Red Diamond
#ImportantNote #ReadItPlease #IDontKnowHowToUseHashtags #ILoveHashtags #WillYouMarryMeHashtag !
BEFORE YOU LOAD YOUR RIFLES, LEMME EXPLAIN WHY I VANISHED FOR THREE MONTHS STRAIGHT.
I HAD MY FINALS. You get the point.
Apparently, all my gadgets had also been confiscated, so I wasn't able to reply to all those who tried to reach out to me and ask if I had died or left the story or what.
Y U DO DIS I CRIE EVRYTIEM! (sorry) (Read The Parody on Wattpad to get this)
LOL I'M ALIVE, OKAY? AND I'M NEVER EVER GONNA LEAVE THIS STORY, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE SO NEAR TO THE END OF THE FIRST BOOK. YUP, THERE'S ANOTHER ONE ON THE WAY, AS YOU KNOW.
...But I'd still like to ask you: Should I really write the next book? There are gonna be like, 25 chapters in the next one. Your opinion?
Another thing: In one of my previous chapters, I had apparently fat-shamed someone (or at least one of the readers felt like I had done that). I would just like to say that I would never, intentionally or not, fat-shame anyone. Perhaps the way it was described or the circumstances in which it was described proved to be a misunderstanding, but really, if any of you thought I did, then I would like to apologize with all my heart. All of you are beautiful, in any form. There's absolutely no criticism or judgment in the way I see you all. Love you all xx.
WTH YOU GUYS ARE INSANE, I MEAN THANKS A LOT L71, Mizuna Kurenagi, .1996, and TheFictionalBeing for favoriting and following this story! There are so many other people who followed or favorited my other one-shots and me as well, so a huge thanks to them too (though they don't read this story... I just hope my thanks reaches them lol)
Reply to the review of All-u-need-are-books: (I strongly agree with your username) Phew, thank god I didn't disappoint! Like, it would've been totally weird if I disappointed another Indian in terms of expressing an Indian girl! Thanks a lot for reading and reviewing! xx
So, I had to re-watch the entire anime, because I'm writing two more stories, thinking of another three, and reading a book as well. So yeah, you sometimes can't get the right feel, and even the romantic scenes I wrote felt so off for me. But I'm back now!
And now, on with the chapter! I hope you understand the way I have tried to describe the Indian traditional dresses in English *smiles nervously and runs off into distance* HOPE YOU LIKE THE CHAPTER. You can play Melanie Martinez's Soap for this chapter (love that song!).
Disclaimer: I certainly do not own Brothers Conflict. All credit goes to the rightful owners. I only own my OCs and the plot for this Fanfiction. No part of this Fanfiction intends to hurt anyone's sentiments, and I sincerely apologize if it by mistake does.
Chapter 45: Toxic
Sabrina's POV
The next morning, I woke up to the smell of delicious Indian breakfast, practically deep fried in tons of oil and carrying load of fats, but who cares? So, I followed my usual schedule and got ready to come to the exceptionally huge dining table, formed by joining four-to-five tables end-to-end. Plates and trays of food were spread across the table, laid on the pearl white table cloth.
The appetizing aroma of the homemade food entered my nose, and I tried hard not to drool in front of everyone. Well, that's me, #foodie.
One by one, all of my cousins and the guys came, some yawning, some wearing bored expressions, the little ones over-excited, and the rest either wondering if people who wake up early in the morning are human or not, or just inhaling the fresh air.
Me? I was capturing these random moments in my camera. Probably gonna get it all printed.
"And pasted up the walls of my room." I finished for my mini-me. Yeah, I was getting along with my mini-me.
WAKING UP, BESIDE YOU I'M A LOADED GUN! I CAN'T CONTAIN THIS ANYMORE, I'M ALL YOURS I GOT NO CONTROL, NO CONTRO-O-O-OL!
Scratch that – we were never meant to be together.
But you love me!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. No.
The plates were arranged for everyone, and we all sat around it. Subaru had to eat toasts instead of the fried food because of his training and diet schedule and stuff. Poor guy lost on some delicacies, I swear to god.
I cast a look at my brothers' faces – most were either eating, either gasping, probably because of the heavy amount of chili, Tsubaki was telling Azusa to try some dish, Azusa was gaping at the amount of food piled in Tsubaki's plate, Yuusuke glaring at Fuuto and Fuuto was smirking at him, god knows why. But then I caught Iori staring at me, I wonder why.
Maybe because he's planning to gauge you eyes out right after this meal.
Mental note to self: DO NOT EVER SAY 'I WONDER WHY', BECAUSE THIS VOICE CAN NEVER LET YOU DO SO.
*Cries* Goodbye, my appetite, for I can definitely not eat while thinking of my eyes gauging out! *sniffs into a tissue paper*
Ok.
