It was 3:30am. Rosetta and I were walking back to the hall.
My mind was processing all the things I had learnt. She probably noticed me and looked at me quizzically.
"It's just a lot to process." I told her.
"There's one more surprise for the night." She said. Her eyes looked distant, like she wasn't speaking to me.
When we came back, everyone was scattered in different places. Nouraya and Adrian were still not there.
"How are you now Ames?" My mom asked me.
"Better, mom. Still it is quite a lot to process." I told her.
My eyes scanned the room. I wanted to meet Adrian. I saw Hazel and Clara sitting nervously on the sofa- seats.
"Is everything okay?" I asked Hazel.
"I hope so." Hazel responded, glancing at the door.
Mr. Vanderkoff was also speaking to some alumni.
Rosetta clinked her glass and everyone's head snapped in her direction. She gestured everyone to occupy their seats on the table.
Once all of us sat there, the seat next to me and the seat at the other end of the table were empty. I took in a deep breath and decided to reach out to Adrian. Just as I was about to will my thoughts towards him, the door of the hall opened.
Adrian, dressed in his white shirt and black plants, entered. I was wearing his coat.
He seemed flustered. Mr. Vanderkoff and Hazel were looking at him just as anxiously.
He pulled the chair next to me and sat down. I wanted to look into his eyes and see for myself.
Are you alright Adrian?
I asked him mentally, as he sat next to me.
His head snapped up. He looked at me and nodded yes, with a face that was totally unconvincing. He seemed sad and hurt. I placed my hand on his knee. He placed his hand on mine and held onto me.
Rosetta cleared her throat. We both looked at her. Once again, the door was opened.
Nouraya entered now. Her movements were so fragile and frictionless, it seemed like she was floating down a river.
"Dear friends" Rosetta started. Both Rosetta and Nouraya were standing at either end.
"There is someone we want to join us here today." Rosetta declared.
Behind Nouraya, from the same door from where Adrian had just entered, a tall guy in a luxurious, fancy suit entered.
Everyone in the crowd was taken aback by the air of self-assurance around him. He had mildly-curly brown hair. His gait was unhurried and certain. The expression on his face was inscrutable. In the bright lights of the hall, his skin appeared luminous.
He covered the distance between the hall and table in fewer strides. The atmosphere had tangibly shifted. He came to stand by Nouraya.
"Adrian?" Nouraya held out her hand towards Adrian. He flinched. "Come here, son."
Reluctantly, Adrian got up from his seat and went to stand by his mom.
Nouraya stood between the two of them. Next to her, the two of them towered like the pillars in the hall.
She placed either of her arms on their backs.
"Everyone, meet my two sons. Adrian Vanderkoff and Christopher Blackwood."
What?
I looked at Adrian.
His jaw was clenched and hands folded into a tight fist. He was seething but trying hard to suppress it. His body had stiffened. He seemed even taller now. I wanted to soothe him.
I could feel a curdling sensation within me. I had no clue if anyone else could feel it or not, but I could feel his anger materialise on my skin and within me. The way he seemed tense and flustered, I could feel a heaviness on my chest.
"Christopher is going to join us as well." Rosetta announced. "Let's welcome him with open arms and forgiving hearts."
Mr. Vanderkoff who was sitting on the opposite side, looked flabbergasted.
Without my realisation, a new chair had been added at the end of our side of the table- next to Rosetta where Adrian had been sitting. Nouraya seemed to be beaming with happiness. Her eyes were full of tears as she held both her sons.
"Please take your places now." Rosetta instructed. Nouraya signalled both of them to sit in the two empty spots next to me. Very slowly, Adrian and Christopher walked towards their spots. My eyes were glued on Adrian.
He pulled the chair next to me and Christopher sat next to him. Hazel gasped loud enough for everyone to hear as this happened.
Rosetta asked all of us to join her hands in a circle. Christopher and Adrian were repulsing each other like common magnetic poles.
Nouraya and Rosetta stared at them. Finally Adrian held his brother's hand.
" Nisheetham asmaan dharmena yunakti, Vayam satya-nishthaya sevamahe, Udbhavanti ete pavitrah bandhah, Asmat-sambandhena jagat phalatu."
Everyone chanted- except Adrian, me and Christopher.
The Midnight unites us for duty
We serve with sincerity
The sacred bonds arise
May the world bear fruit from our ties.
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