Chapter 2

Current Time. 

The game was smooth. No doubt Ashwin was a pro in soccer. With Noah in his team they easily beat Jagger Ford at 5 - 4. They both high fived. Jagger was looking at the kid laughing his ass off, defeating two grown-ups.

But his eyes. 

Godddd… He had to know it. He had to know everything that hurt him. He was losing his cool. Only if Ford had not patted his shoulders. He saw Noah glaring at him too. Subtly. Not to make it obvious. 

"Let’s go for basket now. We will win the game this time. Okay Jagger". Ford bro fisted him and he bumped too. 

Noah was good at basket. But not much. So fair game. Basketball was at Jagger and Ford's finger tips. 

"Okay okay. You won it. No need to rub it off our face".  Ashwin said trying to sound sassy. 

They all laughed. It was indeed after days they had fun. They were bickering about dinner menu when one of the house maids arrived. 

"Master Jagger, the driver is here to pick Mr. Ashwin". She left announcing. Noah who was about to say anything stopped in his tracks. He could see obvious fear in Ashwin's eyes. He was licking his dry lips. His eyes were screaming to be saved. 

Ford followed his line of sight and sighed. There was surely something wrong. Jagger just clenched his fists. His lips tightened looking at the boy who was on a verge of breaking. 

"Ashwin". He felt Ashwin tugging his shirt. "Hey it’s okay kiddo". He held Ashwin's cold hands. 

"I… I got. To go … I have ... Have to… Go ... Ii". He was shivering and stuttering again. Jagger furrowed his brows. 

"Ashwin. Come to me tomorrow. At 3 in the noon okay"? Jagger said in a serious tone. He wanted to break his walls today but tomorrow he will bring everything out. 

"Can I"? He was unsure. But why.

"Ofcourse. You can always come to me or call me. Anytime. Okay"? He patted his cheeks softly. 

"O...okay... Bye Noah. Bye Ford…  Jagger… Bye". He waved them bye. Jagger was watching him with Noah and Ford. He was walking towards the main entrance yet his feet were begging him to turn back. 

"Jagger. What’s the case"? Ford asked. They had lost their temptation to go out. Jagger bringing someone in their personal space means he wanted to get close. But what happened to him?

"Let’s discuss after dinner". Noah held them both to the dining lounge. 

************

Ford huffed in frustration. He had read the whole file. The kid had suffered so much. He was rubbing his own face. As in to wash the pain off he felt. 

"He is only 19 for fuck sake". He busted out. 

They were in Jagger's office. And he was clearly annoyed, upset, hurt? Yes hurt. 

The file stated that Ashwin's parents died when he was a child. Taken in by his uncle from his father's side. There were mentions of child abuse. Being beaten up. Tortured. Malnutrition. He had a history of hospital admits. And what not. 

Thomas mentioned that Ashwin opened up about all this when he was put under hypnotism. And since they couldnt gather any proof. They couldnt file any report. 

He wasn’t allowed to make any friend. He was supposed to go to and fro school, college and now university. The driver was the personal man to his uncle who would report him about everything. 

The reason he had to suffer with his uncle was the property mentioned on his name, put under a condition that no one can use even a single penny or transfer it until he is 25. And this money was hell for him. No matter how he begged his uncle to take everything and set him free. 

But what bugged them was not this..

"Why do I feel there is more? Why do I feel there is something missing? That’s why I called him tomorrow. Early than the schedules. And I have cleared all my meetings. I can’t see him in pain. And I can’t do anything until i get to know everything". Jagger rubbed his forehead in a defeating tone. 

"Dont worry Jagger. We will help you". Noah patted his shoulder before they all bid their good night. 

*************

At home...

Ashwin entered trying to be as low as possible. But his luck ended when he stepped out of Jagger's place. 

"Look who is back huh"? He heard a sarcastic welcome tone and his body froze. He turned around to find his uncle sitting in the couch looking at him with judging sharp eyes. Ashwin gulped. 

"Un... Uncle". He licked his dry lips. His throat was so dry that he felt someone shoved a bunch of thorns. 

"Yes, my beautiful boy. Come to uncle". He patted his parted thighs. 

"Un... Uncle. I..." 

"I what... You bitch... Do I need to drag you"? His uncle said in a cold tone that sent shivers down his spine. He felt his skin on fire. He could smell the burning meat. 

"Owhh come on. I am so stresses today. Fucking shit day. Don’t make me come to you Ashwin". He roared.

"Can... Can I go to sl... Sleep? un.. Unclee". Ashwin tried to push his luck for today. But nope. The lucky coins had ended. His wish was not granted. 

He heard his uncle clucking his tongue in disapproval. And next moment he was shivering. He saw him unbuckling and pulling his leather belt. 