The second he caught my eye, he averted his gaze to his food, but kept picking at it with his spoon. He sighed, and then excused himself. I did not go after him, because that would seem suspicious, but I had to talk to him later in the day.
I instinctively looked at Kaname and even he seemed wary about his sudden departure.
O~O~O
While everyone was busy preparing for the wedding scheduled for the evening, I was out in my balcony, having done my share of duties already. I was worn out.
Standing close to the edge, I took a deep breath and quickly released it, as I held on tight to the railing. The exams are coming up, and I have about thirty percent preparation of the entire syllabus. And there wasn't that much of a gap left between these holidays and the exams.
Way to commit suicide.
"Gee, thanks." I sarcastically whispered to myself. I had brought a few books with me, but with the festive spirit springing in the air of the house, studying was practically impossible. Plus, there was this sudden weird behavior by Iori. Then the answers to – you know what. Like, dump all of the world's problems on my head. Come, Trump, please make America's president too so that I can officially shout out, "I'm doomed!"
Stop overreacting, Shawty.
"What're you worried about, huh?" I heard Kaname's voice, and turned to face him with a smile.
He came forward to stand beside me, and said, "I see something's bothering you."
"Nothing like that..." I sighed, not meeting his eyes.
"Is it about what happened earlier today, at the breakfast table?" He unexpectedly asked. I didn't expect him to raise the topic himself.
"Kinda... did you notice him too?" I raised my brows.
"Yes, he seemed unusually off. He would never exhibit such manners in front of everyone." He remarked.
"True, but, do you have, like, any idea about this?" I asked.
"Why do you think so?"
"You're the closest to him." I reasoned. He looked into the distance for a good seven minutes, before he turned to me and spoke, "I think that's what it is." Maybe he wasn't speaking to me, because he wasn't exactly looking at me; his eyes seemed elsewhere.
"What is it?" I was curious.
"It's...that what has captured the others." Whoa, deep talk. I had no idea what he was referring to, and there were a hundred possibilities in my mind.
"What?" I inquired.
"You'll see soon. I just hope he doesn't go too far with it." He said, "Looks like I've got somewhere to be. See you, imouto-chan."
"See ya." I indecisively said. After a few minutes of pondering over the maze of words Kaname had structured, I gave up and went to head to my room.
I walked up a floor to my room, away from the clutter of voices coming from the ground floor. Just as I was nearing my room, I saw Iori sitting in front of my door, a frown stretched on his face. I immediately scurried up to him and kneeled down beside him.
"What's wrong, Iori-san?"
He looked at me, his eye-lids covering about half of his hazel eyes. He had a look of... confusion in his eyes, as he looked at me. He blinked thrice, and in a croaked voice, said, "I've been missing you."
"But we live together. Why would you miss me? I'm with you." I said, changing my position to a more comfortable one.
"You're with me... You said that before too..." He pondered in a low voice. He then sighed, and leaned his head against the door behind him, "You know, I've been getting opportunities to study in different universities. There's this one in France I've always admired. They've sent me a mail, accepting me."
"What? That's great news, congrats!" I exclaimed, and hugged his side, yet he didn't seem like he was entirely glad about the acceptance.
"It means that I'd have to leave the house soon. I'd have to leave you here..." He spoke, "But I won't. I'll take you with me, and we'll stay together."
Wait, what?
"Huh? But I h-have my, um, studies that I've gotta complete in Japan. That's not possible." I reasoned.
"But you're going with me, because I won't let you go... like the way I did with Fuyuka." There was sadness in his eyes, but a sense of determination was taking over it.
"But Iori-"
"I love you, that's why."
Okay, I'm done.
WHY GOD, WHY?
How do I turn him down? I certainly did not feel the same way towards him. I looked at him and it seemed like he was growing impatient, as his hands were lightly shaking.
I filled in a deep breath; he looked so fragile, like my rejection would break him up. But I had to be the mean one – I had to say a no. I couldn't keep him in a mere oblivion; otherwise he might end up doing something drastic.
"Say, do you love me back?" He urged, running a shaking hand through his hair.
"I... Iori..." My heart was breaking by each passing second, yet I said it, "I don't fell the same way about you."
Shit.
His shoulders slumped, and a few moments later, he muttered, "...But you said... that you'll always be with me.."
"Iori-"
"You promised..."
"Please, Iori-san. I didn't mean-"
"You're a liar, just like her!" He shouted, and abruptly stood up. I flinched, as he tightly grabbed my wrist and made me stand up as well.
"What are you-"
"You're going with me!" He sternly whisper-yelled, and began pulling me with him. Thankfully, there was no one around to witness this drama, and no one could hear all this as well, thanks to the noise on the lower floor.
