Cross Roads: Pick a Path (7 page)

Remone should be dropping by in an hour or
so. Our flight is scheduled to leave at 11am, and with the time
being around 8am right now; it’s probably the appropriate time to
write the letter to my family.

To my caring family,

I know I’ve really pushed you guys out the
past few months. It’s because I can’t be that same Arrun that you
all used to love. Its like I lost all care in the world; I’m not
able to love like I once did, I can’t sit around and laugh, and I
want you guys all to remember me for the Arrun I once was. Rohini,
you’re probably the first to read this. I wanted you to read it
first because it’d be better if you explain this to the family. I’m
going to be leaving to India; in fact by the time you read this,
I’ll probably be gone. I don’t know when or if I’ll come back; I
need this though, I need it to feel alive again. What I’m going to
be doing there, I can’t share. Rohini, I’d really appreciate it if
none of you guys come looking for me. I need the time and
space.

Love,

Arrun.

While sitting down on the couch I was
curious, of what cross roads my life will meet. To this point
everything has just been unforeseen, and for some odd reason I do
not think it is going to change any time soon. Feeling a consistent
vibration in my pocket I noticed Remone was calling. It was almost
10am, and after letting Remone know I was on my way down I sent
Rohini a quick text. “Could you swing by my place today,” it read,
but I was hesitating to press send. I could not stop questioning
whether I was doing the right thing or not. Once again, I let
myself know that this is the path I chose, and it is on me to
follow through with it. After I pressed send, I stuck the note to
the front door and made my way downstairs.

After we made it to the airport, I was in
complete awe. The amount of henchmen to secure a safe send off for
Marona was just unbelievable. It looked as if the henchmen made up
twenty percent of the airports population. Marona seemed pretty
happy to see me, “Arrun my boy,” he called out with joy. Standing
with his arms out, I was pretty sure he was expecting a hug; and a
hug was exactly what I gave him as he continued to speak.

“
Kid, I don’t know where on Earth you
came from, but if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here right now. I
could care less of how you’ve lived your life to this point; I’ve
got two sons, and henceforth you are the third. I want you to get
involved in all our activities. I don’t usually trust someone so
soon, but there’s something about you.”

In all honesty I was not expecting so much
attention from Marona. When he said I was coming to Tamil Nadu with
him I thought I would just be another one of his henchmen. A son? I
did not see that coming at all; I have never had a father figure in
my life. It was actually something I have always wanted, and after
speaking to Marona, I actually look forward to where my choice will
lead me.

After Marona spoke to me, we were ready for
departure. We went through security clearance, and made way towards
the gate. I was assuming that we would board a flight with many
other citizens, but they had a private jet! These guys were the
real deal; slowly I began progressing in thoughts. Maybe I didn’t
make such a bad choice? Then again I was smart enough to know not
to judge this lifestyle till I see what Chennai had in store for
me.

I anticipated more people joining us on the
airline, but a large sum of them were only there to make sure we
got on the jet safely.

“Going to be a long ride bro, it’s better to
get sleep,” suggested Remone.

“I’ll try, but it’s your marijuana that’s
been putting me to sleep as of late,” I replied.

Remone sitting across from me laughed;
looking over to my right Marona grinned, as I smirked back. As the
pilot spoke, I closed my eyes, in preparation of a wild ride.

In the midst of a new beginning I closed my
eyes to a memory of Hasini, one that I have failed to consider till
now. It was of the time she took me to the place I proposed to her;
I believe it was about three or four months before I proposed. I
remember it because it was the first time the thought of death even
crossed my mind. It was just another ordinary day, and Hasini had
invited me to a place she admires a lot. Walking through the forest
path she was asking me loads of random questions.

“Arrun what would you do if I died
tomorrow?” She asked, putting me on the spot.

“Hasini, honestly? What sort of dumb
question is that?” I asked back confused.

“Just answer it,” she demanded.

“
I’d probably lose it, go insane. I
honestly don’t know what I would do without you. Probably jut
become one of those really emotional people, maybe feel like
dying?”

