out, wrapping his arms around my shoulder. Violet tried to help me, I obliged. She was pissed about that, but I didn't mind. I tucked him inside the car and started it. He simply stared out of the window, the rest of the journey continued in silence. We didn't discuss anything that happened there.When I stopped in his apartment garage, he slept peacefully. I didn't wish to wake him up. He looked so calm and rested like a child. I caressed the side of his cheek and came out of the car silently. I messaged Chuck's number to come to the garage. He came down after few seconds and was relieved to see Chris."How's he?" He hissed."Fine. Don't disturb him for rest of the day" I replied.An awkward silence spread between us, "Well, umm...thanks for helping me to find him" he broke the silence."No problem...umm...he's asleep...can you bring him out of the car without waking him up?""No, I can't. But we can wait for few minutes to disturb that beauty sleep"."Agreed"."Umm...listen, I'm sorry for my tone earlier this morning. I was upset about him and I reflected it on you"."No, you don't have to be sorry. I can understand"."Still, I don't have right to intrude. If he knows about this, he won't even hesitate to yell at me. So please, accept my apology".I twitched my lips upwards, "Then it is accepted".Few minutes after I asked him, "He loves his brother very much"."So much, that he is even ready to take his parent's pressure for him"."How so?""That's..." He stopped, "Nothing, that big" he shrugged, "Leave it, it's usual" he waved it off, "It's getting late, I'll wake him up".He went to him. What the hell is he hiding?