Season 7 Chapter 19

Felix: Freya! (he shouts, his voice breaking as he spots his sister standing at the edge of the building.) Freya, please come down! (His face pales; his body trembles with fear.) Please…..(he begs.)

Below, the university grounds are packed with a hushed, anxious crowd, their murmurs like a low, unsettling hum. Freya stands on the rooftop, tears streaking her face, but when she sees King, a wide, unsettling grin spreads across her lips.

Freya: King….you are here! (She shouts) I knew you love me, I knew that you will come! King! (Her eyes blaze with a wild intensity) Please say that you love me, or else I will jump from here!

King: Freya, just come down and we will talk! (he says, his voice strained, his lower lip caught between his teeth.)

Freya: No! I know that you are trying to distract me! (She hisses, eyes narrowing.) You know what?! (She laughs, the sound hollow.) I will jump from here. If I die today, you will forever remember me.

King: No! Please be rational. (he urges, his legs feeling weak beneath him.)

Freya: (She leans forward, her balance teetering dangerously) What?! I can't hear you! (She teases, almost missing her step, as she giggles) Oops. Hehe.

Felix: Freya!! (he cries out, nearly fainting.)

The situation was getting worse with each passing minute, as the time slipped out of our hands. Ambulance and fire brigade has already arrived along with few media reporters. Freya was still standing at the edge of the building, amused by the whole situation. I took this opportunity to slip in the university building, while everyone was distracted. I licked my lip, my heartbeat increasing with each step I took towards the rooftop. I didn't care about the outcome, I just don't want my brother to be affected just because of an obsessed psychopath. I felt lucky finding that the roof door was open, as I tiptoed towards her, making sure that she doesn't notice my presence.

Leo: (he looks around in the crowd, with lines of worries over his forehead.) King…where is Anne? (He whispers in King's ear.)

King: (he snaps back to reality, hearing brother Leo's words.) A-Anne?....D-Don't t-tell m-me….(he stammers, as his heart pounded loudly and head felt dizzy.)

Freya: King! Are you trying to ignore me?! (She asks losing her patience)

King: (His voice is panicked, his eyes wide with fear.) No, Freya! I'm not ignoring you! Please, just step back from the edge!

Below, the crowd grows restless, and the tension is palpable. I inch closer to Freya, careful not to make a sound. My eyes stay locked on her, measuring each step. She's too fixated on King to notice me sneaking up behind her.

Leo: (Murmuring under his breath, scanning the rooftop for any sign of me.) Damn it, Anne, where are you?

Freya: (Her eyes narrow, her voice turning shrill.) Why aren't you saying anything, King?! You think I'm bluffing? You think I won't jump? (She takes a step closer to the edge, causing a collective gasp from the crowd below.)

Felix: (Crying out desperately, his voice strained with panic.) Freya, stop! Please! I'm begging you!

Finding her still distracted, I moved silently behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. She flinched, nearly losing her balance. Before she could react, I twisted her body and swept her off her feet, sending her crashing onto the rooftop floor. She winced in pain, her eyes wide with confusion at the sudden turn of events. I quickly straddled her, pinning her down.

Freya: You! (She hisses. Struggling to free herself.)

Me: (I slapped her hard across her face) Come back to your senses!! Do you think its worth dying for your obsession?! (I grit my teeth glaring at her.) How can you be so selfish! Do you even have any idea how many people die each year because of depression?! And you…..you are here making fun of death, just to threaten someone who doesn't even love you!

Freya's eyes widen with shock from the sting of the slap, her breath hitching as she processes my words. Her struggles slow, but her glare remains fierce.

Freya: (Her voice cracks, a mixture of rage and desperation.) You don't understand! You don't know what it's like to be ignored, to be unwanted!

Me: Pfft….(I couldn't help but laugh at her words) Almost everyone in this world have felt ignored and unwanted at a point of time. You think, that justify your actions? (I raised my brow, I was no longer angry, rather disappointed.) Just because one person ignored your presence, you choose to ignore the other person who is crying miserably.

Freya: (she hesitates.) W-What are you talking about? (She bit her lower lip taken aback.)

Me: I am talking about your brother, you moron. (I said tightening my grip. As my eyes were fixed on her.) How dare you ignore the love of your family, over a person who doesn't even deserve it! (I frowned) Even though King is my brother, I know how detached he is from his own life and affairs. he is an asshole who is trying to run away from reality, and you! You know what? (I let out a bitter laugh.) You're just like him. Selfish. Only thinking of yourself.

Freya: (Her face twists with a mix of fury and hurt, her voice quivering.) You don't know anything about me! You don't understand my feelings!

