Vedant

The party was in full swing. There was loud music and our house and garden were decorated with full of party lights. Dad always likes to celebrate everything in his life, so then when it comes to his son's birthday there was no question how grand it was going to be. Everyone looks happy. Sid and his friends were rocking the dance floor set in the middle of our garden. Screaming swarms of children ran through the garden as bubbles floated in the air and balloons drifted around aimlessly on the ground among the discarded wrapping paper. A stack of unopened presents stood in the corner of the stage wrapped in smooth shiny wrapping paper. A silk bow had been carefully tied around each parcel. Hungry children loomed over the table which was filled with food. They grabbed at sandwiches and filled their mouths with sweets.

The remaining pieces of once a huge cake, covered in thick blue icing and decorated with tiny white roses sat in the middle of the table surrounded by brightly coloured bowls that were filled with food. I looked at Sid; he was wearing his new blue branded suit which I gifted him this morning. I smiled we have a 7 years age difference but still we are so close. I still remember holding him in a white bundle of cloth with my tiny hands for the first time in that hospital room. I was so happy that I cried. I smiled myself when the flash back crossed my mind.

I looked around and saw my father talking with some of his friends. My mother was nowhere to see. She might be with her friends' gossiping about someone. I scoffed. She is a bit demanding and sometimes can be a little rude but she is our mother and we love her. I walked towards my father. It's been just 6 months since I joined his office after coming back from US. And he is very much happy about it. I reached my father. "Son." He called me when he sighted me and gave me side hug. He pulled me with him and introduced me to some of his friends and colleagues. I shook hands with everyone and answered politely for their questions.

"Hey, son. I forgot to bring my gift for Sid earlier. If you don't mind can you bring it down here from my room upstairs?" He asked, pointing ours house. "Sure dad." I said and turned around. "Aha and I hope you didn't spoil the surprise by telling him that I brought the new PS3 for him as a gift. Did you?" He asked frowning at me. I scoffed at him. "No dad, I didn't tell him. I know you like surprises." I said smiling. "You know me too well." He said and nodded with a smile in his face. I walked towards our house. Except some of the workers the house was empty. Everyone was in the garden enjoying the party. I switched off the running TV in the living room and climbed the stairs up to the master bedroom.

I was near the door of the master bedroom when I here moan and low screams from the room. I halted in front of the room. I waited for a few moments but the moan were increasing and was becoming desperate in need. Hesitantly I kept my hand on the door knob and cracked opened the door slowly. The scene in front of me drained every drop of blood from my face. I was in complete shock. My breath got stuck and a shiver ran down my spine.

My mother and Nakul Varma, my dad's best friend was lying in my parent's bed, naked. There were clothes scattered around on the floor. Their bodies were intertwined and he was kissing her body hungrily and my mother was screaming his name in pleasure. I feel myself trembling, disgust washed over me that I wanted to vomit all the contents in my stomach but I stood there rooted to the spot stunned by scene in front of me. They were too into each other that they didn't even sense my presence.

"What is it taking you so long son?" I gasped and turned around when I heard my father's voice behind me. He was standing behind me with a glass of scotch in his left hand. I didn't know how terrified I looked until I saw his poster changing. Creases formed in his face when he saw my face. I was too shocked to say something. My mouth was dried. He looked at me suspiciously. Then we heard the moan again. He tilted his head a little and looked at the door. He moved closer. Suddenly I came out of the trance. I tried to shield the door and tried to block him from opening the door. But he pushed me to a side and opened the door forcefully. He stood there in utter shock; the glass fell from his hand and shattered into a million pieces.

The sound made the other individuals in the bed to stop their activities and look at us. Both of their eyes bulged out from their socket in shock. They immediately separated from their embrace and tried to cover themselves up. Nakul quickly get down from the bed and searched for his clothes. He grabbed his pants and wore it quickly. My mother on the other hand wrapped herself in the bed sheet. Guilt and fear were written all over her face when she looked at us. I looked away in disgust. My father's hand fisted when he stalked towards Nakul and punched him in face. He fell on his back. My mother gasped in fear and covered her mouth with her hands.

