ALEXANDER
✨

'They say having a nephew is the sweetest thing ever...it's like... learning about being a father even when you are young. Having Ray made me feel the same. He was my first baby. Taking care of him, protecting him, giving him a better future. I always had only one goal when I began ABD Group. I did everything to keep this child safe and provide him with everything after his father abandoned my pregnant unmarried sister.

I didn't care even if I had to do crimes so I could get the best food and meds for my baby boy. The reason why I didn't flinch, taking a bullet in my leg making me have a permanent rod in one of my legs. I even ended up in juvenile custody because of being involved in unethical things. But somehow I could never develop that bond with my younger nephew Roy. Maybe because when he was born, I wasn't around. In fact I was never around for Roy. He was born when I was serving my sentence in juvenile custody. At times I feel I took the anger of my sister's doing on him. She married that abandoned boyfriend of hers...Sherman Mascarenhas when I was worrying about them in custody. I was welcomed with a pregnant sister when I came out of jail who chose her husband over me.

Although 2 years and at 19 she was back home with a divorce paper in her hand. Sherman was financially better than us. They mutually decided to take responsibility for a child. Ray wouldn't leave me and Roy didn't know me. But it was my sister's choice and she helplessly took Ray because Sherman threatened to take both kids otherwise leaving Ray broken that his father didn't want him and Roy crying and begging because his mother let him go when he could hardly understand anything.

Kids who had to grow as siblings gradually turned into a stupid competition that was very well fuelled by their parents yearly meet up. Initially it was about trying to excel the child whom they were trying to parent but they both understood the mess when the kids were preteens and were at loggerheads. All they cared about was how to be better than the other.

And although I wanted to make a bond with Roy, he hated me thinking I separated his parents. A part of him still thinks I was the one who didn't want his parents living together. Wouldn't lie I hated that coward Sherman and one day in aggression words left my mouth that how his father impregnated his mother who wasn't even eighteen and ran away.

I thought it would make him compassionate towards his mum. Which partially did, but one day when he and Ray had a fight during their summer breaks that they usually spent together in Goa, messed things up on another level altogether when Roy called Ray illegitimate making Ray smash Roy's nose and Roy broke Ray's arm. End of it. Both brothers never spent vacations ever.

Alice visited Roy once a year and gradually things are looking better for them. But he still hates his elder brother and although behaves respectfully with me, still maintains his own qualms, has his own boundaries with me. For him. I am his mother's brother more than being his uncle. I'm glad at least he visits us now. But the siblings behave like mafias when it comes to each other!!! Do you really think this is a good idea? I mean it's the first day of 2023. It's a Sunday to add on and I mean...Are you sure you want to do this Sooraj Bharjatya reunion today? Think again Lil Dove!!!' I said sipping onto my morning coffee when she smiled saying

'Well atleast we need to begin somewhere!!! And come on...it's just a small trip to our parish church. Let's all get blessed!!! Our family definitely needs it! Ahhhem!!!' saying she signalled towards Ray and Roy who were giving each other a staring contest while getting down the staircase. This is going to be fun.

But then suddenly I noticed Ray's angry expressions turning pretentious. He suddenly turns around and pretends to be on a call. I turn around and look at the direction and I see Riya along with Roy. And that's when I realise the sudden shift in Ray's body language. I see Riya and Roy arguing about something, so I walk towards them when I hear Riya say

'Please Roy.. understand! I have so much to do-'

'Riya it is the first day of the year, it's a Sunday...come on!!' Roy tries to convince her but she smiles and tries to pursuade him by saying 'I know...But last few days have been exhausting. I need to clean up my space. It's really messed up and Lydia has sinus issues. Her room has to be clean to avoid dust allergies!!!'

To which I spoke up 'Come on Riya. Even you deserve a vacation and this was planned by your FD. She'll feel bad if you skip and don't worry, I'll ask Suketu to send over a cleaning team, they'll get all the dusting done!!!'

'Uncle...you know...I don't want to take favours!!! I'll manage!!!'

To which I folded my hands saying 'Darling...if you don't come your sister's family time plans will screw up and she will hang me upside down. My lil Dove can turn into an eagle in seconds. So by coming with us...you are doing a big favour on me! Please Riya!!!' I said and she pressed her lips tight trying to control her laughter but Roy burst out laughing saying 'You are such a hen pecked hubby Mr D'Cruz!!!' and I shot him a glare while he simply circled his arm around Riya and walked towards the car.

I got into the house to get all the kids stuff and help Fari carry picnic baskets when I noticed Ray lost somewhere while Ivory was talking something to him but he looked lost. I turned around and looked in his direction when I noticed Roy helping Riya load the bag which Riya always carries for Lydia's daily essentials. Because we were all going for a family trip, I had decided to take only my car. Neha and Avita were already at Anjuna because they left early in the morning to take the kids for a dolphin watch and they decided to join us when we reach there. So it was just us folks. Alice decided to stay back home as she was still having jet lag.

