Chapter 32: An old Champion, a dad's need, a nascent love.
Tyson's vision was slowly coming as his eyes fluttered and he opened them fully and discerned his ambiance. He could see his friends peering at him closely, including Grandpa seated beside him, probably waiting for him to regain his consciousness.
"Tyson, are you okay?" Max asked,
"What happened?" Tyson asked as he rubbed his hand on head subconsciously, "Where's Dragoon?" he asked in bewilderment,
"It's here," Daichi handed him,
"Thank god," Tyson sighed. He suddenly remembered that he had a beybattle with Nyhan a few minutes back,
"You feeling okay, T-man?" Grandpa asked,
"Wait! What about my battle?" Tyson bawled,
"Relax, you didn't lose, it was a tie. Your next battle will be held tomorrow afternoon," Daichi said smoothly,
"Really?" Tyson asked nonplussed; everyone gave a nervous funny look to Daichi.
Tyson looked at others who were smirking secretly, especially Ray.
"Another battle? I promised Nyhan that I won't tie! Shit," Tyson whined so hopelessly, "Now what do I do! Shit." Tyson was literally like whining.
"Relax. Daichi was just kidding. You won, dude," Max said cheerfully and patted Tyson on his shoulder.
"REALLY!" Tyson swerved suddenly and glomped at Maxie and enveloped him in a bone-crushing hug.
"Hey! Tyson, I c-can't breathe," Max said suffocating,
"Tyson, how can you even think you could have lost?" Grandpa said jokingly
"You mean, I did win, really?" Tyson was so shocked and happy that he doesn't know where to lock his wild happiness right now.
"Yeah pal, you passed out but then the blast that you guys created had cleared off. Neiy wasn't clearly spinning and Dragoon was JUST spinning and we saw a glimpse of it before Dragoon stopped too. But Brad declared you as the victor," Kenny smiled,
Tyson was like on seventh heaven. He was so exhilarated and joyous. Everyone congratulated him including Ray and he had a fine talk with them but there was one person lying a little far away from him whose eyes were closed but his audition was working and everything that he heard including the agog of his rival's victory. He nonetheless was happy, that at least his team has won, and Lyan's team hasn't.
"Uhmn, where is Kai?" Tyson asked,
"He's there," The blonde threw his finger in the captain's direction, "Still sleeping I guess,"
"Ahha," Daichi nodded negatively, "He's probably eavesdropping us," Daichi laughed,
Max sweat-dropped and Ray gulped. Grandpa gave a mature smile..
That's Kai, the quiet and kind one.
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"Uncle Raul, that grey haired prick is William." Raul eyed him evilly and nodded. They were standing in the school yard and the children were casually going towards the building.
"Ellie, you go," Raul ordered,
Ellie nodded and she began to walk through the school's expanse and Raul hid behind the boundary wall.
"Hello, morning Blue Tower, what'cha doing?" William's snorting could be heard. Raul popped in front of the boy at whim and William was almost scared like he saw a ghost. Raul's dark green eyes shone in evil darkness.
"So, you are William? Huh?" Raul asked in a low dangerous tone,
"Y-Yeah," William tried braving up,
"Listen you grey haired Lilliput, firstly my daughter isn't a Blue tower, secondly if you consider her a tower, you're a collapsing building in earthquake in front of her, a big tower, got me, you Lilliput?" Raul was seething evilly and his nose was oscillating in fury,
"G-Got it!" William said speechlessly. He looked at Ellie who was smiling ear to ear.
"And if you ever throw my bag pack in puddle-" Ellie warned,
"Then I will dig your grave in that puddle!" Raul bowled,
William's face was paled and he seemed to be on the verge of crying. Other kids stared at Raul in fear and confusion.
"What's going on here?" Ashlene showed up, "It's enough, Raul. Leave," Ashlene was clearly not happy about Raul scaring the little kid,
"Mom! When did you come?" Ellie blanched a little,
"William, are you okay?" Ashlene asked him softly,
"Excuse me, you're siding that guy instead of your daughter!" Raul shot,
"Yeah. Because you did it too much!" Ashlene shot back,
"I did too much? You're intervening!" Raul pushed Ellie back and faced Ashlene,
"I'm intervening? You're being insane!" Ashlene pushed William back and both the adults now were the ones who were nose to nose, glaring daggers. The scene turned hilarious when kids began siding up Ashlene and Raul, and cheering them for the glaring contest,
"Excuse me?" An elderly woman showed up,
The duo broke the stare, "Yes?"