Ashwin's ears were ringing. His eyes were unfocused. He could only see, no, stare at the hands wrapping the belt around the palm before unzipping the pants.  He came forward and pushed Ashwin to kneel. 

Tears were streaming out of his eyes, flowing down his cheeks. His lips were trembling. 

"Uncle… pl... pleaaseee… Please... Forgive me". 

Whooosh. One. And another. He felt his back was on fire. 

"Still a no? Eh"? His uncle pulled his hair to face his dick springing out now. 

"Pleaseee". He was pleading. But ... His mouth was shoved with the dirty dick. His nose touched those stinky hairs at the base as he gagged due to deep throating. 

His back was whiplashed with leather belts. He could feel the wounds stinging with fire. He could feel blood seeping out. His lips were swollen due to the impact of thrusting in his mouth. 

He cried. He could only cry. And he coughed bad. He choked on his breath as his mouth was filled with the cum that he accidently spit out. 

And it was an unending sound of leather tearing his skin. His back. His arms. His legs. His uncle spit on him kicking him once again before going to his bedroom. Leaving a whimpering boy lying in the corner. 

*************

Jagger was waiting for Ashwin. It was 2.45. Still fifteen minutes to go. Noah and Ford would be home soon. He had asked them to join him as soon as they reached home. 

Ford had few patients for follow up while Noah had a meeting. 

It was five minutes to three when the assistant knocked announcing Mr. Ashwin was here. 

Jagger anxiously stood up. He was waiting for him. Ashwin entered the room. Jagger was about to greet him but he lost his thoughts to see the same coldness in Ashwin's eyes that he felt yesterday. 

"Good day Dr. Cole. Shall we start"? He spoke and Jagger couldn’t even find a single hint of recognition in his voice. He couldn’t say a word even if he wanted to. 

He motioned Ashwin to lay on the couch to start investigation. He felt Ashwin winced a bit as his back hit the hard leather. But it was replaced with coldness again. 

Jagger took his stool beside the couch. 

It all started as usual. Same old questions. Same robotic answers. 

Jagger asked Ashwin to sit back for a while. A short break. He followed with his eyes as Ashwin sat up. Jagger saw few spots. Blood? He was about to say something when he saw Noah and Ford entering. 

"Hi Jagger. Hi Ashwin". They both greeted them cheerfully but Noah sensed the thick air. Ford moved to slightly hug Ashwin, but he didn’t return the hug. Ford looked at Jagger standing behind Ashwin but was shocked to see his horrified expressions. He turned to Noah and same. And this time he slowly pulled off the hug. 

His hands… His hands straining blood. He slowly turned Ashwin to face Jagger to check his back. But lose it all when he saw the shirt Ashwin was wearing was smeared with blood. 

"Ashwin". Noah slowly pulled the hem of his shirt but it was late. Ashwin lost all his strength bearing the pain since night. He would have fallen face side only if Jagger had not caught him securely in his arms. Ashwin fainted. 

They all panicked. Jagger took him to the couch. Making him lay down on his stomach, holding his head in his lap. His heart was bleeding looking at him. Noah brought Ford's medical box. He could not bear blood and wounds, so he just sat on the floor holding Ashwin's hands. 

Ford tried to unbutton his shirt and pull off but it was stuck at some places at his back. So he decided to cut it with the help of scissors. 

They all gasped. Noah had tears falling off his eyes. He was biting his hand not to cry loud. Jagger had his eyes red with rage and anger. 

Ford felt his hands shivering with the amount of pain he felt. 

Ashwin's back was all covered in wounds. Not even a single centimeter was spared. Few wounds were going inside his pants. He opened his jeans carefully. And he held his breath. 

He clasped his mouth with horror. He wasn’t expecting it. 

"Jagger he.... Jagger". He looked at Jagger who was as shocked as he was. 

"Jagger... His lips are swollen". Noah softly parted his lips and screamed. His tongue was swollen too...

"What the hell ... Who the fuck did it to him"? Jagger growled in anger. 

It was clear that he was abused. Sexually. Ford cleaned his wounds. Jagger was racking his hair in distress. He could feel Ashwin whimpering even unconscious. And he had thought about everything. This was enough proof to file a case. He asked Ford to take pictures. Clear angles. Noah took pictures too of his lips and his tongue too. 

Ford cleaned his wounds, applied ointment. He setup the IV in Jagger's office too. Giving him medicine, he turned to Noah, who was crying on the floor. He held him in his arms. 

"Shush Noah. Shush... We got it baby". He was trying to calm him down. 

"He is just 19 Ford. Just a baby. For fuck sake". He screamed in pain fisting Ford's shirt.

Jagger was typing the report attaching the pictures. 

He needed just the name and Ashwin's consent. He was legal age to report the sexual abuse... He was waiting for Ashwin to get up.

