Expected Love

Flashback

I don't love her…no, I don't. Do I?
NO… No. that can't be. She is very special to me. Lia and Bro are the only family I have. They are precious to me, more than my life…but...

My head was throbbing, fucking hell, Erna induced these stupid thoughts in my brain, and now she is sleeping peacefully. She just took revenge for ruining her night. I crashed at her place for the night.

Are my feelings…no it can't be. She is my friend…best friend… I could not, rather I should not think of her that way. That's why I had distanced myself from her because I was getting attracted to her, to her body and that was so wrong…so, so wrong. My younger self wanted to devour her…but that doesn't count as love right…that…that counts as disgusting… sickening… That's why I had broken my promise to her.

Flashback

"You won't leave me, right Richie?" Her eyes held so much sorrow and pleading.

"I will never leave you Lia, no matter what, I will be always there with you." I took her into my embrace.

"Promise?" She asked against my chest.

"Promise." I confirmed.

She was devastated when Bro left us alone in this disgusting place. We were in sophomore year, 16 of age, when he left. He had to leave as he turned 18. Orphanage's protocol. Once you are adult, you are on your own. It had been 2 days since he went away. He just left, instructing us to study hard and stick together. No promises of coming to meet us, nor 'I will call you.'

Lia had been a crying mess. She was very close to bro, he loved her like her little sister. He was her umbrella, protecting, pampering and nurturing her. He was ever there for her when she had her first menstruation. He explained and helped her through that period. Initially, I was angry at him for making Lia go through this. Even Rashid and Bruce left with him now, it was just two of us. That phase brought us closer. We shared all our secrets. She was my responsibilitie now, and that though strengthened me. We studied hard and completed high school. She was interested in journalism and me in economics. We had decided to find a job, a place, and determination to study further.

Soon came the day when I had to leave and Lia decided to come with me. It scared me to shit but had to show a brave face to her. I was her only hope, her only support. We held our hand together and stepped out. What we saw there was unexpected.

Viktor Anderson was standing in front of us leaning on a second hand Honda car. Lia bursts out crying and ran towards him. I could not believe he came for us.

"You came! We thought that…"Lia chocked still hugging bro.

"Of course I came, what made you assume I won't" he replied. Ya how could we even speculate that he would leave us on our own to face the world?

"We thought you forgot about us." He slapped my head in response.

"Come, let's go home" he took our small bags to the back seat.

"Home" Lia gasped with wide eyes.

"Yes home."

"You bought a home" I asked astonished

“Rented it”

"And this car?" Lia was awed by that car.

"I bought it for us."

"For us?" I gawked.

"Oh my god! I am sitting in the front. This is so cool. You know how to drive? Will you teach me?" She went on and on during the entire drive. I kept silent, admiring my brother. He truly considered us his family. My respect for him grew boundless.

He parked in the basement of a small apartment building and lead us to the flat on the second floor.

"Welcome home" Rashid yelled as we entered the house.

That was an enthralling moment for me and Lia. We were being excitedly welcomed at our home by our family. I will never forget this moment in my life. I glanced at bro, who was standing with Bruce in the corner and smiling. He was our everything.

"Hey buddy, all set for adult life?" Rashid asked, patting my back hard. I just shrugged in reply.

"We are ready to find a job and start working.." Lia boasted.

"What?" Bro grunted.

"We will search for job..." I tried to explain.

"Nothing doing ok. You both will complete your studies. I have enrolled you in university already." He declared, giving us some papers.
"You will study hard and then do whatever with your life." We both were fabbegated and looked at each other.

"But how will we manage fees and..." I reasoned.

"It has been taken care off, you both concentrate on studies." He defined.

"We can work along with studies and help..." Lia emphasized.

"I will give you support for 3 years, study hard, get good grades, find a job then you are free from me. Not before that." That was the end of discussion.

That night, Lia and I made a promise.

We three will always stick together and that day we decided to be a Anderson. Giulia Anderson and Richard Anderson.

Flashback end.

I was driving back home late in the evening when my phone started ringing.

Jia? Why is she calling me so late? I had totally forgotten about her. I had liked her and had thought of dating her. I even enjoyed her company at the club, but right now, my mind was occupied with Lia. Does she want to talk about us? I answered the call reluctantly.

"Ya Jia? I am driving" I replied through speaker.

"Richard, you have to come to office NOW, fast. It's an emergency…Mr. Anderson...he just fainted..." She was panicking.

"What??"

"Ya...there is no one around, not even Bruce. What do I do?..he was not feeling well since morning...he was so weird..." she quivered.

"Oh, the nightmares," I mumbled. He gets nightmares of past incidents and that results in an asthma attack.

"Nightmares"? Jia questioned.

"No, nothing. He has got an asthma attack, find his inhaler pump and make him inhale it...it must be in his suit pocket." I instructed her

"He is not wearing a suit today.." she sputtered

"Oh fcuk… His drawer, in his office, first one on left-hand side." I replied, then I heard some shuffle and noises.

"It's not working. I think it's empty" Jia's voice was filled with fear. I parked my car on the side of the road and dialled help line for an ambulance.

"I am on my way, I am getting help...till then you, please give him CPR..."

"WHAT" she shrieked.

"CPR...try to give him some rescue breath through his mouth and pump his ches... I explained impatiently.

"I know what is CPR... I CAN'T DO IT TO MY BOSS" she screeched back. What does she mean she can't do it. It's an emergency.

"YOU CAN'T LET HIM DIE...Jia, please. You can't let my brother die. I have already notified the hospital they are sending help, but till then please help him." I howled back at her and pleaded. I was trying to control my heart, it was on the verge of panic. Nothing can happen to him. Nothing should happen to him.

"Ok don't yell.. I am doing it..." She disconnected saying that. I breathe a relief.

Bracing myself, I called Rashid and Lia.