Me: (I blinked) Of course I don't…..(I took a deep breath) I mean I would have understand your obsession if it was brother Leo, even though I wouldn't have supported you even then, or maybe worse. But King? Seriously?…What's wrong with your choice woman! Why are you after a man who clearly has emotional and commitment issues in first place? Someone who doesn't even take his relationships seriously, how did you think that he will take you seriously? I mean come on, ew! (I said feeling disgusted.)

Freya: (she looks at me getting confused) Are you kidding me? How can you insult your brother?

Me: (I shrugged) Am I wrong though? He changes his relationships like clothes, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't even bother looking at him. (I replied while rubbing my forehead frustrated.) I kept warning him regarding the consequences of his actions but he never listened, and now look what happened. You know what? You should jump, he deserves getting traumatized. (I rolled my eyes irritated.)

Freya: (Blinking, utterly bewildered, her anger momentarily replaced by confusion.) W-What? Are you serious?

Me: (I raise an eyebrow, sarcasm dripping from my voice.) Absolutely. Jump, and make him feel the weight of his own stupidity. Maybe that will finally wake him up. (I smirked)

Freya: B-But….(she stammers.)

Me: But then what?...(I sighed) For how many days will he even remember this incident? 10…15? Maybe more…1 year….5 years…..then what? You will just become a part of his memories at best, a bad memory that he would forget. What about your family? What about your brother? Did you even bothered to think? (I said getting up.) They will reach here in any moment, you are free to jump if you want. (I said with a faint smile.)

Freya: No…(she frowns) You are lying. (She says with her tone filled with doubts as she stands up.)

Me: Pfft…what will I get from lying? I am literally asking you for a favour. (I grinned) Jump, and teach my brother a good lesson. So that, the next person, he gets in a relationship with, he can't treat her, like he treated you.

Freya: (Her eyes dart between me and the edge, her mind racing. Her confusion is evident, but there's also a flicker of doubt in her eyes, uncertainty starting to seep in.) You're... you're serious, aren't you? You want me to jump?

Me: (Smirking, my tone remains sharp.) I'm dead serious.

Freya: (she looks at the edge of the roof for a second then steps back hesitating) N….No….

Me: (I raised my brow, and tilt my head feeling confused) Why?

Freya: Because I don't want to die! Damn it! (She said biting her lower lip and clenching her fists.)

Me: Huh? What do you mean? (I acted confused.) I thought you were hell-bent to take your own life for the sake of your 'love'.

Freya: Who wants to do?! (Tears welled up in her eyes) I….I just wanted him to notice me and give me attention….I…I just wanted to be noticed….but he never did. (Her lips trembled, as tears rolled down from her eyes.)

Me: Was it….worth it? (I sighed rubbing my forehead, running out of patience.)

Freya: No….(she wipes her tears.) But what should I do?! I have always been invisible to people, and when I first met him, I thought if I could become his girlfriend, I would be noticed by everyone, was craving for some attention….a crime? (She hesitated.)

Me: Your desire for attention, turned into an obsession. (I frowned) Today, you were ready to ruin so many lives just because of your self-centred decision.

Freya: (Her voice drops to a whisper, filled with regret.) I… I didn't think it would go this far. I just wanted to be seen, to matter….

Me: (I shoved my hands in my pockets. And shrugged my shoulder.) I am not an expert in this topic, all I can say is value your life. You will find someone who would genuinely care. Don't waste your precious time, over someone who doesn't even care for you.

Freya: (Her eyes flicker with uncertainty, a storm of emotions battling within her.) But… what if no one ever notices me? What if I'm always… invisible?

Me: (I sighed, as a smile spread over my lips.) Then live your own life, love yourself, walk your own path, meet strangers, speak with them, travel the world. You will realize that there are many things in this world that go beyond recognition.

Freya: But…(she hesitates) Its too hard.

Me: Nothing comes easy in this life. Doesn't mean we give up without a fight. (I grinned) I am sure you will figure it out over time. (I pats her shoulder) For now, focus on what you have, instead of what you don't. (I said glancing at Felix who was standing near the door still terrified. King, Leo and few more people stood behind him.) He is waiting for you. (I said softly) Take care.

Freya: (she licks her dry lips, and wiped her tears, as she turns to face her brother.) Felix…..I….I am sorry….(she says as tears start rolling down from her eyes.)

Felix rushes towards his sister and hugs her tightly without uttering a single word. I don't know if my interference will actually be useful or not, but one thing was for sure that my method worked at least for now. It was a huge risk, but at the end it was worth the pain. I smiled before walking towards my worried brothers.