"Are you parents of a kid here?"
"Yeah, why?" Raul asked rudely,
"I'm the vice-principal of this school. If you've issues, you can handle them out. This is a school arena, an educating arena, got me?" The lady asked curtly and coolly,
"I'm sorry," Ashlene bowed and she ushered Raul out of the campus. William was still horrified at what happened, "Excuse me grey haired old man, I've a class, so MOVE!" Ellie pushed William and made her way to the class,
William stood stupefied. He wasn't sure if Ellie's mom was really siding him or both her parents were trying to scare him; but he accepted the latter.
…
"What's your problem? Why did you came to Ellie's school and created a tantrum!" Ashlene shook her head angrily and confusedly,
"Because you don't understand your daughter! She was irritated and angry about that guy! Just like how YOU get irritated sometimes!" Raul shot back. They were currently standing in the corner of the cellar of the school and it was almost dark, but the fans were spinning and it wasn't very humid,
"I UNDERSTAND Ellie, very well. She's willful and stubborn and I wanted her to handle this calmly on her own. I wanted her to learn these things. It wasn't a big matter, William wasn't beating her!" Ashlene said with furious blue eyes,
Raul shook in anger and in the process his knee hit the side pole vaguely. He ignored, "So you're waiting till the time Ellie gets hit by William!" Raul protested,
"That wouldn't have happened anyway. William is a kid, a kid just like Ellie! Why are you shouting at me!" Ashlene shouted uncontrollably,
"I can ask you the same! You're so careless, Ash, seriously, you can never understand. You could have at least told Ellie that you will scold William, she WOULD have been satisfied. She was expecting from you to say that, but you weren't siding her at all. It was rather as if William is your son!" Raul yelled,
"Shut the fuck up! What's your problem! Why are you arguing with me? I'm her mother and you're NOT her father!" Ashlene's word quieted Raul very finely. He stared straightly at Ashlene,
"Done. Are you done? Is there more regarding Ellie's father or our friendship or relationship you want to say anything more about?" Raul asked softly but the brokenness and…the disappointment was evident,
Ashlene was quiet as well. She herself was right now regretting why she said those words to him, she just wished if she could go back in time for briefly.
"Look, I didn't mean that-"
"I don't care what you mean or meant, Ash, but I accept what you said. If you think I'm NOT Ellie's father, then fine. It's the truth anyways. But YOU, really need to get Ellie's real father in case you are sponsoring your daughter because, Ellie really need her father. YOU'RE INSUFFICIENT."
"Raul…" Ashlene was finely hurt and she was dumbstruck,
"I'm sorry if that hurt you but I meant what I said and that's the truth. You can't handle Ellie forever alone. Julia doesn't agree with this. She says you can manage Ellie, but I don't accept this. I wanted to tell you from the start but I didn't because Julia would kill the shit out of me and you'd lose courage but sadly this is the truth. I'm not bothered if you accept my words or not," Raul said clearly and frankly straightaway,
"Ash," Raul paused, "I myself try that I remove that need for her father but sadly that would never cent percent work out, because I'm really not her dad. A-And, just these two things, Ellie will need her dad, not me, her real dad…And please, you will be a doing favor to me if you keep our conversation a secret. Please don't break this promise like last time. Julia won't forgive me." Raul walked away. He turned his head half towards shoulder, "She's my only family." He went away.
Ashlene stood lifeless leaning against the pole. The words of Raul reverberated in her head,
Ellie will need her dad, not me, her real dad
Ellie will need her dad, not me, her real dad
I wanted to tell you from the start but I didn't because Julia would kill the shit out of me and you'd lose courage but sadly this is the truth
I'm not bothered if you accept my words or not
Ashlene wept bitterly and kept a hand on her mouth and rendered her cries muted.
I can't do this. I loved Ellie more than anyone. I'm working hard only for her. I wanted to give her a life in which she would never need her father! How can Raul say that! No… Ellie doesn't need her father. She needs me. I will try to be the best mom. I WILL try to become a better person.
