Reunion

I couldn't reach Mumma and Papa because my phone was smashed in the accident, but I was astonished that they didn't come see me in the hospital. Since most of my personal belongings were lost in the devastation, I eventually caught a ride back to New Brunworth on a caravan after trying to reach Papa's phone numerous times but failing each time since it was reported out of network.

When I got home later that day, I saw that the house had been listed for sale and the front entrance was shut. Since I don't recall them discussing moving residences recently, this came as a complete surprise to me. It also seemed odd to me that they would leave their home so soon. Sarah's father was one of Papa's closest associates, making her my only hope, therefore I had to visit her in spite of how uncomfortable it would be after what had happened. 

"Rishab..?"

"Sarah, did you hear from-"

She embraced me. I didn't know what to say. 

"You- You're alive! I can't believe it."

"Yeah, of course I am but.. where's Mumma and Papa ?"

"Rishab, come in.."

"What happened ?"

"Come in!" She pulled me inside and closed the door. 

"Rishab, they… they were murdered." in a voice choked with emotions, Sarah revealed.

"Sarah.. What did you just say ?"

"They died, Rishab… they- they were murdered ?"

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SAYING ?"

"Rishab, please calm down. I know this is a lot to take in…"

"NO. I WON'T BE CALM. NOOOO!"

I started destroying Sarah's house by tossing chairs and flipping decorations without thinking twice. She made a great effort to calm me down, but my emotions were so out of control that I felt like I had lost everything due to one small error. 

"Rishab… please. Please…"

"It's my fault ! IT'S ALL MY FAULT.!" 

"Rishab, my father has spoken to the police. The case is being investigated."

"WHO DID THIS !? I WANT TO TALK TO THE MAN IN CHARGE !"

"Rishab, please.."

"NO! I NEED TO MEET THE DETECTIVE RIGHT NOW!"

As soon as possible, Sarah ran upstairs to grab her scarf and jacket so she could go with me to the police station. There, the receptionist introduced me to Brendon Murray, who Sarah subsequently revealed was the detective and investigating officer in charge of my parents' murder.

"Ms. Sarah, good to see you.."

"Hi detective, this is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harikumar"

"Rishab Harikumar, is that correct ?"

"Tell me what happened. Who did this ?" gritting my teeth, I glared at him.

"Mr. Rishab, can we have this conversation inside my office ?"

"Yes officer." Sarah granted his request on my behalf, realising that I was losing my cool, and we entered Brendon's office.

"Mr. Rishab, I'm extremely sorry for your loss and I know how you must be feeling with the news outlets and tabloids running after you.."

"You don't know ANYTHING!" 

"RISHAB, calm down, he's only trying to help you" Sarah warned me as I growled at detective Murray in response to his condolences.

"It's alright, Sarah. He has the right to be angry. Mr. Rishab, I know that this is a lot to take in but.."

"JUST TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED !"

"Okay… on October 10th, a little after your flight's transponder was reportedly deactivated, someone entered your house violently and shot your parents. The man was a courier service agent by the name of Luis Sebastian and we have our surveillance officers looking all over for him because he isn't with the company that he works for anymore." 

"Does he have a motivation for killing ?"

"No. We talked to the cab company that your father was working in and they don't seem to recall anyone having a problem with him. Is there anyone you know who might have anything against your dad ?"

"No.. my- my dad is the sweetest person I've ever known. Even when mom and him argued, he'd always be the first one to make up and reconcile their differences.." 

"Right.."

"Do you know where Luis is ?" 

"We have intel but for security reasons, I can't disclose it"

"Tell me where he is !"

"I'm sorry but I can't do that" 

"WHERE IS HE ?"

"Okay that's enough"

"WHERE IS HE ?"

"Rishab, stop it" Sarah interrupted. 

"NO, I WANT TO KNOW WHERE HE IS !"

"Mr. Rishab, this is the police department. We do not encourage rude behaviour !"

"TELL ME WHERE THE FUCK HE IS"

My thoughts became blank as Sarah struck me across the face in front of Detective Murray.

"Sarah, he can press charges against you for…"

"I know.. I'm sorry. There wasn't another way. Detective… please… Please find Luis. Rishab's in.. he's in a lot of pain. I know what it's like for him. " 

"I'll do my best, Sarah." 

