" Ezra?"

She lifts up her head from her knees to see Albert standing there. With a sorrow look on his face.

" Dad?"

Cleaning her tears. She gets up. Putting on that fake smile.

" What are you doing here Dad? This is the girls washroom!"

She says avoiding his eyes and covering it up with a chuckle . Picking up her bag . And Albert just stares.

" I wanted to check on you. Are you fine?"

Nodding. She approaches him. Holding his arm. To walk out with him.

" Of course Dad. What happened to me?"

They walk out of the building together and Albert doesn't say anything. Lost in his thoughts. Clenching and unclenching his fists again and again.

When Ezra looks at her watch.To exclaim.

" Oh god! We are late. I almost forgot."

" It's Lisa's birthday today! Stel would be so mad at me!"

Pulling Albert along. They rush to go to the Reed Estate and Albert couldn't help.

Just look at his daughter and wonder.

" How long are you going to use these fake smiles to hide your tears Ezra?"

. . " Was I wrong? Should I tell you the complete truth I promised him not to tell you till my last breath?"

Bound. Confused. And heartbroken. Albert again chooses silence over the harsh truth. He has kept from her since years.

Hoping he was taking the right decision.

Hoping his daughter moves on from him. To a better future.

.....

" Asraaaaa aunt!!!! I was waiting for you! It's my birthday! How can you be so late!"

The little girl of 7 years expresses her disappointment. Running towards Ezra. Who picks her up effortlessly. Adjusting her.

" My princess! You look beautiful!"

" Please forgive me. I was busy. "

The little girl pouts. Folding her arms. Moving her head to another side. Ignoring her.

" You are always busy Aunt. You never have time for me."

" That's not true. My little Lisa is the most precious."

Kissing Lisa's cheek. Ezra takes out a bag of freshly baked cookies and offers it to Lisa.

And Lisa's eyes widen.

" Are these what I think they are?"

Ezra nods. Taking one out of the bag.

" Hmm humm freshly baked cookies by your aunt's hands!"

Little Lisa forgets all her anger. To take the cookie from Ezra's hand. Taking a huge bite. She closes her eyes. Devouring the taste.

" Hmmm they are the best cookies in the world Aunt Asra! Thank you!"

Kissing Lisa's cheek. Ezra runs her hand through the girls hair. To have Lisa lean forward. Kissing Ezra's cheek.

" I take back my words. Aunt Asra is my favourite!"

Ezra smiles. At the girl to only see Step approach them. Opening her arms, she welcomes Ezra in a tight hug.

" Agg I can't breathe Stel!"

Stel leaves Ezra. To smile at her.

" You deserve it! How can you be late today!"

" I am so soo-"

" Yes. How can you be so late Cupcake?"

Neil says coming from behind. And enveloping Ezra in a hug. Who returns it with a smile on her lips.

" Neil"

" How are you?"

" Good. Where is everyone else? I can't see Ben."

Neil sighs. Pointing towards the water pool. And a chuckle leaves Ezra's lips.

Ben was surrounded by kids. Who were trying to take the candies he was distributing. It was a gane he was trying to teach him, but it seems he was failing miserably.

" Ah fuc*! You little devil's! Leave my shirt ahhh!"

And next they know a tearing sound is heard and Ben's shirt literally opens up from front.

" Aghh leave me! Move back! Stel! Neil! Save me please!"

Everyone couldn't hold in their laughs. They break in fits of laughter. To only have Mrs Reed to enter.

" Oh Lord! Ben! What are you doing?"

" But mom!"

" Kids! Cone here! Let's ear yummy food first. Who is going to reach here first?"

The kids race to the dining table. Finally leaving Ben who takes a deep breath. Adjusting his shirt.

" Ezra!"

Mrs Reed's eyes shine. Seeing Ezra and she rushes forward. Pulling her for a hug.

" My daughter! Aren't you eating properly? You have lost weight."

" Chill mom! I am dieting for the coming shoot."