"See Varun, let me explain." Nakul tried to speak raising his hands in surrender but my dad was not ready to hear anything. He hovered over him and started to punch him hard, blood started to ooze out from his mouth and nose. "Varun stop it. You are going to kill him." My mother screamed but didn't dare to go near him. I ran to him and tried to pull him back. He struggled to get out of my grip but I somehow managed to separate them. He was panting with anger. I held him tight and didn't let go of him. "GET OUT YOU SCUMBAG. GET OUT OF MY HOUSE. OUT. DON'T EVER SHOW YOUR FACE IN FRONT OF ME AGAIN. YOU SON OF B***H." He screamed at Nakul. Nakul tried to sit straight but failed and fell back. He looked at my furious father and with much struggle he finally got up. He gathered his remaining clothes from the floor and ran away from our eye sight with his remaining life. My father breathed heavily and then he looked at my mother with furious eyes. She flinched at the intensity of his gaze. Her eyes started to water and she sobbed. But it didn't affect my father like it used to. His gaze was filled with pain of betrayal, disgust and anger.

He removed my hands around him in force and stormed out of the room. "Varun." My mother called him back. "Dont!!" My father said with his back facing her. "Don't ever come in front of me. Ever." He said and walked out of the room. I took deep breaths. At least he didn't kill anyone. I looked at my mother in disgust. She looked at me with pleading eyes and a guilty face. Then she looked down ashamed. I too walked out of the room.

I came down and couldn't find my father. I tried calling him but he cut the call and switched off the phone. I looked at the garden. The party was almost over and many of the guests were gone. I asked the butler to take care of the rest of the things and went to my room. I lay across my bed. How could she do this? I closed my eyes tightly but the image of their bodies in the bed flashed in front of me. I immediately got up and ran to the bathroom. I throw up everything I had in my stomach. I washed my mouth and leaned back to the bathroom wall. A fat tear escaped my eyes and fell down through my cheeks.

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Next morning I woke up and went down. My mother was still in her room and there was no news from my father. Sid was sitting on the dining table having breakfast. "Good morning Ved." He said to me with a smile. I faked a smile at him. "Where is dad? He did forget to give me my birthday present." He said faking annoyance. "Hey, he didn't forget. He thought of giving you it after the party but something urgent came up and he had to go out yesterday night." I said patting his head. "Oh." He said. I sat with him and somehow managed to eat a little.

I reached office and called my father's secretary to ask whether he know where he is but he was also clueless like me. We postponed some important meetings which my father should attend. I was restless. I don't know what he is going through and no one has any idea where he is. His phone is switched off from yesterday. I managed to finish my work and came back to home. The maids informed me that my mother never left the room today nor she had any food. I couldn't care less. I was more concerned about my dad. I was getting worried.

I lay on my bed wide awake, thinking of everything that happened yesterday. I wanted to question my mother but I didn't want to see her face. I fell into deep slumber some time during the mid night but was waked by my phones continuous ringing. I groaned and turned to pick up my phone. I answered the phone without looking at it. "Hello." I said my voice still hoarse. "Hey Ved. How are you my son?" I heard my father's raspy and tired voice from the other side. It made me sober up living any tint of sleep behind. "Dad, where are you? Why are you not coming home? Are you okay?" I asked in a hurry. I could guess that he is drunk from his voice.

"No. I'm not okay but I will be, soon." He said in his drunken voice. "I'm sorry son that I have to leave you back alone to carry my burden. I'm so sorry to do this to you. But she ruined me Ved, not only me but also our company. They both ruined our life. I can't take it Ved. What did I do to them to make me suffer like this? I would die for her, if she asks. I loved her with all my heart. Why did she do this to me Ved? Am I that bad? Was my love not enough?" He was sobbing heavily. My heart clenched hard. "Dad please, tells me where you are? I will come and pick you up okay. Please, we will talk about this later. Please let me come and get you. Don't make me worried." I said tears forming in my eyes. "How can I be this blind? They were doing all nasty things behind my back and I was totally unaware of it. And see where it brought me. I lost everything. I can't face anyone like a loser. I'm sorry my son." He sobbed. "Ved mark my word; never trust anyone blindly not even your shadow and most specifically women. They are fox in sheep's clothing." He continued his blabbering.

