The Blank "Face" (Part II)

It never remained closed. But that day, there was some maintenance work going on, and we were informed in advance. I was thinking of some other plans for the night. After much discussions in my mind, it decided to go to an Indian restaurant nearby and have the dinner. I was out of my home on my usual time and walking down the street, when I saw a crowd encircling the front of the Aqua Club. Street Fights are not common in London, so I rushed to see what was happening.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………............
I was having my evening nap when some loud noises broke my sleep. It was coming from another room and from the voices it was evident that my father and my uncle were fighting for some reason. It is not the first time this was happening. But something struck my mind and I tried to listen to the voices.

“This is the third time you are committing the same errors, Abhi. We have not seen the profit from your side for two years now. Already closed down two firms because of your mistakes. If you don’t do know how to correct them, don’t take the responsibilities.”
My father was silent during this. He rarely spoke when his brother was frenzied.
“This was the third time I gave you the chance to improve yourself but you failed miserably. My son understands business again than you.”
“I just tried to show some profits by negotiating with the distributors. They were asking for huge sum of money for continued alliance. I asked them to reconsider the figure, but they quit.
“What happened to the new companies I arranged……..” I couldn’t hear much after that. My hearing muscles were strained by the continuously concentrating to the low frequency sounds. So, I refrained myself from further and went back to my studies.

It was two hours now that I was in my room. And the water bottle was also empty. I stood up to take a healthy break from my studies and refresh myself. But as I passed through the hallway, I heard my father screaming with fear behind the closed doors. I went near the door to listen what was happening.

“I worked hard, day and night to help this company reach this feat. When your Father left it for us, it was hovering with loan of millions. I gave this company my twenty years. This company belongs to me. You were a piece of shit when you came to me begging for money. Everyone expected me to handover my businesses to my son but I believed you and gave you another chance. But….”
“There is no need to enumerate him all this, Dad. This person doesn’t deserve a place in this world. I think I know a better place for these rotten suckers.
“Pleeeease…. Don’t do this. I can…… explain. I admit. I admit. Please don’t pull the trigger. Brother, give me a chance to explain.”
“The time for admitting is gone my brother. There is little you can do now. Just pray for a good life in your next encounter to this world.”
“This……. was…. a …… mistake…. I admit. Please forgive me. I don’t want to die. I will leave everything, just now. Please stop your son, brother. Please stop him. My son, please don’t do it. You are a very good talented boy. Please don’t commit this crime.”
“What do you think? I will commit this crime. Think again old snake.”

I was gasping air in my body. My body grew cold. I had to hurry in with all my efforts.
“Dad…. Dad… open the door.. Dad….”
“Let him in, father. He should atleast witness his crime.”

The door opened. My father was lying on the floor, pale. My cousin was holding a gun pointing straight on his forehead. As I moved forward trying to stop the incident, the bullet was shot. It was too late.

The Blank "Face" (Part I)

It takes me few steps to reach the Club Aqua, it is just two blocks away from my building. And remaining busy for the five days of the week, Aqua is the perfect place to wash away my tiredness. I have many friends here and we make it a point to meet every Friday evening to share life. And today, it is even more important because it is a fortnight I visited the bar. It was closed last Friday.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“Drunkard”, that’s the first thought that comes in my mind when my friends ask about my Father, A.Malhotra. Not because of his drinking but the incidents which followed after he was not in his senses that made me abhor him. Many of the times he used to take his whip and blast on his wife, my mother. Many a time, I was on the receiving end. And the scars still burn on my chest and my back. “Businessman, my father has his own business.” I tell them after giving second thoughts.
This is the third time I am changing my school in this session. I am used to it as this has been a routine in my life. Earlier I used to hate this because I had to make new friends whenever I changed my school but now it has become a routine in my life. I never understand what kind of business my father does. And nor I asked him ever as he is a short tempered bloody being who treats the others like shit. I sometimes tried to ask my mother, when she was alive, but she was rather rhetoric than candid. What I was able to learn was that my grandfather used to own a big business spread over various countries. After his death, it was divided equally among his three sons. My father was the youngest and a spoilt brat of his parents. No doubt how he grew out of a human being. But what surprised me was that we change our dwelling faster than normal. Nowadays we are in Manchester.
“How did your first day go?” a hoarse voice enquired as I entered the room.
“Who cares?”
“What kind of answer is that? And who taught you to speak to your father like that.”
I pretended not to listen and slipped into my room and shut the door behind me. I heard my father clamoring but I inserted the earplugs of my Ipod to listen the soothing music of Beethoven.

It is Sunday Morning and my mind is filled with some peace. My uncle, Aadesh Malhotra was visiting us. He is a good human being unlike my father. Nicely built, six feet tall, he had all the nicest manners possible in a human being. He always visited with a gift in his hand for me, and it didn’t even stop later till now as he more often comes to our place. His son also comes to our place but he is no less than my father. He used to bully me when we were kids since he was always healthier than me. As we grew older, he stopped doing pranks with me as he grew mature, I think. But his detest for me is still alive in his mind since we rarely talk.
That day, Uncle came to me to give me a packet of chocolates, as I still loved them even if growing of age. His son also came but moved away in other room without greeting me. My uncle asked about my studies and my life and then went away wishing me luck for my exams. He never liked to disturb students busy in studies. I asked him about his plans for today and he confirmed that he will be here the whole day. I smiled because that gave me a relief. My father never showed his berserk nature in front of his elder brother. But his brother was totally aware of his scorning nature. Many times, he saw the scars of my face but never said anything.