" Dieting? "

Ezra nods and Mrs Reed . Hugs her again.

"Come. Let's cut the cake."

The party goes on in full swing. And Ezra smiles seeing the kids playing. When suddenly she excuses herself to go to the washroom.

Climbing up the stairs. She crosses his room. And her footsteps suddenly stop.

That urge to go inside. Ardent.

" No Ezra. Continue."

She scolds herself. But her body, it refused her mind. Just one last time... please. Just once?

She hasn't been here in years.

Taking a deep breath. She unlocks the door . To step inside. And her heart drops seeing it.

"This is my room. Not your private property. Don't enter without my permission next time."

She hears his voice and stills.

He is not here Ezra. He is not here.

Looking around, her heart drops as she finds dust everywhere. The furniture of the room covered in a white cloth. The curtains worn out.

What happened here?

It looked no one came here in years. Why?

She takes small fearful steps inside. Looking around , gulping.

Moving her fingers on the bed , the sofa. The memories resurface.

And she closes her eyes.

You shouldn't be here Ezra. Go out. He is not here. He is not coming back.

Her mind speaks. But her heart. It refuses. It tell her. He is here somewhere. He is alive. He can't leave her.

Opening the drawers. She wishes to find another souvenir. Another remembrance. But nothing.

Just some worn out papers. Her eyes stop at his signature at the bottom of a paper and she stares at his name.

Aaron Reed.

Tracing it with her trembling fingers .

How long it has been since she last read his name somewhere . How long since she heard someone say it.

She has almost forgotten his voice. His scent.

They were all missing. Like he vanished in thin air.

" Ezra!!! Where are you Princess?

Her thoughts are interrupted by someone calling her from the hallway. And she gulps. Picking up the paper and folding it. To put it in her pocket.

Getting up cleaning her tears.

" One second! I am coming!"

Looking around at his room one last time. She opens the room. Locking the door behind. When she hears his voice from behind.

" What are you doing here, Ezra?"

Ezra breathes heavily. Looking up at Ben . To stutter.

" I...just...I was..."

She settles with silence. Clenching her fists tightly. And Ben's eyes soften immediately.

Asking her to move aside. He closes the door for her. Locking it.To turn around.

" Come let's go. Everyone is looking for you."

Ben walks away to not hear her footsteps behind. Looking back, he sees her looking at him. With clenched fists.

" Why...why hasn't anyone been here?"

She asks. And Ben freezes. Lowering his eyes. His heart thudding rapidly.

" Let's not discuss this topic Ezra."

She steps closer to him. Making him look up.

" Fine. I will not talk about him. Let's talk about you then."

" Why haven't you married someone? Why haven't you moved on since that day?"

She asks. Referring to that day when Ben proposed to her. Telling her his true feelings few years after that accident.

And he moves closer to her. His eyes glistering.

" I said I will wait for you Ezra."

" I will wait for the day you stop looking back for him. And find me standing in front of you. Waiting for you "

" I have moved on from him Ben! Why are you destroying your life because of me!"

And he smiles. Moving his head in a no.

"If you can destroy your life waiting for my brother in name of love? Why can't I destroy mine waiting for you?"

She moves her head in a no. Tired of explaining this man. Running her hand through her hair.

" Mom is worried Ben. She wants to see you settled. Please...stop waiting for me. Please. Stop this madness"

" I will Ezra. I will stop this. I will get married and move on. But not until. "

" I see a real smile on your lips without these veils of fake smiles."

" Not until I see you truly happy. "

She doesn't say anything. And he turns around to leave. To suddenly stop. Looking back at her.

" And yes "

"Stop lying to yourself and this world Ezra. "

" You can fool anyone but your eyes ? "

" They tell me that you still love him."

He leaves. Making Ezra to lean back her head on the wall . And close her eyes.

How? How does Ben always understands her so well. Was it that evident? How did he came to know about how she feels?

Was she wrong?

Should she finally let go of everything.

What's there in his memories? They will only give her pain. He will never come back. How long will she keep suffering like this?