I was getting more worried now. I don't understand half of the things he is telling but I know I have to find him soon. I cut the call and dialled his secretary's number. He picked up after many rings. "Yes Mr. Aryan. Why are you calling me this time?" He asked in a sleepy voice. "Do you have any idea where my dad will be? I have to find him soon." I asked. "Oh. Aha. Mr. Aryan called me late in the evening and asked me to send some files regarding his wife's shares to his ancestral house." He said. I sighed in irritation. "Didn't I tell you to inform me when he calls?" I yelled at him. "I'm sorry Vedant but Mr. Aryan strictly insisted to tell no one about this. That's why I didn't tell you." He said apologetically. I sighed again. "Fine." I said and ended the call.

I got up quickly and changed into a pair of tracks and t-shirt. I walked out of the house to get into my car and drove off to our ancestral home. It was morning 4' O clock when I reached there. I quickly went upstairs to his study when the butler opened the door. The room was a complete mess. There were broken pieces of glasses and vase. Many papers were shattered around. I bend down and picked up a red colour file. I opened it to read and I was shocked.

It was the documents regarding the pledge of shares, which belonged to my mother. She has nearly 8% of shares in our company and she has pledged it to the bank for a huge amount of money, which is due for a year now. That means she hasn't paid anything back to the bank. I ran my fingers through my hair in nervousness. How could she do this? Why does she need this money? I rubbed my face with my palms. I kept the file on the table and walked out of the study towards my father's bedroom.

I entered the room, he was not there. The room looks also similar to his study. It was completely destroyed. Everything in the room were scattered around. "Dad" I called while going out of the room but there was no response. I searched every room in the first floor he was nowhere to found. Then I went to the second floor and opened the first room. I went inside and I heard water flowing from inside the bathroom. I sighed in relief. I slowly went in front of the bathroom and softly knocked and called out for him. But there was no response. I tried a few times but the result was same. I was getting very worried now. "Dad. Please open the door. Dad" I shouted but still no response. I lost my patience. I was getting panicked now. I took few steps back and with full force I knocked the door with my body. It opened with a bang. I immediately went inside. But what I saw made all my nerves go numb.

My dad was lying on the bathroom floor with a large pool of blood surrounding him. His both wrists were cut open and the blood was still flowing down from the wounds. I stood there with utter fear. My legs seems guled to the ground. I felt difficult to breath. My chest was paining. I fell on my knees on the bathroom floor. My body was shaking. "Sir." I heard someone calling from behind me. But I couldn't respond my body was numb. I couldn't process anything. "Oh My God. Ravi, Vasu come fast." Someone shouted frantically and rushed past me to my father. The man slowly kept his two fingers on my father's neck. Two other men and a woman came running into the bathroom. "He still has pulse. We should hurry and take him hospital. Lift him up. Leela, ask the driver to start the car." The old man shouted and started to give orders to everyone. They nodded in response. The women rushed downstairs and the two young men lifted my father up from the pool of blood. I was still on the floor in my knees. My eyes were flowing and my heart beat rising.

"Sir. Sir." Someone shook me harshly and I came back to my senses. I looked at the old man in front of me. "Sir we have to go to hospital fast. His pulse is too weak. Come on." He said in a frantic voice. No voice came from my mouth but I shook my head in understanding. I quickly got up from the floor and ran out of the room. I ran towards the front door descending many stairs at a time. My dad was already placed in the back seat when I reached the front porch. His wrists were tightly wrapped in some cotton clothes. I quickly got into the backseat and placed my father's head on my lap. The old man, our butler slides into the passenger seat and we rushed to the hospital. "Please hold on dad. Don't leave me. Please." I plead with teary eyes.