Ashlene slowed down her cries and she breathed in heavily. She nodded to herself determining herself to become a less irritated and better person. She will pay more attention towards Ellie,
…
"Look if you try to tease me next time, I will bring dad here and you will be in that puddle in no time," Ellie warned him playfully,
"Look, blue pumpkin, your mom will be there to save me, so no worries," William threw his tongue and ran out. Ellie ran for him and they landed again in the playground,
Ellie was wishing if Raul would show up suddenly like in morning, then she spotted her mom, "Mom!" she yelled and William's eyes shone brightly and he tried spotting the brunette,
"Hey aunt! Your daughter is warning me!" William winked at the blunette and ran with miserable expression towards the brunette,
"No mom," Ellie said holding her mom's hand,
"William, Ellie is a good girl. Firstly don't wink at my daughter and secondly, if you ever tease her, I will bring her dad as well. You are a very spoilt brat, I saw that." Ashlene said calmly and took Ellie home.
…
Ashlene unlocked her desk and took out a napkin and kept on the table. After showering, she lied on her bed and Ellie went in for shower. Her books and a little bag were properly arranged. Ashlene herself wasn't this organized like how her daughter was.
Someone knocked her door, "Come in, Mischa,"
Raul opened the door and came in. Ashlene suddenly got up and stared at the standing person- Raul. She couldn't study him. She couldn't understand why he was here. His words suddenly came yelling in her mind and she was breathing in deep to prevent herself from crying. Her eyes were dewy-dropped. She looked away from him trying to distract herself and thinking how to escape from this situation.
"I've to cook," Ashlene said quickly as she walked past him,
Raul held her wrist firmly, "Mischa is cooking, already," He said in a tired voice,
Ashlene looked down and tried closing her eyes. She didn't want Raul to see her crying. She didn't even try escaping his grab,
She just shed tears and looked down, her eyes constantly seeing Raul's blue jeans and loose tee and the floor with lower desks a few inches away,
Raul sighed and lifted her head up. She still had her eyes tightly closed and her teary face was beating.
"Ash, I'm sorry. Please, don't mind me. I too want the best for Ellie," Raul explained,
"No, you're right. You were right, Raul," Ashlene said miserably,
"Please don't cry. I really don't like you crying. I'm sorry," Raul implored apologetically,
"I don't want to go back to him, please help me fulfill Ellie's need of her father," Ashlene said creakingly,
"Okay Ash, I will help you. But promise me, you will try to be better mother. And I will try to be a better dad too," Raul smiled. Ashlene nodded eagerly. Raul smiled and he softly placed a kiss on her forehead.
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"Tyson granger, you won! You know that? Are you still awake? Did they tell you yet?" Hilary yelled on the phone,
"Yeah Hilary, they told me, though they scared me initially that it was a tie" Tyson said giving a glare to Daichi who grinned in response. The G-revs had come back to Japan and both Kai and Tyson were fine now, unlike how broken and ill they were after their respective battles.
"Are you not visiting me to let me give you congratulation?" Hilary asked with laughingly,
"Ohho, so I've to visit you. Huh? I thought you already booked a ticket here?" Tyson smiled as he tied his tie.
"Your phone is on speaker?"
"Yeah, why?" Tyson asked,
"Nothing, was just asking," Hilary said a little fidgety,
"Daichi's only in, say," Tyson said, eyeing Daichi shortly,
"Why is your phone on speaker, anyway?"
"Because I'm getting ready for work, I've to leave for Company quarters," Tyson sighed,
"Wow! That's awesome Tyson!" Hilary's voice enlightened,
"I know," Tyson laughed,
"You are going on work, to a company, as an advisor, that's just like a dream," Hilary said dreamily,
"I know," Tyson said softly. Hilary rather expected Tyson to blurt at her,
"Years changed us. Didn't they?" Hilary asked softly,
"Hmm," Tyson said a yes,
"Anyway, I couldn't believe myself I'm a Doctor now," Hilary said,
"Even I can't. I will never come to you in case I get ill," Tyson smirked,
"Yeah, I know. Wait, what?" Hilary squealed,
"Okay, bye for now. I'm getting late. A haste kiss on your forehead, mwah!" Tyson smiled and kept his phone silently in his pocket.
