Chapter 7: Contrite for Mike.
Year 2019:
Ashlene qualified her Second year of MBBS with super colorful marks last year, Fred being next to her. Now she has started with new academic year. The Second Year has been tough and was of 18 months and she hadn't been able to clear it in first attempt due to her break up and pregnancy coinciding at that time, so she had a repeat but she did her best this time. She met Fred during that time along with her new batch-mates. She has been way too happy ever since the Results came out and Julia wonders how skillfully she studies with efficiency that she even manages house-work, weekend duties and her three year old daughter as well. Raul and Ashlene went well. They no longer had any tension in between their relation, it went smooth as friends. They still went for evening walks whenever it was possible. Raul hasn't been kicked out ever since he last joined and his working was adding much income to their little family.
Ashlene has taught him to make pancakes and he prepares them usually whenever he can. Ellie's birthday has been on its way and they are curious to celebrate it- Raul and Julia are preparing for her gifts beforehand. Ashlene advises them not to give her anything since she has been becoming mischievous and clever. However the little girl is way too clever and hard-working. She cleans the entire house minus kitchen, washrooms and balcony before the arrival of her mother followed by Julia. She dares Raul not to stop her and the poor guy can't refuse her wish. Ashlene rather says Raul not to prevent him. Ashlene has been planning to join Ellie in a nearby school after next year. Soon after few years she could take up a job earning tremendously than what she's doing now. She has cut down all her expenses.
She hardly goes to shopping and spends the weekends with her friends after working with whatever she earns, saving some amount for Ellie's and other necessities. Ashlene sometimes feel that she should leave Julia and Raul for once and go to her friend's place when things go uneasy between her and Raul- but she dismisses the idea when Julia constantly make her realize how much important she is. More than Julia, Ellie has been a constant source of support and motivation to her and the reason for living. Sometimes she gets way too frustrated but then she realizes later that this struggle is just for few years. Julia and Raul have supported her through her hard times and she will make their lives better when she would earn. She dreams of moving to a better house with them and turning their lives comfortable. Julia no longer would have to work for so many hours and getting tired.
Basically Julia is four years older than Ashlene, so the girl understands the latter one pretty better. Ashlene has asked her many times about her love-life but she just says that she is not interested in marrying or getting in any relations. She is happy living with Raul and her. That makes Ashlene swear that she would never ever leave Julia alone. Julia and Raul too have lost their parents at a young age and they too have led a hard life working for their own survival. How would they probably ever get time to make out for others? Things seem sadder for them to her. Ashlene wishes for Julia to get a real life, for her to fall in love, to feel the love and be happy with that lucky him but her thoughts come to an end when she thinks about what happened with her own self. She leaves the topic. It's better for Julia to not get this into this thing rather than being broken for her rest of her life. For Ashlene, she has a very deep hidden feeling that Julia's life has more to it. However she doesn't know how to know about it. Raul has never helped either.
"Ash! I've brought these ribbons and balloons. Do you think they would be sufficient?" Julia asks with her features smiling brightly as she shows the colorful ribbons to her,
"Julia!" Ashlene dead-pans, "Why have you bought these? These weren't needed! Why to waste money!" Ashlene scolds,
"C'mon, now don't start again please! I'm very much excited about Ellie's birthday!" Julia chirps,
"Hn," Ashlene sighs, "Well, thanks Julia. I mean it. But you really didn't need to waste your hard- earned money on these sheer things. This ribbons and balloons, streamers will no longer exist on the next day,"
"You know what," Julia smirks, "Just two days to go and then comes 6th June! That is her birthday. Okay?" Julia says cutely,
"We had some ribbons left from Christmas last year, we could have used it," Ashlene mumbles annoyingly in childish manner,
"Enough, let's eat something, "Julia smiles victoriously,
"Fine," Ashlene sighs,
.
.
.