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"I'm sorry Mr. Vedant we are trying our best but there is nothing more we could do to save him. He already lost a lot of blood and his pulses were too weak." The doctor let out a huge breath and looked at me in pity. He patted my shoulder and walked away. I sat back on one of the chairs in front of the ICU. What happened to our life in a span of two days? We were so happy two days ago and now I'm going to lose my father. I sat there helplessly. "Ved." I heard Sid's voice. I looked up to see Sid walking hurriedly towards me. I got up from the chair. He came and stood in front of me. "What happened to dad?" He asked worried. I was losing it. I needed some comfort. I extended my hands towards him and pulled him into my chest. Then I let my guard down. I cried. I cried with all my heart. The only thing I could feel was Sid's hands doing small circles on my back in a soothing way.

We stood like that for a few moments. When I was calmed down we pulled apart. "What happened Ved?" He asked again. "Dad... He..." I couldn't form a sentence. "He what? Why is he in hospital?" He asked again. "He slit his wrists. He is in a critical condition and doctors are not sure that he will make it." I said to him in stuttering voice. For some reason I couldn't bring the word suicide into my mouth. Sid gasped in shock. "Why? Why did he do it?" He asked. I was about talk when I saw that lady standing few feet away behind Sid. She was having this shocked look on her face and tears streaming down her face. My jaw clenched and my fingers fisted. I was going to shout at her when door opened and a nurse came out. "Who is Ved and Sid?" She asked. We both moved in front of her. "The patient is conscious now and he wants to meet you both." She said. We nodded and went inside with her.

Our father was lying on the white hospital bed. Half of his body was covered in a white sheet. There were many tubes attached to his body. A blood bag was hanging from the IV stand and the tube was going down and disappearing into the vein of his left hand. He looked awfully pale and his lips has lost its usual pink colour. There were dark circles under his partially closed eyes. He looked so weak. I felt a prick in my throat. We moved close to his bed. "Dad." I called him softly. He jerked his head and raised his eyebrows. Then he slowly opened his tired eyes. He looked at us. A weak smile appeared in his lips. "Oh my boys." He spoke with his weak and hoarse voice.

"Why did you do it dad?" Sid asked immediately with teary eyes. His face saddened quickly. "I'm sorry boys. My heart is too fragile to take any blows. I'm so sorry I made you to go through this. Please forgive me for this. But always remember I love you both with all my heart." He said. "No you don't love us. If you do then you wouldn't have done this." Sid raised his voice with nonstop tears. I put my hand around his shoulder and held him tightly. "I'm sorry Sid. I'm a bad father isn't it?" Our father asked as a tear rolled down from his eyes, sideways. "Dad, don't say that." I said looking at him. He sighed and extended his right hand to us. We both held his hand. "Promise me one thing, that you will always be there for each other in any situations. Promise me that you will always watch each other's back." He said and looked at our faces. I bit down the sobs and held his hand tightly. "We promise." I said and Sid nodded his head. "I love you both." He said with a small smile and slowly closed his eyes. Then his grip on our hands loosened and slowly it drifted down to the bed. The machine attached to his body started to beep loudly. I gasped heavily. "DAD." Sid screamed and a nurse came running. Panting heavily, I slowly took few steps backwards, I looked at my father's lifeless body for a last time and then I ran out of the ICU.

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The funeral was over and everyone left our house after giving their condolence. I walked into my father's study and took the file from his desk. I have to do this. I walked towards the master bedroom. I opened it saw my mother sitting there wear a white saree. She was leaning back towards the head board. Her eyes closed. I really didn't see her in these few days nor did I care. I hated her with every fibre of my body. Her face was bringing back every horrible memory. It disgusts me being with her in the same room, but I need some answers. I banged the door heavily that it made huge sound by hitting the wall behind. She jerked open her eyes and looked at me. We stared each other for a few seconds and then she averted her gaze from me and hung her head low without being able to look at my face. "What do you want Ved?" She asked softly.