Hilary smiled on the other side. Wish if Ryan would have ever said that to me…
…
"Gramps, wish me luck," Tyson bowed,
"You are all good. Nine times world Champ, you've all my blessings," Gramps smiled. He was lying on the bed, looking paled and miserable,
"Gramps, we will go for check-up today. Okay?" Tyson asked concernedly,
"We'll see," Gramps turned to rest. Tyson blinked but he made his way towards his bike. A tear slipped on Grandpa's face.
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"So, how was your day?" Margot asked Delia and Hilary as she entered the hostel room,
"Fine," Hilary yawned while Delia smiled,
"Hey, what's with you?" Margot asked in suppressed excitement to Delia. Delia's short black hair, till her shoulders were curled up naturally and she shrugged nonchalantly. Her grey eyes showed desperation and tiredness,
"You seemed tired," Hilary said friendly,
"Tired of everything," Delia marked and lied on her bed, placing an arm on her eyes,
"Hey, Nyhan is here!" Margot yelled,
Delia veered her head out of bed and looked out. Both the girls burst in laughter.
"You seriously got a serious crush on Nyhan?" Hilary asked,
"Yeah, any problem with you?" Delia said petulantly, Is it only a ... crush?
"Nah, we were wondering if you could survive this day without seeing him," Margot teased,
"Hmm," Delia put a sad smile and tiredly looked down,
"Hey…you okay?" Hilary ceased her chuckle and asked seriously,
"I wish so," Delia sighed,
"You can tell him Deles, whenever you feel so. It's alright," Margot said coolly, "Its nascent love, nascent feelings. They are fine,"
"You can confess," Hilary said in nostalgia, "You have the chance, still,"
"Yeah- wait- where are you taking this," Delia abruptly asked,
"Lucky girl," Hilary smiled,
"Hilary… please, don't be sad," Delia tried,
"It's nothing. I just wish if we both could have confessed together," Hilary laughed in satire, "Just wishing if Ryan was there, just like Nyhan," Hilary stared in the space,
"Hils, you think Nyhan is a good guy?" Delia asked in silent implore,
"Ryan's brother…Nyhan…just like him, no, a lot different. A little extrovert and lot affectious towards his brother, I really wish he'd get a good friend…just like you, Delia," Hilary smiled,
"You sure you are pretty fine with me confessing to Nyhan," Delia asked,
"Dude, I loved Ryan and I always will. Nyhan's just a remembrance of Ryan. Nyhan is all yours." Hilary rolled her eyes and patted Delia cheerfully though she tried smiling,
Hilary closed her eyes tightly, the tears building within her, and she was breathing in shaky silent sobs,
I just wish Ryan, you to be here. Only if you could come and tell me 'Hilary I'm here, only for you. I came only for you. I know everyone declared me dead but I was missing you so I came for you.' I really miss you. I'm scared when I miss your presence. My heart craves just to hold you tightly and hug you in a tight embrace such that you never ever leave me again. My heart wishes that I NEVER LET YOU GO AGAIN! Hilary was mentally sobbing and yelping in pain, I just wish to look at you for as long as I wish for and let you fall asleep on my shoulder. I would never ever leave you. The times when you let me memorize the answer, when we had our best times driving on your bike. I will always miss your smiles; your words…Can never love anyone ever again.
A/N: Wuuh! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! I know, Ashlene's part was a little serious here. But do let me tell your thoughts. There will be a Flashback as Part 2 after Chapter 35. You will love it. And recommend me songs which I may add XD XD. Just a tiny change, I said I will reveal about Ell's dad in Chapter 34, however it will be in Chapter 35 instead. Sorry for the delay. :'l
Thanks to Droplets of Blue rain, Guest, Scarlet witch of terra, Anime-junkie, Linvn for reviewing previously. Also, thanks to Acefan 1, Beybladetk, Shirayuki for adding the story to Favs list. :D Thanks so much, guys. That means a lot :'D
What you guys think about Nyhan and Delia? And what about Hilary... Whom do you think she will end up with? Any guesses, or will she be alone?
COMMENTS!Guys!
To Misty: Hey, I was listening "kya mujhe Pyaar hua" while proof-reading this. XD So I remembered you. ;'D
To Guest: Thanks so much for reviewing, ^_^ Yes, you will know soon about Ell's dad. Yep, even I think Nyhan's and Tyson's conversation was fine. I'm glad you commented on that part. Once again, thanks! :D