Anam Cara | Ian Kabra

[01]

He was cold. The rain falling from the dark, cloudy sky was making a deafening sound as it hit his car, and if it were any other time, he would have been bothered by it because his cars were always clean despite the weather in his homeland - one could say he was in a foul mood most of the time due to that little detail although he doubted these people knew him at all - but right now, he wasn't driving a car of his own, so he didn't care all that much about the weather while he was sheltered from the onslaught of the rain. He had actually rented a car. Even he was surprised.

Ian Kabra turned down the street, following the road he knew by now would lead to the house of an old enemy, now almost considered friend, Amy Cahill, who had insisted the Christmas reunion this year happened in Attleboro, or as Ian sometimes said, at her base. He knew how to get to her house - he had had the misfortune of being in that house a few times - and he would have rather he stayed away from it, especially as he reminded himself Amy's dreadful cat who would love to kill him, he was sure, would be there.

He caught sight of the house before he could drive around and leave, take himself to the airport and fly all the way to England once more. By the house, a number of cars were parked, and his hands gripped the wheel tighter as he realised there were already people inside.

The joy of a family re-union. Ian parked at a spare space as close to the door as possible and turned off the engine. His shiver wasn't heard during the rain as he turned his head to the side only to catch sight of his sister sitting on the passenger's seat, sleeping. Natalie appeared relaxed for once, her guard completely down, and he couldn't help but smile as he leaned over and gently nudged her shoulder.

"Natalie." She didn't steer, so he tried once more. "Natalie?"

It worked, this time. Natalie Kabra woke up, dark eyes bleary as she took in the place around her, a hand raising to her mouth to cover her yawn, long manicured red nails a stark contrast against her dark skin. She turned to face him.

"Ian? We're here?"

Unfortunately, he wanted to reply but thought better of it as he nodded. She was more friendly with everyone than he was, for some reason. He had a feeling she wouldn't appreciate his quip.

"We are," he nodded as he unbuckled his seatbelt. A lot slower than him, Natalie unbuckled her seatbelt as well. He looked outside, sighing at the heavy rain as he turned to face her. "You need to help me with your suitcases. I can't carry everything on my own in this weather."

His request was enough to wake Natalie up completely it seemed, as in seconds, she had stood up straight, jaw set in determination. "I have a better idea. I'll go inside and ask our cousins to help us."

Ian's protests fell to deaf ears as Natalie opened the door of the car with her umbrella at hand and rushed over to the front door. Ian could only sigh as he reached for his umbrella and prepared himself for getting out in the rain. Quickly, he opened the door and got out.

He rushed to the back of the car and opened the trunk, cursing all the while as rain got through his umbrella due to the wind, wetting part of his coat and trousers. He grabbed one suitcase and rushed over to the front door that was left wide open. He got inside and left the suitcase on the side, a wave of heat hitting him the moment he got inside, and Ian wished he could stay there forever, but one look back at the car reminded him there were more suitcases he had to take. Before he could, though, there was a stampede of footsteps and three men rushed to the front door.