This has to end one day. Is it today?

Taking out the piece of paper from her pockets. She clenches it tightly. Opening it to stare at his signature again.

I have to do this. Let go Ezra. Forget him. Move on. That's right.

Holding the paper from the top. She was going to tear it. When her eyes fall on the top of the paper

NUR City Hospital

Patient Consent Form

I Aaron Reed , the patient authorise the doctor's of NUR hospital to carry out a complete posterior hypothalamus surgery on me as on 4 th December 2012 at 11:24 pm.to treat my repeated episodes of intermittent explosive disorder.

I understand the risks involved and the low chances of survival and hereby in all my senses don't account anyone responsible in case of an unfortunate event happening during the surgery including further deterioration, damage or even loss of my life.

In the presence of a witness. I hereby make this decision and later during further coarse of time I agree to not revoked this decision anytime.

Ezra's grip on the paper tightens as she stares at the paper blankly. Her eyes fixed at the words. Reading them again and again.

Intermittent explosive Disorder?

Surgery?

Loss of life?

The paper trembles in her hands as she looks up at the date. Trying to remember it.

4 th December.

The day she was kidnapped...no...this can't be happening. How can it be true!

He killed himself...he shot himself. She heard it herself.

But you didn't see him shoot himself?

Her conscience asks her and she freezes. Did he...? Her head was feeling heavy. So many thoughts...so many memories hitting her again and again.

His smile. His words repeating. The events rewinding.

"Calm down Ezra. Calm down."

Leaning back on the wall. For further support. She breathes heavily. Closing her eyes. Calming herself.

Her throat clogging. As her heartbeat becomes audible to her.

Once calm enough to take this futher. She turns the pages to stop at the page which said in bold.

Patient's history.

And she gulps before reading further.

Year of first time trigger of event: 09/07/2004

That...that was my 7 th birthday! What happened on that day? What triggered him.?

Reason: A boy mad mouthing the girl he likes.

Frequency of further events and reasons: Multiple times. Always related to the same girl.

History of earlier treatment: Treated in Seattle WN Hospital.

Duration of treatment: 7 years from 20xx-xx

But during that time...he went to college to study. How is this possible. This has to be a lie.

Or maybe this was true...and everything else? A lie.

The paper drops from her hands as she connects the dots.

The girl he likes....

But on her birthday. She didn't invite anyone...she had no friends. There was no other girl.

Except.....she herself.

Ezra's heart thuds rapidly. At the thought. Him not coming close to her... asking her to stay away from him all these years.

Behaving so differently with her. Trying to show he hates her...him calling her Orphan girl to push her away.

Could it be ...that the girl he likes was her?

The girl who triggered his attacks?

" No...no ..it can't be possible...it can't be."

But then a flashback hits her from the night they slept together. His words echoing... making more sense now.

"I will leave you ruined."

" I will leave you vulnerable and helpless"

" I will break you Ezra"

" I am a monster...I don't deserve you."

Were these the monsters he was talking about? His disease? His anger?

He...he did all this because he thought he didn't deserve me? That I triggered his attacks? That he may hurt me?

He wanted me to hate him?

Him leaving me after our night.... filing for divorce. Going back to Andriana? Kissing her in front of me...

These all were his plans?

For me to hate him...to move on.

But what about the night I was kidnapped?

Was it a part of his plan as well?

If he signed one day before for a surgery on my wedding day...he knew he may not survive the surgery.

And he knew I would never move on...unless.

I thought he...died.

No! Fuc*! Aaron! Why! Why! Did you do this! Why would you keep all your pains to yourself.

How many years...did you survive in this.All alone....with no one.

But wait a second...what about the surgery? Did it happen.

And that's when I pick up the paper from the floor. To turn it's pages. The witness...the witness knew everything.

Who is this person...who?

(Signature of Witness)

Albert Richardson

Dad? No ..he would never lie to me. It has to be a lie...these papers..they are not true. I trust dad...he would never.