Ryu has been doing well and the boys took care of him better. Tyson learnt to cook edible food and that was one of the biggest things he has ever done besides blading. Somehow, he has secured 78 percentile in his exams and that really surprised all of them because none of them managed to secure more than sixty-five percentile in their exams. Tyson himself was shocked and he twice checked his result sheet if it really was the so mentioned score and if it really belonged to him. He sweat dropped at the praises that he was getting by his formal classmates and Lecturer. Gaining this degree was very much valued and has scope for his earning in future years. He just needed professional experience after this. Then become licensed, obtain employment as a Cost accounting Manager and finally get Professional certification.
He was laughing nervously the whole day at the stunned faces of his teammates and Grandfather when he announced his results. Max buttered him too much for his achievement playfully. Tyson being flustered about an accidental big good deed he has done- got 78 percentile. He could get licensed by the end of next year and then he could take up a new job by next Christmas. Imagining this brought lot of grinning on his face at an instant. Ray, Kai and Max would too be taking up jobs by the end of next year and that would really be a big change in their life. Till now it has been Tyson's championship cash that has been spend along with Mr. D, who provided some fund because the other teammates were staying with the ONLY two actual members of the house.
"Nah, T-man will not give me any money. You will keep all your money with ya. I know!" Ryu giggled patting Tyson,
"Grandpa, I'm not selfish and I won't be in future either. I will take a part, a small part and give you all of it! I said you this for the millionth time, please stop it," Tyson laughed with anger,
"Time will show T-man! Time will, definitely." Ryu smiled sagely,
"Fine, we will see about it," Tyson sighed.
Tyson sometimes wonder how excited his Grandpa gets thinking about him. Seriously this course was very grueling and tough. This wasn't his cup of tea and though he took extra years for clearing this course, he had made through it, well almost, and getting such an unexpected percentile surely lifted his spirit, or in one way, burdened his responsibilities with expectations. For him, this was a different feeling- like- This was like accidentally an amateur blader who just learned launching and staying in dish managing to hit the title. He chuckles thinking about it.
Ray has not been actually jealous of Tyson, but a feeling close to it. Kai didn't mind. He knew that it was pure luck he has secured this percentile. Sometimes he wishes if he stayed back at Voltaire's place, so that he could have easily become the CEO of Hiwatari's corporation without much efforts. Nonetheless, the regret is too late. He has to study and earn well on his own. He looks boringly at Tyson, who is dreamily smiling seeing his result card,
Don't worry Tyson; the seeming future of yours isn't bright.
He seethes briefly internally.
Kai leaves the dojo for once to clear his head. Its dark and the sun have just set. The street lights are somehow not even switched on. He looks down, his hands in his pockets of his baggy trousers. The street has never been any barren like or hard. It used to be so smooth, the recent earth-quake seems to disrupt its' flawless texture- he notes. He appreciates the silence in which he is walking; the voice of the crickets is soothing. It's relaxing to hear them. The breezes aren't cold, but amiably cool.
He decided to rest for a while in park which is still a long way before he reaches. He sees a few cars passing by and then it's all silent again. His calm state is disturbed when he hears the sniffling of a certain someone. His eyes widens at the sight- a girl in her early twenties leaning against the pole, crying- someone familiar.
He approaches the girl carefully, "Excuse me; are you okay?" he asks, his cold voice that could have frightened more the girl,
She turns at him and stares at him with fury in her eyes. Kai gasps but just stares her back,
"What are you doing, Rose?" he asks in lowered tone,
"Why do you care? You really care?" she asks spitefully, her tears still evident,
"I was just asking, it's fine if you don't want to answer," he says coldly and starts leaving,
"Y-You seriously can live with that guilt inside you. Can't you?" she says with a sad smile,
"Rose, listen, that wasn't my fault. I didn't know about your brother. I didn't kill him!"
"You killed him, Kai… and you just can't find a way to let go of your guilt from your shoulders that day…" Rose says with sinister chuckle,
Kai remembers the day when he walked away from Tyson's and her final battle just predicting and getting drunk on the next day at party for not being able to handle his guilt that nobody except her knew.
