Elena

Elena Smith.

“You can pick anything. You know, I can never say no to you.” Elena shrugged her shoulder and then her hands folded against her chest while watching her little sister who was busy inspecting one of her dresses in the mirror.

  Hearing her words in an instant Rina, who was trying a red off shoulder dress, with a shrill swivelled at her way, dropped the material beside the cushioned tool. Elena was baffled like what happened when she came running like a small kid in excitement and hugged her taking her off guard, as they both landed on the bed with Rina above her.

“You are the best sister in this world.” Rina announced gleefully and Elena rolled her eyes at her buttery comment.

“Dumbo, leave, God, you will kill me.” Elena exhaled and awkwardly pats her back to free herself from her suffocating hold.  

“Thank you.  Thank you so much. You are a life saviour.” Rina said after she pulled away and peered with stars in her eyes.

“That I know...” Elena said arrogantly. “Now go and try the red one, it will look stunning on you.” With that she signalled with her eyes at the dress after sitting back while Rina walked back and stood facing the dressing mirror. She picked up the next dress and hangs it on her shoulders. Then jutting out her chin confidently like some page three model she turned and twisted to get better angle, scanning, and appreciating her appearance.

“Nice.” Rina muttered still uncertain. She turned back at her sister for her review. “What do you say?”

“It’s totally up to you dear. Red suits you but if you want then you can also try the black one.” Elena suggested thoughtfully while she wore her five inches black stiletto on her right feet and then on her left feet.

“No... I will go with the red.” She said finally making her mind and winks at her sister and giggles happily marching towards the washroom. Elena showed her thumbs up, “Go ahead.”

Suddenly the door opens and Samantha, their mother saunters inside. Seeing Elena in a beautiful dress her lips curved up in a motherly smile.

“Aren’t you ready yet?” Samantha asked unable to find Rina who just then emerged changing into the red off shoulder dress.

“We are ready. Ta..da” Saying she made a complete swirl. “How do I look?” Rina asks wiggling her eye brows expectantly at her mother. Her mother on the other hand studied her dress and appearances. Even her younger daughter was also growing into a fine lady just like her elder sister.

Although Elena wasn’t her own daughter but Samantha never discriminated the girl from her motherly love.  Infact she treated her more affectionately than her own daughter.

All of a sudden, a thought crossed her mind and she creased her eyebrows inspecting Rina’s dress. Her lips parted in shock because its the same dress Elena brought for the annual party and hadn’t tried yet but gave it to her spoiled little sister.

“The whole wardrobe is filled with what not clothes and yet here you are borrowing dresses from your sister.” Samantha chided in her motherly tone and gave a small smack over her head.

“Mommy!!!” Rina whined like a kid. “It’s that her collections are so damn freaking good than mine that I can’t resist trying for myself.” Saying she made puppy face and peek a glance at her mother who shook her head and continued glaring.

“Its okay, aunty. She can robe my whole wardrobe. I have only one sister.” Elena picked her Gucci bag and walked near her mother. She massaged the edge of her shoulder to ease the tension and planted a kiss on her left cheek. Samantha melted down as she smiled and then bringing her face closer, kissed her forehead. Witnessing her mother and sister’s bond, Rina felt left out.

“I also want some love.” Rina blinked her lashes, pouting her lips dramatically and Samantha pulled her for a kiss and then again smacked her shoulder.

“Ouch!” Rina rubbed her shoulder where the hit landed.

The door opens and a voice reached them. “Can we come inside, ladies?”

All the three ladies snap at the door when they saw Robert Brown entering inside followed by his son, Sean. They returned from their office early and when Robert didn’t find his wife typically in the living room waiting for him so he came straight to his daughters’ room and heard her voice and he guessed right to find her inside.

“Seriously dad. It’s of no use asking when you already did? You do that always.” Rina said correcting him.

“No, princess I do that only when your mother is with you. After all I need to know what my enemy is conspiring in my absence?” Robert spoke playfully earning a full glare from his wife while both his daughter covered their mouth to stifle their laughter.

He stood beside his wife and wrapped one arm around her waist only to receive a jab when she smacked him with her elbow and Mr. Robert bows forward rubbing his stomach from her hit.

“Serves better dad. Don’t mess with my mom.” Sean defended his mother and stood beside rounding with his one arm on her shoulder like a protective son.

“Fine.” Robert straightened himself and turned his attention to Elena. His eyes softens as he checked her. She was clad in beautiful green shimmery dress that matches her emerald eyes.

“You are looking beautiful, Elena.” He complimented proudly which made the girl smile shyly. Her cheeks turned pinkish. That’s how she reacts infront of this forbidden man whenever he says something nice or praises her.

Robert Brown. Her uncle. Two decades older than her and yet she cannot stop this platonic feeling she has developed since the day he had taken her in his house.

