Chapter 9: An Unforeseen Reunion
I blinked my eyes.
And quickly Protected them from the blinding light in my room- my room? The last thing I remember was going in the attic- then the newspaper, how did I end up here? Unless, it was just another dream. I was relieved everything that had happened- it was just another dream! Just another absurd dream! I could laugh at the ridiculous vision my brain had concocted. I sighed in relief.
"So, you decided to wake up huh... kiddo"
I turned my head to where the sound had come from, the speaker was standing next to the Ikea DETOLF glass cabinet- he was close to my 'treasures', and was freely drinking from the 'How you doin' mug. His finger now wore 'The Flash' ring. Who gave him the permission to touch my beauties? {So what if I call them beauties? Don't judge!}
"You know right... I was the one who gave your father these." He pointed towards the first 6 issues of Star Wars {I was always curious; how did dad pull that off?}
"It was all true." Were the only words I could manage.
"Kiddo... you are strong- stronger than your father, stronger than your moth- stronger than Samantha." He finished, still fighting with the thought of her death.
I hugged him. I kept my eyes closed- I didn't want anything to be real anymore. However, his warm embrace was enough to soothe me.
I let go of him.
He sat next to me on my bed. His eyes intense- then at once they softened. "Son... I know you think of me as just a 'lawyer', or even a friend to your parents, but son after them," he paused. "After them... you are the closest thing to a family."
I looked at him- my gaze quizzical.
"Let me finish." He let out a small chuckle, accompanied by tears. "Rumi, my son..." my eyes widened and I knew what he meant, my mother had told me about it.
I held my breath as he continued, "When you were born, I was there in the hospital with your father- waiting for your safe..." he chuckled "Arrival." He finished. "The first time I held you was in the room where your mother was resting. At the time they asked me a question, to which I saw you- your little eyes looking at me with pure innocence, and answered 'yes' without a moment of hesitation." I looked at him, as he nodded to my reaction.
"that was the best decision I'd made in my life!" His tears fell on his black pants. "Because I knew if I couldn't become a father... I was at least a Godfather to the cutest baby in the world." He chuckled.
I remember now. He was there for me- always bringing me either toys to play, or sweets and candies to eat. He was the one who played with me when I was a kid. But...
"Where were you all these years? After dad..." I asked.
"I was devoted... devoted in finding your father's killer." He answered. "My visitations became shorter- more concise. It became even harder when I got closer..."
"Do you know who it was?" I asked barely able to hold on to myself.
"No... but I have a lead." He answered.
"I'm coming with you; I'll help you in finding his killer!" I announced without a moment of hesitation, my eyes stern.
There was silence, for a moment he was just looking at me. Suddenly- surprisingly he started laughing. I just stood there recollecting what I had said wrong. After a while his face became firm, "Oh you are serious?"
He stood up and said, "No you won't" he said in a hushed voice.
"But, why?"
"Because... you are my responsibility. No!" He swayed his head, "You're my son- the only family I have left." He came closer and held my shoulders, "I've promised my previous family to keep you safe- if something ever happened to them." He finished.
"If you think of me as your son- then I'm asking you... as your son. let me help you." I sat back on the bed.
The silence continued longer this time only to be broken by a loud noise, a sound of glass breaking outside my room.
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Rumi heard a knock.
"Hi Rumi... may I come in?" A familiar, friendly voice asked him.
"It's been 5 years... Why do you still ask for my permission? Ronald" He slowly got up from the table where he had spent the last 2 hours in- typing.
"How's the writing going?" He asked, looking at the typewriter.
"Good... wanna give it a read?"
"I know better than that... I remember the last time you asked me." Ronald paused and looked blankly in to the space ahead, and vigorously shakes his head at the thought.
"Nope! Never again!" His index finger pointed towards the typewriter.
"So... what brings you here?" Rumi asked. he was curious, Ronald usually came at dinner time.