“You love me that much,” she asked.

“Yes!” I shouted.

“What are you a fruitcake,” asked Hasini;
the both of us laughed.

“What do you mean,” I asked.

“
I mean don’t be a complete idiot. Would
you really go to extents of throwing you’re entire life away if I
die? I thought the man I loved was stronger than that; I expected
him to have the courage to face all odds. Arrun it’s cute, it’s
cute that you love me so much, but please don’t be one of those
emotional wrecks. You have the potential to go really far in life;
don’t make me responsible for your downfall. If I’m gone I want you
to fall in love again, and continue leading a life where you’re
happy!”

Intensely smiling I responded, “You thought
I was serious? Of course I’d move on!”

“Jerk,” Hasini’s reaction was priceless; she
knew I was joking though.

She would have hated seeing the way I turned
out. That day, I just considered it a topic of discussion. I did
not deem in the likelihood of either one of us loosing each other
till we were well aged and through with life. It’s quite amusing
how sometimes a casual talk of possibility can end up as reality;
it happens so very often without most of our notice.

This memory may have been what I needed all
along; resting my eyes finally seemed possible. I needed to change;
I needed to reduce my emotions and become stronger. I had to once
again become the man that Hasini loved.

There was some alcohol on the flight, after
a few shots I was good to sleep for a while.

“Wake up, bro wake up!” Shouted a voice.

An unexpected disturbance suddenly woke me
up. I haven’t slept this peacefully in months! It was Remone who
disturbed my peace, all because he was bored.

“Arrun, I didn’t want to disturb you but,
I’m so bored man,” he said.

“Why’d you have to disturb my rest? Couldn’t
you go talk to Marona?” I asked.

“
Seriously bro? Do you want to see me get
thrown off this plane? Is it so difficult for you to stay awake for
a few more hours? You slept through majority of the trip man; let
me remind me you, this plane ride is 23hrs long!”

I guess he was right, I mean I did sleep
through majority of this trip. There was about five more hours till
our arrival to Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and it would make sense for me
to actually learn more about Remone. Maybe I could even get an idea
of what to expect when we get there.

“Fine man you win, I’ll stay up for the next
few hours,” I said in a displeased tone.

“So tell me Remone, how’d you get involved
in all this?” I asked, curiously.

“Oh man that’s a long story,” he said.

“Bro, don’t you think we have the time, just
tell me,” I urged.

“Okay, I was going to tell you. You’re the
one that cut me off,” he said, as he prepared to share his
story.

“
I’ve been around this stuff for about
ten years now. I was born in Chennai; I’ve never even seen my
mother, apparently she split when I was born. My dad was an asshole
bro; the dude beat me almost everyday. I’m not even surprised that
my mother left us, I mean who would want to live with someone like
him. I’d say I was about sixteen when I decided to leave home too.
There was this one-day when I was trying to find food; I decided to
rob one of these big scary dudes. Obviously my luck, he caught me
trying to steal and beat the shit out of me. Verone Duranji,
Marona’s eldest son was the one who saved me. He helped me stick
around and find small jobs to pay for necessities; and now they
allow me to be involved in some of the more serious situations. I
became a man watching the business. I think you’d like Verone, but
Miran is going to be kind of hard getting used to.”

“Is Miran Marona’s second son,” I queried; I
was beginning to get curious.

“
Yeah he is, and trust me bro, you do not
want to get on that guys bad side. He’s only a few years older than
us, but the guy is scarier than the devil himself. Marona loves
him; it’s probably because Miran is literally the youthful version
of himself. The guy doesn’t give a damn about what happens after
his actions. If you get in his way, you’ll probably end up
dead.”

“So basically he’s a psycho, who gets to
roam free,” I commented.

“Quiet bro! Marona is going to hear you,”
whispered Remone.

“
Alright, don’t worry I’ll be quiet. So
tell me, what kind of shit did I get myself into?”

