" Moving on is like getting on a train with your luggage still at the station.

You can either jump and go back to those things which will later make you regret your decision.

Or you can look ahead. And go on a new journey which will bring in your life new dreams and aspirations."

- Suzan Gill

........

A cracking sound is heard as his fists connect with the man's jaw. Making blood to drop from the corner of his lips.

" Tell me fuc*er! Where is your coward of a boss!"

" Tell me!"

The man tries to wringle from Aaron's grip. Seeing his mates leaving him to run towards their cars safety. Fear of death evident in his eyes.

"Leave me... please..."

Aaron had a devilish smirk on his lips. Seeing the fear in the man's eyes. And he knew what he had to do next.

" Wrap up"

He commands. Dragging the person from his collar. To take him to his car. Throwing him inside to lock the door.

" Lock him in the basement. And don't stop till he opens his mouth."

He orders the head of security, throwing the car keys at him. And the man nods. Bowing.

" Of course Sir."

" But Sir. Won't you be coming along?"

The man asks and Aaron doesn't bother replying.

Taking out a cigarette from his pocket. He places it in between his lips. To take a long puff. Leaning on the car. Looking up at the sky.

" And your forehead Sir. It's bleeding. You should see a docto-"

"Just Fuc*ing do what I told you to."

He speaks coldly looking at the security head. Who gulps. Seeing that look in his eyes.

" Y- Yes Sir."

" Everyone. Let's go"

Rushing, the security team follows and they all sit in the car, leaving.

Aaron still continues to stare up at the dark sky. The wetness of blood. Running down from his temple to his chin.

Not bothering him.

Shaking his head. He tried to let go of that heaviness in his mind. Which keeps on returning.

That ringing. That sensation.

It was again playing games with him.

" Aggghhh!"

He curses as the sharp ringing keeps on increasing. To hold his head in his hands. Crouching down to sit on the floor as his vision becomes hazy.

No...fuc*.....not now!

He won't be vulnerable now! He still has to save her.

" Fuc* it!"

Cursing. He does it for her. To stay sane a little longer. Taking out the pill box from his pocket. He gulps the medicine.

Holding the railing to stand up. Breathing heavily.

It was coming down.

His vision was clearing.

The medicine was taking effect. When he takes another puff of the smoke with his trembling fingers.

His knuckles all bloody and vision blurry .

He thought everything was fine now. Finally the peace. The ringing in his mind has stopped. When a voice comes from behind that made his heart to stop.

" Br..other?"

Neil stood there behind him. Looking at Aaron's devastated state. Not able to believe his eyes.

He couldn't recognise his own brother.

He looked devastated. Broken. Destroyed. Trails of blood fall down his face. Busted lip. Swollen jaw. Bruised knuckles.

Who was this man?

Was this really the same brother who protected him, loved him, smiled at his jokes. With whom he would share anything and he would always help him take the right decision.

" Fuc* bro! What happened to you!"

Neil moves forward to hold him. His eyes screaming concern. To be only stopped by Aaron's hand.

" No don't"

Neil's heart breaks right there. His footsteps stop as he looks at Aaron in disbelief.

Why was he refusing to get his help? Why does he refuses to trust him?

" What do you mean bro! You...you are fuc*ing bleeding! Did you had another one of those fig-"

His words get lost. When he sees a trail of blood falling down from Aaron's nose. And that's when he understood.

It was not just because of physical injuries.

It was something else. Something way worse.

" Fuc*"

Aaron speaks. Turning around to hide it from Neil but he has already seen it. Tilting up his face. Aaron tried to stop the blood.

Breathing heavily. Throwing aside the cigarette.

Neil's frame trembled and eyes water seeing him like this. As he stutters in desperation.

" Wh...at have you done to yourself brother?'

" Wha-t happened... please tell me!!"

He moves forward to touch him again. Neil's hand touches Aaron's shoulder. To only have the beast in him roar.

" Do.....don't fuc*ing touch me Neil! Don't you understand once?"

Neil's hand drops as the first tear falls from his eyes and it felt like something got clogged in his throat.

Why ? Why was his brother talking to him like that?

Aaron and Ben do used to engage in quarrels since childhood. But Aaron and Neil?

Never.

They always agreed on the same thing. With Neil always seeking Aaron's permission and trust in everything he used to do.

Then what happened now?

Why has Aaron gone so away from him? Why can't he even look at him.

" Just leave Neil."

