Dr Meera Saravana has been on the run for the last ten years due to a fatal misunderstanding. She ends up in New York, hoping that maybe this time everything will work out. But that's turning out to be impossible the more she gets involved with the...
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MEERA
Ivan brought me to a small bar. It's entrance was tucked away in a less busy street where the lamps flickered and the air smelled like soot.
He walked in front of me on the sidewalk, the line of his shoulders highlighted by the weak fluorescent light.
It was strange how only a few days ago I vowed to keep my distance from him and here I was, walking behind him as he talked about the food at his favorite bar. It was strange how I felt the urge to catch up to him, walking with him side by side so that I could see the expression on his face.
The Ivan that I've heard of was a stoic man, his eyes never betrayed any emotion. And on the rare occasion he did show emotion, it was anger and contempt for those who tried to hurt him.
I remember him last night. Even if the haze of tequila and cheep beer lingered, I could remember the way his lips curved up into a smile when I hugged him. Maybe it was the alcohol but I felt a strange surge of happiness and joy overtake me when I saw him, my tequila fueled brain didn't seem to care about anyone else.
It was embarrassing when I think about it now. How could I just run up and hug him?! Drunk or not, why did no one try to stop me from doing that?!
I was so lost in my thoughts I nearly bumped into Ivan. His reflexes were quick, he hand an arm around me to keep me steady.
"Meera?" Ivan had stopped in front of the bar, his hand on the door handle. "If you want to go home, that's fine by me. You don't have to entertain me if you're worried."
To think that this man had a trail of blood and bodies attached to his name. Ivan Farewell, the son of a gangster, and a known gangster himself. So why was I fond of him?
Was it because he was kind to me?
Or maybe, it was because I could understand how he must feel?
To be so fearsome and looked upon but so scared of the failure that accompanies it. I could sympathize with it. But was it really my sympathy that influenced my emotions?
Ivan was taller than me, I had to crane my neck to stare up at him. And under the light of the lamp, his blue eyes were dark like the bottomless sea. What secrets would I uncover from him?
I stepped away, loosening my scarf from my neck. "You said that this place has good food," I said. "And you said that we could split the bill."
He nodded and opened the door.
We were greeted by the smell of burning firewood and frying meat as we entered. I slid my scarf off, gathering it in my hand as I inhaled the homely scent around up.
It was cozy and warm bar, keeping the winter chill away. Only two other people were here, heads together as they murmured. They didn't seem too bothered when Ivan and I passed by them.
