(Chapter - 21)

  [Asroy Onil Newaz (3)]

  Asroy is sitting in the living room idly playing with the artificial plants, his expression sullen and dejected. He pokes a flower softly.

  Asroy : These fake flowers look so real… *Just like his fake tears and innocent facade. Why do people love fake things so much?*

  Speak of the devil and he shall appear — his little brother comes and snatches the flower. But Asroy doesn’t react, instead he looks away as if he doesn’t exist.

  Brother : Do you know what I hate? This attitude of yours. Don't give me that attitude.

  Asroy : What attitude?

  Brother : You know well what I'm talking about.

  Asroy : I'm not even stopping you from what you're doing. So what's your problem?

  Brother : Your existence is my problem. Why don't you just disappear?

  Asroy : If I bother you that much just by existing, then why don't you disappear? You came into this world later than me, right? I came here first.

  Brother : …Haha!

  His cold laugh carries an unknown darkness. He glares at Asroy.

  Brother : Asroy… It doesn’t matter that you came first. The one who stays till the end wins.

  Asroy : !?

  Brother : I want every good thing you have now. I will take them from you, and you can do nothing about it. No one even believes you anymore, nor cares about you. I'll be the one everyone sees as the eldest son, and you’ll just disappear.

  Asroy : What did you say!?

  Asroy stands up and his brother walks closer to him.

  Brother : And a worthless stupid like you doesn't deserve those good things anyway. I'll make your life a hell. Stop me if you can!

  He punches Asroy which breaks the last straw. Asroy punches him back. A huge fight breaks out, leading them to use their powers against each other. Both their eyes glow red, glaring at one another. The brother can't handle the strength of Asroy's rage. Asroy knocks him down. But it's not enough to stop him. His fiery eyes lock on Asroy who's panting after the fight. With a smirk, he presses his hand on the floor and fire spreads across the floor. Asroy's eyes grow big from terror.

  Asroy : What have you done!? Are you crazy??

  Brother : Haha… This is the end for you, Asroy.

  Asroy : GET OUT OF MY WAY!

  Asroy pushes him aside and uses wind powers to put out the fire, but it only backfires and spreads all over the room, burning nearly everything inside. Soon Asroy's parents, uncles and aunts rush to the living room, get Asroy and his brother out of there and extinguish the fire. After everything is settled, Asroy now faces his furious father, Mr. Najir Newaz.

  Mr. Najir : How much more? How much more are you gonna destroy things? Huh? Do you want to kill everyone!?

  Asroy : It wasn’t me, dad! I just tried to put out the fire he set! He did it on purpose! He also hit me and called me names! He threatened me!

  Mr. Najir : Enough of you blaming everything on him! You coward! Do you think we’ll believe your made-up rubbish story!? How many times have we told you to be considerate of your little brother? Why can't you let go of your jealousy!? You worthless elder brother!

  Asroy : At least listen to me! Why don't you ever listen to me!? The only thing you ever believe is his fake cries and lies! Why are you like this to me? Why can't you see that the real evil is him! He's not so good as he seems! He's always after me! And ruining my everythi—

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Mr. Najir slaps him before he can finish his word. Asroy looks at him with shock and sorrowful eyes.

  Mr. Najir : You impudent kid! You're the reason for every trouble in this house! You're the root of every problem! All the teachings your mother and I gave you were a waste! You're worthless even as a son! Your arrogance never ceases!

  Asroy clenches his fists and he finally shouts back with everything that has ever weighed on his mind.

  Asroy : I'm not arrogant! You know nothing about your own sons! You see nothing! I just tolerated everything till now! You have no idea how much he torments me! And I can't act like him or talk like him! I just can't use the disrespectful words he uses! He's the one impudent and evil!

  His father slaps him again.

  Mr. Najir : Do you think you're being respectful to me now? Talking back and raising your voice like that? You yourself don't know how to respect your elders, so it’s only right that you don’t get respect from your younger ones. Fix yourself first and reflect on your faults! Learn to apologise for your own faults!

  Asroy : *No… Everything is being pointed at me again! Why don’t you see the truth!?* I had no fault! Please stop it! It’s enough! I just can't take it anymore!

  After a few more harsh slaps, Asroy falls on the ground, crying and screaming — not in pain, but from the long suppressed frustration.

  Mr. Najir : You can't take it? We can't take you anymore! You’re like this even though you’re a kid. Can’t imagine how you’ll be when you grow up! Talking to a brat like you will only drain my energy. You don’t deserve to live with a family. You need a lesson!

  Asroy's mom shows resentment through her eyes and voice. His younger brother stands beside her with a tear stained face, but a cold stare towards Asroy. And Asroy's youngest brother Shomoy, who's only 3 years old, clings to their mother, looking at Asroy with tearful eyes. His soft mind doesn’t grasp the cruelty of what's happening.