"Stop! You're hurting me!" I protested, but he dragged me forward anyway. He looked back to meet my eyes, and there was a fire inside them. A fire of rage, I believe, as he looked at me mercilessly, as if he had to punish me.
I couldn't read him properly, though. I believed he would never attempt such misconduct. Something must've gotten into him.
"Iori, stop." A voice spoke from behind us. We turned to see Kaname, shutting his door behind him, "Release her, this instant."
"What do you even know?" Iori spat.
"I know that you're hurting her bad, and I also know that you've fallen in love with her." The blonde one replied. Silence surrounded us for a few moments.
"I heard your conversation." He continued.
"You're disgusting." Iori retorted, and continued pulling me, and I tried hard to resist. With much effort, I freed my hand from his iron-like grip. The second my wrist left his hold, he turned around in shock, and maintained that expression for a long time. However, his eyes seemed to widen initially, and then soften; they went from shocked, to realization, to guilty.
"I-I-I'm... s-sorry... " He whispered, hardly audible. I stood like a statue, as if paused in my shape.
He squinted his eyes shut, and covered his ears with his hands, and gritted his teeth. It looked like he was being tormented inside, and it was hard to see him in such a state.
"What's happening to you, Iori?" Kaname asked, stepping towards him. But Iori stepped back, and shouted, "Stay away!"
He looked at me, his eyes watering, and then he walked away to the room allotted to him.
"What's happening to him?" I worriedly asked Kaname. He shook his head in bewilderment, and whispered, "I hope he'll be okay."
O~O~O
"Oh my god! You look like a girly girl!" Riya exclaimed, as the girls from a parlor walked out of the room, having done their share of work.
"Oh my god, I look like a girly girl." Neha said, horrified.
"But you look hot, girl." I said, combing my hopeless excuse of hair. Neha frowned, clutching her baby pink colored silk skirt, flowing all the way down to her ankles. It wasn't too gaudy – it was made with her choice, so of course it couldn't be all sparkly and shimmery. A long, pink, netted piece of cloth dangled from her shoulder till her knees. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, unlike the usual messy bun she sported.
Riya had a gaudier outfit, the base dress being the same – a short blouse, a long skirt, and a netted drapery. She had it red, filled with a hell lot of golden embroideries. Mine was something in a dark green shade. The embroideries were a lot less intricate than Riya, of course.
Riya had her hair styled into some complicated bun, elegant but attractive. I wore my hair in a bun too, I don't know what kind. We had this heavy jewelry we had to wear, so I opted for the lightest ones out of the bunch. Neha, being the tomboy she was, suggested to were a couple of her chunky bracelets and charms, but Riya strictly denied it and made her wear the heavier items. Well played.
"I swear, only you guys are saying I look good. All of the others are probably gonna laugh at me." Neha muttered, pouting at the mirror.
"Ah, no! Definitely not! This is the best look you've sported in six years!" Riya exclaimed.
"I'm sure guys will end up falling at your feet tonight!" I added, winking.
She made a laughable face and said, "As if. The only one probably falling would be that dumb fellow who lives next door. He's such a hole. Get it." She pushed, and yeah, got it.
"Aha, then who do you want falling for you, huh?" Riya teased, and we both high-fived, chuckling.
She stomped like a five-year old, and said, "Why do you have to find a way to turn every conversation this way?"
"Oh c'mon! You've gotta have a crush by now!" Riya said.
"And we've gotta know who that lucky guy is!" I added.
"Aha, and that would probably be Spongebob." She said, blowing a lock of hair off her forehead.
I seriously hope she isn't infatuated with that cartoon.
Shut up.
"They say that there's a trick to know your crush for yourself." Riya said, rubbing her hands, "But you've gotta be honest."
"You're seriously making me do this?" Neha said, dragging the 'seriously'.
"Yep." Riya said, "Clear your mind out of all the rubbish." Neha reluctantly sat down but followed her instructions.
"Think of the word 'love', and things related to that..." Riya calmly said, making me doubt the fact is she was just a normal girl and not a hypnotist. The other one's expression changed from bored to shocked really quick, an she snapped her eyes open, blushing red.
"Oh, no no no no no." Neha said, rubbing her cheeks.
"Don't mess up the make-up. Who did you see?"
"You really wanna know?"
"Yeah..."
"I'm interested." I said, and Neha bushed for a couple more moments before saying, "There's... this guy from my class and... he's got these cute dimples and... ugh!" She growled and walked out of the room.
"She goes from zero to hundred real quick." I remarked.
"True, but let's do this with you now!"
"What? Why me?"
"Because I want to! Won't you do this much for your lovely sister?" She made a puppy face. Hard to ignore.
"Okay, I give up." I sighed, and closed my eyes. I followed whatever she was saying, and I have to admit, she was good at it.
But then something shunned my mind.
I saw him.