I decided to drive while Fari sat next to me. Ivory took the second row. Riya decided to take the third row. Surprisingly Ray was going to take the third row while Ivory called him and he ended up in the second row. Then suddenly Roy looked around and cribbed saying

'Ughhh I hate the last row!!!' while Ray said 'Nevermind...you can take this one...I don't mind the third row' and my jaw dropped to my knees while Roy blinked his eyes non-stop and said

'You doing something nice for me? Huhhh??? Uncle Al...you sure right...this nephew of yours didn't fit a bomb in third row or something? I'm still unmarried...Don't wanna die this young!' he said when Ray rolled his eyes and simply jumped out of the car and walked backside saying 'Stop blabbering!!! Doesn't matter anyways...I have some work to do on my laptop...I can sit anywhere!!!' he said and Roy pouted saying 'Okay then....' and Ray sat in the third row but what I noticed left me confused. Riya suddenly looked bothered of having Ray next to her.

I wanted to ask if she was okay? When suddenly Roy spoke up 'Hey Riya...can you shift to the second row please? Miss new roadkill...you can shift back with your serial killer backside' while Ray said 'No she won't!!! Riya won't shift!!!' and the tone he said it left everyone shocked.

'Woah Woahhh!!! But Riya and I had plans to discuss...'

'So why can't it be discussed while sitting in second and third rows respectively? It's your mouths doing the talking...why do you need her to shift for it?' Ray asked while Roy said

'Wellll because otherwise..I will have to keep turning around. Sitting closer is easier!!!'

'Not required though!' Ray argued

'And who are you to decide that?' to which Ray spoke up in one go

'Her husband!!!' and suddenly everyone froze. I looked at Ray via the mirror and he said

'I mean...I am going to be Ivory's husband and I know Ivory feels claustrophobic in last seats. This is smaller!!!' to which Roy smirked asking

'Ohhhh and you intend to work on your laptop sitting there? I'm not so heartless...shift here..I will manage there... and anyways it's the company that matters!!!' to which Ray looked pissed as he said

'But I have already got myself comfort here! I am not a fucking kangaroo or a rabbit to keep hopping front and back. Anyways its hardly a 45 mins drive!!! You'll not discuss universal miseries in 45 mins!!!' argued Ray while Roy smiled sarcastically and said

'And you will turn into Ambani by working extra 45 mins on your laptop literally squeezing in there!!! Such a drama king!!!' saying he rolled his eyes and sat on the seat next to Ivory. And now that everyone had settled we were driving towards Anjuna beach. On our way was the Parish Church of D'Cruz household.

✨
RIYA
✨

Lightening the candle at our mother's feet, I prayed to her to ask my lord to always protect my Lydia from every evil. I prayed for Ray's good health and happiness like I have always. I prayed for our families to be happy and content always. I prayed for my grandparents soul to rest in peace. Amen!!!

I smiled and turned around to notice Ray next to me sitting on the bench silently staring at the alter and I smiled asking

'Wont you pray?' and he chuckled asking

'I did...once...but didn't last!!! So I don't know if I should again...ask for it?' and then he looked at me. There was a weird pain in his eyes. My lips parted. His eyes spoke numerous things which honestly I couldn't decipher. Suddenly we heard Ivory's voice which said 'Baby...can you please come with me. I need to get some candles!!! I heard this is your Parish Church which means we would get married here? I guess right?' and that's when it striked me...I remembered and my eyes filled with fresh tears.

This was the church where Ray and I had taken our marriage vows. Our father from the heavens had tied us into a holy knot here which however we couldn't retain. My throat filled up as I recalled how Ray and I were the happiest when we took each other as man and wife and then Ray kissed me promising to always be beside me in sickness and health.

That's when I turned around and I noticed Ray's eyes still on me. His eyes spoke a lot...maybe some which I was now able to understand and some which maybe I did not.

'Rayyyyy come na babyyyyyyy!!!' Ivory's voice fell on our ears and suddenly I noticed Ray's gaze switch between my eyes and my lips. I gasped as I recalled how deeply he had kissed me as we were married to each other. He had left my lips swollen such that father himself standing there had to clear his throat. It's like everything had happened just yesterday and then there was a storm which washed away everything. And then suddenly Ivory dragged Ray with his hand and took him away leaving me...all alone...again.

