If I loved you

Life is tough but so you are

Ever since I came into my parents' life, I have seen that my mother's health is not always very good. Ma suffers from severe headache from time to time and about four years ago she had to be admitted to the hospital once because of this. At that time we were so scared because ma's health was worsening day by day but the cause of it could not be ascertained in any way. It took almost a month for Ma to recover and come home.

It took almost two hours to get Ma tested at the hospital. In the mean time Pa insisted me to get a check up on my shoulder so I had to oblige. The doctor gave permission to take off the sling so now I can move my hand freely.

'We are done with the tests. She can go home now but I will suggest staying here for a day so we can thoroughly monitor her condition. I want to run a special test which will take some time.' Pa and the doctor's conversation brought me back to the present time.

'Then I'll stay here with her.' Pa replied.

'Sure, no problem.' The doctor readily agreed to that and left.

I got up and went where Pa was standing. He was looking through some papers.

'Tay.....I am staying here with your ma so you don't have to be here for the night. Go back and rest.' Pa entered Ma's room.

I wanted to leave because this evening Mr Narawin will take me to meet New but I want to be here with ma too. I couldn't make up my mind.

Suddenly my phone vibrates. It's Mr Narawin.

'You are still here. Do you want to stay back?' Pa came out of the room and after seeing me still standing there asked.

'Um...yeah, I want to. But pa, Ann is alone at home.' I face palmed myself in my mind but truth to be told, couldn't find any better excuse.

'Oh...okay...then....come back tomorrow.'

I nodded enthusiastically and after meeting Ma once again, I took a cab and left for the hotel Skyline.
..........................................................

'Ah! You are here.' Mr Narawin was waiting for me at the back entrance.

'New is staying here?'

'Mn. This hotel belongs to the Red Dragon group. I am a shareholder here so I come here often. I heard that Mr New likes to stay here because he doesn't want to stay at their family villa. Some family disputes I guess.'

Oh! Probably because he wants to avoid his mother. I don't know what kind of a person she is to be hated by New so much!

'Mr Wachanit, I mean Mr Vasu came in the morning and after he left the atmosphere became very tensed.'

'Did he say something? Any argument or....'

'It wasn't an argument.... rather a scolding. Mr Vasu scolded his nephew in the lobby and left angrily.'

Oh no! I knew it's going to happen sooner or later but I still started to panic. Will New really go and stay with that Jutamas family?

'My suite is right below his. Stay there for some time and wait for my signal. Usually New stayed alone and two men guard the door. Only Luke has the permission to enter there. That's his special apartment. No guests or business acquaintance are allowed there. It's extremely private. I will try to sneak you in but can't promise and please don't let anything happen to yourself or me. If you get caught and take my name, I will definitely be dead.' Mr Narawin was talking nervously this whole time.

'Thank you. I won't forget this kindness, ever.' I sincerely expressed my gratitude.

Mr Narawin's suite is on the tenth floor and New's is on eleventh. There are two big rooms and one living room. A huge balcony was also there.

'But Mr Narawin, we are one floor apart. How am I going to meet him?' I was confused.

'Fire escape.'

'Huh?'

'This hotel is very strict in securities, there are many CCTV cameras, the floors are well planned and equipped with all modern amenities but there is only one flaw. The fire escape staircases are all connecting one floor to the other. No one can climb up from the ground because of the tight security but from the first floor one can easily access any floor if knows about it. But no mishaps ever happened because all the guests here are reputed business men or celebrities. They don't care about a mere staircase.'

'How did you know about this?'

'Ah! Did you forget that I also have a construction firm? And right now I am in charge of the maintenance of this building.'

I smiled at him. He is truly god send.

'I'll give you a call if everything is clear at the upper floor. Usually the guards are divided into two groups, one belongs to Mr. New and the other to his uncle. Tonight I saw the second group is here. I might buy you some time but please don't take more than half an hour. That's my limit. And don't mention my name at any cost okay?'

'Don't worry. Didn't you just mention that one can access any floor from first to last? No one will find out about our connection.'

'Hm. Still....'

'I promise. No harm will fall upon you.'

'Okay...then I am leaving. Lock the door.'

I didn't have to wait much before I got a call from him. I quickly climbed up the stairs which were hidden in the decorative flower garden in the balcony.

When I reached the upper balcony I saw no one in the living room. I stealthily opened the door and went inside. The floor plan is similar to Mr Narawin's just some added decoration and furniture. I silently opened one door but that room was empty too. From the looks of it, it's New's bedroom. The room is neat and tidy but I don't know why I felt some gloominess everywhere. It's too tidy....like he never uses it.

Where is he?

Suddenly I heard a voice coming from the other room. I sneakily took a peek and there he was, standing in front of a table full of papers and talking on phone.

'You promised!' He shouted angrily and kicked the chair.

I don't know what the other side said but his voice became a bit normal.

'I know. Of course I know. But still....you don't understand my situation here.... uncle is sending me there and mom is flipping out. I am already troubled with various problems inside and out. Now if I also have to deal with him, I will go crazy!'

Who's he talking with?

I kept listening to him and watching his face. His hair is a mess, it's like he ran his fingers many times through it. His shirt is wrinkled that means he didn't get the chance to change it. He is dog tired.

'I am trying my best here, but a little more help will be appreciated.' He curtly said that and ended the call. Then to my utter bewilderment he broke the phone in half and tossed it in the bin.

I looked at his face and suddenly felt overwhelmed. He is only twenty three years old and already his shoulder is bent with many burdens. I felt an urge to hug him...to console him....to give him all the care and protection in the world.

I was about to call out his name and let him know my presence when a phone started to ring from the bedroom. I didn't know what to do or where to hide so quickly entered the living room and crouched down behind the huge sofa. A second later he came out from that study room and went inside his bedroom. I heard his voice again.

'What?' He answered with annoyance.

'.........'

'Tell her I am not available.....tell her anything......just don't send her here......'

'............'

'Then why are you calling me! Idiot!' He came stomping out and just in time the doorbell rang.

'God! Those useless people!'

He went to get the door and I hurriedly changed my position from behind the sofa to the study. Fortunately this room was already dark so I hid myself quiet well and waited eagerly for the guest. I know I am here to talk to New but I also want know about his daily life.