He sat on his stool, holding Ashwin's hands. He was just observing him. Looking at his still wet eye lashes. Swollen eyes. His lips that we smiling yesterday were bruised. 

He softly caressed his cheeks... But it was a bad move.

"No… Un...uncle... No... Please". He was still unconscious but screaming. He was crying again. Trying to prey those filthy touches off him. 

Ford held his phone to record it. The video was not a legally evident, still they could present it. 

"No uncle... No... Don’t beat me... Please... No... It hurts.... Noooo". He screamed again. Jagger was clenching his fists. His knuckles had turned white. 

"Don’t ... It’s... It’s dirty... Noooo... It hurtsss". He was thrashing. Jagger had to held him in his arms. He was afraid Ashwin would hurt himself. He asked Ford to give him sedatives. He shifted to the couch. Carefully holding him against his chest as the IV was finished and Ford put it off.  

They shared a meaningful stare. It was so painful to even think what Ashwin had felt. 

Jagger was softly rocking him in his arms. Trying to calm him down. Noah placed a footrest for Jagger to lean his legs. He knew Jagger won’t leave Ashwin. And even Noah and Ford were not planning to go out. They brought in dinner. Even if they didn’t want to. But they had to.

Jagger was half lying. May be he fell asleep. Noah and Ford were working on their laptops. 

"Dad... Dad... Dont leave Guppy. Guppy is schaled". Jagger snapped his eyes open. Noah and Ford were shocked too. 

Ashwin was still under medicine. But he was talking. In a baby voice. 

"What...."? Ford asked but then it clicked. 

Ashwin had a secret. He was little. 5 years old. He would recede to his baby-self when scared or under compulsion.

"Ashwin". Jagger tried to call him. 

"Dont leave Guppy, Dad. Guppy iz schaled… It hurtsh Dad". He was speaking in his sub space. 

"I won’t leave you Guppy. No need to be scared baby". Jagger tried to talk like Ashwin wanted. In soft voice. To calm him. 

He saw Ashwin fluttering his eyes. He opened his eyes for a while and saw Jagger. 

He was shocked to see him and he panicked. But Jagger held him softly. Rocking him side by side. 

"Dad had to go to work. So dad asked me to stay with little Guppy. But why Guppy is scared"? He asked him gently. 

Ashwin blinked a few time before putting his thumb in his mouth. 

"Guppy is not schaled. Guppy is brave. But that dirty uncle. He is dirty. Guppy doesn’t like him". He mumbled snuggling into Jagger's sturdy chest. 

Noah was again recording, making sure that Ashwin doesn’t know. 

"Who dirty uncle Guppy? What did he do"? Jagger asked carefully. He didn’t want to trigger his alter ego again. He knew in this state he can get few answers.

"Uncle... Uncle..." And he fell asleep again. Jagger looked at Ford alarmed but he was calm. 

"Let him. Dont wake him until he himself wakes up. I am afraid the time is over; his driver will be here soon. What do we need to talk to him"? Ford said. Jagger was thinking the same. 

He adjusted Ashwin carefully to his side to avoid the bandaged back to the leather. 

He was pacing in the room. Taking in all the notes they just collected. He had a solid evidence now. But he couldn’t proceed without Ashwin's consent. Also there were few things he wanted to know too. 

So the torture and abuse triggered the sub space of Ashwin that he was turned into a 5 years old kid. More or less. He had to be very careful dealing him. 

But now his main concern was the time. He had to make any excuse to the driver. 

He was still thinking when his assistant entered. 

"Sir Mr. Ashwin's uncle is here. He wants to have a word with you". He handed him a card. Jagger was surprised for a while. 

"Why? Where"? 

"In his car sir". He left. 

Jagger turned to Noah who was standing beside him. 

"Jagger. Let’s go. Let’s see what he has to say. Ford would be here with Ashwin". He wrapped his arm around his shoulder. 

Jagger looked at Ashwin for once before going out with Noah. 

It was a black Merc parked at the driveway. A man in early fifties or late forties may be was standing out looking the place. He was wearing a fine class tailored suit with a cigar in his fingers. 

"Good day... Cole". Jagger introduced himself stretching his hand. He noticed the hint of praise in his eyes. More than praise actually. 

"Hello Doctor Cole. I am George. I wasn’t expecting such a fine young man as a professional here. I would say I am impressed. 

And you"? He pointed at Noah. 

"I am Noah. Jagger's brother". He replied in a calm tone. The man was trying to intimidate them. *duh*.

"Wow wow wow. Such fine people. Anyway. About Ashwin's session. I guess the time is over". He glanced at his expensive watch. 

"Yes. But we are not finished yet. I am afraid it will take another hour. If you don’t mind you can send the driver by 7pm. Or..." 