Her feeling for him is pure. Not like illicit one where lust and all obnoxious thoughts prevails. Neither she would ever try to snatch her auntie’s husband.  On the other hand, she respects him and considers him her everything.

Elena’s parents died in a plane crash which they boarded from Boston to Chicago. The remains were found nowhere near the rest of the plane. Horrifying, devastating as it sounds. She wasn’t gullible to not understand what happened to her father and mother.

Three days later, her paternal uncles and aunts met up in the living room for an emergency meeting regarding who’s going to take the responsibility of upbringing the orphan girl when they have their own kids and problems to look after. Discussion continued while she stood in a corner witnessing and waiting for the verdict. Five long hours passed but each of her uncle and aunt denied making various excuses. Finally, Maxim Smith, the elder brother of her father came up with a solution to get rid off the burden from their head.” Let’s send her to a boarding school.” He proposed and relief passed through everyone’s face. A lone tear rolled down her cheek but there wasn’t anyone to notice or wipe it.

 Everything was arranged to send her away. She bid goodbyes to all her cousins. They were all elders and loved her dearly. No doubt they were sad for sending her but as they were still kids and has no say in elder’s decision.  Ronan, the sensible and the oldest among all her cousins and son of uncle Maxim stood up rebelling against the elders but his father shut him up with bitter words and the boy had to accept quietly. Unable to do anything, he clutched his fists out of anger and left the house to stay with his friend till the time she moves from their house because it was painful for him to bid her goodbye forever.

 Next day all the three uncles took her to a reputed boarding school far away from her home. They were busy discussing with the procedure inside the office room while the poor girl was standing, waiting outside the door with her small pink trolly bag beside her leg and her hands hugging Boo-boo, her soft monkey dummy against her chest. Her only friend in this lonely world.

Just then with a screeching sound, a black Audi car halted on the porch and a man in mid-thirties steps out. He looks at the small girl through his dusky shades and approach her. His walk was firm, as he took each step with confidence. Behind him were two of his loyal men. Reaching near her, he took off his shades and crouch down her level. With his thumb and forefinger cupped her chin forcing her to look up. As soon as Elena lifts her lashes she saw Uncle Robert Brown, her eyes glint with recognizing and she threw her arms around his neck and sobbed like a scared child letting out her insecurities.

“Shhhhh… we are going home.” Robert consoled and stroke her back.  Home. He said home. Only that small word passed a sigh of relief in her poor heart.

At that exact moment her uncles walked out of the office room and saw Robert Brown. They walked towards him.

“Don’t give any false hope to the kid, Robert. We have arranged everything. She won’t face any difficulty staying here.” Maxim spoke signaling towards his hand in which he held some papers of her admission. Robert gritted his teeth and inhaled a sharp breath to calm himself.

“Louis , Take the girl.” He ordered one of his men. Immediately one of the men came forward and holds her hand and took her inside the car, closing the door. Then her trolly bag was place in the boot of the car. She waited anxiously, and from the tilted black glass of the window she can see her uncles. Their hard expression and sometimes throwing their hands in the air indicates that they were in a middle of a heated arguments. She decides to wait, holding booboo like her baby.

“You are going to regret this, Robert. “Maxim yells while Robert cleans his shades over his coat and put on with confidence, unfazed by their seething glares.

“Good bye. Hope we do not meet again.” Robert dips his right hand inside his pant pocket and walk off from that place.

“You are taking a dirt and one day she will taint your house.” Maxim continued yelling from behind.

And since then, she was living with them. When everyone threw her out of their life Robert entered in her life as her hero.

Since the childhood Elena always tried to deliver her best foot so that her adopted family members never regret upon their decision of upbringing her in their house as her own uncle once mentioned her being a dirt. Her efforts showed fruits and she receive appreciation from the school authorities and her mentors for her good grades and polite behavior with her fellow classmates. While Rina was slightly immature with all the love and pamper showered being the younger in the house which makes Elena score the highest rank of being the perfect daughter.

She maintained her good image and character only for Robert. It was kind of obsession she had developed unknowingly. She can go to any length to impress him with every way possible. And whenever he praises her proudly for her achievement, she feels like she won the whole world.

Nobody in the house knew or ever doubted about her feelings for Robert. She has been skilfully hiding it within herself.

“And what about me, dad?” Rina asked.

“You my daughter is a fairy. Actually, you both are looking like fairies.” Robert called out in his fatherly tone. Rina chuckled and ran to her father for a hug.

*

“Take the driver and don’t get late.” Samantha yelled from the entrance door while the two girls slides inside the car. Both the girls bid their mother and head out for Sonia’s birthday party.

Elena’s high school friend, Sonia is a struggling professional designer in the crowded field of fashion industry in USA. Sometimes, even if there’s any small fashion show organised in the city, Sonia volunteers Elena to ramp walk or pose for photoshoots wearing her dresses.