Aaron speaks coldly with his back on him and Neil refuses outrightly. Coming in front of him, he gives his decision.

" I won't brother! I would never leave you in this condition!

" Hell! Where were you all these months. Mom and everyone back home were so damn worried about you! And why is there so much blood? Are you hurt? What are you hiding from us Aaron. Why don't you tell us!"

Aaron doesn't say anything for next few seconds. Scared to even meet Neil's eyes. Clenching his fist tightly. That ringing in his head returning.

He needs to go away. Neil can't see him like this

" I am fine Neil. Go now. You shouldn't be out so late. Mom will be worried. "

Neil looks at him with soft eyes. Moving closer instead.

" Exactly bro. Mom will be so worried. Just like she is worried for you. Please come home with me. Please."

Aaron scoffs. A sad smile comes on his lips as he looks into Neil's pleading orbs.

" I bet she would even hate seeing my face."

Lowering his eyes to look at the floor he continues.

" After all I was never the Son she deserved. Such a disappointment. But she is right...."

" After what I did to Ezra. Her hatred is justified. Hell I won't be surprised if Dad decides to disown me"

" I am such a bad son. A worse brother and an even worse . . . . lover." . . .

" Don't I deserve to die Neil?"

Neil moves his head in a no. Seeing Aaron smiling to himself like crazy. Tears falling down his eyes.

" No bro please! Don't say like that! We all love you so much"

" Don't lie Neil. Why are you even here? Go....go from here"

Neil again refuses moving forward. And that ringing in Aaron's head worsens. He was feeling anxious. What if Neil comes to know? No...Neil has to leave. Right now.

" Go DAMMIT! Why aren't you leaving!"

Aaron's red eyes warn him. But he was again adamant. Holding Aaron's shoulder Neil tries once again.

" Please! Bro! Don't do this pl-"

That heaviness and ringing in Aaron's head has become intolerable. And before he could stop himself, Aaron pushed Neil.

" Leave! Dammit leave! Go away! Leave me alone!"

He screams like crazy and Neil's body staggers back to fall back on the ground. His elbow get's scrapped and he look up at Aaron with a painful expression.

Aaron just realised what he did. Drops of blood fall down Neil's elbow and Aaron stare at it blankly

He has hurt another person he loved.

Just like Ezra. He has hurt his own brother.

No...he can't be here. He will hurt him more.

" I.....umm..I.......I...."

Aaron stutters not able to form a sentence. Pressing his temple with his fingers. He breathes heavily.

Shaking his head.

" No.....umm...no..."

Turning around he tries to go away from Neil. While Neil scream after him. Struggling to get up.

" Bro! Please! Wait...don't go please!!!"

Aaron doesn't stop Determined to go away. When suddenly his vision goes hazy and that ringing worsens to the extent of making his eyes heavy.

He staggers. Struggling to maintain his balance. When an excruciating pain enters his skull making everything go dark around him.

" Brotherrrrrrrr!!!!!"

Neil screams running towards him. While Aaron's body falls down on the ground. Unconscious.

" Sh*t! Bro!!!!'

Neil tries to pick him him. Turning him around to again see blood coming out of his nose.

" No....no please!"

He looks around for help. Hugging Aaron to his chest. With tears falling down his eyes.

" Bro... please...wake up bro please"

Dialing an ambulance with his trembling fingers. He keeps looking at Aaron's serene face, which raided havoc inside him.

Asking just one thing.

What are you hiding bro? Why are you suffering alone?

Why?

........

Ezra's pov

I wake up to a throbbing headache. Holding my head with creases on my forehead. Looking up at the ceiling.

Damn this alcohol.

I was having a severe hangover.

Why do I have to be so reckless? But wait a second.

" Forget me Doll. Start loving yourself."

" Know your true worth. Don't let men like me ruin you....Please."

I must be dreaming. Yaa it has to be. I am sure it is again one of those illusions.

" Promise....me Ezra. Promise me that you will take...care of yourself when I am not there.."

" Please..."

" Please Ezra... please...just promise. To take care of yourself. To love this selfless girl you are. To not have your happiness depend on others.

" To live your dream. To be successful in whatever you do. Please..."

But those eyes. It feels so real. His touch it felt so alive.

" I pro-mise"

" Aggghhh I am going crazy! Stop just stop"

I place my hands on my ears. To finally find peace.

This Aaron and his ghost! They never leave me.

When suddenly another image flashes in front of my eyes. Bullets? Gun? Him hugging me to his chest. Protecting me.

