The sun finally gave in, submerging beneath the skyline. One by one, guests took leave and most part of the venue is bare silent. Mike is more free now. Swings of heavy legs crossed the balcony and stood next to Joseph– leaning to the handrail with his forearm. His coat had been long abandoned, wearing just the silk brown shirt. Its sleeves fold up to his elbow, sinfully accentuating his build as the top of his bicep balled against the fabric. In a way, he even makes his own father envious. “Dad...”. Joseph nodded as he drew another puff. He then extends an upright cigarette to his son. “Want a puff?” looking at the horizon, he blew off his lung's content. The beautiful scent of man’s common addiction waft through the air, into Mike and automatically ignites memory on his taste buds. Enough to rejuvenate his sluggish face. At the same time, a mild lemon tinge slipped into his nostrils, reminding him of a c

                  Another bomb of the day fell into his build as Mike straightened up. “Explain to me this. You saw a real estate agent walking out of a psychiatric clinic, which technically is a hotcake property on the real estate market. What is wrong with that picture? She could have come here for a business purpose!!! But you had to, just had to see if she is in trouble. You came to meet me. We talked and were able to narrow down a clue. Within a few days, you had already called her mom, got a name and a possible time period. Without this information, it would be impossible to resolve this in 1 session” Dr. Ajay is standing face to face to Mike with his hands in his pocket. Mike's gaze is frozen at him with a frown. His heart is beating fast.  “But why didn’t you take any action on the man who triggered all this in the first place? At least a police report? Anything at all? You even swept away the topic when I bro

Bruised cheeks and drops of blood slipping down the corner of lips was enough to set Sarah into a panic mode. Her 100th discussion of ‘what’s wrong with Michelle Ricci’ on phone with Jessica came to a sudden stop. She rushes to kitchen to get some medical supplies. Mike, frankly, still vexed with her, ignored her gesture, and strode to his room.   Reemerging with a white box in her hand, she stood puzzled at the empty hall. On the edge of balcony, his arms embraced the hand railing. Memories from his worst moments threatened each step she padded across the room. Mike’s current disconnection with her and the group is triggering uncertainty but still she came to his side. She had to, no way around it. Gently, she pushed him down to swing chair and started cleaning his wound. He hissed slightly, surging a tremble in the helping hand. “What happen?” Sarah said calmly, despite her internal tremor.   “My dad hit me” “What did you do to

                       Doubt that she is dreaming played tricks on her mind but quickly regained herself. She stood up and walked in. Mike gushed towards her but it was too late. Turquoise basketball varsity jacket peeped through her bulk, black blanket. The one that she snatched from him, parading herself as his lucky charm and reason behind the team’s victory in the high-school final match. It has been a while since she had worn it, claiming it to be too stuffy for her.                       Heavy feet dragged across the closed shut door. Reluctant, Mike left the house to settle some important business issues. But before that, he called Jessica “Jess, are you free today?”“I have a meeting in the morning, then I’m free. What do you need?”“I need you to bring Sarah to the hospital. I think she is having a fever”“You ‘think’?” she asked in confusion

A different vibe adorned this Saturday since the pack is doing something other than clubbing. The black convertible BMW flashed across the free road, heading towards the seaside mansion.                              According to Robert, the family owns a 50km radius of the house including the beach. Compound less mansion with a sprinkle of heritage stood tall as proof for his statement. Tasteful interior design interludes well with the vintage outer. Riverstone walls and solid frames with dark roofing outline the structure against the vast greenery backdrop.                              Too big for Mike’s father alone. Servants and bulky bodyguards lined up at the entry. Mike parked the car r