He didn't know how to handle that guilt of what he has been responsible off.
Alexander has been taken in the punishment chambers after he had lost his battle to Tyson. Tyson had no idea of what was going to happen with Alexander, or else he'd have willingly lost that battle to save a poor soul from being bruised physically so much.
Kai joined the demolition boys and sided with Boris. Tyson had no idea about it that time. He just wondered where his captain disappeared suddenly. His day was exciting meeting all the teams he'd previously fought- The White Tigers and the All Starz. But at the end of the day, he was a little unsure of the obscure events unravelling.
Kai was training with Boris with strange cylinders filled with liquids and chemicals lined up at his sides. A guy with brunette hair, about twelve was called. His name was Mike. He was called to battle against this dual haired blader. He has been already told his punishment of losing this battle. He was one of the strongest bladers at that time. He was confident but the evil glinting in the mahogany eyes of his opponent scared him slightly. He was so much scared of the punishment and the torture that the sudden thought of it made him nearly unconscious,
The battle started and Kai was very much very well aware of what punishment Mike will receive if he loses the battle though Kai wouldn't receive any if he would lose. However, being his dark self, he was just hungry on using Black-Dranzer and didn't care if Mike would lose and face the consequences. He longed to see that scared expression on Mike's little face.
The battle went well and Kai was almost loosing. However within few seconds, the tables turned quickly and Mike lost very badly. Mike caught his blade with sweaty hands. He was shivering just imagining what he will be facing in minutes. He was so much driven by the phobia that the thoughts of suicidal were in his closest proximity.
He kept moaning in fear and kept shouting as the fear reached its peak inside him. He was taken in the dark chamber where a few lights near the large slabs were lighting, containing all the chemicals and other equipment's of research. They left him for few minutes since they had some work to sort out. His fate was not so far. He was driven by terror and dread of torture to worst limits. He missed his sister so much. Rose was fortunately never part of this cruel Biovolt. However she knew about his brother suffering here and she tried her best to get him out. She tried contacting Tyson and seeking help from him and his teammates from little before and she didn't even know what was right now happening with his brother.
Mike took an injection, filled it with some chemical randomly and injected in his blood. The reaction was spontaneous. He yelled the moment the liquid got mixed up in his blood. His nerves were shrinking and his muscles tightened revealing his bones. His hand started to pain severely. He got a mild headache leading to unconsciousness and a nausea feeling with which he qualified. The reaction spread in his entire body and he was dead till those men arrived for his torture. Later they informed Boris who ordered them to burn him and there was no remorse of Mike's loss.
Rose got to know the entire thing later, a few days after the tournament and when she got to know that Kai has been allotted for battling Mike; her rage was boundless. She wanted to find him and avenge him. Her tries were all futile, had no avail and the ghost of revenge from her mind got slowed down. Kai did come to know that the guy died but he had no idea how. He grieved briefly with slight guilt that in one way he has been responsible but the guilt got washed off with time.
When he saw Rose, a brief memory of Mike came but he pushed aside the feeling. It was not until he heard Jake talking about Rose and her brother, Mike and how he got killed through suicide. Kai was staggered when he came to know that. Rose couldn't battle him or else she would have crushed his blade under her powerful fury of revenge.
When she fought Tyson, she wanted to win- to show Kai if he knew about Mike, that she hated him and would want to defeat him in the battle. She didn't have the courage to confront him and she left him- just inwardly cursed him. She wanted to battle Kai but unfortunately couldn't. Kai couldn't watch her loosing that day; it was way more painful seeing her struggle, he left when his inner guilt haunted him. That day at party, he saw how much she was breaking.
