The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 35

Dor

She winces at the hand clamping heavily on her shoulder. She doesn't turn around asDrake's heavy breath dampens her ear. He snarls softly "So if you think I am just going towatch you messing around with these two young men, think again". She tries to turn but it'sdifficult as he is leaning heavily on her, with his weight almost pinning her to the spot. Shemanages to twist her body and is pressed to a heavily sweating Drake. He gives her a sloppywet kiss and she accepts it passively. It's been some time since he has kissed her sointimately, as she controls the urge to throw up. She manages to put in a couple of inchesbetween them "Honey, what are you even thinking?". Drake looks visibly angry and he curlsone hand into her hair roughly. "I've been watching you with these two young men. You actlike a young girl, flirting with them and going out with them all the time? Are you sleepingwith one of them?" His hand tightens cruelly in her hair "Or is it both? What is it, Dor??Desperate for a man, are you?"Dor ignores the insults and gives Drake a hard shove. He loses balance and falls against thecounter. She calmly helps him regain his posture and helps him to a chair. She brings him aglass of water and watches as he gulps it down. He sets the glass down with a thud "I amnot going to let you go. That rich kid I am not worried about so much." He gives her a nastysmile "He's too good for you. But the mechanic Chess. He's been hovering here for years. Isee how he looks at you." She takes a deep breath, "I could have left you a long time ago. Iam still here, aren't I"? Drake gets up with a considerable effort "Don't get smart with megirl. You all think you know so much. But no one knows what I know. I've kept my mouthshut all this time. But I saw that Bernard boy taking that little girl away all those years ago. Iam the only witness." He gives her a knowing cruel smile and Dor watches him stunned ashe hobbles away.

Dor

She sits quietly in silence next to him. She doesn't know if he is asleep or deep in thought.They've been sitting there in the sun on a bench outside the bakery for some time now. Thefour o'clock sun which is usually hot at this time seems to have grasped Dor's turmoil as itkindly hides behind some clouds making it shady and bearable. She's been with Drake sinceshe was a child and knows well enough that Drake will not give out any information and noamount of reasoning with him or cajoling will help. She can only wait. She opens her eyesand sees that he is been watching her. The expression on his face reminds her of her youngteen years when he used to force himself upon her. He used to be incredibly strong someyears back but now his body has been aging quite rapidly for the last two three years. Hismind however is sharp and alert and she can see it in his eyes. "Get back to work", the orderis rapped out and she knows that any questioning is going to be futile. In the bakery, shetakes out her phone and sends a message.

Kas

He walks up to her and envelops her in a tight hug. He feels his tears seeping into her t shirtbut he is beyond caring. They stay that way for a few minutes till he feels her gently tappinghis back signaling him to release her. He moves away from her and she offers him a Drake'sBakes paper napkin to wipe his face. He takes it with still shaking fingers. He feelsoverwhelmed. It's the first piece of information on Kaya in years. "Where is he"? he asks in ahusky emotional voice. "Upstairs, asleep." Its late night and the bakery is closed. She hasbeen waiting for him at the back entrance of the bakery. They sit on the bench both lost intheir thoughts and unable to talk. Kas feels her tiredness and puts an arm around her. Shesits there unresistingly and then wearily puts her head on his shoulder. A few minutes later,they hear heavy footsteps as Chess joins them. He stops as he sees the scene before him butthen quietly comes and sits down next to Dor. She straightens up and Kas stands upimpatiently. "Wake him up". Dor sighs as she stretches her legs "The last thing you want todo is annoy him". 

Kas runs his fingers through his hair irritably. He watched us cry and regret our mistakes for days here when Kaya disappeared. He did not utter a word. Today, he suddenly decides to tell us that he saw Zander take Kaya away? I need to speak to him". Dor answers him exasperatedly "You were not here. You can't even begin to know what Kas went through. I know Drake better than anyone here. You cannot force an answer out of him. Kas takes a deep breath as he realizes he should be speaking as Eli and not Kas. He walks back and look up thoughtfully at the darkened room above the bakery where Drake is sleeping. He then goes up to Dor and gently lifts her chin with his index finger. "Who do you love most in this world Dor"? She replies instantly "Kas"". He nods, feeling very pleased with her answer" Pack your bag. You are moving out tomorrow morning ". She gapes at him "Wait, what"? He ruffles her hair. "Just putting the cheese in the trap for the rat".

Kas

"It's going to be fine", her tells her with a confidence that he doesn't feel. He's beensuppressing the urge to go to the bakery and punch some sense into old man Drake but asDor has been repeatedly telling him, Drake is very stubborn and relentless once he makesup his mind. Dor has been staying with him in the apartment for the last two days, havingswitched off her cell phone. "I've been with him for eleven years. This is the first time I'veleft him alone". Chess comes to the sofa where she is sitting with Kas and sits on the floorbefore her. "Why have you lived with him all these years Dor? What on earth happened thatyou actually married him"? Kas himself had never asked Dor that question even as a youngboy and he watches Dor as she looks at her entwined fingers. After a brief silence, she tellsthem in brief about her life and how she ended up with Drake. Kas sits there unmoving; hisbody numb listening to her tragic story. Chess slumps down and he covers his face with hishands. They sit in silence and after some time, Chess tells her bitterly "Why did you notleave him when you grew older? The bastard raped you repeatedly. Why did you not leavehim? She closes her eyes, "I grieved for my Ma for a long time. No one wanted me. Thatwas the place I grew up. I guess I wanted an anchor and then I just stayed and stayed. I wasmarried to him by then and that was that." Chess takes her hands in his "You are nevergoing back there". Dor gently retrieves her hands from his and smiles at him" And gowhere? To your one room in the shanty? I am not qualified for any other jobs, Chess".

 Kas clears his throat loudly and they both look at him. "Dor, you do know you have a very rich friend now? You won't ever go back to him. But he can't know that yet. You need to pretend that you are just angry with him. We need to get him to spill out whatever he knows. Then, its goodbye to Drakes Bakes for you." Dor gets up and looks at the both of them "I am not sure I can leave him alone there". Kas gets up angrily "The man is a sick pervert. He belongs behind bars. Dor, don't abuse yourself anymore. Get your life and dignity back. You kept that place going like a well-oiled machine for years. You don't owe him. He owes you. He owes you more than he can repay in his miserable remaining lifetime. Seeing you live a good life without him will be his punishment." Chess's phone rings. He looks up and tells them "Its Drake."