I snapped my eyes open, trying not to seem so obvious to not provoke her suspicion. I tried to act normal, but internally, I was freaking out.
How the hell did his face come into my mind? Why?
You're just a hot mess.
Hehe, thanks, but right now, NO.
"Who is it?!" She excitedly asked.
"N-no one." I averted my eyes. Come on, you need to act like a professional.
"Shut up, you definitely have seen someone. Tell me!" She pushed.
"It was, erm, Louis Tomlinson." I excused.
"Fittey mooh (curse you).I know he's cute af. But you're absolutely hopeless." She said, and pouted, and looked at her reflection in her mirror to check herself.
The elder ladies (with Neha and two other bridesmaids) came to call us downstairs to the main venue, and clicked a hundred pictures of us before doing anything else. I carried my camera with me.
Stepping down the stairs, everyone turned to look at the bride and the bridesmaids – who covered the head of the bride with a red, netted cloth – and were awe-struck. She looked splendid. Maybe we looked good too, haha.
While walking down the stairs, she whispered to me, "Looks like the parlor girls did a good job."
"Wonderful, I tell you." We both giggled. She headed to meet her in-laws and relatives with her mother, while I went to check on my brothers.
And I won't exaggerate it and all, but they too showered some wonderful compliments. But this one:
"I don't know what on earth you're wearing, but you look pretty hot." Fuuto whispered ion my ear, much to the annoyance of Yuusuke and Tsubaki. Azusa just sighed at his hopeless twin, and Natsume averted his eyes.
"Gee, thanks, Fuuto." I said
I looked around, and Iori was nowhere to be seen. Garnering their compliments, I excused myself and went to search for him.
I actually hoped that he didn't come down, because he didn't seem emotionally stable at all, considering his act conducted earlier in the day. But during my search, I found a bag sitting in the corner of the room. I thought I had seen it somewhere before, so I opened it.
It was filled with clothes of a man, and with glance at them, I knew whom they belonged to.
Iori.
I left the bag there, and amidst the loud music blaring from the huge speakers set in every corner of the hall, I pointlessly called out for his name. He had to be down here.
Getting nowhere at all with my attempts, I headed back to where I saw his backpack. But when I reached the spot, it was nowhere to be seen.
Where had it vanished to?
Now panicking, I called out his name, but no soul could hear me in the loud noise. Thankfully, I found Kaname standing close by. I ran up to him, and spoke loudly, "Iori is nowhere to be found!"
"Have you looked around carefully?" He asked, and I nodded, and told him that I had seen his backpack, and then it had disappeared.
"Let's look in the rooms." He suggested, and we both went searching in all the rooms the building had, but to no avail.
We met in the main hall, both with negative responses, and then tried to search outside.
And there he was, wearing his backpack, walking straight ahead, already at the end of the road.
"Iori!" I yelled, and he looked back, stumped. We ran up to him, and Kaname angrily asked, "What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm going."
"Why? What happened? We can sort it out." Kaname suggested, but Iori shook his head vigorously.
"I can't live like this anymore, not with my mind haunting me endlessly..." He looked at me for a split second, and then hung his head in shame, "I've decided to take this step after a lot of thought. Don't stop me now."
"Are you sure you're doing the right thing? Where are you going?" Kaname asked him.
"I can't tell that." He showed a small smile, "Just remember me." He looked at me, with totally guilty eyes.
"I... wish you luck. I hope you achieve whatever you want in your life." Kaname said, hugging Iori. He cried on the blonde's shoulder, and in his croaked voice, he said, "I'm sorry..."
The pulled away and he cast a last glance my way, the guilt still shining in his eyes. I already had tears in my eyes. I couldn't accept the fact that someone so important in our family was going away on a sad note.
He took a few steps, and I ran up to him and hugged his back, sobbing freely on his back. He too, let his tears fall, as he choked on a sob and spoke, "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay... we're good..." I whispered, and clung onto him.
A few minutes later, I wiped my tears, because I didn't want to bid him adieu with tears. Who knew how long it would be before we met?
He turned, and I managed to stretch my lips into a small smile.
"Goodbye." I said, though I didn't want him to go. Not now, nor ever.
"Goodbye, don't forget me." He said, looking into my eyes, both of our visions blurred with the tears threatening to fall again.
"I never would." I said, as he turned back again and walked off into the dark street, lit with only a few streetlights. And he went so far, away from us.
Until he was seen no more.
AHHHH THAT'S THE END OF IORI'S ROUTE! I'M SO SAD, LIKE, LOOK AT THE ENDING OF THE CHAPPIE, C'MON! (I know I cry at every little thing)
So, did you like it? Tell me how it was! I really like to hear your views! :)
Review, add this story to your favs, and ask any question to your characters! The next chapter will be up shortly!
Forever,
Diamond Shyn