"You killed him!" Rose snarled, tears slowing like rain through her cheeks, "What would have you lost if you'd just once lost that battle to him! My brother would have been alive today!" she bawled,
"I didn't inten-"he protested, his brows highly tensed up,
"Did you know what it feels like to lose someone you love?" she asked in hiccups, her voice murderous one second and then broken other second, "Did you ever loved your parents or anyone! Any friend or brother! If you'd, you'd have definitely known how it really feels, how it hurts, how it breaks, how it bitterly breaks," she said hiccupping badly, her face red and voice busted,
He kept quiet and just stared at her, the expiating feeling growing worse than it was years back.
"I would have killed any of your friends to avenge you, but why should I when they don't deserve or bloody you don't even like them!" she laughed sarcastically, her face glowering,
"Y-You…" he wanted to say something but he frowned harder finding it extremely awkward to justify himself,
"T-That day, in that battle, I wanted to win against Tyson; so badly. We saw each other's feeling and past that day in that battle. We initially had a feeling to loose willingly for each other's sake. He saw me, my losses, my pain, my reason for the victory…I saw his reasons, his needs, his brokenness to win the title badly. He wanted to win, for her, for Amelia…" she said sadly looking down remembering that battle and smiling nostalgically.
"Amelia…" Kai shuddered hearing that name.
"At the end, we fought against our needs and wanted to win so badly, I guess his need was way too stronger than mine or perhaps he was way too powerful, honestly. I wish it were you in his place, I would have killed your blade and you!" she snarled viciously.
He glared at her. She did the same and more powerfully.
"You don't know Tyson. Stop saying all that shit. He fights for himself and not for that girl!" Kai said coldly.
"There is more to what you know about him. Our feelings were exposed like we could do telepathy. You will never know what it is like to see someone else and be influenced, in short, you don't know your teammate quite much or properly," she sneered,
He grunted but kept quiet, his eyes blinking and looking at her to understand her.
She kept quiet and looked at him, as if she was reading him,
"You know what, to be honest, I really don't feel you regret right now of what you've done to Mike. Just hear me, I will NEVER forgive you. I'm tired of this hatred feeling for you eating my own sanity through the years," she said weakly, her voice still fumed up,
He looked worried and sad. He just wanted to tell her that he is really sorry but he just couldn't say that and even if he does which he said a few moments back, there are nil chances she would believe him. He is rather expecting to receive mockery laughter at his apology.
They look at each other tersely. She blinks and scowls,
"Shall I ask you something?" she asks a little better,
He is shocked but nods,
"You hate and are jealous of Tyson. Right?" she asks in a tone of sarcastic joy,
"Hn-" Kai gasps, suddenly taken abrupt by her declaration which is actually true. He himself is perplexed at the moment.
"Yes, you're right. You do hate him." She answers to herself and leaves. Before he could call her and asks anything, she is gone and he is left staggering at his own self of what he had done.
He has a stinging remorse of being responsible for Mike's death but currently a large part of his mind is thinking that his rival actually knows everything about him being responsible for Mike's death and about Rose. That's the reason he was somewhat sadly staring at Rose in the party. He understands now.
It was just so unsettling that every good thing happens to Tyson and not to him, but was he right in snatching those things from him and rendering him weak? Was he right in being jealous?
He suddenly remembers Tyson smiling and grinning and being way too happy through previous past years…Being with her and all those days.
A/N: Well, thanks to the previous reviewers. I'm not sure if this story is quite popular just like how HMITR was but anyways, here we are. So probably this is the last chapter before I go to Hiatus because… I guess college will start soon and I will be busy, so no updates for few months. And… a heart jolting news for me- my results might be announced anytime- tomorrow or day after tomorrow so I'm a little lot tensed and worried xD *sweatdrops*
Naina: Hey, I can't update the day I've updated the chapter obviously; so patience, buddy ^^ Anyway I hope you're doing good. :D
Guest11: I didn't understand what you wanted to tell in your last review. Can you please clarify it *sweatdrops*
REVIEW People! This might be last time I might be seeing you, so if you want me to do some one shot, do tell. I will try by best ^^