Suddenly I felt a flash of light on my face and I snapped out of my thoughts to notice Roy was clicking pictures on his camera and I rolled my eyes saying

'Its a church Roy...pray!!!' to which he said

'Riya...if you don't know...this is the only feature apart from my humour is what I get from Uncle the Great Alexander Brendon D'Cruz is that...I'm an atheist!!! Not a believer!!!' saying he continued clicking pictures to which I closed his camera lens and showed him in the direction both Fari Di and Uncle Al were praying and Roy's mouth slightly opened when I chuckled and said

'He is a believer now!!! My sister made him a believer!!!' to which he rolled his eyes saying 'Ummmm...But I don't think your sister will divorce that blue eyed uncle bald uncle of mine!!! Unfortunately she loves him!!!' he said and I slapped the back of his head while he winced with an 'Ouch' statement. I chuckled saying

'Dont worry!!! You'll also find one! Infact
..you believe in lord... he'll give you someone just like Fari Di!!!' to which he smirked saying 'You sure? Coz I just need her photocopy!!! I love that woman... Unfortunately she's my aunt now!!! And it's not healthy having an affair with your own aunt!!!' he said and I cringed saying 'You know you are hopeless right?' and he smirked saying 'Tell me something I don't know!!!' but then when he continued clicking picture. I dragged him to the alter and got him some holy water and sprinkled upon him and me. He kept looking at me continuously and then said something insane

'Heyyyy...why don't you marry me?' and I gasped and burst out laughing asking

'Whatttt???' to which he kept his elbow on my shoulder and said

'Look!!! Fari Di's shadow as in Erne...I mean she's too young for me and she's my cousin too!!! Plus I'm not a pedophile..so the closest to Fari Di is you...you...ummmmm...are not as pretty as her...bad dressing sense too..but nevermind... I'll adjust!!! You can cook as well as you are not dumb like other girls I used to date...so yeah!!! Think about it...I mean...Look at me... You'll have good looking babies Riya!!! Plus...with a British citizenship!!!' he said and I rolled my eyes saying

'You have officially lost it!! Just Shutup and pray!!!' to which he folded his hands yet continued blabbering saying

'Think about it Riya!!! Your kids will have all my features...my looks...my brains...my eyes...'

'And your stupidities!!! Sorry Mister Mascarenhas...I want intelligent babies...you are dumb and your sperm...super dumb!!! Thank you but no thank you!!!' I said to which Roy said

'Areyyyy Didn't you hear that old Indian advertisement jingle? Pehle istimaal kare phir vishwas kare (First use it then trust it)...think again!!! Rich and a popular Brit Billionaire I am!!!' to which I burst out laughing saying

'Shutup Royy!!!' to which he said

'Areyyyyy our height and weight also matches!!! I'm not an Eiffel tower like my brother either!!!' he said and my smile vanished.

I simply turned around to leave only to notice Ray standing just behind me. His eyes were red, his jaw clenched and he was shooting daggers at me.

Shit??? Did he hear us???

He simply smirked and grabbed my hand and placed a few candles in my hands saying

'Looks like new things are brewing!!! Maybe just like me and Ivory did...you must also lighten a candle with your 'potential' future 'partner' maybe? Hmmm?' he asked and I was extremely pissed. Doesn't he understand jokes???

He was about to leave when I called him out 'Rayyy!!!' and he stopped on his tracks when I went and grabbed his hand and placed the candles on his hands saying

'Thank you so much for caring about my potential future partner!!! But I think I can do that for myself. I don't need your favours! But yes...I will just take this one candle...to pray for you! So you know you don't mess it up this time with your new fiance! Stop running around me Mister D'Cruz and learn to spend time with your 'new' fiance!!! You don't get chances again and again in life! Dont mess it up this time. Ivy is a good woman!!! I will pray for you!!!' saying I walked past him when suddenly he grabbed my hand and dragged me outside the church and pinned me to the pillar outside the church.

I was shivering as he pressed himself onto me, I tried walking away while he placed both his hands on either side of the pillar and I was trapped under his huge frame. My throat started drying up when he said

'Looks like someone desperately wants me to get married to Ivory? What is it Riya? Are you dying to get rid of my existence in your life is it?'

His hot breath was fanning my lips. My eyes transversed through his face glaring through his sea blue eyes, his sharp nose whose nostrils were flaring in anger and then his lips which were slightly parted. He was gritting his teeth, seething anger through his mouth yet his lips looked lush pink. Suddenly I recalled a memory of kissing him. His mouth would go red every time he was either high on anger or high on passion. His skin looked shiney and blood rushing to his face would make him look like a wild cherry.

Suddenly his gaze shifted to my lips and in no time he leaned closer to me. My breath was stuck in my throat. We were breathing into each other's mouth. An inch more and our lips would brush.

Gosh!!! Even a non living thing could sense the sexual tension between us right now which was wrong. So wrong to be precise. Neither the place, nor the people.

We were outside Ray's Parish Church, the place where we had married each other after eight years of our divorce while he is engaged to another woman yet here he had pinned me to a pillar breathing into my mouth and I could practically taste his minty breath.

We were close. So damn close yet so far.