Leo: (he hugs me tightly) Are you out of your mind! (He asks concerned.)

Me: (I shrugged) I am still in one piece.

Leo: You! (He glares at me.)

King: (guilt seized him) Anne…

Freya: King….(she glances at him with guilt) I am sorry….

King: (nods) Hm…(he says) maybe we will discuss about it some other day. I am sorry for breaking your heart.

Freya: (nods feeling awkward) Yeah….I guess I never loved you in first place.

Felix: Sorry King. (He apologizes before holding Freya's hand) Lets go. (He says before leaving with Freya.)

King: (Watching them leave, he sighs deeply, rubbing the back of his neck.) What a mess... (He mutters, his face a mix of exhaustion and guilt.)

Leo: Created by you. (He frowns)

King: Tsk….(he failed to refute.)

By the time, we reached down stairs, the crowd was already returning to their respective classes, and the emergency services were on their way back. The sun was about to set, as I took a deep breath, the day haven't ended yet, I still have another task to complete before I could finally relax my mind.

Me: (I turned towards Leo) Can you give some space to King and me. I want to have a conversation with him.

Leo: (He hesitates, glancing between us and the scene still fresh in his mind.) Alright, but don't take too long. (He gives King a worried look before walking away.)

King: (He rubs his eyes wearily, his face etched with guilt and frustration.) Anne, I am sorry….I messed up badly, and even got you involved in my mess. (He says avoiding my eyes.) If today….you weren't here…(he gulps his spit.) I don't know what I would have done.

Me: King, come closer. (I smiled.)

King: Huh?...You aren't angry with me? (He looks confused as he bends towards me.)

Me: (I slapped him hard across his face.) Moron…didn't I warned you regarding the consequences of your actions? Why do you never listen?

King: (he touches his cheek as he was taken aback.) Anne….you don't understand….

Me: Of course I don't understand! How can I understand if you don't open up about your issues! (I grit my teeth feeling betrayed and hurt.) How would I understand if you don't communicate! I can't read minds!

King: What do you want to hear?! That I hate myself?! (He screams) That I feel hurt being ignored by my parents?! That I feel I am useless!! (He pants feeling out of breathe.) Since childhood, it has always been about either Leo or Angela. Leo is this, Leo is that, Leo is such a good child, Anne is talented, Angela is sweet, and King?...what about King! (Tears of frustration rolled down from his eyes.) Leo is responsible, Anne is a delinquent, Angela is a princess, and King….King is just a black sheep.

Me: King….(I murmured taken aback.) That's not true.

King: Stop lying!....(he says feeling defeated. As he wipes his tears and licks his dry lips.) Anne, I failed as a son, a brother, a lover, maybe as a friend and now even as human…..I am a loser, a total failure who hides his flaws in fake glamour. In reality, I am a nobody. (He shrugs.)

Me: You can't run from your problems, you need to face them. (I said holding his hand.)

King: (laughs) Look who is saying….(he wipes his tears.) Anne, its better that you return to the restaurant, its getting late.

Me: King, I know I aren't perfect, but you can't find peace unless you start loving and caring for yourself. (I squeezed his hand) Please understand, you are ruining yourself…..and I can't watch you like this…..

King: Leave me alone…please….(he says before withdrawing his hand and walking off.)

I watched him walk away with a mixture of frustration and disappointment. I knew my words wouldn't help him, he need to understand the consequences of his actions and reflect on it himself. I can just hope that he comes back to his senses before its too late to turn around. Somewhere I could relate to his pain but couldn't agree with his methods.

Leo: You don't need to ruin your mood just because of him. (He said coldly.)

Me: I know that you don't mean it, I know that you are worried about him. (I sighed) Maybe much more than me. (I shrugged.)

Leo: That's not true. (He refutes.)

Me: Leo….I think, we are turning into the same monster that we hated. (I said with a bitterness.)

Leo: What do you mean. (He frowns.)

Me: King, you and me….we all are turning into our father. (I said laughing.)

Leo: Tsk. (He rolls his eyes.) Let me drop you back to the restaurant.

I nodded quietly and we left for the restaurant. After a long day, my head felt heavy, and as soon as I entered my room, anxiety gripped me. Thoughts raced through my mind: "What if something went wrong today?" "What if my method failed?" "What if King harms himself?" My feet throbbed from due to the recent injury, cold sweat coated my forehead, and my vision blurred. My throat was dry, my temperature rose, and soon, I collapsed on the floor, struggling to move as consciousness began to slip away.

To be continued.....