  Mrs. Aloka : Please. I can't fix him anymore. I'm tired of it. I don’t know how to protect my little boy from him anymore…

  Asroy stares at her with eyes drained of emotion.

  “He was given the biggest punishment a child could ever get. He was sent alone to a small house in the forest near their home, away from the family. The punishment was to stay there for a month. Food would be delivered every day by his cousins. Though they felt sympathy for Asroy, they had no choice, they couldn’t do anything over the command of the head of the house — Mr. Najir Newaz…”

  “Spending the days and nights alone in the forest, nothing could be more terrifying to a kid than that. Asroy stayed like that for 4 days, crumpling in fear when the scary noises of the forest sounded louder to him at night. On the 5th day, he decided to break free from that hell and ran away during the morning. Without any idea where his path would lead, he kept going forward.”

  Asroy : *I won't leave like this anymore! I have done nothing wrong! I won't bear the blame on me. I'll go far away from here and never come back! Mom and dad… have been brainwashed by the evil boy. He wants to destroy me, but I will not let him!*

  While running in the forest, Asroy meets a man who's acquainted with his parents. And he stops to exchange a few words.

  Man : Hey Asroy! Where are you going boy? All covered in dirt.

  Asroy : Uncle, can you show me the way to the wind forest?

  Man : Sure, if you keep going to the right and cross the road, there's the wind forest. But why are you in such a hurry?

  Asroy : …I'm running away from home.

  Man : Running away? Why little boy? Did you fight?

  Asroy : *Right. No one outside the family knows what happens at home… Or how I'm treated.* My mom and dad don’t want me… They don't love me. My brother tortures me in secret but no one believes what I say.

  Man : Hahaha! Silly. Parents sometimes scold you for your own good, because they love you. And brothers fight often, that's how bonds become strong. You shouldn’t see it as torture, young man.

  Asroy : *Just as expected…*

  Man : Your parents are very nice people. They have a good mindset and good mannerisms. They treat people with kindness. Of course, you’ll be like them one day too.

  Asroy : *They're not like that with me at all. And I don’t wanna be like them! It's terrible… But telling him all this will be of no use. I should leave the place soon.* Thank you for the directions, uncle. Hope to see you again.

  Man : Don't play outside for too long, kid!

  He waves cheerfully, not knowing Asroy really intends to leave. Asroy keeps going on his way and into the wind forest.

  Asroy : *Wind forest… Please, take me somewhere far away from the town, where no one knows me. A place where I can live the rest of my life without the torture! Please!*

  As he walks further, he reaches the bushes near the main entrance of Miraz Monjil. The sky feels warm in the hue of afternoon. Asroy looks at the name plate of the house and wavers in confusion, whether he should go in or not.

  Asroy : Miraz Monjil…? *Is this where I should go? Why did the wind forest lead me here? But I should trust it… Do I go in or not? I don’t know what I should do. Will it be alright?*

  A few minutes later, as Miraz is coming home from work, he sees Asroy standing near the main gate but doesn’t get so surprised — As if he was already expecting Asroy's arrival. Asroy gets a bit nervous to see Miraz.

  Asroy : Uh-um. H-Hello, um… I'm Asroy. I-I was actually–

  Miraz : Hello Asroy. What powers do you have?

  Asroy : *Huh? He knows? How?* Y-You know I have powers?

  Miraz : Well, I can tell if anyone is supernatural. You can trust me.

  Asroy : I… I have wind powers.

  Miraz : Hmm… Looks like you need help.

  Asroy : Uh! Yes um… I don’t have a place to stay, I'm new in the city and… I escaped from my family because… Because…

  His eyes become teary despite the desperation for a shelter. Miraz, like a considerate adult, doesn’t push him any further.

  Miraz : It's okay, you have no rush. You don’t have to say everything right now. Maybe it's fate that brought you here. So, you can stay here in my house.

  Asroy : Huh? I can?

  Miraz : Yes. And I have another boy around your age. Life brought him to me a month ago, just like you.

  Asroy : Another boy like me?

  Miraz : Yes. And now, you will be a part of our family too.

  Asroy : …Really?

  Miraz : Hmm… So, from now on, you can call me dad as well.

  His eyes gleam with an unknown calmness. He feels safe and relieved. Miraz smiles at his innocent expression. He holds Asroy's hand and walks in the house together.

  “That's how Asroy's miserable life turned into a peaceful one. And he became a part of our small, lovely family. After learning about his story, I didn’t hesitate to open up to him. I trusted him completely because… He was just like me. A victim of false accusations, framing and misunderstanding. I shared my story as well and we grew even closer than before.”

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