"Why? Can't your Godfather come to meet you whenever he likes?"
"Well... he could if he wasn't busy with his new girlfriend."
"Oh, shut up!"
"Wow... I didn't know you could blush." He said, seeing him flustered.
"Ehem... Yes! I was here, because there is someone here to meet you. quite rare right." Carfully changing the subject.
"Meet me? Now, who in their rightful mind would do something that absurd?"
"Us" Two familiar voices sounded from outside his room, the two voices he thought he would never hear again.
"May we come in?" I saw as two figures stuck their head in, one's red hair the same as before, however- the second one would be harder to identify if not for Josh.
"Paul?" Rumi asked, half in shock, half in excitement.
"Yeah, I know right! I'm taller than your sick ass now!" Paul announced.
Although his black face looked mature, he was still the same Paul Rumi- remembered.
"How did you? who told you?" Rumi asked bewildered by this unforeseen surprise.
"Seb told us. At least he had the audacity to keep in touch with us, not like someone here who couldn't even tell us about his condition!" Josh spurted; he was no longer his shy self- he has certainly matured.
"I'm sor..."
"Save it! You couldn't just tell us?" His voice stern, but his eyes gave him away.
"Although we couldn't come with you and Seb to your 'expedition' we still cared for you! We were your friend, Goddamit!" Paul frustratingly announced.
"Look I couldn't drag both of you in my problems, okay! I just couldn't!" Rumi shouted.
There was silence. Then as usual the silence broker of the group-Paul spoke, "Well... I think that went well!" He beamed.
"What?" He asked confused,
by his sudden change of mood.
"We were just messing with ya." Paul finished.
"We wanted to see what your reaction would be." Josh continued.
Rumi couldn't hold his excitement any longer- he laughed, "You dumb bastards!" He clutched his walker and slowly made his way towards them. They anticipated what I was going to do, so they came closer and wrapped me in a hug.
"I love you losers! I missed you!" Rumi showed an emotion, which was lost for five years now- joy
He sat on his bed and for a second just gazed at them. He never once thought of what would happen to our group if he left with Ronald. If he had maybe, just maybe it wouldn't have turned this way.
"Tell me everything that happened after we left." He asked them.
"Well... after your 'emotional' conversation with Ronald here." Paul started in his usual- formal tone {He is really good in telling stories.}
"As you know we were all there listening to you- if it wasn't for Seb dropping his mug, we wouldn't have been caught." Josh protested.
"Anyways, after that- your sick ass decided to go to New York, with Ronald here." Paul gestured.
"I know I'm old but it still hurts, you gesturing like that." Ronald imitated his motion.
"Can everyone please... just stop cutting me off! I'm telling a story here!" Paul said, irritated by the interruptions.
His immediate outburst was received with laughter from the group, as his bulky form got infuriated.
"By the way... why did Seb decide to go with you?" Josh asked.
"What the hell is your damn problem?!" Paul shouted.
"Hey... shut up! It's a hospital." Rumi said in a whispered tone.
"So... why did Seb come with you?" Josh persisted.
"That's something only Seb... can answer." Rumi spoke.
"Enough with this Seb... what happened to Aliza?" Paul asked. His perverted tone refreshing the time Rumi had spent with them.
He lowered His gaze at the mention of her name.
"As I couldn't drag you in my problems, similarly... I couldn't do that to her." His voice cracked.
"But... I don't get it, why would you not tell us about..." Josh started
"Because I knew if I told you that I was... dying! You would leave everything and come here... to New York- to meet me."
Silence enveloped his small hospital room as they took in his words.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Hector_Moone
Hector_Moone I've finally conquered the writer's block! I'm victorious! this chapter was a real ballbuster. Thoughts?
Ok anyways... as usual love the support, 1k baby! Feel free to comment, vote, or even PM me for anything y'all want! Would be happy to help! :)
Thanks for the lovely support ILYSM!
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