 Elena also like to wear her custom-made designs, they were so unique, refined and her magnificent body carries her stitched outfits very elegantly. She looks classy in them and people appreciate her appearances in any party or occasions. And her sister, Rina was a diehard fan of her dressing sense and makeups. It’s not like Elena cakes up her face. No, but with minimum makeup on her flawless radiant skin she was an eye-catching beauty. A head turner.

With hourglass figure, Elena can opt for a career in modelling but the girl wasn’t interested at all.  Sometimes she walks on the ramp just to help her best friend whose design she considers far better than renowned labelled iconic designers. Being the adopted daughter of the multinational company, ‘The Paramount’ Elena wasn’t always running after brands. She prefers quality over tags.

 Being a final year student in MBA, Elena works as an intern in her uncle’s office only during her summer break. Mr. Robert Brown had seen the business genes within her and the passion she has inherited from his late friend and he was mentally planning to fully involve her and provide her with a better position in his company once she completes her post-graduation in business management.

“Sis, wake up. You almost sleep the entire ride...” Rina shakes her shoulder and Elena peels her lashes and blinks several times. Her eyes closed when they were in the middle of the never-ending traffic jam. She darted outside with dizzy mind and realized that they already reach the posh restaurant and with all her lady like manner she covers her mouth while yawning and steps out. She needs to splash some water over her face to wake up fully. She thought mentally.

“Let’s go.” Elena mumbled with fogged mind and gestured her sister to walk along. They travelled through the entrance and climbed the stairs.

 Rina followed her sister and when the stairs lead to the roof top, she was gawking fascinated by the decoration of the restaurant. It was not like she had stepped in such posh restaurant for the first time but the way the roof was decorated with paper lanterns, white lilies and colorful ribbons was eye catching for the customers. Moreover, this restaurant was a newly opened in the heart of their city.

Even Elena appreciates the wide sitting arrangements. She likes to dine in open air. At home also she has a weird habit to fill a bowl of ice cream in the middle of the night when all were fast asleep and gobble down in the roof top watching the stars and moon.

“Hey Elena!” Sonia waved her one hand when she saw them at the entrance. So, she got up from her seat to escort them.

“Happy birthday.” Elena gave her a side hug and forwarded the bouquet they brought for the occasion.

“Happy birthday!!!” Rina also wished her giving her usual bone crushing hug.

“Thank you.” Soniya managed to say and as Elena was standing beside them, seeing her friend struggling for air, she chuckles and shook her head. 

“Look, I’m wearing your designed dress.” Rina turned and posed the way she did before her mother. Soniya arched her brows up while running her eyes over her body which was wrapped in her designed dress. As the dress was stitched considering Elena’s body measurements, therefore the area near the hips was a bit loose and the dress was reaching below her knees when it should be an inch above it.

“She is your diehard fan.” Elena revealed exhaling an exasperated breath.

“Awww, how sweet. Come to my boutique someday with your sister and I will design a dress for you.” Soniya said politely which made Rina’s eyes bulge out of her socket and she bounced and squealed in happiness. Elena tugged her elbow in an attempt to calm her horses and not to catch people’s attention inside the restaurant.

After that they moved toward the table which was already booked for them. Once settled Elena spoke casually, “so, when is your next show?”

“It’s in Boston next week. And I’m counting you as my show stopper.” Soniya declared gleefully flipping the pages of the menu book.

This made Elena stiff in her place for a second.

“But next week we have a meeting with our new client from Indonesia. I must attend the meeting with uncle.. you know how important are these training for me and …” Elena didn’t get to finish when her sister chirped.

“Don’t worry Soniya, I will personally talk to dad to give her a day off from her training. I’m sure dad won’t say no to me.” Rina winked at her sister who was staring at her with ‘what to do with you’ look.

“That’s sounds great.” Soniya grinned switching her eyes between them. “So, shall we order food?”

“Of course.” Rina shrugged and began reading the menu while Elena watched her irritated who made cute faces.

Rina decides to order on behalf of both the girls. The entire time Elena felt the waiter sneaking glances at her but she decides to ignore, because she was used to of getting such attention from the opposite gender.

The food arrived after some time and they dig into their plate as they were feeling very hungry.

Elena finished her plate and excused herself to use the rest room.

Sonia and Rina got busy gobbling down the food while Elena made her way down the staircase and reach the ground floor. She stopped one of the waiters and enquired the direction to the restroom. He explained and she walks taking the corridor to the far corner. 

Elena went inside near the basin and opened the tap splashing some water over her face. She pulled out a small towel from her handbag and wiped her face. With some facial cream and reapplying her lipstick she was reset to go out.

Suddenly, her phone blared near the corridor. She halted her steps and unzipping her bag she pulled out her cell phone. It was her mother calling her and she swipe the green button.

“Hello.” She spoke wondering why was her auntie calling when they had informed that they would be late at night.

“Hello. Hello. Elena.” Came her auntie’s panicking voice. “Come to Healthcare hospital as soon as possible.”

*****