Life is a riddle, life is a tale. Whoever sings the song, we have to sing along… (Ali Sethi)
Recap:
With a heavy heart and a grimace adorning his face, he fixed his cap and trudged towards the table.
"What would you like to order, Mr. Svein?"
………………….
His crisp voice seemed to drag Emil Svein out of his daze as he stared at his younger cousin with a smile that drew back a bit, seeing the frown on his face.
"Is it always a necessary thing to greet me with this frown? Come on, for once smile at me." Emil said,
"You are not my brother. Mr. Svein." Came the expected reply in an unusually hard tone which didnt seem to affect Emil a bit. He carried on his signature smile, knowing that this topic was nothing but a dead end.
"Have a seat!"
Zander rolled his eyes and nonetheless took the seat opposite him. Placing his notepad and pen to the side. He couldnt help but notice the man sitting before him.
His features were so perfect that they would take anyones breath away. Sharply defined brows that rested on a chiseled face, it looked as though his face was sculpted out of marble. He emerged resembling a flawless masterpiece.
His Givenchy suit design accentuated his lean, yet powerful build. Everyone could feel the aloof air he carried around with him. A mirthful smile swept across Zanders lips.
"Stop glaring at me. I have a weak heart dude." Emil goofed after a moment of silence. He was always like this, a goofy and happy-go-lucky kind of a guy.
"You know very well Emil, that I dont want to meet you then why do you keep on showing me your face." Zander started, his tone indifferent this time as if he didnt want to be here, facing his past.
"Because I am a born defiant man and once I commit myself then I can even move the earth and the hell to fulfill that commitment. Thats the reason I come here again and again despite your insults. " came Emils confident voice, laced with a smirk, irking Zander even more.
"What are you doing here?" Zander asked, drumming his fingers against the linen sheet of the table.
"Zander, are you alright? How is Aunt Agnes? You look like hell brother." Emil leaned forward, assessing his frail self with hawk-like eyes.
For a second, the sincerity in his voice struck Zander but then he shook it away.
" What exactly are you doing here? I know you didnt come here for small talk." Zander grumbled, he was too irritated and depressed to beat around the bush and make small talk with him.
Emil sighed, bending his fingers forward and backward, cracking his knuckles. Already comprehending the latters reaction but still making an effort just like he was making for the past five years.
"Just for once, come with me. Pa will be so happy to see you, this…
.. this war of ego that has been going on for two decades should end now. We are adults now, mature enough not to punish ourselves for the decision and bitterness of our elders." The way he delivered those words was convincing, humble, and carrying an underlying plea. No wonder he was a successful businessman but at the moment he forgot that, it wasnt his boardroom nor the frail, lean man sitting opposite him was someone to be dominated by his aura.
His words started to drag Zander in the depths of his past, ready to swallow him alive. A weak yet resounding scoff escaped his lips as if he was making fun of Emil or rather of himself.
"I am so deeply moved by your words Emil and if you are done with your so-called emotional speech, then you might leave because unlike you I dont have multi-million empires or industries bestowed upon me in love nor do I have a bank balance to buy a nation. I am just an ordinary waiter who has to work all day, wash other peoples dishes and carry out their orders to survive, and in order to keep my job I have to work which isnt possible if I keep listening to your sensitive battles." Zander breathed out in one go, eyes shimmering with a glint of pain and trouble.
"That could be yours too,"
"Thank you very much, I would rather die or be buried alive than take anything from your Pa and his money. If I could change anything about my life, it would be to erase this filthy Svein name from my identity. I hate your Pa and everything related to him."
Clenching his jaw, Zander stood from the chair and gathered his notepad and pen.
Distress and humiliation swept across Emils face yet he managed to keep a flickering smile.
"Even if I die, you still wont come back."
His breath got stuck in his lungs listening to that as if someone pinched his heart with a needle.
He spun around and glared at him,
"Just shut up and get lost!" Zander bellowed out, keeping his voice as minimal as possible.
Emil smiled and stood from his seat, hauling out a black envelope from his pocket, he placed it on the table and turned to him.
"Seeing me die, kills you, Zander. Even though you wont admit I know you dont hate me."
Zander sifted his face to the side, fearful that his eyes would get him away.
Sensing his distress, Emil sighed before placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Aria has arranged a birthday gala for me tomorrow and I want my brother to be there and before you say anything, just know that I will be waiting for you." his voice was warm and smooth, and for a second Zander wanted to forget his every burden and hug him.
Not getting any response, Emil softly patted his shoulder and begrudgingly walked out of the cafe.
Zanders eyes followed him as his bodyguards opened the door to his Porsche and his small convoy drove off, swirling the dust behind. The only word ringing in his head.
Aria……