Black Blood

Chapter 16 : Iroland

The white ceiling served as an empty page for me to fill where I could picture my life happening.
A small kid with his parents going to school. Then he goes for a walk, his friends tease him because he got a new jacket.
"So you're awake." A light slap spills on my cheek.
"Don't you ever do that again." Arora says.
"I'm sorry. Arora. I'm fine now. Relax."
"I am relaxed as long as you'll tell me what's up?? Have you hit stage four???" So she was fearful about me hiting stage four of course. She did'nt know I was immune.
"I did'nt Arora. I kind of got my memory back."
"Your memory?? How?"
"While you were asleep I got up to get some water, instead I slipped my feet and fell. My head was hurt." It had happened in a click of moment.
"That's incredible lee. Do you remember your parents now??"
"Yes I do. And the thing is they live in Iroland. So I have to go find them."
"Okay it's weekend. The classes are off . We can easily go." She calculated.
"I'm sorry Arora, but there is no "we" in this journey. You've done enough for me you need to take some time off from my bullshit."
"No Lee. I'm fine." "We can both.."
"No Arora. Beleive me I have to do this alone." I cut her.
She sat with me, our eyes locked for a while and then nodded.
"And do me a favour, you know the key to locker, get the money, pay the next bill in hospital and the rest to your parents, who paid the last one.
And just check on mom and dad for me."
"Sure Lee. I will. Promise me you'll take care of yourself?"
"I promise."
*******
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 4B7 with service from Profenyork to Iroland. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes time. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Profenyork Airlines. Enjoy your flight."
I fastened my seatbelt as I heard the air hostess. Two days back when Arora had agreed, I had found my passport and booked the nearest flight. My last flight to Iroland was two years back, with mom and dad. Dad had to attend some bussiness there.
This is my first flight alone.
I thought to myself. I had never been one of those who wanted to do things alone. There always had to be someone with me. I was a person who got bored easily. The only event worth mentioning in my life had been saving Arora from her mother. Arora had always brought out the best in me. However this was my journey it was meant to be alone. It was about time I grew up and confronted my demons.

The flight was well, throughout the flight I reconsidered my plan, what I had to do where I had to go. I had already booked a hotel room where I was going to stay. It was five minutes away from the airport.
It was 3:15 pm when I reached Iroland. The airport was busy since it was weekend, alot of people came back from work. Families welcomed their dears. Kids giggled with excitement. For a moment I stood still looking at the crowd, finding someone to welcome me. Wondering when my mom and dad would be able to hug me, to welcome me home.
Then I gattherred myself and started walking.
Which direction was the hotel? It was the same hotel where mom and dad had stayed. I looked around there was a board of direction. The "Irol hotel" said left. So I went left.
Iroland was a busy country, the city in which I stood looked more like a town. A modern town.
After checking in the hotel and taking lunch. I opened the city map that I had bought on my way here.
So where to? Was the question now.
I tried to remember home.
A double storey house flashed in my mind, a garden outside, the postman arriving, my little version running towards the main gate.
"Gregory Montegral" The name plate on the left pillar said.
"H#23, lane2A, Iromark housing scheme"
Was written under it.
That told me exactly where to go.
So I put my jacket on and went off.

********
The cab reached in some time.
I could recognize the road where I had played with my friends.
Like a bell at doorstep a few voices still ranged in my ears.
At the end of street. Our house came in view.
Still rotten form the fire but I could see through the ashes, the house that I was born in, the corridor where I had ran. The place where I took my first steps. The place where my own parents would have raised me. The place where father would have felt proud to have me one day, the place where the strongest family of the region lived. A place where Anna and I had spent days and days fighting over videogames and animated characters.
The place where I had taken my first and they had taken their last breaths.
A ruin, yet not a wreck.
**********
Not eventful but this chapter gave some insights on lees life. Don't forget to vote and comment.