I look down at myself in panic. To find myself in pajama and top. Strange. Who changed me?

It's again the hallucinations.

It has to be.

Why would be he there?

It's no like he cares about me. I am sure he must be busy with her. Enjoying their night.

The image of them doing it flashes. And I close my eyes.

Stop Ezra. Stop.

Don't think about him. He doesn't deserve us.

He never deserved our love.

We won't ruin ourselves. Anymore. Maybe what he said in the dream was true.

Love yourself. Be successful. Forget me.

Yes. That's exactly what I was going to do. I won't cry over someone who is a coward and never deserved me.

Throwing aside the comforter I get up. To only have the door to my room open. As one of the maids enter.

" Good morning Madam"

She wishes, bowing. And I just smile at her.

" Good morning. Please don't bow. How many times do I remind you"

" Sorry."

She straightens up. Giving me a glass of water. And I chucked it. Laying back on the bed.

" Madam. Sir has called for your presence in the hallroom."

My heart starts beating faster. Sh*t! Dad is going to kill me. I immediately bolt up. To sit. Looking at her in anxiousness.

" Is he angry? What did he say exactly."

" No madam. He looked his usual. He just asked me to inform you once you wake up."

I heave a deep sigh of relief. Thank god! Getting up I nod at her. Telling her to leave. When I remember something.

I need to make sure it was a dream only.

" Wait"

" Yes Madam"

" Umm last night. How did I came back and who changed me?"

" Stel Madam came to drop you. And I am sorry. I changed you. You were uncomfortable in the dress."

" Umm no it's fine. Thank you"

She bows and leaves. While I get up relieved to get ready. What a dream. I don't know when these dreams will finally leave me.

It's already been a lot of months.

Sighing. I go to the washroom to freshen up. Trying to stop thinking about him.

. . . I was outside the hallroom. When I hear someone talking to Dad.

Did he had company?

Should I intrude?

I think I should come back later. I had just turned around to leave. When the words the stranger spoke had my footsteps to stop and heart to thud.

" It's happening too suddenly. But it's there decision. We can't intrude."

" Hmmm"

Dad barely replies.

" Day after tomorrow is the wedding. And you are invited."

Dad chuckles. Looking at the man.

" He wants to rub it on my face. That bast*rd. But don't worry. I will be there."

" Okay Sir. I will inform."

"And what about Madam Ezra?"

There is silence. And my heart thuds faster. What wedding? Whose wedding are they talking about?

" Make sure no one talks to her regarding it."

" She should not come to know that Aaron and Andriana are getting married."

And that was it. My footsteps stagger back and I bring down a flower vase. Shattering it into pieces.

Drawing everyone's attention.

Dad and that man look at me. With widened eyes. While I just stare at the shattered pieces of vase.

This...this is how my life is shattering right now.

And the worst part.

I can just see it and do nothing.

Cleaning the lone tear that leaves my eyes without my permission. I look up at father.

" Daughter?"

He speaks getting up concern evident in his eyes. And I just shake my head. Giving him a sad smile. Cleaning those tears.

" I um fin-e Dad."

" It's com-ple-tely f-ine"

When my stuttering words and quivered voice was telling everyone I was not. But what could I do.

I can't help myself.

I can only pretend to be strong and show that it didn't affect me. When on the inside.

It broke me completely.

Why Aaron why?

Why so eager to marry her. Is this how easily you forgot my Selfless love? Is this how desperate you are to leave me ? Is this how much you hate me?

Stupid Girl

I chuckle to myself. How right he was. I was really stupid. To offer my heart to a man like him who will only crush it so easily.

Again cleaning those traitrous tears that were not stopping.

I just run out of the house. To get some open air.

Nog stopping despite. Dad screaming after me.

" Ezra child stop! Please!"

I am sorry Dad.

I can't stop now.

I need to face him. To tell him how much I hate him.

This heaviness in my chest. This pain. I have to get it out at the right person.

And maybe after that?

I will be able to give back your daughter. Your Ezra to you.

Picking up the car keys and cleaning my tears. I rush out of the house with determination in my eyes.

I am coming Aaron. One last time.

To settle the score with you.

You better be prepared for it. Because this wounded lioness has no stopping to her.

.....

" With each rugged breath that will leave my lips and with each thud my heart will risk.

I will pray just one thing.

That may a selfless person like you find that true love you deserve . That I couldn't afford to give."