The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 45

Kas

He watches as Dor's face changes from pure bewilderment to complete horror. Her body almost collapses as Kas quickly takes her into his arms. Drake watches with narrow eyes and his face exudes pure hatred as he stares at the two of them. "She doesn't love you at all", he snarls at Kas. "I've watched her from the time she was learning to walk holding the counter edge in the bakery. She has only loved her mother and then", he glances viciously at Chess, "this loser boy. That's why I wanted her to be miserable married to you. She could have run away with all my money years ago. But she is an idiot, naïve and simple to believe in loyalty. But this boy", he points a finger at Chess, "actually made her waver and sin. She has to suffer her whole life now with you". Kas's heart is breaking as he watches Dor's face turn blank as though she is tuning out everything happening around her. She gets up wearily, almost stumbles, ignores Kas's help and stands up straight, beautiful and shining, even with her now crumpled dress, streaked mascara and messy hair.

She speaks quietly, her voice firm and determined, "Drake, my mother and I slaved for you. You murdered my mother, raped a helpless young orphan countless times, conditioned her till she felt there was nothing in the world for her and married her. I worked myself to the bone in your bakery for years and warmed your bed as and when you wanted. Please just tell Eli what you did with Kas's little sister years ago." She turns to Kas and the utter grief on her face makes Kas want to weep. "If he tells you where little Kaya is, fine. If he doesn't, promise me you won't ask him again. Let him go." She looks around the room, "leave this wicked old man in his bakery. None of you, none, will ever make contact with him again." Neil gives a small murmur of protest, but Dor continues firmly. "No one in this room, not even you Eli, loves Kas, as much as I do. If we find her, fine. If not, let her rest wherever she is. I am answerable to Kas and this is my decision. Look well Drake, this is the last time, you will ever see me or hear my voice again".

She gives him a brief hard stare and then turns and walks out of the chapel, her silhouette tall and proud, as the setting sun casts its last golden rays for the day through the stained-glass windows. It's poetic justice, Kas realizes. It's the last time Drake will ever see his ray of sunshine, Dorrie May. Chess quickly follows her, keeping his distance. Kas turns towards Drake and almost feels pity for the sick old psychopath. Drake is staring at Dor's retreating figure, his expression of a man completely heartbroken and Kas wonders if fate controls the strings of love. You can't control your fate, he thinks feeling completely exhausted, but fate definitely controls love, all through out, even after you are the one pulling the strings.

Kas
"Drop him back to his bakery ", he tells Neil wearily. "I don't think I can bear to even look at him". Neil goes to Drake and as the wheelchair is being maneuvered to the door of the chapel, Drake's voice comes out loudly to Kas who is walking briskly ahead. "I will take you to the little girl right now". Kas's footsteps pause and he stands there without looking back as Neil catches up with him, pushing Drake. They help Drake into the car. After an hour, they are back in the locality of the bakery, when Drake tells abruptly, "Go towards the big house. The Bernard house."

Kas's hands tighten on the steering wheel. He looks at Drake from the rear-view mirror to check the old man's expression. Its grim and unsmiling. Neil who is sitting with Drake in the back of the car gives him an encouraging nod. He wonders what new trick; the scheming old bastard is planning. If only law permitted murder of a murderer, he sighs and smoothly navigates the route towards the house. As they reach midway, right opposite where the big house is, Drake signals to stop the car. They park the car on the side of the pavement. Kas sits still, the tension building in his body. Neil sets down the folded wheelchair from the boot of the car and helps Drake into it. Kas remains seated in the car, watching Neil speak kindly and gently to the old man and he clenches his teeth when Neil nods understandingly and pats the man on his shoulder.

 Drake is obviously giving Neil his twisted justifications and opinions it seems. Neil wheels the man towards a couple of trees on the corner. Neil stands in the same spot where Kas has stood looking up at the house countless number of times. Neil turns towards the old man and the old man nods. Neil comes back and his face is pale as he taps on the window of the car. Kas turns down the window partially and Neil says in almost a shaken voice. "Drake says that's where he buried the little girl." It's the spot on which Kas has stood so many times not knowing that Kaya was there right beneath. He starts trembling and Neil leans in from the window and puts his palm on Kas's cheek. "Don't move, just stay there. Am calling for some help." Kas nods dumbly, unable to react, just glad to have Neil there.

Kas

It's been hours. He looks at the now cold coffee and sandwich that Neil had brought for him. The cops are there, people working with artificial light in the darkness of the night. The cops are talking to Drake who seems to revel in the attention, guiding them and pointing the exact spot. He just sits there and watches, the car a warm cocoon, which shields him temporarily from the unpleasantness outside. After what seems like a very long time, Neil comes to the car. "They found the little girl's remains. They need to do some formalities but Kas is finally going to be reunited with his little sister." He puts a comforting hand on Kas's shoulder. "You are a damn good friend Eli. I'm sure Kas is watching and is really touched with all the effort you've taken for him." One of the cops signals to them, "Go home", Neil tells him. "I will take care of the stuff here" and he goes out to complete the procedures. Kas drives away, unable to stay there any longer. He can't bear to see Kaya as a collection of little bones in the soil. He can still picture her twinkling eyes, her glossy little curls bobbing up and down when she used to jump and play and her plump little cheeks pink from the exertion of running around the whole day. He doesn't want to go home and he doesn't want to tell his Ma about what actually happened to Kaya. Drake's senseless act confounds him. He wants to confront the mad old man again and ask him just one question. Why?

 He keeps driving and driving, ignoring the consistent ringing of the cell phone. After a couple of hours, he finally pauses on the side of the highway and answers the call of an extremely worried Neil. He assures Neil that he is fine and hangs up. He wants to call Dor but she is grieving too, having just found out that her mother too was murdered. They are all victims of Drake's madness. He suddenly realizes that he is halfway out of the city, into the hillside. He continues driving mindlessly for what seems like hours, stopping only to refuel and grab a coffee and suddenly he knows where he is headed. It is well into the late afternoon the next day when he finally reaches his destination. He parks the car and starts walking upwards. He tirelessly treks until he reaches the only place he wants to be. The campsite. The campsite where he last saw Ash and the place where he had gone as Kas and returned as Eli. He sits on the hilltop, watching the cars on the road below. "Ash", he murmurs under his breath. "We finally found Kaya." He sits and watches the road, munching on a takeaway sandwich and sipping water. Someone grabs a piece of the sandwich from his hands and he turns to see Ash sitting next to him. Ash still looks impossibly beautiful and young in his usual black hoodie and blue jeans.