I have to ask him.

Yes...I have to as him...he has to tell me!"

Clenching the paper in her fists tightly. She walks down the stairs. Rushing to see the guests have almost left.

Only the close family remained. With Albert sitting with them casually, talking.

" Dad!"

Everyone turns around to look at her. And they stand up seeing her eyes burning. Confusion evident.

" Daughter? What happened?"

Albert asks. Looking at her in concern. Seeing her breathing heavily. To only have her to push the paper in his hands.

" What is this?"

Albert looks down at the papers in confusion. But as soon as he realises what they were, he freezes.

" You must be knowing well what they are father. After all you signed as a witness to it."

The old man opens and closes his mouths. Unable to speak. That look of distrust and pain in her eyes, tearing him.

" Ezra my child please lis-"

" What's there to listen dad? What? This that you and Aaron were playing with my emotions all this time!"

" You planned every damn thing...and Bravo! You won! You won dad! Congratulations!"

" Ezra child calm down. We will sit and discuss."

Mrs Reed says. Stepping forward. To only have Ezra clean her tears. Moving her head in a no.

" No ..mom! You don't know what they have done! They..they didn't tell me that Aaron...he was suffering-"

" We all knew my child. We all are sorry."

" But please.. atleast listen to us"

Ezra steps back in shock. Making Mrs Reed's hand to drop. Looking around she finds everyone lowering their eyes and she almost looses it.

Holding her hair in her hands and she moves her head in a no .

" No ..no.. you all...how... Why? You all lied to me....to me! "

No one says anything. As Ezra drops to the floor. Crying. Her entire frame trembling. They move forward to help her when she warns .

" No...don't touch me! Don't!"

They all look at her with pity in their eyes. As she continues to cry . Her sobs echoing.

Few minutes passed. When she finally looks back up.

" Why....why did you do it! Whyyyyyyy!!!"

She screams on top of her lungs. And it was Albert who steps forward this time. Crouching down to her level to answer.

His own tears trailing down his eyes.

" Please... forgive us my child...we had to do this.."

" For your future.. for your happiness.....he took a Promise from us. And we didn't had it in us to break it."

" What Promise dad! What Promise!"

Albert looks back at everyone. And they all had tears in their eyes. Moving their head in a no. They plead him not to tell her.

When she drags her body towards him. Placing her palms on his face to ask in a broken voice.

" Where is he Dad...tell me please!"

" He is alive right...tell me please. I need to know!"

" He took a Promise from all of us....that after...after that day you were kidnapped....Aaron Reed will no longer exist.."

" For you ..for this world...for everyone."

" He will be dead"

Ezra's heart thumps faster. Her throat running dry. At the possibility. Could he be alive?

" What do you mean will be? Is he alive? Where is he!!"

"I can't tell .... daughter please understand.....he took a Promise from us that you will never come to know about him.... please..."

Her anger flares at this. Her hands clenched in fists.

" Go hell with the promise dad! Stop making decisions for my life!"

" It's my choice! It's my decision! Stop fuc*ing trying to protect me!"

" Can't you see how broken I am already? Can't you see where your decisions brought us?"

" Tell me please. Where is he? I need to see him? Please!!"

Albert moves his head in a no crying. Stuttering the words.

" Y-ou won't be able to see him....in that cond-tion....there is no hope no improvement in years Ezra...he..."

" It's better if you forget him daughter.... please.."

And that's when hope rises in her chest. Hope to see those grey eyes again. Hope to feel his touch. Hope to hear his voice.

Smiling. Looking at him in disbelief. With her innocent eyes shining in hope.

She nearly pleads him.

" I can never forget him father....not till this heart beats in my chest."

" If you really love me...you will not keep any more secrets for me."

" Take me to him father....take me...I want to meet him!"

They all look at the girl nearly pleading. And no one had it in them to break the hope in her beautiful eyes.

Holding her frame and picking her up. Albert nods finally. Taking a deep breath.

" Come. Let's go then."

.....