"Ohh actually. I had to leave for some business meetings for two days. I wanted to take him with me or he will be alone. And he doesn’t like to be alone". George said exhaling the smoke.

Jagger felt his mind signaling him. According to the file, Ashwin was alone. No friends no social life. And by spending time with him yesterday, Jagger could easily say that Ashwin wasn’t an introvert. He wasn’t allowed to mingle as a matter of fact. 

"Oh. That’s going to be a problem then sir. Because we don't interrupt the sessions of the client. I am afraid he can’t escape his two days. One, it charges them a heavy amount as compensation, that’s mentioned in the documents signed by Dr. Cole. And second it takes the efforts from zero to build the path again. 

So by agreement, Ashwin cannot miss a single session. He has to be here". Noah explained clocking every expression on George’s face. 

"That’s going to be a problem then". His uncle was rubbing his forehead. He could easily pay the compensation amount but why to spend a penny on that useless bitch. 

"If you want, he can stay here too. Till you return. He will be safe here. Considering the fact that Dr. Cole is his therapist. He can easily handle him. But only if you allow". Noah said again crossing his fingers behind his back. 

He could feel a battle inside the man's mind. He was calculating every move. Noah and Jagger had to be very precise and careful. 

He pretended to think for a while. Sounds great. Right. He wouldn’t need to be worried that he will run away when not around. Or he wouldn’t need to take him to tour. Not even a single penny spent. Win-win. He could spend more than two days without any hustle to go back. 

Jagger saw his eyes. He wasn’t a psychiatrist for nothing. He could easily read the minds. 

"I won’t hurt Ashwin. This is the most safest place. But you have to inform him yourself. I can interrupt the session, although it’s already late in this convo, but I believe you can send him a message. And about his belongings"???? Jagger said. 

"Oh well. I will ask the driver to drop by 10pm. With his luggage. My flight is scheduled at 1. So I will leave after dropping his bags". George said and Jagger nodded. 

"I am so sorry to take your time without appointment. I will visit around 10 if that’s okay"? 

"No harm done, sir. I believe you are worried about him. We will be waiting". Jagger nodded bidding their good byes. 

***********

"Fucking bastard. He thought I can’t catch his eyes". Jagger was angry. He felt the man; George was more cunning than he could even think. 

"Hold on Jagger. We have some time now. We have to talk to Ashwin about it. Be calm". Ford held his shoulders. 

".I." They heard Ashwin waking up. 

"Hey buddy. How you feeling? Had good sleep"? Jagger softly racked his hair helping him to sit with soft pillows at his back.

"Ssss". He winced in pain. Licking his lips. 

"Take this". Jagger held the straw of fresh juice to his lips. Ashwin looked at him and tears pooled again in his already red eyes. He felt weak, exposed and vulnerable. 

"Sssshhhh it’s okay. It’s okay Ashwin". Noah moved to sit by his other side holding him in his arms gently, guiding him to take juice. 

"It... It hurts ". He was crying in his arms. Wailing like a little child. Ford checked for his temperature and he sighed in relief that Ashwin had no infection so far. 

"Ashwin. Your uncle came. He had to go on some foreign tours". Jagger told him looking carefully in his eyes. And he was right. Ashwin was surely scared. 

"I... I". 

"I told him you cannot skip the sessions that means you can’t leave with him. He was afraid to leave you alone at home. So you will be staying with us till he is back. He will drop by 10 to drop your belongings. Are you okay to stay here"? Jagger explained and Ashwin nodded instantly. 

"I... I won’t disturb you. Thank you ". He said in between tears. Jagger sighed. 

"Jagger. The dinner is ready. Let’s go". Ford came back in the room. Announcing the dinner was ready. 

"You need anything Ashwin? Want to use washroom"? Jagger asked him helping him to stand. He couldn’t even stand properly. He couldn’t walk. 

"I... Want... Want to go... To". He stopped how to ask for help. 

"Let me take you". Ford came forward. He was the doctor he knew how to handle. 

************

By the time the dinner was over, Ashwin was comfortable with the boys. Jagger didn’t bring the topic again. He wanted to have a talk at night. Noah and Ford were free for the weekend so they had time. 

Ashwin was just laughing out at something Noah was sharing about his love life, watching Ford blushing, he heard the familiar honk. The familiar horror honk. 

His eyes turned instantly to the door. The joy was suddenly replaced with fear. He unconsciously licked his dry lips. He was rubbing his now sweaty palms over his jeans. 

"Come. You have me". Jagger assured him offering his hand. The car honked again. "He can’t even lay a finger on you. Believe me". That’s it. That was what Ashwin wanted to hear. An assurance. A trust. A hand to hold. 

*********

Tabby