“
I know you were an engineer and all
before, but you need to know that your new job is far from that. In
case you don’t know, you’re lawless now. Just as much of dirt bag
as any person you’ll be meeting in the next few hours. Society
never liked us, but they don’t understand that we need to be
criminals to survive. If we don’t resort to this we’d probably be a
panhandler, roaming the streets asking stuck up rich people for
coin. With this job we’re able to earn more money than the average
man. You’re going to be involved in drug trafficking, extortion,
kidnapping, assassinations, and the business world politics. You
may not like it, but I think you’ll get the hang of it.”

“Sounds pretty serious, but I’m not doing it
for the money,” I replied.

“Why would you want to be a criminal then,”
asked Remone.

“
I don’t know; as of late life just feels
really empty, I need a thrill. That’s what I used to enjoy about
life, the rush feeling. It made me feel alive; I want it again, I
don’t want to wake up every morning and feel death dragging me
down.”

“
I can’t nail a character assessment on
you bro. At first I thought you were some depressed dude, and then
you come save the day, after that you topped it off with a murder,
and now this. I think this can be the beginning of a great
friendship.”

Remone was right, this could be the start of
a great friendship. Maybe I was just quick on the trigger, judging
him. He is actually a really cool guy; he had to be a criminal to
survive, because life did not allow him to go in any other
direction.

We continued to trade stories of our lives
over the last few hours of travel. I still refrained from speaking
about Hasini, even though she did come up in the conversation here
and there.

It took a days travel for us to reach our
destination, but looking out the window I could see the large
landmass that holds my future. I didn’t know how to feel about it;
I was born in Chennai, but I haven’t been back since Sarah adopted
me. The death of my parents led to my departure, and now murder is
what brought me back; death has been my only true companion.

As we got set for landing I felt my mind
ease a little more. It felt amazing; after months of sheer torture
to my thoughts, I finally had a sense of relief. Hasini will always
be the one that got away, but its time for me to move on and
venture into what life has in store for me next.

Stepping out the private airline, I was
expecting a lot of men for an escort to the Duranji residence.
Although to my surprise that was not the case, there were actually
just two vehicles with a driver in each. Walking down the flight of
stairs I was confused; this is it? I thought Marona Duranji was a
big deal; and all he gets is a measly driver for a pick up? The
vehicles were nice though, two black Range Rovers; I did not expect
Chennai to be so modern. Then again, I guess being an international
criminal pays a little more than what the average man makes.

“Welcome to my world kid,” whispered Marona.
As usual I just replied back with a smile. I really did not know
how to talk to the guy, its not that I was scared of him but he
hasn’t lived up to that acclaimed name of his just yet. It just
keeps me speculating of what the hype is about. Remone and I
watched as the two henchmen whom accompanied us on our journey
loaded the luggage. The henchmen both join Marona, in the first
SUV. I was joined by Remone in the second; following the other
vehicle, in what was said to be an hour-long drive.

Twenty minutes into the ride I could not
help but find myself in awe; Chennai is far more beautiful and
developed than I imagined. When you’re raised in a westernized
country its hard to consider the fact that the rest of the world
develops with time; however the level of visible poverty is not a
pleasant sight. As I continued to stare in amazement, I was still
curious of how someone of Marona’s standards only had two men
present for his arrival.

“Hey Remone, does the driver understand
English,” I whispered.

“No, Why?” Questioned Remone.

“
I’ve been curious about this since we
got off the jet; why is it that there were only two cars to pick up
Marona? Like the guy was almost killed a few nights ago, shouldn’t
there be more protection? We don’t even know who planned the attack
on him.”

“
Arrun, my friend. You need to understand
that Chennai is the Duranji district; there is no one on the radar
who is gutsy enough to attempt an empire takedown.”

The hype truly never fades; with every
passing moment Marona’s name is mentioned, his praise reaches a new
level. I for one think that they are way to in over their heads.
Look at me; just a few months back I thought I had my life all
figured out, but my story had other twists in store. Marona could
be the world’s biggest criminal, but at the end of the day, he
dies; like every other man.