I didn't say anything to Sarah on the way home since I was embarrassed by what she had done at the police station. I even grudgingly ate dinner and threw away the leftovers. She joined after she was done with the dishes while I sat on her front porch staring up at the night sky.

"Rishab, I- I'm sorry for hitting you today.. I was scared that you'd hit Murray and we'd be in more trouble." 

"I wasn't going to.. hit him.. I just.. I wanted to know"

"Rishab, I want to know what happened to them as well.. I really do but.. Losing our minds isn't the way to do it. Tell me everything you remember that night. How did the plane crash ?"

I gave her the same explanation that I gave Mary Ann. 

"Rishab, when you knew this was wrong, why did you do it ?"

"I.. I didn't have a choice, Sarah. I've never had anything I wanted in life. My stutter prevented me from being a pilot and now when that's resolved… I end up in a goddamn mess! Why is everything for me about losing ? Tell me why ? Am I destined to be a loser ? I mean… I thought I found love in you but… even that wasn't meant to be mine. I'm just… tired honestly. I never wanted any of this. All I wanted was to fly… was that- was that too much to ask ?" 

"Rishab.. I- I don't have answers to your question but only time will tell why everything has a purpose. You have to be strong… at least, for aunty and uncle."

"Sarah.."

"Yeah ?"

"Will I go to jail..?"

"I'm not sure, honestly… but… we'll find a lawyer, okay ?"

"Alright.."

"Do Jack and Roger know you're back ?"

"No… I'm not sure. I mean, my phone was destroyed in the wreckage so I don't know if they tried calling me.."

"Okay I'll give you a ride tomorrow."

"Sarah.."

"Yes ?"

"Am I a bad person ?" 

"Not to me. That's all I have to say. Rishab, listen, we have important things to solve. I understand that your actions are of concern to you but I think solving the bigger picture will actually clear things up. So, let's take it one step at a time and figure it out, okay ?" 

"Okay… Can I ask you a question ?"

"Yeah, what's up ?"

"What's he like..?"

"Who ?"

"Your fiancé.."

"Well.. now's not the time to be talking about it. You should get some rest."

"Are you scared of telling me ?"

"No, of course not !"

"Then why the drama…?"

Sarah didn't respond. 

"Sarah, how do you see me ?"

"What do you mean ?"

"I mean all of this, you know… why are you helping ?"

"It's complicated"

"Maybe someone's got feelings for me ?"

"No! We're not having this conversation, okay ? You're my friend. Nothing more. 

Nothing less. Are we clear ?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Shut up" Sarah jokingly remarked. 

The evening went quite smoothly, better even than I had anticipated. Even though I still had feelings for Sarah, it was good to move on as friends and have some closure. But I did feel envious of Sarah's fiancé. Was consumed by thoughts of what he had done wrong to merit such a gem as Sarah. Since everyone is self-righteous, it's rare to find hospitality these days, yet Sarah upheld the custom and made me feel at home. I was concerned about her fiancé's reaction to my staying over, but she remained silent about it, so I was unable to ascertain her thoughts as well. All I know is that I slept and felt better than I had in the previous week.

The next morning, I made my way down the stairway as I decided to check with Sarah on the agenda for the day, only to find her on call with someone. 

"Oh come on, I let him stay over cause he's a friend." 

"You always tell me everything" a voice replied as Sarah had the call on speaker

"Hey, everything okay ?" I interrupted since I wanted her to know I was present. 

"Oh, hi." she replied to me in surprise and disabled the speaker 

"Babe, I'll see you soon. Gotta go."

"That your fiancé ?"

"Well, yeah.. it - it is. He was just a little annoyed that I had someone over and didn't tell him about it." 

"Wow, not surprised. What does he do for a living ?"

"Well… he's a pilot." 

"Oh, interesting. Air Force ?" 

"No.. he joined Horizon as a pilot now. Used to be an instructor for AeroFly"

"Did he operate a 475 for Welkin Airlines prior to AeroFly ?"

"Umm.. yeah, how'd you know ?" 

"Is Erik Skuterud his name ?"